Friday 4th April 2025

This week we hosted a joyful Model Seder, bringing together all the house groups for a fun, interactive, and meaningful experience. Students participated in a lively reenactment of the Passover Seder, complete with songs, blessings, and traditional symbolic foods like matzah, maror, and charoset.

This week in maths, we explored negative numbers – numbers less than zero! We talked about how they appear in real life, like temperatures below freezing and depths below sea level. 

The children completed a variety of tasks and challenges applying their knowledge to solve them. The children also completed a mini murder mystery challenge incorporating applying skills from topics earlier this term including angle rules.

We turned the last page of “Viking Boy” – what a dramatic ending! There were gasps, cheers, and a few shouts of, “That can’t be the end!” So... we decided to write our own story continuations. From surprise Viking battles to secret sea voyages, Year 6 turned into a class full of authors and adventurers.

In Guided Reading, we took a deep dive into two powerful songs: “The Living Years” by Mike + The Mechanics and “Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchell. We explored the lyrics like poetry, talking about the themes of regret, understanding, growing up, and seeing the world through different perspectives.

It sparked some deep conversations about family, emotions, and how our views can change as we get older. 

We can’t believe it’s already the end of term! Time has flown by with so many exciting lessons, stories, and discoveries. Year 6, you've worked incredibly hard, supported each other, and shown such creativity and maturity in everything you've done.

We hope everyone has a wonderful, relaxing break – you’ve earned it! Rest up, enjoy time with family and friends, and come back ready for the next adventure.

Shabbat Shalom,

Friday 28th March 2025

This week in Year 6, we have had an exciting time exploring different topics in English and Maths. Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to!

Wonderful Wordplay in English

In our English lessons, we had a fascinating Wollow session on portmanteau words! These are words that are created by blending two words together to form a new one. Some of our favourite examples included:

• Brunch (Breakfast + Lunch)

• Motel (Motor + Hotel)

• Smog (Smoke + Fog)

• Glamping (Glamorous + Camping)

• Frabjous (Fabulous + Joyous)

Why not try creating your own portmanteau words – it is so much fun!

We also explored the next three chapters of Viking Boy and the Viking myth Thor and the Giants. The children enjoyed diving into the world of Norse mythology, discussing the themes and characters in depth.

Additionally, we introduced persuasive writing this week. Each child wrote an individual essay on a topic of their choice, using strong arguments and powerful language to convince their readers. It was fantastic to see their creativity and passion shine through!

Maths Marvels – Statistics and Graphs

In Maths, we have been diving deep into statistics. We explored conversion graphs, learning how to interpret and use them to convert different units, such as miles to kilometers and pounds to kilograms. It was really interesting to see how useful they are in everyday life!

We also looked at misleading information in statistics. We discovered how graphs and data can sometimes be presented in a way that might trick people into believing something that isn’t quite true. We analysed different charts and identified ways in which data could be distorted – like using broken axes or exaggerated scales. Now, we feel like real data detectives!

Preparing for TEKES

This week, the children also started preparing for the TEKES. They have been reviewing the songs we will be singing and began learning the lyrics. Their hard work and determination are truly commendable!

It has been an incredible week full of learning and discovery. We can’t wait to see what next week has in store for us!

Stay tuned for more Year 6 updates!

Friday 21st March 2025

Our school trip to the Voice in a Million concert at Wembley Arena was an unforgettable experience filled with music, excitement, and joy. The atmosphere was electric as thousands of pupils came together to sing and celebrate. The performances were incredible, and the energy in the arena was contagious. Everyone had an amazing time, singing along to inspiring songs and feeling like part of something truly special. It was a night of unity, fun, and unforgettable memories that we will cherish forever!

This week, our Year 6 students dived into the world of statistics, learning how to collect, analyze, and present data using line graphs and scatter graphs. They explored real-world data, identifying patterns, trends, and correlations to gain meaningful insights.

Through engaging activities, students sharpened their problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills—essential tools for navigating an increasingly data-driven world. Well done, Year 6! Keep up the great work! 

This week in English, we read Chapters 16 and 17 of Viking Boy and worked on comprehension. In these chapters, Gunnar continues his journey for revenge and faces new dangers. He and his allies confront powerful enemies, and Gunnar proves his strength and determination. He also learns more about his past and the challenges ahead. As part of our comprehension work, we answered questions to deepen our understanding of the characters, themes, and key events in the story.

In your grammar lesson this week, we learned about different word classes, which are categories that words fall into based on their function in a sentence. Understanding word classes helps in constructing sentences and improving language skills. Here are some of the main word classes we studied:

1. Prepositions: These words show relationships between other words, often indicating location, time, or direction. Examples include "in," "on," "under," "before."
    
2. Conjunctions: These are used to connect words, phrases, or clauses. Examples include "and," "but," "or," "because."
3. Interjections: These are words or phrases that express strong emotions or sudden exclamations. Examples include "Wow!" "Oh!" "Hey!"
    
4. Determiners: These come before nouns to provide more information, like quantity or specificity. Examples are "the," "a," "some," "every."
    

Each of these word classes plays a different role in a sentence, and understanding them helps the children to apply them more effectively.

