Year 6
Welcome to the Silver and Bronze Class page!
2024-25
Welcome Back! - w/b 02.09.24
It's so good to be back together again after the Summer holidays, and we're raring to get stuck into the hard work, fun and excitement that comes with being in year 6!
Aadhil, Silver: I liked today because I was having fun with all the lessons and it wasn't too hard and wasn’t too easy.
Aleena, Silver : I enjoyed my day at school. It was fun and we got to do lots of activities and I am happy to be back at school.
Emanuel, Silver: My day back at school was good because I got to meet my teacher and she was fun.
Mohammad, Silver: My day back at school was fun and interesting and I loved meeting my teachers' cool vibe.
Welcome to the Silver and Bronze Class page!
2023-24
PHSCE - w/b 08.07.24
In PSHCE, we have been creating an art piece about what we are and what we will be. My original plan was to make a totem pole with three animals . These animals were a swan, butterfly and peacock. Unfortunately, I could not make this since there was not enough time to use paper mache so instead I have started to do various and several drawings (it is technically a collage of drawings) on paper. I am hoping that I will be happy with my outcome.
By Aayat, Year 6 Silver Class
End of Year Visit - w/b 01.07.24
We had the best time on our last ever trip at Sir John Heron. Though it was sad to think that we wouldn’t be out and about exploring London together again, we made some brilliant memories on a treasure hunt around the South Bank. We started off with a moment enjoying the busker at Stratford station, before we whizzed into London Bridge on the Jubilee Line, taking in the view of The Orbit as we passed it. Once we were off the tube, our sleuthing started straight away! The cryptic clues took us around Southwark Cathedral, the site of the original Globe Theatre and the Rose Theatre, too. Around the site of the Tate Modern, where we stopped off for an al fresco lunch by the Thames and then back down to where we started, passing the new Globe Theatre and The Golden Hynde. We deduced who the culprit was in the nick of time, before we headed back to school, tired and happy.
Art W/B 24.06.2024
Our topic in Year 6 is ‘Creatures’, which is an art topic based on the work of Justin Diggle. Justin is a British-born artist, living in America, who specialises in print making. He creates weird and wonderful creatures which he then prints. To start our topic, we have been art detectives, looking at examples of his work and exploring what we can see. We will then go on to come up with our own creatures, and use printing techniques to create a final piece of art.
Mathematics - w/b 17.06.24
We’ve been having an absolute blast in Mathematics, doing project work which uses all of the skills we’ve learned so far in mathematics, oracy and team-working. Here you can see us turning from students to bakers. We’ve been running our own bakery, calculating profit and loss, scaling ingredients and designing logos and constructing packaging, all things that need us to be really confident and enthusiastic mathematicians!
We also like to have a chortle as we work and so thought that you might enjoy this:
Why did the students eat their homework?
Because their teachers told them it was a piece of cake!
English - w/b 10.06.24
Oh, the magnificent tale of Macbeth! We’ve listened to the sounds of the eerie moorland, looked at the artistic interpretations of the weird sisters, pored over vibrant cartoons of the play to bring Shakespeare's masterpiece to life like never before. Picture this: the forboding whisper of the witches, the chilling clink of a dagger, the thundering hooves of horses galloping into battle; these elements transport us right into the heart of Scotland, where ambition and fate collide in a tragic dance.
We’ve dived in and started retelling Macbeth as a gripping narrative. Set in a dark and stormy landscape, our tale unfolds with a sense of impending doom. Ambition, betrayal, and supernatural forces intertwine to create a compelling story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Join us on this thrilling journey through the world of Macbeth and see whether you can retell the opening scene of the play in 12 sentences using each of these words once!
RE - w/b 03.06.24
For RE Day, Year 6 thought about the qualities needed by present day religious leaders. We started by considering what qualities are necessary for any sort of leader, and then went on to think more specifically about the qualities that a religious leader would need to demonstrate. We created presentations about particular religious leaders and shared them with others. We finished the day by comparing and contrasting leaders from different religions.
