Dear all,

 

I can’t believe we are at the end of the second week back already. As I look outside now it is looking nice and sunny still so let’s hope this continues over the weekend.

 

In English next week, we will be revising key topics in grammar and writing our persuasive arguments.

In maths, we will be focussing on calculating angles in triangles, quadrilaterals and polygons.

In geography, we will be looking at why energy is important to us.

In computing we will continue with our programming topic by learning to control and program sprites.

Your homework for this weekend is found on the sheets that were handed out to you. Remember not to leave your homework until the last minute and also remember to bring it back in with you on Monday.

 

Have a good weekend

 

Mr Gradwell

 

 Dear all,

 

So here we are at the end of term and whilst it has been a fairly short one and each week has flown by quickly, it also seems to have been ages since we returned after Christmas so this break could not have been more welcome.

 

Make sure you get plenty of rest over the Easter holiday. Whilst I have not sent home any formal written homework, please do keep playing Sumdog to help build up your speed and accuracy when solving arithmetic questions.

 

Have a lovely Easter break and we will see you again in a couple of weeks, on Tuesday 16^th April.

 

Mr Gradwell

 

 Dear all,

 

Where did that week just go? I cannot believe that a week has passed since I last sat here and wrote this! It has unfortunately been a bit of a dull and grey end to the week and looking at the forecast for the weekend, the weather isn’t due to improve too much, but I hope that this doesn’t stop any of you from getting out and about -it is so important for your mental wellbeing to be outside in the natural world as much as you can (think about the robot from Origins and how he/she ended up returning to it as soon as they could). I love this time of year as the cherry trees are blossoming, magnolias are in full bloom and even as the daffodils start to wane, tulip bulbs will be bursting into flower anytime soon now too, so do get outside and keep your eyes peeled for the wonder that nature brings us.

 

In English next week, we will be using the correct conventions of speech, writing a letter and finding out what happens at the end of the story. Note to parents: we will be watching the film version of the book which is a PG, so if anyone would prefer their child not to watch it, please do let me know before Thursday.

 

In maths, we will be continuing to look at fractions, decimals and percentages by ordering them and finding percentages of amounts.

 

Homework for this week is to complete your diagnostic test on Sumdog (it will be there when you log-in).

 

Have a great weekend

 

Mr Gradwell

Dear all,

 

First of all, I wanted to apologise for the lack of blog entry last week and for the lack of spellings on here on Monday -I was in no fit state to write anything at all this time last week, but I am pleased to say I am feeling better now and back on track.

 

In English next week, we will be discussing the recurring themes of Skellig, as well as writing for a range of purposes.

 

In maths, we will be continuing to look at fractions, decimals and percentages.

 

In history, we will look at the end of the Shang Dynasty and the reasons for it.

 

Computing will see us further exploring databases, using them to add, edit and calculate data.

 

Homework for this week is reading, which is found in the CGP Non-fiction book on pages 36-38 for everyone, as well as pages 39-41 for those of you who are able to complete them also.

 

Have a good weekend.

 

Mr Gradwell

 

 

Dear all,

So here we are at the spring half term break and you are now half-way through your time in Year 6 already! I hope you all have a nice, restful break and that you are all ready and raring to go on with all the hard work when you return.

In English after we return, we will be looking at a short clip called Origins which will lead to you writing a narrative based around the main character in it.

In maths, we will be focussing on rounding, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions.

In history, we will be finding out about the writing and calendar from the time of the Shang Dynasty.

In computing, we will be starting a new unit using Excel, exploring how to input and edit data.

As you know, I have given you the half term break off from homework so have a great time and see you all on Monday 26^th.

Mr Gradwell

Dear all,

And so we come ever closer to the half term break and fortunately, the lighter nights and mornings that come after that as spring begins to kick in. There is still lots to be done before then though and as I have said many times, I need to see a continued focus from you all at all times!

In English and maths next week, we will be carrying out practice SATs tests. The tests in English focus on reading, spelling, punctuation and grammar and in maths the focus is on arithmetic and reasoning. Feedback from these will be given to you all after half term so that you know what your own individual next steps will be, moving forward.

In history, we will explore what life was like for people during the Shang Dynasty and how the sources of information have been gathered over time.

In art, we will use dry painting techniques to add depth and colour to the oracle bones before creating other objects using clay.

In computing, we will be using Weebly to create webpages to add your information on the Shang Dynasty that you have collected over the last few weeks.

Homework this week is maths and covers some of the topics related to algebra that we have looked at over the last 2 weeks. Please do continue to use Sumdog as well, as this will help with your maths fluency speed.