In history,  the children are diving into Viking myths! It's such a fascinating topic, and learning about these ancient stories helps bring history to life. The rich lore of Viking gods, heroes, and epic battles provides so many opportunities for creative exploration. I am sure the children are enjoying the chance to imagine these mythological worlds and understand how they shaped Viking culture. 

Today, children participated in an NSPCC workshop focused on staying safe. The session provided valuable insights into personal safety, helping them understand how to recognize potential dangers and how to seek help when needed. Through interactive discussions and activities, the workshop empowered children with the knowledge and confidence to protect themselves in various situations.

The children had a special visit from Sam Melsack, the lyricist behind Never Again, one of the powerful songs they will be performing for Yom HaShoah. The visit focussed on music direction during the songs they will be performing, deepening the children's connection to the song’s message and the significance of Holocaust remembrance.

Wishing you a restful Shabbat.

Purim 2025 

This week in Year 6, we've had an exciting mix of learning activities and celebrations! Here's a quick roundup:

Maths Mystery Challenge
Our Maths Mystery Challenge kept everyone on their toes as we worked together to solve tricky puzzles and clues. We used our problem-solving skills and knowledge of number patterns to crack the mystery – it was both fun and a great way to apply our mathematical thinking!
Question for the class: Can you remember any of the clues that helped us solve the mystery?

Topic on 2D and 3D Shapes
In our topic lessons, we delved into the fascinating world of 2D and 3D shapes. We learned to identify different shapes, understand their properties, and explore how they are used in real-life contexts. The practical activities helped us visualise how these shapes come together in the world around us.
Question for the class: Can you name all the different types of quadrilaterals? What makes them unique?

English - Viking Boy
In English, we read Chapters 14 and 15 of Viking Boy. These chapters were full of adventure, and we enjoyed discussing the plot twists and character development. After reading, we completed comprehension tasks to deepen our understanding of the text and sharpen our reading skills.
Question for the class: What do you think will happen next in the story? Can you predict what the main character will do?

History - Jorvik and Artefacts
In History, we explored the fascinating history of Jorvik, the Viking settlement that became the bustling city of York. We examined artefacts from the Viking era, learning about the daily lives, culture, and tools used by the Vikings. It was an engaging way to connect with history through real objects!
Question for the class: Which Viking artefacts did you examine? What did they tell us about Viking life?

Purim Celebrations
This week, we also celebrated Purim with some fantastic events! We took part in a lively parade, showing off our creative costumes, and sang our hearts out in a fun beatboxing class. It was a wonderful way to learn about the traditions and joy of the holiday while getting involved in some spirited activities.
Question for the class: What was your favourite part of the Purim celebration? Was there a costume or dance that stood out to you?

It’s been a week full of learning, laughter, and celebration! Looking forward to another fun and educational week ahead!

Friday 7th March 2025

This week in Year 6 has been packed with exciting learning experiences, from mastering tricky maths concepts to delving into Viking tales and forensic investigations!

Maths: Calculating the Area of an Arc

In our maths lessons, we tackled the challenge of calculating the area of an arc. Using formulas and diagrams, we explored how to break down circles into segments and apply our knowledge of fractions and pi to find the correct answers. It was tricky at first, but with perseverance, we became arc area experts!

English: Writing a Viking Story

Our English lessons transported us back in time to the Viking era, where we crafted thrilling Viking adventure stories. We imagined fierce battles, daring voyages, and heroic warriors, using powerful vocabulary and descriptive language to bring our tales to life. Some of our stories featured longships sailing into the unknown, while others followed young Vikings proving their bravery.

Science Week: Forensic Investigation – Bite Mark Analysis

As part of Science Week, we put on our detective hats once again for an intriguing forensic investigation. This time, we focused on bite mark analysis. By examining bite patterns, measuring distances between teeth, and comparing impressions, we learned how forensic scientists use dental evidence to solve mysteries. It was fascinating to see how small details can lead to big discoveries!

Wollow Lesson: Loan Words in Language

In our Wollow lesson, we explored the concept of loan words—words borrowed from other languages that have become part of English. From ‘piano’ (Italian) to ‘karaoke’ (Japanese) and ‘chocolate’ (Nahuatl), we discovered how different cultures have influenced our language over time. It was eye-opening to realise how much of our daily vocabulary comes from around the world!

A Week to Remember!

This week has been an incredible mix of learning, creativity, and investigation. Whether solving mathematical puzzles, crafting Viking adventures, analysing bite marks, or tracing the origins of words, Year 6 has truly embraced the spirit of curiosity and discovery!

We can’t wait to see what next week brings!

We had a fantastic time celebrating British Science Week in KS1 and KS2, where our pupils explored this year’s theme, ‘Change and Adapt’, through a variety of engaging and interactive activities.

One of the highlights of the week was our Forensic Detective Whole School Investigation, where pupils took on the role of young detectives to solve a scientific mystery. They examined fingerprints, analysed clues, and used their observational skills to understand how forensic science helps solve real-world problems. This activity allowed them to see science in action while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Throughout the week, pupils participated in hands-on investigations, creative projects, and discussions, exploring how materials change state, how animals adapt to their habitats, and how the world around us constantly evolves. They conducted experiments, observed real-world examples of adaptation, and engaged in group discussions that enhanced their scientific thinking and curiosity.

