Week 7

In maths this week, Y6 have been learning the BODMAS rule (order of operations) and applying it to problem solving. We have also been looking at estimation and the children are definitely improving in mental arithmetic when applying this method of maths – well done, Y6 and keep up with the times tables too!

Our class novel, Private Peaceful is going down a storm and the children’s feedback has been great - we're really enjoying it! We have studied reading texts involving WWI and have been doing comprehensions based on our class novel. We have also been looking at expanded noun phrases and relative clauses and applying these in our writing. Y6 are very proud of their descriptive pieces about a battle field – linked to our WWI topic - and hopefully we will generate some AI pictures to show their writing in action.

The children have been continuing with their solo keyboard challenge, pushing themselves to learn and perform tricky pieces on the keyboard. Some children have mastered "Ode to Joy" and "O When the Saints go marching in" and some of them have reached the point of playing with two hands together, with "Shotgun" and "Amazing Grace".

This week, both classes investigated how we change the size of a shadow in Science. The children carried out a fair test and collaborated extremely well with eachother. We have been really impressed with the children's presentation in all areas of the curriculum and continue with handwriting practice every week.

Next week is Arts Week and Y6 are really looking forward to it. We'll let you know what we get up to next week!

 

Week 6

In science this week, Y6 were having fun making their own shadow puppets as part of their topic, light. We found out how shadows are formed and looked at how we can make them bigger and smaller. The children then performed their short theatre productions to their class. Some brilliant, imaginative performances – well done, Y6!

In writing, we have been looking at expanded noun phrases, relative pronouns and relative clauses. The children are working very hard, trying to apply these in their writing. Next week we will plan and write up a descriptive piece about soldiers on the battlefield, as part of our writing and history topic, WWI. We are also continuing our class novel, Private Peaceful which the children are thoroughly enjoying.

In maths, we have been looking at the formal method of long multiplication and division, applying both methods to problem solving questions and activities. We are having a real push on times tables throughout the school so the children can recall facts quickly and confidently. The children are also working really hard on arithmetic methods and all their efforts are starting to pay off – brilliant!

Year 6 are continuing with their Keyboard Challenge, working independently on different solo keyboard pieces, and performing when they are ready. They are all working at their own pace and level, but challenging themselves with every new piece they learning. In our art lessons, we have been doing some observational art, sketching some yummy cakes, in preparation for our embroidery sessions when studying the artist, Haley Mills-Styles.

Well done to all our Y6 pupils for showing respect, determination and independence throughout our assessment week and we can't wait to share what we've been up to next week.

 

Week 5

Week 5 has been another exciting one in Year 6! From putting the finishing touches to our persuasive speeches to investigating how mirrors reflect light, the children have experienced a fantastic range of learning this week. There has been lots of enthusiasm in the classroom and it has been wonderful to see the children taking pride in their work and rising to new challenges.

In maths, our learning has focused on common multiples, divisibility rules and prime numbers. We have also been developing our written multiplication skills, multiplying numbers by a two-digit number and using these methods to tackle increasingly challenging calculations. The children have been encouraged to explain their methods carefully and look for efficient ways to solve problems.

In writing, we have finished our persuasive speeches encouraging young men to enlist in the army during World War One. The children have brought together everything they have learnt about persuasive techniques, including rhetorical questions and emotive language, to create powerful and convincing speeches. It has been great to see such a variety of ideas and voices coming through in their writing.

In science, we have been investigating how we are able to see objects, focusing on our learning objective: 'To know that objects are seen because light enters or reflects into the eye.' The children particularly enjoyed experimenting with mirrors and discovering how light can be reflected. There were some excellent scientific discussions as they explained what was happening during their investigations.

Our PE lessons have taken us further into OAA, where the children have been tackling challenges that require communication, cooperation and careful decision-making. In PSHE, we have been exploring body confidence and considering the importance of feeling comfortable and positive about our own bodies while recognising and respecting differences in others. In art, the children have been developing their observational drawing skills by sketching sweet treats, paying close attention to shape, form and detail.

We have also been getting our voices ready for our Harvest Festival performance! The children have been practising their songs and developing their confidence as performers, and we are looking forward to sharing their singing with you.

Well done, Year 6, for everything you have achieved this week. There has been plenty to be proud of, and we have loved seeing the children embrace their learning with such curiosity and confidence. Have a lovely weekend and enjoy a well-earned rest!

 

Week 4

What another fantastic week we have had in Year 6! From learning all about the Leeds Pals Batallion in history to raising money for Macmillan, we've definitely had a busy but fantastic week! The children have continued to give 100% effort in lessons and show enthusiasm and determination daily. Keep up the brilliant attitude Y6! 

In maths, we continue with daily arithmetic sessions and we started our new unit on addition and subtraction. We revisited how to do addition and subtraction column methods and how to place common factors in Venn diagrams. 

In reading, we are continuing our class novel Private Peaceful and we are thoroughly enjoying it. We can't wait to see what happens to Charlie after getting accused of stealing! In writing, we have been looking at rhetorical questions and how we can use these effectively in speeches. Next week, we will be writing up our speeches persuading the young men of Britain to enlist in the armed forces, basing these on the iconic Lord Kitchener recruitment poster of 1914. In spelling, we have been looking at synonyms for the word 'talking' and continue to practice handwriting

We are continuing our OAA sessions in PE and are getting really confident when reading maps when locating different symbols around the school grounds. We are continuing our double page spread on the Leeds artist, Hayley Mills-Styles and the effort the children are putting into this has been incredible - they will definitely be put on the website as soon as we complete them. 

