You can find all the weekly news from Year 6 linked below.
Our Science topic this half-term, Electricity, involved lots of practical investigation, using wires, batteries, bulbs and switches, as well as buzzers and motors. The children worked enthusiastically to construct circuits using a range of circuit diagrams and vice versa.
In Maths this week, we have been exploring the volume of solid shapes. The children used cubes to explore the concept and were able to count them and then work out the formula for themselves. They enjoyed investigating various questions using the cubes too. The use of manipulatives always underpins our Maths teaching and helps us with our understanding of concepts.
In Art this week, children in Year 6 have been considering Street Art and also the environment. They have been inspired by various examples of street art, including graffiti. This provoked an interesting discussion about the legality but also the reasons why some people choose to express themselves in such ways, when they know the risks. The children were inspired to create their own example after watching a short video about the environment. They were very passionate in the messages they wanted to portray through their art. We have been amazed by their talents and determination to make our world a better place.
In Science this week, the children have been exploring what happens when white light hits a prism. They have made colour spinners to try to replicate how the colours blend together to form white light. It was tricky to be able to spin their spinner fast enough, but with perseverance, some did manage to get the colours to begin to blend. The children also watched a video, showing it happening,
In History this week, we have been considering how the role of women changed as a direct consequence of World War Two. We have looked at the use of propaganda posters as a powerful, persuasive tool to encourage women to serve their country in a variety of different ways and therefore help the war effort. The children examined statistics showing the numbers of different jobs women did and also considered how they felt about this. They then designed their own propaganda posters, some to encourage women to work and some for other aspects of the war.
World War Two Day today, has been hugely exciting, with many children making a fantastic effort with their costumes. We have seen a lot of evacuees, land army girls and some soldiers in class today. The children have learnt about and experienced evacuation as well as trying some rationed food, along with seeing Ration Books and ID Cards. As well as being a real highlight of our year, the children have begun to consider the devastating impact of war on society as a whole.
As part of our World War Two History topic, Year 6 are reading the picture book, 'Rose Blanche'. This considers the outbreak of the war but from the German perspective. This has generated much discussion and the children have have some great thought-provoking questions. This week and next week, the children are writing their Star Write diary entry as one of the characters.
Today saw the long-awaited DT 'Come Dine With Me' project, where the children prepared either a starter, a main course or a dessert, which was then judged by another group. They had researched this and organised themselves for this before Christmas and were very excited to be finally seeing their plans come to fruition. Whilst some were cooking, others were finding out about how their 'hero ingredient' (either peppers, salmon or pineapple) travelled 'from farm to fork'. Also, each child has contributed a favourite recipe to the online Class Cookbook. A great day!
The children have been very excited about planning their cooking project for January 9th this week, when each group will cook either a starter or a main course or a dessert. The 'hero ingredients' are peppers (starter), salmon (main course) and pineapple (dessert). They have also been organising the additional ingredients each child will need to bring in so they can prepare and serve 2 plates of their chosen recipe. We are all looking forward to cooking and then tasting their finished products!
To end our topic on the Maya, we have been considering the various aspects that led to their demise as an entire civilisation. The children were surprised to learn that the Maya do still exist, but they have had to integrate into society in Central America. The children were also shocked to hear that the Maya can sometimes face racism. One of our learning pillars is Fairness for All and the children were quite vocal with their opinions about how very unfair this is. It was encouraging to see them passionate about wanting to make our world a better place.
On Tuesday afternoon, the children had great fun working collaboratively, to build an element of a Maya village. They had already researched and designed what they would be creating, so they could use their plans to bring it to life! They worked very well together and were pleased and proud of their final achievements. A definite highlight of our topic about the ancient Maya.
After learning about everyday life for the Maya, the children were set the challenge of designing then building at least one, if not two, structures to be included as part of a whole-class Maya village. They will be creating this on Tuesday next week, so they need to bring in the cardboard boxed tec that they have planned to use.