In addition to our hands-on investigations and discussions on how materials change, how animals adapt to their environments, and how the world around us evolves, we also focused on Smashing Stereotypes in Science. Pupils learned about diverse scientists from different backgrounds, challenging outdated ideas about who can be a scientist. Through inspiring stories and engaging discussions, we encouraged our pupils to see themselves as future scientists, inventors, and problem-solvers.

It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm and excitement from all our pupils as they made new discoveries and developed a deeper appreciation for science. We encourage you to continue the conversation at home by discussing examples of change and adaptation in everyday life!

Questions to ask your child

What is an arc?

What are the parts of a circle?

Which mathematical formulas do you remember?

What happened in your Viking story?

Who stole Pepsi's Blanket?

Which forensic investigation did you do?

What are loan words?

Reminders

Next week is the Shuk.

Voice in a million -19th March

Parents evening 18/20th March

Wishing you all a restful weekend.

Shabat shalom.

The Year Six team

Friday 14th February 2025

The children had an outstanding performance at the Boy’s town concert and were a credit to the school.

This week in maths, our focus remained on probability. The children learnt about specific probability vocabulary and how to express probability as a decimal, fraction or percentage. The children continued to extend their understanding and apply methods learnt to probability games, the children learnt about experimental and theoretical probability and expressed their findings in graphs and mathematical language. 

In English, the children completed their Lost writing assessment. We also continued reading Viking boy and wrote the next chapter of their Viking themed stories.

On Tuesday, we had our trip to Shakespeare’s Globe theatre, where the children had a guided tour of the site learning about the history of the theatre and some fascinating Shakespeare facts. Later that day we went to explore their new exhibition about life in Shakespearean times and the history of Shakespearean theatre. The children explored props and costumes and even had the opportunity to dress like a thespian.

In history and WolloW this week, the children learnt about the Norse language and the origins of the days of the week exploring the link between  Norse and Roman gods and how days of the week are expressed in a variety of languages including; German, French and Hindi.

As part of Faces of Israel week the children had a talk exploring the history of Moroccan Jews and completed a Moroccan craft.

Today is a long awaited day for many of you, we hope that you and your children have a relaxing half term. We are all so proud of the children and are looking forward to seeing them after the break.

Questions to ask your child

What is probability?

How can we represent the probability of an  event occurring?

Can you remember the theoretical probability of the blocko game?

What interesting facts can you remember about the ceiling of the Globe theatre? Which animals adorn it?

How many trap doors on the stage?Which characters came from above?

Which play is called the Scottish play? 

What is the Hindi word for Monday?

Why is Sunday-Dimanche in French?

Wishing you a restful break,

Shabbat Shalom,

The Year 6 Team.

Friday 31st January 2025

This week in maths, our focus remained on conversions. The children practiced standard metric conversion and deciphered the use of the prefix to help them determine the conversion. The children continued to extend their understanding and apply methods learnt to convert between metric and imperial measures e.g. inches, yards, pints and pounds. The children applied their learning to decipher  the value of some Guinness World records. We also discussed the importance of showing our workings and how to complete a model answer. On Friday, the children continued to design their own Maths Mystery game, which they will be completing over the next few weeks. This week incorporating measure in their clue.

In English this week, the children continued reading the next few chapters of Viking Boy. In creative writing the children continued writing their Viking-themed tales. Exploring detailed description to engage the reader as well as the use of Viking references to add authenticity and the use of figurative language to uplevel their work.

In history, the children learnt about the roles of three significant Anglo-Saxon Kings and Queens; notably Alfred the Great, Aethelfled and Athelstan. They also mapped out the 2seven kingdoms of Anglo-Saxon Britain.

In our WOLLOW lesson this week the children learnt about the Greek alphabet and had to transliterate the letters.

This week we continued  preparing for the Boy’s Town performance with a focus on staging and posture. The children were able to practice with an accompanying musician on Friday. Please encourage your child to learn the lyrics of the songs over the weekend in preparation for our Monday rehearsal.

Questions to ask your child

What is an electrical circuit? 

What is the difference between a battery and a cell? 

Which electrical symbols do you recollect?

How would you convert mm into m? 

Can you name 5 imperial measurements?

What is capacity?

How many km is equivalent to 5 miles? 

How many inches in a foot?

What happened in Viking Boy?

What figurative language did you include in your Viking story?

What did you write about in Chapter Two of your story?

What or who did you describe?

Can you remember any Greek words?

Why was Alfred the Great important?

Can you tell me any key events? 

Wishing you a restful weekend,

Shabbat Shalom,

The Year 6 Team.

Friday 24th January 2025

This week in maths, our focus was on conversions. The children practiced standard metric conversion and deciphered the use of the prefix to help them determine the conversion. The children continued to extend their understanding and apply methods learnt to convert between metric and imperial measures e.g. inches, yards , pints and pounds. The children applied their learning to explore more complex multi step problems. We also discussed the importance of showing our workings and how to complete a model answer. On Friday, the children continued to design their own Maths Mystery game, which they will be completing over the next few weeks.

In English this week, the children continued reading the next few chapters of Viking Boy. On Tuesday they created their own readers' theatre recital of specific segments of the text. Incorporating the use of intonation, tone and props that enhance their performances. In creative writing the children continued writing their Viking themed tales. Exploring slowing the pace of their stories and techniques to engage the reader. 

Science allowed us to explore and create a simple electrical circuit composing of a switch, bulb and battery. Children were extended to explore creating more complex circuits incorporating motors and buzzers. 