Bridges Project - w/b 20.05.24
As a special post-SATs project, Year 6 have been learning about bridges - the different types and the materials used in their construction. We have also found out about five prominent women involved in the design and engineering of bridges around the world. All of this was to prepare us for a bridge challenge: design and build a bridge that spans 45cm and can support a 500g weight. Working with a partner, we discussed ideas and then created our designs, including a scale drawing of what we want the bridge to look like. We can’t wait to construct our bridges and test them!
Art - w/b 13.05.24
‘This week we have been doing art. We got some art pictures and copied them into a small piece. After that, we coloured and made a bigger piece, using our mathematics skills to enlarge the work. On Friday we will be painting them or using pastels. Two works that I have copied were ‘Dancers at the Barre’ by Degas and ‘The Girl with a Pearl Earring’ by Vermeer, because both have people in them and I like drawing people. It was a lot of fun and I saw a lot of new pictures that I had never seen before.’
Ruth- Silver Class
‘We have been doing art. We have been learning how to recreate famous art pieces. This has helped us focus more because we have SATs this week. It gets our minds ready and set to focus. We have done two sets of art, one big and one small. We are going to use oil pastels or acrylic paint. It will be really fun to do.’
Anne-Marie- Silver Class
PSHCE - w/b 06.05.24
It’s nearly SATS week, but amid our revision and exam practise, we know that we need to take time to look after our mental health and wellbeing. Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems we can all face and exam stress can feel like a lot to cope with. However, there are steps we can take to help look after and improve our wellbeing. Here we are having a metal time out- some of us are doing some mindfulness colouring, and others are meditating with closed eyes whilst listening to affirmations.
Below are five of our top tips for helping to manage your wellbeing:
● Make time for things you enjoy -Find ways to release stress and celebrate your revision progress. Whether it's listening to music, cooking, drawing or going for a walk.
● Talk to others about how you feel - Connect with your friends and you can look to your family for support. Remember, you are not alone.
● Try to find balance -Take regular breaks and be realistic about what you can do in a day. Keep things in perspective and remember that tricky moments don't last forever.
● Take care of your physical health - Make sure you get enough sleep, nutritious food, water and exercise. Whether it's a walk or doing sports, physical activity helps to reduce symptoms of anxiety.
● Focus on yourself -Try not to compare yourself to others. Think of things you like about yourself and what you're good at - this can help boost your confidence.
Preparing for SATs - w/b 29.04.24
Year 6 is in full SATs-preparation mode! Every afternoon is a revision session, when we go over our learning in maths, reading, and spelling and punctuation. We use SATs-style questions to help, and we make sure that we discuss the questions with others so that we can help each other. We have all found that working together like this is helping us with getting ready for the tests.
Earth Day - w/b 22.04.24
During Earth Day on Monday, Year 6 took part in various activities linked to this global celebration. In our mathematics lesson, we created 3-d shapes by carefully measuring and drawing nets, then cutting them out, folding and glueing them. Once completed, we decorated them in keeping with the theme of Earth Day. Our English lesson was taken up with writing a poem inspired by an image, either of the natural world, or of the effect that human activity can have on the environment. It was good to think about what each of us can do to help preserve and protect our world.
English - w/b 15.04.24
Our text for this term in English lessons is Rose Blanche. Set during World War Two in Germany, the story follows Rose as she lives with the realities of war. In one of our lessons this week, we worked in small groups to create a freeze frame for a particular part of the story. We had to think about what actually happened, and what the characters might have been thinking or feeling. That way we were able to choose appropriate facial expressions and body postures for the freeze frame.
Art - w/b 25.03.24
Our art topic this term has been inspired by a portrait, “No woman, no cry”, by Chris Ofili. We looked closely and carefully at his painting, discussing what we could see, and what emotions the work evoked. We also learnt the background to the portrait. It was made by Chris Ofili in 1998 when he was living and working in London. The title of this work is the name of a 1974 song by the Jamaican reggae musician Bob Marley that entreats a female listener not to be sad. The crying woman depicted is Doreen Lawrence (now Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon OBE), the mother of Stephen Lawrence, who was murdered as a teenage boy in an unprovoked racist attack in London in 1993, and the photographs inside the tears in this work are all images of Stephen.
