Hello Year 6.

Here we are at Friday again already –blink and you will have missed it! I am sitting here writing this blog just as Mrs Robinson and I have finished rearranging the classroom, so for those of you who didn’t get a sneak peek after football club today, and even if you did, I can assure you all that you have a nice surprise awaiting you when you come in on Monday –especially the amazingly comfy sofa!

In English next week, we will be writing and editing our newspaper reports based on the events in the text called The Vanishings.

In maths we will be focussing on problem solving –choosing the correct strategies to use for a range of contexts.

In science, you will be using keys to classify animals.

In history, we will be focussing on Crime and Punishment specifically within the Anglo-Saxon period.

In computing we will be looking at e-safety, discussing how to ensure that personal information is kept safe and secure.

In art you will be completing some more of the water pictures using watercolour.

For homework this weekend, you have the reading comprehensions to complete –either in the CGP booklet or on the sheets provided. If completing the booklet, the questions that you all need to answer are found on pages 6, 7 and 8. As I mentioned, if you then want to stretch yourself then you can also answer the questions on pages 9, 10 and 11 as well then you will have an alternative homework in a fortnight. The homework is due to be returned on Monday.

As far as I am aware, we are due for some nice weather for much of this weekend, so make sure you get out as much as you can before the autumn and winter weather begins to keep us indoors.

Have a good weekend and we will see you all next week.

Mr Gradwell

Hello again Year 6.

I always say how quickly Year 6 goes by and if the start of this one is anything to go by then I am sure that this year will be no exception. It must be down to all of the hard work this week…

On to next week, where in English we will be using drama to explore the text further before writing newspaper reports about the Vanishings.

In maths, we will be looking at negative numbers before adding and subtracting integers and finding common multiples and factors of numbers.

In science, you will be continuing with the topic on living things and their habitats by looking at sub-divisions of broad groupings such as micro-organisms, plants and animals.

In history, we will be focussing on Crime and Punishment specifically within the Roman period.

In art we will be completing our watercolour pictures for the display.

You have no formal homework to complete this weekend, as you have now been set our half termly home learning project, All About Me. This project is to be completed over the next 4 weeks and the focus will be on presenting yourself to the world how you really want everyone to see you. I discussed the different ways that you may present this –as a poster, PowerPoint/Prezi presentation and/or shoebox but the choice really is yours. I was particularly pleased to hear some of you ask if it is OK to produce pictures/paintings as this is exactly what I would be looking for from those of you who enjoy being creative. This project is an opportunity to share YOU and what makes you tick with your friends, so the more effort you put in, the better the final outcome will be and the more you will get out of this process. Just remember though, I will be disappointed if, after this four weeks, you turn up with just a few items that you have grabbed together at the last minute or even just a scribbled note of paper written the night before the deadline. Enjoy the freedom that you have with this though and I genuinely look forward to what you all produce at the end of it. The deadline for completion will be Monday 16^th October, when you will be presenting your completed projects to the class.

Have a good weekend

Mr Gradwell

Hello new Year 6!

It has been great to welcome you all into Year 6 and I hope you have enjoyed being back to school and are relishing all of the challenges that the year will bring. I also hope you agree with me when I say we have had a good first week back and we have eased ourselves gently into the new school year before the real hard work begins in earnest next week!

Moving onto our learning next week, in English we will continue with our series of work based around the book, Varjak Paw. This is a brilliant text and we will focus on understanding the book next week, making links to other texts/real life. The writing focus for the text will be short story narrative, conveying a range of different genres.

In maths, we will continue the year by working on place value; comparing and ordering numbers; and rounding numbers.

In science, our topic will be classifying living things and their habitats. You will be describing how living things are classified based on differences and similarities.

In history, we will be beginning our unit on the trends of crime and punishment from the Romans to the present day. We will begin by identifying specific changes over the time period and how things have progressed rapidly in recent times.

In computing, we will be focussing on using technology safely, respectfully and responsibly.

Our art lesson will be focused on experimenting with different techniques to create texture, colour and pattern and will be used to create posters for the school fireworks.

We will be starting our spelling lessons next week and you will have a pre-test on Monday to identify the words that you will need to practise, then you will be retested on these next Friday.

While there is no formal homework sheet going home this weekend, please remember that I have asked you to write about what qualities that you have that would make you an ideal candidate for House Captain. Remember that this isn’t just for those wishing to put themselves forward for House Captain as the purpose of this activity is to reflect on all of your own positive qualities that you have. I expect you to write at least a paragraph (though many of you will hopefully choose to write more) giving a full list and explanation of all of your positive qualities and why these would make you suitable for House Captain should you choose to become one. This is to be returned on Monday.

Just to remind you all that you have PE on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday so make sure you have your kits in on these days.

Have a good weekend

Mr Gradwell