In history, the children created an Anglo Saxon timeline adding key dates from the historical period. Including key rulers and events. 

In our WOLLOW lesson this week the children learnt 

about the Latin language and learned its origins and translated a birthday invitation found on a Vindolanda tablet written in 100 CE. 

In  D&T the children practised their sewing skills and began preparing their patchwork design. 

This week we continued  preparing for the Boy’s Town performance with a focus on staging and posture. The children were able to practice with an accompanying musician on Friday. Please encourage your child to learn the lyrics of the songs over the weekend in preparation for our Monday rehearsal.

Questions to ask your child

What is an electrical circuit? 

What is the difference between a battery and a cell? 

Which electrical symbols do you recollect?

What is the difference between a translation and a reflection?

How would you convert mm into m? 

How many km is equivalent to 5 miles? 

What happened in Viking Boy?

Which piece of text did you recite during Readers’ Theatre?

What is your Viking story about?

What did you write about in Chapter One of your story?

Who is the protagonist?

Can you remember any Latin words?

When did the Anglo-Saxon era begin and end? 

Can you tell me any key events? 

Wishing you a restful weekend,

Shabbat Shalom,

The Year 6 Team.

Friday 17th January  2025

In English, the children read chapters two and three of Viking boy, exploring the main events of the story and the children learned about the violent Viking era. The children used their reading to inspire their own Viking saga. The children began by writing a prologue to their story. The children also completed several comprehension exercises developing their analytical thinking skills and exploring authorial intent (author's choice).

In maths, we started our unit on position and direction.  We discussed the use of a mirror line to help us reflect 2D shapes and strategies for determining translations and reflections of shapes. We also completed a variety of games applying their skills and implementing techniques to solve problems. The children enjoyed playing a variety of games including a treasure hunt and battleships. On Friday, the children began to design their own Maths Mystery game, which they will be completing over the next few weeks.

Science allowed us to explore the history of electricity and the children researched and completed a comprehension on the founding fathers of electricity.

On Monday, the children enjoyed a Shakespearean interactive play reenacting the story of Hamlet. It was amazing to see the children so enthusiastically participate. On Friday, the children practiced their sewing skills in preparation for sewing their Viking embroidery DT project. In our WOLLOW lesson this week the children learned about being multilingual and explored the variety of languages they know and learned to say hello in over 17 languages.

This week we also began preparing for the Boy’s Town performance. Please encourage your child to learn the lyrics of the songs over the weekend in preparation for our Monday rehearsal.

Questions to ask your child

What is 'author’s choice'? 

What does the word electrikus mean?

What is the difference between AC and DC current?

What is a quadrilateral?

What is the difference between a translation and a reflection?

Did you win the battleship game?

How many moves did you take to solve the treasure hunt?

What happened in Viking Boy?

What is your Viking story about?

Who is the protagonist?

What does ‘stout’ mean?

How many different languages can you say hello in?

Can you sew?

Wishing you a restful weekend,

Shabbat Shalom,

The Year 6 Team.

Friday 11^th January 2025

Happy New Year. It has been lovely to welcome back the class this week.

In English, the children began exploring our new class text -Viking Boy- extrapolating information from the cover and blurb and reading the first chapter of the book. They completed some retrieval and comprehension activities to ascertain key facts including a description of the main protagonist-Gunnar.

In maths, we started our unit on coordinates.  We discussed the strategies for determining missing coordinates and plotted a variety of 2D shapes on a 4-quadrant coordinate grid. We also completed a maths mystery game applying a range of maths skills to catch the culprit in a cinema-themed murder mystery.

Science brought us to our new science topic on electricity. This week the children learned the names and symbols of a variety of electrical components from switches to motors.

In history, the children completed an escape room task deciphering a variety of clues to gain information on our new topic of the Vikings.

In D&T, the children learned about runes and Viking patterns and designed the pattern they will be sewing over the next few weeks.

Questions to ask your child

What is Yggdrasil? 

Can you say/write a sentence in Viking runes?

What spellings did you get wrong this week?

How do you plot a pentagon?

How would you describe Gunnar?

What happened in chapter one of the book- Viking Boy?

What is a coordinate?

What is a dodecagon?

Did you win the game of squares?

Which Viking patterns did you put on your sewing design?

Shabbat Shalom,

The Year 6 Team.

Friday 13th December  2024

In English, the children read several chapters  of Windrush Child exploring the main events of the story and the children learnt about life in the UK. The children watched a BBC film about Coming to England written by Floella Benjamin.The children discussed the story and the hardships the family experienced. 

The children also completed a mock GL style paper under timed conditions and atom tests focusing  on grammar, punctuation and spelling.

In maths, we started our unit on surface area.  We discussed the use of formulas to help us and strategies for determining missing lengths. We also completed a variety of exam papers with a focus on accuracy, time management and multistep questions. 

Science brought us to the conclusion of our investigation on mould growth in bread. The children Plotted their results on a line graph and wrote a scientific  conclusion.

On Thursday, the children performed amazingly, showcasing their talents and maturity.

On Friday, the children enjoyed a variety of Hanukkah activities from a craft activity with SEED ; a school disco and a dance class.

Questions to ask your child

What is an abstract noun? 

Can you say/write a sentence with one?