We went on to choose a strong emotion and to create a background in a colour reflecting that emotion. Then we drew our own portrait outline on the background; the final stage will be to paint the detail of our self-portrait.
Mathematics in Action - w/b 18.03.24
We had an amazing day out in central London yesterday, putting our practical mathematics skills into action! From using train timetables to calculate our journey, to estimating distances between locations, estimating the capacity of the fountains in Leicester Square, approximating the quantity of butterflies in an immersive AI installation and working out the lifespans of artists at the National Portrait Gallery, we really made our trip one which was using all of our social, cultural and academic learning so far!
Computing - w/b 11.03.24
Our topic in Year 6 is all to do with creating web pages. We have spent time, this term, looking at how web pages are designed, what needs to be considered, and how content is arranged so that users can navigate around the website quickly.
Each of us has chosen what our website will be about, and have spent lessons creating the content and adding things like hyperlinks so that users can go from one section to another efficiently. Every so often, we preview our web pages, evaluating what they look like on different types of devices. That way, we are constantly making refinements, which hopefully improve our website.
French - w/b 04.03.24
We have a great time together when we learn French. Miss Werrin makes sure our accents are impeccable, or pronunciation perfect and we remember what we have learned already, from numbers to pastries, to buildings, with movements and quizzes!
Nous passons de bons moments ensemble lorsque nous apprenons le français. Miss Werrin veille à ce que nos accents soient impeccables ou notre prononciation parfaite et nous nous souvenons de ce que nous avons déjà appris, des chiffres aux pâtisseries, en passant par les bâtiments, avec des mouvements et des quiz !
Reading - w/b 26.02.24
As it’s Book Week this week, we are doing something different in every DEAR Time. On Tuesday, half of each class swapped over and we shared books with each other. We gave each other a synopsis of the plot, explained whether we were enjoying the book, and then actually read a few pages to our partners. It was great to be able to spend a relaxing time talking about books and listening to each other read.
RE - w/b 19.02.24
For our RE Day, Year 6 considered the similarities and differences religions and worldviews share. We thought about it mainly from the perspective of community, and what religions and worldviews teach about the way people should treat each other. We discovered that a common element is what has been called the Golden Rule: treat others how you would want to be treated. For part of the day, we had to present to the rest of the class some of our thoughts, using our oracy skills so that everyone could understand us clearly.
PHSCE - w/b 05.02.24
Mental Health week is a week dedicated to the mental health of children regarding our school and the whole borough of Newham.This article is all about year 6’s mental health week.
This mental health week included us writing about our favourite dates for example, someone’s birthday or the new year. Every day this past week, students meditated using ‘Peace Out’. This is an easy way to rest your mind and put yourself in a serene state of mind. Also on Monday we attended an assembly by the well-respected Anti-bullying ambassadors. The assembly focussed on spreading a vital message.
“MY VOICE MATTERS”
By Kevin and Navid
Silver Class
Mathematics - w/b 29.01.24
We’ve been having a brilliant time starting to explore the world of Algebra! Algebra is a bit like being a detective, you have to solve challenges where there are missing bits of information which you find out by appling your mathematics skills. This week we’ve looked at algebraic formulae, notation and equations!
History - w/b 22.01.24
Our history topic in Year 6 is Crime and Punishment, and we have learnt about crime, and how it was punished, during three historical periods: the Romans, the Anglo-Saxons, and the Victorians. For our learning about the Victorians, we experienced four hard labour tasks that prisoners would have to endure. Although our tasks weren’t exactly the same, we were able to think about what prisoners in the Nineteenth Century went through, and we considered the effectiveness of such punishments.
Reading - w/b 15.01.24
In Guided Reading, we have been reading a book called Silas Marner, written by George Elliot (which was a fake name - or pseudonym - because female authors in the nineteenth century often found it almost impossible to get their work published. Her real name was Mary Ann Evans.). In the story, there is an ominous figure called Silas who was thought to be controlled by the devil. He was a happy member of a church but was betrayed by his best friend, William Dane.