Have a great weekend

Mr Gradwell

Dear all,

And yet another week has just flown by! I know I wasn’t with you for a couple of the days this week but I am pleased to see that you still completed some good leaning in my absence which has meant that we have got everything done that we needed to.

In English next week, we will be finishing off Kensuke’s Kingdom by completing written comprehension tasks, writing Haiku poems, and writing a precis of the text.

In maths, we will be finishing off our unit on algebra by solving equations with up to 2 steps and solving problems involving everything that you have learnt within the unit.

In science, you will be finding out about the impact of smoking and vaping on your health.

In history, we will be finding out about royal burials in the Shang Dynasty.

In computing, linked to history, you will be continuing with your publications on the Shang dynasty.

In art, you will use clay to make your oracle bones sculptures.

Homework is found in your CGP Non-Fiction book on pages 29, 30 and 31 or on the sheets if you have been given them. This is once again due to be returned on Monday. In addition to this, I would like you to play Sumdog as much as you can this weekend (and until next Thursday). As I sit here and type, our class is at the top of the league table and 7 of you are in the top ten so let’s all work together to try and keep us up there!

Have a great weekend

Mr Gradwell

Dear all,

Another week has gone by in a flash with some quality work produced.

Next week in English, we will be continuing with our unit based around the book Kensuke’s Kingdom. We will be exploring the feelings of Mum and Dad as they desperately search for Michael and Stella, creating writing from this.

In maths, we will be looking at algebra and I will hopefully make you all love it -even though many adults will say they hate it!

In science, you will be finding out about the effects of alcohol on the body.

In history, we will learn about the first ten Shang Dynasty kings and explore further, the evidence surrounding them.

In art, we will be exploring using clay to represent the Shang characters on the oracle bones.

In computing, we will be focussing on presenting information using publishing software.

Homework for this week is to be completed on the sheet if you have been given one. If you need help completing it, please watch the following video which will give you further guidance:

https://vimeo.com/774295152

Have a great weekend

Mr Gradwell

Dear all,

Well, the second week back has gone as quickly as ever and here we are at the weekend again –where did that week go?

Next week we are continuing with our unit based around the book Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo which we started this week –it was great to see how engaged you were yet again with our class text. We will be writing descriptions of the island before writing a recount in role as a character from the text.

In maths, we will be continuing with our unit on ratio by drawing to scale, looking at similar shapes and solving problems.

In science next week, you will be continuing to learn about healthy eating and will be looking at the effects of smoking and alcohol on the body.

In history, we are beginning our topic on the Shang Dynasty of China. We will be looking closely at the historical evidence from the time and exploring how we know what we do about it.

In art, you will be finishing off your oracle bones sketches, including choosing the ancient Shang characters to be used in your final sculptures.

In computing, we will be ‘publishing’ work completed in our history lessons.

Your homework this weekend is to complete the ‘Inside the World of Jam’ pages of the CGP Reading Non-Fiction book. Everyone must complete pages 26, 27 and 28 and the extension is to complete pages 29, 30 and 31 also. This is due to be returned on Monday.

Have a great weekend

Mr Gradwell

Dear all,

It was great to be back this week after our slightly extended Christmas break, although I was, like others, quite tired at the beginning of the week. Fortunately though this hasn’t stopped the term beginning in a productive way with some excellent products being made and these can now be put up on display.

It was so good to finally be able to give out the new books that we have for our class today. As I said in our assembly earlier in the week, reading really is your window into new worlds so please do take advantage of the brand new books available and take care of them so that you and many other children after you also have the chance to read the wonderful array of titles that we now have on the shelves. Don’t forget that if you wish to enter the competition to name our reading tree in the KS2 library, you need to give your class teacher a piece of paper with your name and class written on it and the name that you would like to give the tree by next Friday at the latest.

In English next week we will be starting to read Kensuke’s Kingdom, by Michael Morpurgo and we will focus on some key dilemmas of the opening part of the text.

In maths, we will be starting a unit on ratio by using the correct language and symbol before looking at how ratio is used in scale drawings.

In science, you will be finding out about the effects of smoking on people’s health.

We will be finishing off our geography unit next week by looking at how climate change is impacting the population and how the population is impacting on the the climate.

In computing, we will be beginning our unit on ‘Creating and Publishing’ by looking at some more advanced features of publishing software programs.

There is no formal homework for this week –this will start again next Friday.

Finally, as you know, from next week onwards, I have asked you all to come into school at 8:30 every morning, beginning on Monday. Whilst this is only 10 minutes earlier than normal, this will give us just a little bit more time in order to focus on some key areas of learning which will support you in your SATs so I hope that most of you are able to come in at that time.

Have a great weekend.

Mr Gradwell