What spellings did you get wrong this week?

How did you plot your results?

What did you write in your conclusion?

Was your prediction correct?

What is surface area?

What formula do you use to calculate the surface of a cube?

Can you name 3 types of 3D shape?

What happened in the chapters we read of ‘Windrush child’?

Which film did you watch and what was it about?

Wishing you a happy holiday season.

Shabbat Shalom,

The Year 6 Team.

Friday 6th December  2024

In English the children read chapters 6-10 of Windrush Child exploring the main events of the story and the children created a synopsis of each chapter. The children went on to write a diary entry, about his first impressions of the UK.  The children explored the features of performance poetry in the poem ‘Windrush child’ by John Agard. Then using the same structure to create their recitation of the Arosa Star child poem. The children also completed a mock GL style paper under timed conditions. This week our grammar topic was abstract nouns. This week we also focused on creative writing. Exploring the importance of making an effective plan.

In maths, we started our unit on volume.  We discussed the use of formulas to help us and strategies for determining missing lengths. We also completed a variety of exam papers with a focus on accuracy, time management and multistep questions. On Friday the children completed a mental arithmetic paper.

Science brought us an investigation on mould growth in bread. The children continued their experiment by monitoring the mold on the bread in the petri dishes with different liquid mediums. Drawing a results table and plotting a graph to display the results.

Questions to ask your child

What is an abstract noun? 

Can you say/write a sentence with one?

What spellings did you get wrong this week?

Can you tell me about your mould experiment?

Which liquid mediums had the most mould?

Was your prediction correct?

What is volume?

What formula do you use to calculate the volume of a 3D object?

Can you name 3 types of mould?

What happened in  Chapters 6-9 of ‘Windrush child’?

Wishing you a restful weekend.

Shabbat Shalom,

The Year 6 Team.

Friday 29th November 2024 

It was lovely to meet so many of you this week and share your child's progress.

In English, the children read chapters 3-5, exploring the main events of the story and the children created a synopsis of each chapter. The children went on to write letters, from the perspective of Leonard, to his father in the UK.  The children explored the structure of the poem ‘Windrush child’ by John Agard. Then using the same stanza structure created their own Arosa Star child version in a shared writing task. The children also completed a mock GL-style paper under timed conditions.

In maths, we started our unit on area and perimeter.  We discussed the use of formulas to help us and strategies for determining missing lengths. We also completed a variety of exam papers with a focus on accuracy, time management and multistep questions. On Friday the children completed a mock GL style assessment under exam conditions.

In computing the children recorded adverts to entice Jamaicans to come to England in the style of the adverts and articles written during the period of the Windrush immigration.

Science brought us an investigation on mould growth in bread. The children began their experiment by creating the bread petri dishes with different liquid mediums. Drawing a results table and making predictions relating to which liquid medium they would expect to create the most/least mould growth.

In geography, the children compared Bermuda and the UK. exploring the foods, geography and flags of each country.

On Friday, the children participated in Crazy Hair Day. Raising funds for Chai.  

Questions to ask your child

What is a determiner? 

Can you say/write a sentence with one?

What spellings did you get wrong this week?

Can you tell me about your mould experiment?

Which liquid mediums did you use?

What was your prediction?

What is area/perimeter?

What formula do you use to calculate the area of a triangle?

Can you name 3 types of micro-organism?

What happened in  Chapters 3-5 of ‘Windrush child’?

Who is the narrator of the story?

What did Leonard’s grandma tell him before he left?

Which town did Leonard visit in Chapter 5?

Wishing you a restful weekend.

Shabbat Shalom,

The Year 6 Team.

Friday 22nd November 2024

In English, the children read the prologue and first few chapters of our class text ‘Windrush Child’.  They explored the information from the prologue and created a timeline of events from the story. The children also completed exam papers both written and online to practice both styles of paper. We focused on highlighting to the children the importance of PEE ( point, evidence, explain). 

In maths, we started our unit on algebra. Establishing both visual methods to represent the unknown and how to calculate the nth term. We also completed a variety of exam papers with a focus on accuracy and multistep questions.

In computing the children used the VR headset to explore plant cells. 

Science brought us an investigation on mould growth in bread. The children planned and wrote their methods discussing the variables: independent, dependent and control and noting the importance of a fair test.

In geography, the children explored the route of the SS Windrush from Jamaica to the UK. Using an atlas to identify other islands from the Caribbean.

In history, the children explored the history behind the Windrush and examined historical sources encouraging Jamaicans to move to  London,

On Friday, the children took part on mitzvah day. They packed hygiene packs for Seeby’s Corner- a charity supporting families in need.

Questions to ask your child

What is a MODAL verb? 

Can you say/write a sentence with one?

What spellings did you get wrong this week?

When do we use a comma?

Can you tell me about your mould experiment?

What is algebra?

Can you name 3 types of micro-organism?

What is the book ‘Windrush child’ about?

What is a prologue?

Where is Jamaica?

Wishing you a restful weekend.

Shabbat Shalom,

The Year 6 Team.

Anti-bullying week

Our theme this year has been Respect, the children have completed a variety of PSHE-related activities from anti-bullying workshops, role play scenarios; to creating acrostic poetry. 

