Herne Bay Junior School
"One chance, let's get it right"
  • Compassion

  • Courage

  • Hope

  • Integrity

  • Justice

  • Respect

  • Responsibility

  • Wisdom

Year 6

 2023/24

Topic Terms 1 and 2

Over the next two terms, our history will focus on Maafa (The Black African Slave Trade). We will teach children about Africa – past and present – and we will also explore Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade. In Science, our studies will begin with a bang! The heart dissection will introduce children to the human circulatory system. They will learn about the major organs, their primary functions, in addition to a healthy lifestyle. In English, we will link our writing to various texts. To begin with we will write a recount, before moving on to narrative units. First, in Maths, we will work on securing knowledge and the application of place value and the four operations.

Topic Terms 3 and 4

Moving away from the continent of Africa in Term 1 and 2, Year 6 are heading to the colder climates of the North and South Poles to explore the characteristics and features of these polar regions. Children will delve deeper into Arctic life through the study of Inuit culture. In this topic, children will explore some of the Inuit cultural and artistic traditions and have the opportunity to recreate some original Inuit art pieces. 

Topic Terms 5 and 6 

Beastly War 

The two terms ahead will be extremely busy for Year 6, who will be, amongst other things, rehearsing for their end of year production – Matilda. We are very excited about this and can’t wait to perform it to you all. In English, we will be using film clips and animations for writing inspiration. In Maths, we will be revising some concepts and introducing the children to some additional aspects of geometry in preparation for the Maths lessons in secondary school. For our topic, our studies will be centred around The Battle of Britain during World War II; we will also look at how the war began following on from World War 1. In addition to this, the children will be learning about light, followed by Evolution and Inheritance in Science. As part of RSE, our discussions will be around about relationships, love and loss to begin with and then, in the final term, we will be having our growing up talks. Finally, we have our activity days to look forward to.

 
In Science, children will learn about electrical circuits, their components and how they function. They will recognise how the voltage of cells affects the output of a circuit and record circuits using standard symbols. It also teaches children about programmable devices, sensors and monitoring. In term 4, children will learn how living things on Earth have changed over time, and how fossils provide evidence for this. They learn how characteristics are passed from parents to their offspring, and how variation in offspring can affect their survival, with changes (adaptations) possibly leading to evolution.


In DT, children will explore remarkable engineers and significant bridges, learning to identify features, such as beams, arches and trusses. Later in term 4, children will complete a bridge-building engineering challenge to create a bridge prototype.

 

Year 6 Spelling Cards- PLEASE SEE SIDE TAB

 

Homework - PlEASE SEE SIDE TAB

Homework at Herne Bay Junior School

Opinion is often divided on homework. Our intention is that the homework we set is effective and, importantly, manageable for all. We are very aware of the increased expectations as the children move from the Infant School to the Junior School and beyond. Research from the Institute of Education carried out several years ago found that homework can often cause friction at home.

The analysis, which examined seventy-five years’ worth of studies into homework, concluded that schools needed to focus more on the purpose and quality of homework, and not the amount. With this in mind and with the introduction of the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) in Year 4, which will check whether the children can understand and recall all times tables up to 12 x 12, we want to make this a key focus.

This knowledge is key to securing success as they move through their Maths careers. Without a secure understanding of these facts, concepts that are developed in Years 5 and 6, will not embed fully and therefore cannot be built upon further when they reach secondary school. 

Therefore, practising the multiplication tables is a key part of the homework we set weekly. In addition, we consider it important that every child reads widely, can spell words from the statutory and high frequency word list with confidence and we greatly value the wonderful Home Learning Projects that parents complete with their children at home.

Every child will receive a sheet outlining the expectations for the current term in their particular Year Group.  Should you have any queries please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your child’s class teacher.

 Please click here for some ideas and games to try.

 

Homework Expectations 2023/24

Home Learning Project

There will be three Home Learning Projects set over the course of the academic year and the Projects will be based on the topic being studied over two terms. These will be shared at open mornings where parents and children can celebrate the work created at home.

Three times a year

Maths

Each week multiplication tables will be set to practise the current week's tables focus.

Weekly

Spelling

Children will be given a set of spellings to focus on for the week. The list will include words that fit a given spelling rule and/or words from the statutory list linked to their year group. The children will be tested on these spellings weekly. 

Weekly

Reading

Children MUST read independently or with an adult.  The reading diary needs signing three times a week so we know children are reading.

Three times a week as a minimum

Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling (GPS) – Years 5 & 6 only

Exercises in the GPS book will be sent home weekly in preparation for the KS2 GPS tests in Year 6.

Once a week on a Friday

 

YEAR 6 PE - FRIDAYS

 

 

 

 

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