Year 6 Spring Plans

English – In the first half-term, our English-work will centre around the theme of poverty and we will use a book-led approach. The books will include the classics ‘Oliver Twist’ and ‘Nicholas Nickleby’ by Charles Dickens and modern literature such as ‘Mr Stink’ by David Walliams and ‘The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas’ by David Almond. We will also explore non-fiction texts such as ‘For Every Child’ and ‘A Life like Mine’. In the second half-term, our work will focus on texts whose central characters are animals.

These will include fictional works such as ‘Mrs Frisby and the Rats of Nimh’ by Robert O’Brien and ‘Charlotte’s Web’ by E. B. White. Non-fictional works will include ‘Our Zoo’ by June Mottershead and the poem ‘The Pied Piper of Hamelin’ by Browning.

6G and 6M: Spring Term Spring 1 – ‘Christ has no hands on Earth but yours’

Religion – In Religion, we will be looking at two units –

Through all these texts, the children will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of writing styles and to extend and develop their own writing.

In addition to this, the children will continue to develop their spoken English through drama, with our focus being Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’. They will also have set spelling lists to learn and grammar, vocabulary and punctuation will play an important part of their weekly schedule.

As we approach SATS, there will be much emphasis placed on revision.

Maths – Through the year, the children will be taught the following areas of numeracy –number, place value, algebra, calculations, fractions, decimals and percentages, ratio and proportion, measurement, geometry and statistics. It is essential your child knows all their times tables up to 12x12 as they are an integral part in all the above mathematics. Mental Maths will once again play an important part in daily maths lessons. As we approach SATS, there will be much emphasis placed on revision.

Spring 2 – ‘Be kind to every kind, not just man-kind’

Jesus, the Bread of Life – in which we will think about the story of the Passover and the Last Supper; we will explore the Penitential Rite and the Liturgy of the Word and think about our participation in them; we will find out about different parts of The Mass - the Offertory, Consecration and Communion and know that Jesus has chosen to stay with us in the Blessed Sacrament.

Jesus, Son of God – in which we will explore how Jesus’ miracles led many to believe that He was the Son of God; we will find out why Jesus washed the disciples’ feet; we will focus on the passion and death of Jesus and consider its importance for us; finally, we will reflect on what the Resurrection of Jesus means for us.

Art/DT – In Art, we will be looking at graffiti, and some artists who have made it their livelihood, such as Banksy.

We will also be exploring ‘The Tempest’ through art – this will incorporate sketching, drawing, painting and designing/ creating models. Much of this will be on display at the performance in the summer.

Science - Within science, we will be studying animals, including humans. Within this unit, the children will identify and name the main parts of the human circulatory system, and describe the functions of the heart, blood vessels and blood.

They will recognise the impact of diet, exercise, drugs and lifestyle on the way their bodies function. They will also describe the ways in which nutrients and water are transported within animals, including humans.

Geography –We will investigate and appreciate how the water cycle works and plays a part in our everyday life. We will study large ecological areas on the earth's surface, known as biomes and vegetation belts. We will also have the opportunity to look at the importance of rivers in our locality through a trip to Touchstones museum.

Music – In spring 1, we will be looking at the lives and work of composers who were affected by poverty, such as Mozart and Louis Armstrong. In spring 2, we will listen to compositions based on the theme of animals – for example, ‘The Carnival of the Animals’ by Saint-Saens and ‘Peter and the Wolf’ by Prokofiev.

We will also compose our own pieces using animals as a starting point. .

Computing – The children will be reviewing e-safety and take part in Safer Internet Day. They will also be using information technology in spring 1 to create presentations and in spring 2 they will use computer science to create games.

P.E. – In spring 1, we will be playing team games in the form of tag rugby and undergoing circuit training. In spring 2, we will be continuing on the theme of team games with volleyball and rounders.