Download What is the Shang Dynasty? Why does a football fall to the ground

Year 6 Spring Newsletter 2015
Welcome back to school; we hope that you’ve all enjoyed the Christmas holidays and are ready for the
Spring Term. We are straight in to a very action packed term with an exciting themed unit, ‘The
Shang Dynasty’. We will be learning about ancient China and what life was like during the Shang
Dynasty. We will be making comparisons with Ancient China and modern day China. As part of our
science topic, forces will be studied. This will include finding out about resistance and how parachutes
work.
In more detail, our Literacy work is varied, covering:
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Arguments and debates, how to construct a balanced argument.
Drama, William Shakespeare plays-children will perform short scenes and write play extracts
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of their own.
Poetic Style, modern poets Michael Rosen and Roger McGough. Pupils will study modern poetry
and write their own free verse inspired by the poets.
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Reports and Journalistic writing, to include pupils writing their own newspaper style reports.
Short stories, to include creating own short mystery story.
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Classic and narrative poetry. Pupils will study poems from poets such as Sir Walter Scott and
create their own narrative poems.
In maths we are continuing to consolidate skills:
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Ordering numbers and place value.
Position and direction.
Time
Mental and written methods for multiplication and division
Algebra-patterns and sequences.
Focussed revision based on preparation for S.A.Ts
We have handy guides for parents if you are struggling at all to understand the way things are taught
in school for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Please ask.
In our themed unit our BIG QUESTIONS will be ……………….
What is the Shang Dynasty? Why does a football fall to the ground? How can a parachute
save your life? What does the Great Wall of China look like? How can I find my way around
the world, without getting lost? Would you have survived in the Shang Dynasty? How bright
are the dragon’s eyes? Are you ready for ‘Dragon’s Den’?
Phew!! It sounds like it should be a very action packed term with lots of creative activities and super
learning to be done.
Reading books and spellings will be sent home weekly as will homework. We appreciate your support in
helping your child with these activities and helping them to see the importance of completing these
regularly. PE days will be on a Thursday with Mr Morris.
Best wishes
Mrs Venables, Mr Morris, Mrs Kay and Mrs Norris