One of the important skills we need is being able to identify the main idea of paragraphs, chapters, and whole books. As well as talking about this, we use a range of other ways to make sure we understand what the main idea of a text is.
Shakeel
English - w/b 08.01.24
We’ve been having a blast in English this week with Monday’s Victorian day starting off our story planning. We’ve started reading a story called ‘Street Child’ which is based on a real life character from history, Jim Jarvis and his life as a destitute orphan under the reign of Queen Victoria. Our immersive experience didn’t just benefit our writing so that we could empathise with some of the experiences of the children in the Victorian era who we will be depicting in our work (we’re writing an ending to the novel in three chapters), but we also did Victorian Maths, P.E., Reading and Oracy!
Christmas - w/b 11.12.23
Today, we thoroughly enjoyed a pantomime about Peter Pan. This was extremely fun and funny. We were all intently watching and it felt like the one hour went by in two minutes! The actors were engaging with us and entertained us wonderfully! On the whole, I (and I am sure many others) loved the pantomime and it was sad to see that this was the last pantomime in primary school. On a positive note, it was a wonderful one hour and I really enjoyed this pantomime. Thank you to the amazing actors who really made our day!
Aarththy,
Silver Class
Science - w/b 04.12.23
We’ve been delving further into the topic of light this week and swapping reflections for refraction. After having posed our own investigation questions relating to how we could prove refraction was taking place, we formulated our method and got stuck into our investigations which ranged from trying to make our own rainbow to making arrows change directions! Ask us what we observed when we were conducting our scientific exploration and have a go at something similar at home:
Science - w/b 27.11.23
We’ve been looking at the topic of light in Science and most recently what a reflection is and why, and where we see them. In order to depict what a reflection is, and what it is not, we used differing materials and a painting by the celebrated American artist, Norman Rockwell to inspire us. Have a look and see where you can see a reflection in the scientific context but also how the objects around Rockwell are a reflection of his culture, interests and beliefs.
If you want to explore light at home, have a look here for some brilliant at home investigation ideas:
https://explorify.uk/teacher-support/helpful-reads/explorify-at-home-light
Geography - w/b 20.11.23
In geography lessons, the pupils in Year 6 have been learning about our local area. As part of this, we carried out fieldwork during a walk from school to Valentines park in Ilford. We made observations about geographical features such as land use and transportation, recording them in fieldwork notebooks. While in Valentines Park, we thought about the similarities and differences between it and our part of Manor Park. We also enjoyed seeing a lot of wildlife that we don’t normally see, such as moorhens and geese.
After our walk, we collaborated with a partner to create a sketch map of the route we took.
PHSCE - w/b 06.11.23
We’ve taken our Personal, social, health and citizenship education to the pool over the last two weeks- we’ve been learning and developing our swimming abilities at the Olympic pool in Stratford, and enjoying time celebrating our achievements together in a wonderful building designed by the inspirational architect Zaha Hadid. We’ve also been participating in Parliament Week- the time when we stand for election as MPs, give manifesto speeches to our classmates, cast our democratic vote and the prefects get to run the polling stations and count the votes. We’ll find out the results on the 10th November, so watch this space to find out who will be representing our classes for the rest of the year!
RE - w/b 30.10.23
In Year 6, we explored how Christians express their faith through the arts. We thought about the way that music and movement are used as part of Christian worship, as well as the aspects of the religion being expressed. After that, we spent time looking at how art and colour have been used, and created our own modern icons, depicting something connected with Christianity. For part of the day, we learnt how drama is also used, for example the passion plays that are often performed at Easter time. By the end of the day, we had learnt that Christians have used the arts in lots of different ways to express various aspects of their beliefs.
PHSCE - w/b 16.10.23
During PHSCE we have been learning about Martin Luther King Junior. We have looked at his well-known speech. My favourite thing I learned from his speech was to never give up on standing up for your rights. Martin Luther King Junior did not only talk about himself, he also talked about the upcoming generation. The part of the speech that stood out the most was,
“I had a dream that one day little black boys & little black girls would hold hands with little white boys and little white girls and one day be brothers and sisters. I had a dream that one day my four little children will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of the character.” well spoken words.