In English, the children were introduced to our new class text ‘Windrush child’. The children also completed exam papers both written and online to practice both styles of paper. We focused on adverbs or probability and modal verbs and their use in writing.. We also completed an exam paper focusing on inference and multi-mrk questions. Highlighting to the children the importance of PEE ( point, evidence, explain). 

In maths, we started our unit on angles. Establishing both visual and mental methods and establishing that each child should use the strategy they find works for them. We also completed the PMC paper and a variety of exam papers with a focus on accuracy and mental arithmetic.

In computing the children completed the  BEBRAS challenge competition. Exposing them to the style of questions and the importance of reading each question carefully. 

Science brought us our new topic on microorganisms, this week the children created mindmaps of information about different microorganisms including fungi, bacteria and viruses.

In Geography, the children continued learning about climate zones and biomes and completed their chosen zone to create an information pamphlet.

On Friday, the children were great ambassadors for the school from; speeches, songs to tours they all were confident and enthusiastic advocates for the school.

Questions to ask your child

What is a MODAL verb? 

Can you say/write a sentence with one?

What antonyms for ‘anger’ did you write?

Which biomes have you visited?

Can you tell me an interesting fact about your biome?

What rules about angles do you remember?

What strategy will you use to calculate the interior angle of a polygon?

What is BEBRAS? How did you find the questions?

What was the theme of anti-bullying week

Can you name a type of microorganism?

Wishing you a restful weekend.

Shabbat Shalom,

The Year 6 Team.

Friday 8th  November 2024

We’ve had a very busy week. This week the children received their test results and had the opportunity to reflect on areas they need to focus on in preparation for their upcoming examinations.

In English, we explored the plot in our class text ‘ The Viewer. The children were asked to discuss perspectives and the children wrote diary entries from a variety of perspectives from characters inside the story to archeaologists and even inanimate objects observed in the viewer. 

In our grammar focus, we recapped adverbs and the six different types. We focused on adverbs or probability and modal verbs and their use in writing. The children reinforced their learning by adding modal verbs to their writing. We also completed an exam paper focusing on inference and multi-mark questions. Highlighting to the children the importance of PEE ( point, evidence, explain). 

In maths, we started our unit on ratio and proportion. Establishing both visual and mental methods and establishing that each child should use the strategy they find works for them. Be it removing the decimals and counting the zeros or holding the decimal point. We also completed an exam paper and PMC paper, with a focus on more challenging questions and the breaking down of these into more manageable steps.

This week we completed  NVR and VR papers covering a variety of skills and a focus on time management.

In computing the children completed a mock BEBRAS activity to help prepare them for the BEBRAS competition. Exposing them to the style of questions and the importance of reading each question carefully. 

Science brought us our new topic on microorganisms, this week we began examining cells using microscopes exploring the view of animal and plant cells through standard, light and electron microscopes. The children then drew scientific drawings of their cohen cells from heart muscle to plant xylem cells.
 

In Geography, the children continued learning about climate zones and biomes and researched their chosen zone to create an information pamphlet.

In Design and Technology, we began our fairground ride project. The children thoughtfully planned out each detail, from the style of ride; to listing the components they will need to construct a moving ride. 

Questions to ask your child

What is an adverb? How many types are there?

What is a modal verb?

What synonyms for pretty did you write?

Which biome have you been researching?

Can you tell me an interesting fact about your biome?

What is the difference between ratio and proportion?

What is BEBRAS? How did you find the questions?

Which fairground ride design are you making?

Wishing you a restful weekend.

Shabbat Shalom,

The Year 6 Team.

Friday 1st November 2024

We’ve had a very productive first week back after the half-term holiday!

In maths, we started our unit on multiplication and division of decimals. Explaining a variety of approaches and establishing that each child should use the strategy they find works for them. Be it removing the decimals and counting the zeros or holding the decimal point. We also completed an exam paper and PMC paper, with a focus on time management.

This week we completed our NVR and VR term assessments.

In computing the children completed a mock BEBRAS activity to help prepare them for the BEBRAS competition. Exposing them to the style of questions and the importance of reading each question carefully. 

In English, we explored the story of the pictures in our class text ‘ The Viewer. The children were taught techniques to elevate their writing including the use of triple metaphors 

But to Tristan, each barbed and jagged coil of rusted wire was a chain of gold, each shard of splintered glass a diamond, each oozing slick of oil a rainbowed vein of fresh-cut opal.

and double, double double phrases( double dash, double phrase, double adjective.

And when he had restored them - his fingers deft and skillful, his eyesight sharp and focused - he would place them on his desk and sit back, filled with wonder at the smooth and secret workings of the life inside.

The children then applied these techniques in their creative writing descriptions.

In our spelling focus we recapped spelling patterns and common spelling errors. The children completed an activity to help them identify their spelling errors. We also completed an exam paper focusing on inference and multi-mark questions. Highlighting to the children the importance of PEE ( point, evidence, explain).

Science brought us our new topic on microorganisms, this week we began examining cells and discussed the similarities and differences between plant and animal cells. The children went on to draw scientific drawings; labeling key structures.

As part of Black History Month, the children created a newspaper article on Guy Reid Bailey, referencing his role in the Bristol Bus Boycott of 1963. We also had two guided reading sessions, focused on Black History Month. Analysing the lyrics of the song ‘A change is Coming’ and looking at a biography about the life of Rosa Parks and the civil rights movement in America. 

