You can find all the weekly news from Year 6 linked below.
This week, Year 6 have begun their History topic about World War Two and have looked at the reasons behind the outbreak. They have also found out a little about the major events of the war, such as Dunkirk, the Blitz, the Battle of Britain, Pearl Harbour, D-Day, VE Day and VJ Day. The children are also getting very excited about World War Two Day on Jan 24th - there have been many discussions about outfits for the day!
Our DT Cooking project has been a great way to kickstart our learning this term. Using recipes that had been found before Christmas, the children prepared and served one course out of a 3-course meal. As well as sampling their own food, children have sampled each other's food and given them some feedback, based on presentation, smell and taste. Terms such as 'slicing', 'dicing' and 'en papillote', have been explored. Some children learnt how to chop different types of fruit and vegetables. The aromas coming out of Year 6 have been amazing! A huge thank you to the parents and carers who have volunteered to help with this project.
This week, Year 6 have been planning their part of our DT cooking project for our first week back in January. Based on the programme, 'Come Dine With Me', each group will be cooking either a starter or a main course or a dessert. They worked hard to research a recipe that matched the criteria and are excited to begin the cooking of this after Christmas.
This week, the children have been finding out about the Mayan written language. The children drew in ther books, one of the words and were fascinated to find out about how it could be read. We linked this to other areas of our History learning throughout the school, such as the Ancient Egyptians.
We have been working very hard in English, writing diary entries based on 'The Explorer' by Katherine Rundell. The children could choose which character they wanted to write as Fred or Con. Both are complex characters, with much in common, yet there is friction between them. The children have been writing independently, for their Autumn 2 Star Writing.
In Science this week, the children were tasked with sorting a selection of images of living things according to various scientific criteria, using the correct terminology to label them. This caused much discussion about the difference between amphibians and reptiles as well as between molluscs and worms.
In Science this week, Year 6 have been looking at Classification of plants. They were tasked with classifying images of plants according to their own criteria, in groups. We then discussed the various different ways of doing this, which led us to the conclusion that there needed to be one agreed system, rather than lots of different systems.
In Year 6 this week, we have launched our History topic about the Ancient Maya by looking at the significance of the game Pok-a-tok. We have explored the rules and the children have been very surprised to learn that losing could be very dangerous indeed for the team captain in particular! Additionally, knocking the ball with your hip only, is very hard!
We have started our half term with 'Around the World' Week and each class has focused on a different country. We have practised map skills and found out about the country itself. Some classes have sampled food from that country whilst others have engaged in craft activities reflecting various aspects of life, myths and music connected with that country. Parents and carers are warmly invited to visit each classroom across the school on Monday 11th November from 3.15-4.15pm. On display in each room will be a selection of the learning that has taken place and there is an interactive virtual 'passport' to complete. We look forward to welcoming you on Monday.
Year 6 had a fantastic day at RHS Wisley on Thursday, with glorious Autumn weather. We learnt about adaptations and rainforest plants as well as those which thrive best in desert conditions. Scientific knowledge from Year 5 was revised about plant reproduction and everyone took a cutting from a Peperomia plant, which they were able to pot, label and take home, with full growing instructions. Exploring the glasshouse was amazing, and the children carefully sketched some of the unusual plants. A great way to end our first half-term in Year 6.
In our Music Production lesson this week, the children have been exploring the different ways they can alter various tracks from the song, 'Stay with me'. Soundtrap allows the children to experiment with tempo, key, pitch, rhythm and instrumentation. They are really enjoying the different ways they can manipulate the overall sound of the song.
Our final Geography enquiry question allowed the children to draw together all of their knowledge about Brazil and compare the country with the UK. We have looked at wealth, education, healthcare, climate, tourism and employment opportunities and the children have explored these through discussion and comparison with their own knowledge of these aspects in the UK.