Written by Farez & Dhanyal.
Art - w/b 09.10.23
In Year 6, we have been learning about two artists, Stephen Wiltshire and John Virtue, both of whom depict cityscapes, but each using a different style and technique. We learned that Stephen Wiltshire creates extremely detailed pictures, which can be described as ‘low energy’. John Virtue, on the other hand, uses ‘high energy’ to create more abstract, less detailed depictions of cityscapes.
We have experimented with both styles, depicting the same scene, in order to be able to choose how we want to create our final piece of art for this topic.
Science - w/b 02.10.23
In science we have been learning about the theory of Wallace and Charles Darwin. We have learned about evolution, natural selection and the survival of the fittest. An easy way that we used to learn was listening to raps/songs and poems.
Written by Farez.
The favourite part of our learning was when we listened to the rap about camels and polar bears.
Written by Navid.
Reading - w/b 25.09.23
This week, in Guided Reading, we are reading a poem by Robert Burns, entitled ‘My Heart’s in the Highlands’. The poet extols the Highlands, a place that he loved greatly, and explains that no matter where he goes, his heart will always belong to that beautiful part of Scotland.
After reading the poem, we worked in small groups, answering three key questions about the poem, which meant we had to use our reading and oracy skills. We enjoy talking about what we have read as it gives us the opportunity to hear other people’s opinions.
Mathematics - w/b 18.09.23
My favourite topic in mathematics so far in year 6 is negative numbers. I like negative numbers because you can subtract a large amount. In year 6 we have been rounding large amounts, negative numbers, place value to 1,000,000 and carried out some really fun investigations and raps linked to our learning .
By Aayat,
Silver Class
English - w/b 11.09.23
In our English lessons, we have been reading poems by Joseph Coelho, from his book Overheard in a Tower Block. After analysing the poems, talking about techniques and themes, we worked in groups to perform one of them. We had to decide how we were going to do it, and how we could use our voice and gestures to convey the meaning of the poem to the audience. Everyone worked hard, and produced some great performances.
Welcome Back! w/b 04.09.23
Pupils in Year 6 have made a fantastic start to the new academic year. Everyone was happy to be back at school on Tuesday, and it was fun catching-up with what our friends had been up to during the summer break. It wasn’t long, however, before we settled down and focused on the tasks we had. Year 6 is our last year in primary school, and we are all determined to make the most of every minute!
Welcome to the Silver and Bronze Class page!
2022-23
Art - w/b 10.07.23
In an exciting art project, Year 6 students have delved into the captivating world of renowned artist Justin Diggle and the mesmerizing technique of intaglio printing. This hands-on experience allowed the children to unleash their creativity and imagination by designing and printing their own peculiar creatures.
Intrigued by Diggle's work, the Year 6 students embraced the challenge of designing their own odd creatures. Armed with scissors, glue, and an array of animal images, the children engaged in the art of collage. Once the students had crafted their extraordinary creatures, the next step was to etch their designs onto foil card to create a printing plate. Using specialised etching tools, they carefully traced their collaged creatures onto the foil card, pressing gently to create precise lines and textures. This technique allowed the students to translate their ideas from the realm of imagination into tangible, tactile forms.
With their printing plates ready, the Year 6 students were introduced to the printing press, a powerful tool in the world of intaglio printing. They carefully aligned their plates on the press, ensuring precision and accuracy, and then positioned blank sheets of paper on top. Applying gentle pressure, they rolled the press, witnessing the magic of transformation as their designs transferred onto the paper. The joy and excitement were palpable as each student unveiled their printed creations bringing their unique visions to life.
Year 6 Visits Manor Park Christian Centre - w/b 03.07.23
On Friday 30th June, Year 6 walked to Manor Park Christian Centre, having been invited to take part in a special event. We were welcomed by some very friendly volunteers, and then spent the afternoon thinking about the importance of Jesus to Christians, but also considering differing views about him. We were encouraged to voice our own thoughts and opinions and had the opportunity to ask questions, too. Our time there was really enjoyable, and helped in our learning about different beliefs.
