English

This term our class texts are Windrush Child by Benjamin Zephania and The Arrival by Shaun Tan. They are both linked with our exciting history theme: Windrush generation.

During our reading sessions children are encouraged to develop their understanding of texts and in particular to support their views with evidence from what they have read.

At the beginning of the term the children are assessed on the year five and six spelling words which children are expected to practise at home the words that they are not yet able to spell correctly. In school we introduce and follow the year six list of spelling requirements, starting with tious/cious.

As always, please read with your child on a regular basis and encourage them to regularly change their books.

Mathematics

This term we will be focusing on decimals, fractions, percentages and algebra.

In preparation for the SATs we will be looking at past papers to pull out key vocabulary and ensure we understand what is being asked of us. 

We ask that children practice their multiplication and division facts at home as these help with many of our methods. A great website for this would be Times table Rockstars. TimesTableRockstars

History

This term we will be focusing on the Windrush generation. Here are the Enquiry Questions that the children will be learning:

1. What was significant about the HMT Empire Windrush?
2. Why did the passengers travel to Britain?
3. Where did the Windrush Generation settle?
4. How did life in Britain differ to the expectations of the Windrush Generation?
5. What difficulties did the Windrush Generation experience?
6. What is significant about the Notting Hill Carnival in London?
7. Who is Benjamin Zephaniah and why is he significant?
8. Who is Floella Benjamin and why is she significant?
9. Why is Windrush Day celebrated each year?

RE:

In RE this term, the children will explore the key question: How might your worldview impact on the way you understand death and beyond? As part of our worldview curriculum, the children will explore how they fit into the different worldviews. This unit will have a specific focus on Hinduism as well as looking at other major religions.

The next half term, the children will look at the Understanding Christianity curriculum and focus on Salvation as it leads up to Easter.

Science: 

This term the children will be looking at two units: High Voltage and Chemical changes

In the first unit, the children will associate the brightness of a lamp or the volume of a buzzer with the number and voltage of cells used in the circuit. They will compare and give reasons for variations in how components function, including the brightness of bulbs, the loudness . buzzers and the on/off position of switches. Finally they will recognise symbols when representing a simple circuit in a diagram.

In the second unit, they will be investigating reversible and irreversible changes.

Jigsaw 

Our focus this half term is Dreams and Goals and Keeping healthy. The children will explore what their dreams and goals are how to achieve this. They will also look at ways of keeping healthy which will link back to their unit in science during the Autumn term.