In Geography, the children learned about climate zones and biomes and began researching their chosen zone to create an information pamphlet.

In Design and Technology, we began our fairground ride project. The children thoughtfully planned out each detail, from the style of ride; to listing the components they will need to construct a moving ride. 

Questions to ask your child

What is a triple metaphor? Can you tell me an example you wrote?

What spellings did you get wrong this week?

Who were Guy Reid Bailey and Rosa Parks? Why are they important?

What was the headline of your newspaper?

How would you multiply/ divide a decimal number?

What is BEBRAS? How did you find the questions?

Which fairground ride design are you making?

Wishing you a restful weekend.

Shabbat Shalom,

The Year 6 Team.

Tuesday 15th October 2024

Thank you to all who could join us for our memorial tefillah last week. The day was difficult for many of us and being able to start it as a community was very meaningful. 

The children also took part in a challah bake, a traditional time to say tehillim for those who need it. This allowed them to take part in an age-appropriate memorialisation of the last year. 

Over the last week, the children have completed their English (spelling, grammar, writing and reading) and maths assessments.  They all worked incredibly hard, giving their best effort to showcase their skills. 

On Friday, the children thoroughly enjoyed our science workshop from learning about chemical reactions to static electricity. The children were also taught the pig pen coding system and used it to decipher a special message.

In computing, the children learned about mindmaps and how to use them to organise their thoughts and understanding of a topic.

In addition to the assessments, the children continued with their regular maths lessons. We focused on fraction addition subtraction multiplication and division strategies.

In our world religions lesson, we began our revision of all major religions, a key focus for this year. The children completed a comprehension activity exploring the six major religions and discussed World religion day.

In science, the children explored the work of Carl Linnaeus and his classification of living things. The children applied their learning to create a classification key for a leaf. 

As part of Black History Month, the children learned about Guy Reid Bailey and his role in the Bristol Bus Boycott. The children also explored a poem by Maya Angelou- Caged Bird.

Wishing you all a wonderful sukkot and restful break.

Ms Dalwai

Friday 27th September 2024

The children have enjoyed another busy week. This week the children continued our cross-curricular topic on the whole school book Flotsam. Learning about the true story of a flotsam camera being discovered in Asia.

This week the children completed a primary maths challenge paper and discussed the strategies they used to solve the more challenging questions. The children were then shown methods to simplify calculations and work more efficiently through a timed paper. The children also completed a mental arithmetic paper focusing on mental methods to perform quick calculations. Our main topic this week was BODMAS; factors, multiples, and creating factor trees using prime numbers. We taught the children to apply their knowledge of factors and multiples to more challenging worded-problems in particular those related to time.

e.g. Two trains leave a station at the10 am Train A leaves every 20 minutes and Train B leaves every 45 mins when will be the next time both trains depart at the same time?

In English, we continued to focus on the book - Flotsam. The children explored the more surreal pictures from the book completing a wonder, observe, and infer activity. Expressing their views and perceptions of the pictures from the story and any questions evoked from them. In creative writing, the children wrote stories inspired by the same fantastical images.  We also completed an exam paper exploring both multiplication and written answer styles and focusing on tailoring our answers according to the marks available and elimination. In guided reading,  the children explored the lyrics to the song ‘Defying gravity’ discussing what the song was about and the significance of the title and meaning behind specific lyrics. Our grammar topic was the use of apostrophes and their use for both omission and possession.

In computing the children finished filming and editing their advert for the Melville underwater camera. Using persuasive language and humour.

This week we continued our half-term science topic  - Classification of living things. The children recapped the seven living processes.  Then researched the features of the five vertebrate groups: Mammals, Birds, Amphibians, Reptiles and Fish. Discussing warm and cold-blooded animals and creating top trump cards of specific animals.

In geography, we began our changing world topic. Learning about human and physical features in geography and exploring those specific to the United Kingdom and recapping what they have learnt with an online quiz.
 

This week we have moved to focus on non-verbal reasoning in particular analogies and in VR we explored letter codes. Focussing on timing and efficient strategies to approach questions in particular marking up patterns.
 

 Questions to ask your child 

What does the word 'benevolent' mean? Can you use it in a sentence?

What does BODMAS mean?

Can you define a factor/ multiple/ prime number? What are the common factors of 24 and 36?

What are vertebrates and invertebrates?

How can you classify them?

Can you name a warm-blooded vertebrate? Which animal did you make a top trump card for?

What are the seven living processes?

Which song did you listen to in guided reading this week? Did you like it? What was it about?

What was the advert you filmed about?

When do we use an apostrophe? What does omission mean? Can you write a sentence with an apostrophe for possession and omission?

Shabbat Shalom,

The Year Six team

Friday 20th September 2024

The children have had a very busy week. This week the children continued our cross-curricular topic on the whole school book Flotsam.

 This week the children completed a primary maths challenge paper and discussed the strategies they used to solve the more challenging questions. The children were then shown methods to simplify calculations and work more efficiently through a timed paper. The children also completed a mental arithmetic paper focusing on mental methods to perform quick calculations.

In English, we focussed on our new book - Flotsam. The children wrote to express their opinions using Point, Evidence, Explain(PEE). Expressing their ideas on the topic of should sea creatures be kept in aquariums. The children wrote scripts for an advert to persuade customers to purchase the underwater camera from the Flotsam book.  We also completed an exam paper exploring written answer styles and focusing on tailoring our answers according to the marks available. In guided reading,  the children explored an information text about Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution. Our grammar topic was the use of articles to make sentences specific using a or an. 