Art - w/b 26.06.23
During Art Week, the Year 6 children found themselves captivated by the incredible work of Esther Mahlungu, an esteemed artist known for her contributions to the Ndebele tribes' artistic style. Through in-depth research and engaging discussions, the students delved into the rich history and cultural significance of Ndebele art, discovering the vibrant patterns, bold colours, and geometric shapes that characterise this unique style.
"Art has the power to bring people together, to bridge cultures and break down barriers."
Inspired by Mahlungu's talent, the children embarked on their own artistic journey, crafting clay pots and adorning them with intricate designs reminiscent of the Ndebele tradition. Their creativity flourished as they skilfully incorporated the essence of this ancient art form into their own creations, resulting in a remarkable display of talent and cultural appreciation.
Mathematics - w/b 19.06.23
Year 6 students have recently embarked on an exciting mathematics project called White Rose Bakery. This hands-on experience has allowed them to delve into the world of baking, where they have identified ingredients, calculated costs, and explored packaging. By meticulously creating shopping lists, they applied mathematical skills such as measurement and estimation. Through researching prices, comparing values, and calculating total expenditures, they honed their budgeting and financial planning abilities. Additionally, by analysing packaging options based on geometry and measurement, they combined creativity with mathematical thinking. Year 6 have discovered the captivating intersection of mathematics and baking, fostering practical skills and a lifelong appreciation for the subject.
RE - w/b 12.06.23
Year 6 students recently embarked on a powerful educational journey as they delved into the historical significance of World War II. As part of their immersive learning experience, the students had the opportunity to watch a captivating play that vividly portrayed the events and emotions surrounding this tumultuous period. The play served as a catalyst for further exploration, as the children eagerly participated in workshops that focused on creating artwork centred around the experiences of Jews during World War II. Through their artistic expressions, the students gained a deeper understanding of the struggles and resilience of individuals affected by the Holocaust, fostering empathy and cultivating a profound appreciation for the importance of remembrance and human rights education.
Reading - w/b 05.06.23
One of the important reading skills we all need to develop is that of proof reading: the ability to spot mistakes in our writing. In Year 6, we have been spending time reading other people’s writing, using our proof reading skills to spot things that need correcting. We have also looked carefully at other ways to improve our writing, such as thinking about the vocabulary we use, and the way we express ourselves.
Working with others has certainly helped us as writers!
Writing - w/b 22.05.23
Year 6 students have embarked on a remarkable writing journey, showcasing their growth as writers and their love for storytelling. By carefully selecting their favourite pieces from the year and engaging in the redrafting process, these young authors have created awe-inspiring works that reflect their resilience and attention to detail. From imaginative narratives to persuasive letters, their refined pieces demonstrate the power of creativity and the impact of deliberate revisions.
These redrafted pieces are proof of the effort and success of Year 6 pupils. Their polished works make them proud and show that they can take feedback and make their writing even stronger. We're celebrating their incredible talent and progress, and we're excited about what the future holds for these young writers. Their passion for storytelling will keep growing and inspiring others.
Art - w/b 15.05.23
Year 6 students have been putting their artistic skills to the test by creating their own portraits of King Charles III. Taking inspiration from official photos, the students have added their own personal touches by incorporating items of interest to the monarch. For example, they have replaced the St Edwards crown with a unique one made from leaves, which showcases the King's love of gardening and his commitment to the environment. The students have also used techniques such as graphite transfer to aid them in their creations.
In addition to their impressive artistic endeavours, the Year 6 children went the extra mile by creating a captivating wash for the background of their portraits. With careful consideration, they selected colours to evoke specific emotions, taking inspiration from the renowned artist Chris O'filli's iconic piece, "No woman no cry." This attention to detail further enhances the depth and meaning behind their artwork, showcasing the students' exceptional talent and artistic expression. These portraits are a wonderful example of the creativity and imagination of our young artists.
