Class 6

Welcome to Class 6

2023-2024

Spring Term

History

Class 6 have been learning about the Anglo-Saxons so far this term. We have learnt about the different tribes that they were made up of and where they came from to invade Britain. Have a look at our maps below:

We have also been learning about the reasons why the Anglo Saxons invaded Britain, considering push and pull factors that different people faced at the time. In Britain, after the Romans had left, King Vortigern needed help to fight off the Picts and the Scots; he needed a strong, determined army to help him. It is believed that he wrote letters to members of the Jutes, Angles and Saxons to ask them for their help. Have a read through some of our letters – as Vortigern – below:

English

In English this term, we have been reading the novel Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo. So far, Michael – an eleven-year old boy – has set sail on an around-the-world trip with his parents after his Dad was made redundant from the local brickworks. The family set off with their dog, Stella Artois, in Southampton. Up to now, the voyage has gone well: Michael’s family have visited several exciting locations, including Brazil and South America. However, after leaving Australia, the weather has become perilous and their yacht is now damaged. Michael’s mum is sick with severe stomach cramps. Stella Artois appears on deck, and given that she had previously fallen overboard in the Indian Ocean, Michael tries to retrieve her. A sudden wind takes hold of the yacht…

Have a read through some of our published diary entries, in role as Michael, after finding out the news of the around-the-world trip…

Autumn Term

Class 6 have once again been working incredibly hard this half-term in all areas of their learning – I am so proud of them all. In English, we have been reading the novel Floodland by Marcus Sedgwick. This is a story set in a dystopian world where global warming has caused the sea to rise until cities are turning into islands and civilization is crumbling. The city of Norwich has been consumed by flooding and new islands have appeared… Ten year-old Zoe was left behind on Norwich by accident when her parents escaped in the last supply ship to visit the island. Zoe discovers a small rowboat and keeps it a secret until she can set out alone on the great sea to find her parents. She lands on tiny Eels Island, where she must survive in a nightmarish world run by wild children and their boy-leader, Dooby. Luckily, Zoe and a boy called Munchkin escape and cross the sea to the mainland, to find not only Zoe’s parents but a new family and a new world.

English

Have a look at some of our newspaper reports based on Floodland below. We focused on using newspaper specific language, advanced punctuation and shifts in formality:

Geography

In Geography, we have been learning all about climate change and how we can all work as a team to reduce our own carbon footprints to help the environment. We have investigated how more economically developed countries contribute more to the climate crisis but also have more money to spend on pursuing new green initiatives such as electric cars and solar panels.  We learnt about food miles and the distances food has to travel from where it is produced to where it is sold. We used atlases and a food miles calculator to investigate the distances some of our favourite foods have to travel. We discussed the importance of growing our own produce and supporting local farmers.

Forest School

In one of our Forest School sessions this term, we helped support our local environment by planting bluebells at Bradstone Field to help the community to create their own bluebell wood for many years to come. The children thoroughly enjoyed it and were a real credit to themselves and the school.

Geography

Class 6 have been learning about climate change in Geography. We have been thinking carefully about how we can play our part to combat the climate crisis. Working in pairs, we designed new initiatives that we could use in the world today to help. Have a look at some of our very creative ideas and initiatives below!

Science

In Science, Class 6 have been busy learning about forces. So far, we have investigated friction and air resistance. We designed our own streamlined bikes, outfits and helmets considering the need to travel as fast as possible in races like the Tour de France!

Art

Class 6 have had two brilliant art days with Mrs Dyminski. We practiced a range of techniques to draw self-portraits including drawing with our weaker hands and without looking! We also worked on our tonal layering skills and researched Chuck Close. Have a look at our amazing artwork below!

Fencing

Class 6 have had an absolutely brilliant start to the year. We have been busy enjoying fencing sessions with Neil from Cricklade Fencing Club in the first few weeks of term. So far, we have been getting used to different commands and wearing the safety equipment.

A special mention to Ella who attended one of Neil’s sessions outside of school at Cricklade as a result of trying it out in school. She did brilliantly: getting stuck into the games and footwork before putting on her fencing kit and using metal swords for the first time. She used distance to make opponents miss as well as lunging to attack and parrying to stop anyone scoring a hit. Well done, Ella!

Floodland

In English, Class 6 have just started reading the dystopian novel Floodland by Marcus Sedgwick. We began by writing our own predictions based on the front cover of the book and other clues given by Mr Hockaday. Then, we read the very first chapter and looked carefully at the language choices used and writing style. We had a go at writing in a similar style to Marcus Sedgwick. Have a read through some of our writing below…

Reading Leaders

To help encourage and inspire reading across the school, our new Reading Leaders from Class 6 (with support from Miss Harrold) led their very own worship last week. The children were amazing and did a brilliant job of recommending different books to KS1 and KS2 children and they also explained the criteria for earning bronze, silver and gold bookworms. Well done, Reading Leaders!

Buddy Letters

We have written buddy letters to our new Class R buddies to welcome them to Team AK! We thought carefully about what we thought they would like to know about our school and we have enjoyed spending time with them during play times. We are now looking forward to a Welcome Worship for Class R.

Learning Metaphor

Class 6 began the year by considering the learning metaphor ‘Our Common Home: Love your neighbour as yourself’. We read the book Dear Earth by Isabel Otter and considered how wonderful and diverse our world is but also how we are damaging it.

Following on from reading the book, we investigated climate change and climate justice. We considered ways in which we can all work together to help the climate crisis and the importance of everybody doing their bit. Have a look at our very own global superheroes who would be the perfect leaders to lead and motivate people to help around the world!

Archive

2022-2023

Class 6 Annual Curriculum Overview-2022-2023

We’ve been given the opportunity to learn to fence! Year 6 has had six weeks of fencing lesson as a part of PE. Have a look at what we got up to!

Year 6 has been working on our Christmas cards already so that they can be scanned and sent off to be printed! Have a look at our cityscapes.

Year 6 has had a busy week this week with a visit from Wiltshire Air Ambulance designed to teach us basic life saving skills. We learnt about when and how to make a 999 call, how to place someone in the recovery position and why that it is so important, how to carry out CPR and the difference doing it can make to a person surviving.  We also discussed where our local A.E.D (defibrillator) is and how to access it in an emergency.  We watched and listened to how to use it. Later on, we donned some special choking simulator jackets and learnt how to help someone who was choking.