Orca Class
This term marks the final weeks for our Year 6 pupils who will soon begin the exciting transition to their secondary schools. Yet these last weeks are sure to prove memorable with the children participating in Activity Week, a whole school trip to Wingham Wildlife Park, a nature day at Ottenden and performing in an Orca Class Show.As this action-packed term will also include Sports Day, the Summer Fete and Forest School, please regularly check Parentmail for important updates. We would also invite you to check out our school Twitter page to see regular photos of our incredible learning.
Our Learning Environment
Learning in Term 6
During the sixth term, our ‘driver’ topic will be ‘Maafa’.
English
Over the next 5 weeks, Orca Class will continue to study the thrilling adventure story ‘The Explorers’ by Katherine Rundell. Set in the 1940s, this story follows the experiences of four children, who crash-land in the Amazon rainforest after a plane malfunction. They must learn to survive in the wild, facing challenges like finding food and shelter. Whilst creating interlinked narratives, the children will participate in a series of drama workshops linked to the complex relationships between the children and 'The Explorer'.
The term, there will be a renewed focus on handwriting and KS2 spelling patterns. Each week, the children will be given spellings to learn (including high frequency vocabulary and given links to Spelling Shed, so that they can practise these words in preparation for a weekly spelling test.
Reading
As well-developed reading skills are vital to enable children to access all areas of the primary curriculum, this term, the children will use their reading skills to answer a range of VIPER linked to non-fiction and poetry.
Your child will also continue to bring home a reading folder, which will contain a Homework Diary and a fiction/non-fiction book. We ask that they read for 20 mins each day and we would be grateful if the record could be signed to show that this has taken place. In this way, we hope to enthuse the children and make them realise that books can open up a world of endless possibilities.
Maths
In Maths this term, Years 5 will continue their Power Maths Learning.
Year 5
This term, Year 5 children will be exploring two topics: Statistics and Geometry, where they will
- Year 5 students will focus solidifying their understanding of decimals , fractions and percentages including converting between them. They will explore 'measurement' including volume and capacity. Within each topic, the children will use their skills to problem-solve with multi-step calculations and apply their knowledge of number and measurement to real-world scenarios.
Meanwhile, in preparation for their transition to secondary school, Norton Knatchbull have invited Year 6 to explore a series of challenges which will be sure to test their mathematical problem solving skills.
As the Yr 5 children are now entering the latter part of Key Stage Two, it is even more important that they have a secure understanding of their times tables and can use the four operations to calculate mental arithmetic questions.
You can access TT Rockstars via this link: https://ttrockstars.com/
Wider Learning
This year we will continue to use the ‘Cornerstones Curriculum’ to support our wider learning.
History: Maafa
History in Term 6 focuses on the unit ‘Maafa’. This project focuses on ‘Africa Past and Present’, with a particular focus on Benin. It traces the development of the slave trade and explores Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade, the causes and consequences of the European colonisation of Africa and the worldwide communities that make up the African diaspora.
Science: The Circulatory System
Our Science topic this term has a biology focus, as we learn about the circulatory system. We will explore and model the purpose and structure of the circulatory system, blood vessels and blood. We will conduct experiments to test heart rate and will learn about the importance of healthy lifestyle choices and the impact that unhealthy choices can have on our bodies.
Art: Trailblazers, Barrier Breakers
In Art, we will explore ‘Trailblazers, Barrier Breakers’. This project teaches us about significant black artists and their work, and provides opportunities to analyse and create artwork inspired by them. In Term 6, we will build on our knowledge of tints, tones and shades. We will think about colour theory by studying the colour-wheel and exploring mixing tints, shades and tones. Then, learn about significant landscape artworks and features of landscapes, before using this knowledge to create landscape paintings influenced by the Brazilian Artist, Beatriz Milhazes.
Computing
This unit explores the concept of variables in programming through games in Scratch. First, learners find out what variables are and relate them to real-world examples of values that can be set and changed. Then they use variables to create a simulation of a scoreboard. In Lessons 2, 3, and 5, which follow the Use-Modify-Create model, learners experiment with variables in an existing project, then modify them, before they create their own project. In Lesson 4, learners focus on design. Finally, in Lesson 6, learners apply their knowledge of variables and design to improve their games in Scratch.
Over the final term, PE sessions will take place on Friday. During Term 6, the children will participate in tennis lessons delivered by the coaches at Bethersden Tennis Club. Held at the tennis courts, the children will further develop their racket and ball control skills.
Our P.E day is on Friday so please make sure your child comes into school wearing their full P.E. kit on this day. Forest School will take place on Wednesday and we would ask the children to bring in a spare pair of old trousers and a waterproof jacket.
French: 'Chez Moi'
As well as learning a range of conversational phrases, by the end of this unit, pupils will have the knowledge and skills to present both orally and in written form. This is a unit that focuses on recycling previously learnt grammar, using it with new vocabulary and having a better understanding of the negative form, demonstrating a growing ability to create independent responses. The children will then move onto exploring phrases related to life at home.
Homework will be set on a Monday (spelling) and Friday (Atom Learning/Topic) and is to be completed by the following Friday. This will be set on Google Classroom.
Each Monday, the children will be set their weekly spellings on Spelling Shed.
As part of their home learning, we encourage children to read every day to support their reading fluency and vocabulary.
Contact us
We are always available on the playground after school if you need to talk! Alternatively, if it is not urgent, you can email the families' email. This email is checked regularly and will be forwarded on to the class team. You can find the email here: families@bethersden.kent.sch.uk
We are looking forward to the exciting term ahead of us!
Orca Class Team