Coronation Celebrations - w/b 08.05.23
Year 6 students took part in a tea party celebration, marking the upcoming coronation of King Charles III. With great excitement, our Year 6 students dressed in their finest attire, with the colours of the Union Jack, and embraced the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of royalty. Amidst a delightful ambiance of laughter and cheer, the young participants indulged in a delectable array of treats. This enchanting event not only provided a joyous experience but also served as a valuable educational opportunity for our Year 6 students to delve into the history and significance of royal ceremonies, fostering a deeper appreciation for their country's rich heritage.
Moreover, the festivities were elevated by a series of engaging games that captivated our Year 6 students' attention. From the classic musical statues to an exhilarating round of royal trivia, our young learners eagerly embraced the challenges, showcasing their knowledge and enthusiasm. These games offered a platform for interactive learning, further developing their social skills and promoting teamwork, all while creating unforgettable memories. The tea party, along with the thrilling games, proved to be a resounding success, leaving our Year 6 students with cherished moments and a profound sense of anticipation for the forthcoming coronation of King Charles III.
English - w/b 01.05.23
Year 6 students have been hard at work crafting a newspaper article inspired by the thought-provoking book, "Rose Blanche" by Christophe Gallaz and Roberto Innocenti. The book follows the journey of a young German girl, Rose, during the tumultuous time of World War II. Intrigued by the events unfolding around her, Rose embarks on a quest to help the children in a nearby concentration camp. Despite her good intentions, her actions come at a great cost.
The children in Year 6 have been exploring the themes of the book and learning about the historical context of World War II. They have been honing their writing skills by researching and drafting their articles, and have also been developing their critical thinking skills by considering different perspectives and sources. Through this activity, the children have gained a deeper understanding of the impact of war on individuals and communities, and have been able to express their thoughts and opinions in a thoughtful and engaging way.
Getting Ready for SATs - w/b 24.04.23
With SATs fast approaching, Year 6 are working hard to prepare for the tests. We have been practising the types of questions that will be in the tests, and thinking about what we can do to make our answers the best we can.
We have also been helping each other, revising together and using the skills and knowledge from our learning throughout KS2.
One of the most effective techniques we've learned is called spaced repetition.
Spaced repetition involves reviewing material at specific intervals to reinforce your memory of it over time.This technique is particularly useful for learning and retaining large amounts of information, such as vocabulary or formulae.
Another technique we've learned is called active recall.Active recall involves testing yourself on material to strengthen your memory of it. This technique can be done through flashcards, quizzes, or other types of practice exercises.
We've also learned about the importance of setting goals and creating a study schedule to help us stay on track. By breaking down our revision into smaller, manageable chunks, we can make the process less overwhelming and more achievable. Additionally, we've learned about the value of taking breaks and getting enough rest to help us stay focused and productive. We've also practised using visual aids such as mind maps and diagrams to help us organise information and make connections between different concepts.
Finally, we've learned about the importance of practising past papers and seeking feedback from teachers or peers to identify areas where we need to improve. By incorporating these revision techniques into our SATs preparation, we feel more confident and prepared for the upcoming exams. We hope that these tips can be helpful for others who are preparing for exams or looking to improve their study habits.
English - w/b 17.04.23
During an English lesson this week, we read some more of the story, Rose Blanche. We discussed what is happening, and how the text and illustrations complement each other as they tell the story. Then we worked in small groups to create a freeze frame depicting a key scene. We had to be ready to share our character’s thoughts, using what we had read to help us and our ability to empathise with characters.
Art - w/b 27.03.23
Art Inspired by Chris Ofili
Our art topic this term has taken inspiration from ‘No Woman, No cry’, a portrait by Chris Ofili. We learnt about the background to the painting: how the subject of the portrait, Doreen Lawrence, lost her son to racial violence, and how she went on to be a community campaigner.
Our work started with a recap of colour mixing with paints, before we created a background for our own portraits, choosing a colour that reflected strong emotion and using a sponge instead of a brush.
We now have to paint ourselves on to the backgrounds we created.