Finally, on Friday, both classes invited family members to join us in the hall for a Macmillan coffee event to raise money for this brilliant charity that provides cancer support. The children were absolutely wonderful and looked very smart in their waiters uniforms! On behalf of all Y6, we would like to say a HUGE thank you to parents, grandparents, friends etc for all the cake donations, raffle prizes and your fabulous support for our school and our children. We couldn't do events like Macmillan without you all so it is much appreciated! What a fabulous end to a rather hectic but totally enjoyable, fun packed and money raising week! We'll let you know our grand total next week - well done everyone! 

THANK YOU!!

 

Week 3

 Y6 have had another busy and fun-filled week. From learning about the subjunctive mood in writing to taking part in workshops at Leeds Royal Armouries as part of our history topic. The children continue to show determination and independence, and are true role models for others to follow. Keep up the brilliant attitude Y6!

In maths, we have continued with our unit on place value and have been working on rounding any integer and comparing and ordering integers. In mental arithmetic, we are continuing trying our very best and next week we will be doing more questions in the same amount of time - good luck, Y6!

We have been learning all about the subjunctive mood in our writing and produced some excellent sentences where we were pretending that if we were the Prime Minister, what laws could we introduce. In spelling, we have been looking at synonyms for the word total and are continuing with our handwriting practice. We are still continuing with our class novel, 'Private Peaceful' and we can't wait to find out more about Charlie and Tommo's childhood adventures!

In science, we learned how light travels and came up with a simple investigation to prove that light travels in straight lines. We produced scientific diagrams to explain what we did and discussed why we have shadows. 

To end a brilliant week of work and play, we visited Leeds Royal Armouries. All of the children were exceptional and we even had members of the public congratulating the staff on the children's behaviour - we were sooo proud Y6! We stepped back into 1915 and explored the First World War through training, teamwork and frontline care. In this active and empathetic workshop, Y6 met two vivid wartime characters - Corporal Gibbs and the no-nonsense Matron. The workshop explored both sides of wartime life, soldier training and hospital care, and Y6 had to decide how they'd help the war effort. All the children had a brilliant time and were an absolute credit to themselves and the school!

 

Week 2

Y6 have had another incredibly busy week and we are so impressed by their enthusiasm, motivation and hard work. Let's have a look at what we have been learning this week.

In maths, we have been looking at place value, working with numbers up to 10,000,000 and have been comparing and ordering integers. We are continuing with daily mental arithmetic and the children are definitely making brilliant progress, showing hard work and determination - well done, Y6!

In reading, we have begun our class novel 'Private Peaceful' by Michael Morpurgo which links to our history topic, Yorkshire at War. The children are thoroughly enjoying the story and we can't wait to see what happens to Tommo and Charlie after they have been caught poaching on the Colonel's property!

We have begun our artist study on Hayley Mills-Styles who uses embroidery to illustrate feelings and emotions. We have been using a range of media to design our double page spread all about the Yorkshire artist and we can't wait to show off our finished pieces. They look amazing at this stage and are not even completed!

We have been looking at what triggered the outbreak of WWI as part of our Yorkshire at War topic. The children were given information about the militaries of the First World War and working in groups, they had to transfer the information into graphs. Check out the photos of our group work.

We are still continuing with doing our best handwriting in every subject and we're pleased to say that the presentation in Y6 is just getting better and better. Well done and we can't wait to see what next week has in store.

 

Week 1

We hope you all has a great Summer holiday and we now welcome our new cohort of Y6's. All the children have made a fantastic first impression on all the Y6 teaching staff and we have been blown away by their maturity and willingness to be the very best they can be. The children have settled into their new classroom and are beginning to get to know their teachers. Our key focus this week has been respect and routines, with a strong focus on building a positive classroom environment where everyone feels ready to learn. We have also placed a big emphasis on presentation and taking pride in our work. 

In Maths, we have been focusing on mental arithmetic, using strategies that will help us to develop estimation and revisiting some areas that were previously covered in the Y5 curriculum to help with fluency and speed. Next week, we will begin the White Rose Maths Scheme where we will be concentrating on place value.

In English, we have focused heavily on handwriting and spelling, developing accuracy, presentation and confidence in our written work. The children have been working hard to form their letters carefully and apply their spelling knowledge independently, with a real emphasis on taking pride in the work they produce. 

To end our first week, Year 6 went walking in the Yorkshire Dales. We were hoping to make it to the summit of Ingleborough but unfortunately the wind speeds reached up to 50 mph so it just wasn’t safe for us to go right to the top - for those of you who know Ingleborough, you will know how exposed it is on that peak and I’m sure can appreciate that this was the best decision all round. The children had a fantastic time and still managed a 3 to 4 hour walk, making it almost to the top of Ingleborough. They were great walkers showing really good determination on both the ascent and descent and we are really proud of them all. 

It has been a wonderful start to Year 6 and we are looking forward to a brilliant year of learning, achieving and of course fun!