Maths

At the beginning of Autumn 2, Year 6 continued to learn about Fractions. We learned how to add and subtract fractions with different denominators, expanding on the children’s understanding from year 5 by solving problems including mixed numbers. Once the children became confident with this, we moved on to multiplying and dividing fractions.

Our final topic for the term was Decimals. We focused on how fractions and decimals are related before moving onto multiplying and dividing decimal numbers.

English

For English, we finished off Tom’s Sausage Lion with a newspaper report based on the events in the final chapter. In the lead up to their writing, the children analysed a newspaper report and identified the key features. They then planned and wrote each paragraph including key features such as: a headline, the 5 W’s, fronted adverbials, relative clauses and semi-colons.

After that, we focused our English learning around the book “Storm”. While reading the book, the children were able to show inference of character’s thoughts and actions and were able to find evidence in the text to support their answers.

While reading the novel, we have also had several opportunities for writing. The children have written a description of a storm, including expanded noun phrases and similes in their description. They have also written a phrase poem using their own phrases and phrases from the book itself.

Science

Our science topic has been light. The children have built up a lot of knowledge around the topic and are able to explain how light enables us to see objects as well as how shadows are formed. The children have also investigated the properties of materials, testing whether they were transparent, translucent or opaque and grouping them accordingly.  We used the topic as an opportunity to teach some design and construction skills as well. The children created their own functioning periscopes using cardboard and mirrors. When carrying out these investigations, the children made predictions, recorded their results in appropriate tables and evaluated how the investigations went.

R.E.

In R.E., we focused on the religion of Christianity. The topic covered the birth of Jesus with the children discussing why Mary was chosen to be the mother of Jesus. We shared ideas about why some people are chosen to do specific roles and linked these to Mary’s characteristics.

History

We have been learning about the Trojan War in History this term. The children enjoyed reading and discussing the story of the Trojan horse before examining and analysing the evidence of its occurrence. The children had to decipher and evaluate picture and written evidence from thousands of years ago and come to a conclusion, based on this evidence, whether the siege of Troy really took place.

Computing

In computing, the children began by completing their coding module. We then looked at internet safety which included learning about digital footprints and how to minimize our screen time. 

P.E.

The children have enjoyed learning the skills required for tennis. The children can now all perform a forehand and back hand shot confidently. The children also practised their aim and improved their footwork by moving towards the ball confidently.

Music

The BGF’s have looked at the Victorian Street Cries in the film ‘Oliver’.

• “Who will but my sweet, red roses? Teo blooms for a penny.”
• “Ripe Strawberries, ripe”
• “Will you buy and milk today, Mistress?”
• “Knives to grin!”

We listened to the audio and picked out each street cry. Then watched the clip from the film. We talked about the texture that the street cries created as they were either sung as a solo, thin texture, or altogether creating a thick texture. We remembered how lower down school we thought of a sandwich and now thought of the layers in the music. We discussed how we advertise items to sell today. We looked at a few Victorian Inventions such as the Music Box, Street Piano, Phonograph, Player Piano and The Penny-in-the-slot. We listened to a clip of each and guessed which they were. We then looked at a Victorian Inventions Songs/ Rap. One child read it through whilst a few children created the sound effects with classroom percussion. Finally, we worked in pairs to create an advert. Thinking of a catchy slogan, a phrase or description. The challenge was to use your voice as musical instrument and have a go at creating a melodic line.

We all enjoyed a Christmas Assembly with a brass band!

Play It Forward, conducted by Mr. David Warren. He taught at Towneley, now called Unity for 25 years as Head of Music. The band members played our Christingle Service Carols. We raised the school roof with our fabulous singing!

Merry Christmas and Season Greetings from Mrs. Lingard and Mr. Garrett.