Mathematics - w/b 20.03.23
In maths, year 6 have been learning about area and perimeter of triangles and quadrilaterals. Area is the amount of space inside a shape, and perimeter is the distance around it. We’ve been learning how to find the area and perimeter of all sorts of shapes, like rectangles, triangles and quadrilaterals. We’ve also been learning about measurements: metric and imperial measurements and how to convert measures between different units, like centimetres and inches.
Finding out the area of a triangle is the same as a rectangle where you multiply the length and width however for a triangle you would need to divide your answer by 2. To find out the area of a triangle, you need to look for a right angle to identify the base and perpendicular height which you multiply together before dividing by two.
We have been exploring drawing a range of rectilinear shapes and triangles of given areas or perimeters and looking for any relationships between these shapes. Did you know that the perpendicular height is equal to the vertical height sometimes? We learned about patterns in the area of a triangle.
Learning about area and perimeter is important for us since it helps us to understand the world around us. For example, knowing the area of a room can help to decide how much carpet to buy, and knowing the perimeter of a field can help to figure out how much fencing is needed.
Written by Hameem in Bronze Class
Library Visit - w/b 13.03.23
On Tuesday 14th March, Year 6 visited Manor Park Library.
We were reminded of the way a library is organized, and how fiction books are arranged in alphabetical order of the author’s surname. Non-fiction books are arranged differently: the Dewey classification system uses numbers for every subject. Then we had the opportunity to browse the books, sit and read, or use our library cards to borrow books if we wanted to.
Geography - w/b 06.03.23
During our geography sessions this week we used the information we had gathered over the past weeks relating to famous rivers around the world to aid our writing of a persuasive letter. The letter was written to the leader of the country in which the river of our choice was situated and the purpose was to convince the leader that the river should be protected from pollution and its harmful effects.
We had to include the geographical information we had found out as well as ensuring we had used persuasive features in our writing. We checked each other’s work, identifying the structure, language features and key persuasive features before editing and uplevelling our work. Finally, we published our letters with the intention of sending them to the various leaders around the world.
RE Day - w/b 27.02.23
During R.E. Day, Year 6 explored the question, ‘What are the sources of the story about what happened on Easter Sunday?’ We looked at the accounts of the resurrection of Jesus in the bible, and discussed who was involved, and how reliable they were as witnesses. We also created freeze frames for part of the Easter Sunday stories. Then we went on to think about Pentecost, when Christians celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, again using the accounts found in the Bible. Throughout the whole day, we kept coming back to the texts, considering what they actually told us.
Oracy - w/b 20.02.23
This week in PSHCE we played a game called Just A Minute which is an 'oracy' based game. The aim of this game is to get as many points as possible. We can talk about any subject we want for a minute. The topic we spoke about was the person that means the most to us. We received 1 point for every second we spoke for, that’s not as easy as you may think though because if you hesitate or pause it is the opponent's turn. Also if you say the same word two times, you lose a point. The aim of this game is to help people learn their 'oracy' skills and get more confident. Also children should also know how to think of things faster about a certain subject.
Written by Ibrahim from Silver Class
PHSCE - w/b 06.02.23
We always start our PSHCE lessons with something to focus our thoughts and still our minds before our learning. We often use a Cosmic Kids meditation to help us do this. It’s a great way to calm ourselves, and is particularly helpful this week, during children’s mental health week, in reminding us how we can keep our minds working well, so that we make the most of every day.
Design Technology - w/b 30.01.23
In today's DT session we have been learning about kites as we are soon going to make one for a particular client. During the session we began by looking at where and when kites originated and we were able to research all about kite world records and the structure of kites. Another thing that we were looking at was how kites fly, the materials used and how they can turn swiftly in the air. We looked at a young 16-year-old boy called Homan Welsh who assisted in the creation of the Niagara Falls bridge using a kite. We have understood the parts of a kite such as the spine, reel, bridle, cover, flying line, spar, frame and tail.
One of the most interesting things I learnt in today’s lesson was that some adults have kite fights where they try and cut the reel of another kite, therefore meaning the owner can no longer control the flight of their kite.
Written by Ashaz – Silver Class.