In art and computing the children created a poster and filmed an advert for the Melville underwater camera. Using persuasive language.

This week we also started our half-term science topic  - Classification of living things. The children recapped the seven living processes. Then went on to learn about the classification of living things learning about Aristotle’s ladder of life and the classification of animals.

In geography, we began our changing world topic. Learning about human and physical features in geography and exploring those specific to the United Kingdom.
 

This week we have moved to focus on non-verbal reasoning in particular like figures. Focussing on timing and efficient strategies of elimination.
 

 Questions to ask your child 

What does the word 'anomoly' mean? Can you use it in a sentence?

What is a negative number?

How would you complete the following long multiplications:

124x26

45x34

96x85

How would you complete the following division? 1533 divided by 13.

What are the seven living processes?

Who was the first person to classify living things?

What does variation mean?

Do you think sea creatures should be put in aquariums?

Who was Charles Darwin?

Why is he famous?

What is the rule when using the a/an article? Are there any exceptions?

Shabbat shalom,

The Year Six team

Friday 13th September 2024

The children have had an engaging first full week back. This week the children began a cross-curricular topic on the whole school book Flotsam.

In maths this week, we began our place value unit. The children looked at completing  challenges requiring them to use their understanding of number to complete calculations using all four operations. This week the children completed a primary maths challenge paper and discussed the strategies they used to solve the more challenging questions. The children were then shown methods to simplify calculations and work more efficiently through a timed paper.

In English, we started work on our new book - Flotsam. The whole school is studying this book at the same time so the school has been decorated with artwork from all the pupils last week to represent the sea and the beach. The children worked on their prediction skills and adapted these predictions when they received more information. They wrote a text to accompany a picture from the book and described what they expected to see on the camera film discovered in the flotsam. Later in the week, the children drew pictures to accompany their camera film descriptions. We also completed an exam paper exploring both multiple choice and written answer styles. In guided reading,  the children explored texts from the book Holes by Louis Shachar and a short illustrated story titled the dot.

This week we also started our half- term science topic  - classification of living things. The children learnt about the seven living processes and created posters using the acronym MRS GREN to help remember them all.

On Tuesday next week, the walls will be adorned with pictures of the children that they drew in their art lesson this week. Each child was provided with half of their face and asked to draw the other half. They all worked incredibly hard and showcased their artistic skills. I was so impressed by their efforts. Please do come and find your child’s art piece.

The children received their first pieces of homework this week - they were all given a diary to note dates of homework and due dates to help them organise themselves and show their maturity as they enter their final year at Kerem. Please encourage them to complete this homework to the best of their abilities and return it to school by the due date. Homework is generally due on Monday and Thursday. Should there be any problems with the homework, do not hesitate to contact me on the Year 6 email address. 

In PSHE, we looked at 'Zones of Regulation' and the importance of identifying and naming our emotions. We went on to discuss the nuances and complexity of dealing with a variety of situations and what to do when we are overwhelmed with any emotion.

This week we have continued to focus on verbal reasoning in particular word meanings and identifying synonyms and antonyms.

Reminders:

• Next Tuesday (17th) we are hosting a Meet the Teacher event. Parents are invited to attend from 18:45. 

• Interventions will be starting on Monday 16th September at 08:15. If your child has been invited to attend an intervention, please ensure they arrive promptly to ensure learning can start immediately. 

Questions to ask your child 

What does the word  guffaw mean?

What is a negative number?

What are the solutions to the following questions?

-3+4=? 

-5+-6=?

x/5+20 = x what is x?

What are the seven living processes?

What does excretion mean?

What is flotsam?

Which language is the root of the word flotsam?

What did you describe on the box brownie camera film? 

Shabbat shalom,

The Year Six team

Friday 6th September 2024

We have had an excellent start to the academic year. This week we have discussed how to be effective learners and the expectations we have for the children this year. The children were explained the prefect application process and the responsibility they have as the oldest class within the school. It has been amazing to see them come in with maturity and a positive mindset.

In maths, the children went over the key vocabulary of number including: factors, multiples, highest common factor (HCF),  lowest common multiple (LCM) and prime numbers. Following on with a prime suspects elimination activity to identify all the prime numbers below 100. This was based on the sieve of Eratosthenes the Greek Mathematician.On Friday the children completed a primary maths challenge paper. Focusing on their approach to more challenging questions.

In art and design the children began to create a 3D camera.

In English, the children wrote a letter to their future selves, which they will read on their last day of at Kerem. Implementing and showcasing the skills they have developed over the past year. The children also had an opportunity to read with their buddies in the library.

Polite reminders

Please can all children have personal items labelled.

No necklaces or bracelets.

To be wearing the correct uniform.

Date for your diary

Meet the teacher will take place on the evening of Tuesday 17th September.

Questions to ask your child

What did you enjoy this week?

What did you find challenging this week?

What are Kerem characteristic cards?

Did you meet some new teachers?

What is a factor/multiple? Can you explain it to me?

What is a box Brownie?

Which prefect position would you like to apply for?

Wishing you all a restful shabbat.

The Year Six Team