Homework
Spellings, Literacy/SPAG, Maths (My Maths online) homework are set on Fridays and will be due back on Wednesday. R.E. homework will be set fortnightly and will link to the current RE lessons.  
The Topic project will be given out at the start of half term and completed by the end of it. 
Homework should take approx. 1 hour. Please let us know if this is not the case. 

Please ensure to listen to your children read for 20 minutes daily and record in their reading record 5 times minimum. Reading records will be checked on a weekly basis. 

YEAR

Please Support Us!
•	Please ensure all reading records are signed once per week.
•	Please help and encourage your children to revise their spellings on a weekly basis.
•	Please support us in following the behaviour code as set down by the school.
•	Always inform of us of a change of address.
•	The safety, welfare and happiness of each child is a key priority at St Bernadette School. If you have any problems, worries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school to arrange an appointment.
Wishing you all the best in Year 6.
We have a very busy, exciting year ahead. Ensure that you try your very best at all times, giving 100%. It will be worth the effort at the end.

YEAR 6
St Bernadette Catholic Primary School
Curriculum Newsletter
Mrs Bennett
Autumn Term - 2019

Autumn term begins – A big welcome to Year 6!
Welcome to the Year 6 Curriculum. We hope your child has had a relaxing and fun summer and is ready for their final year of primary school. We look forward to making your child’s learning enjoyable by adopting a variety of teaching strategies. This is a summary of the learning programme for your child for this term, together with suggestions of things that you could do to support your child. We hope you find this useful.

Religious Education
The children will study a variety of topics this term following the Margaret Carswell units of work. We will complete a module called ‘Beginning with God’ which will consider the nature of God as singular being and as part of the Holy Trinity. This will then lead pupils to explore the Nicene Creed and how Jesus’ nature may have similarities and differences between himself and God. The children will also begin their Child Initiated Prayers.

Literacy
Literacy will be cross-curricular with Topic. Pupils will continue to develop their reading and writing skills while focusing on variety of genres e.g. setting description, recounts, poetry or reports. Pupils will also develop a further understanding of spelling, grammar and punctuation. Reading comprehension will form a large part of the literacy curriculum in Year 6.

Maths
As we continue with ‘Maths No Problem, pupils will continue to work collaboratively by discussing and solving problems together with resources. Pupils will investigate numbers to 10 million and use the four number operations to solve problems relating to whole numbers. In addition, pupils will explore the concepts of fractions and decimals and their interlinking relationship as well as measurement.

ICT
In the first half term we will be exploring Coding with the use of our brand new Chromebooks.  Throughout the year, we will be exploring the concept of e-safety in terms of privacy settings by looking at different forms of digital media, the importance of copyright and evaluating websites in terms of reliability.

Science 
The topics being covered are ‘Body Health’ and ‘Body Pump’. The children will have an opportunity to explore this topic through experiments and investigations. By the end of the topic, pupils will be able to explain the functions of the heart, circulatory systems and blood. In addition, pupils will be able to explain the benefits of a healthy diet including the importance of exercise and dangers of smoking and drugs 

PSCHE
This term the pupils will recognise their worth as individuals by identifying positive things about themselves and their achievements. They will also realise the nature and consequences of racism, teasing, bullying and aggressive behaviours, and how to respond to them. A major aim for this year will be to help the pupils become more confident independent problem solvers. 

Topic
Our Key stage Two curriculum covers History, Geography, Dance, Art, Drama, and D&T through a thematic approach to learning. This means our pupils are inspired, motivated and challenged by more meaningful and linked learning. Our first topic is called ‘Africa’ and is based on exploring the life and landscapes of different African countries, as well as looking at the history of Benin.  After half-term, the pupils will investigate World War II including the Christmas Truce.  Pupils will use evidence and sources taken from the time to help inform them of essential information that will reveal what life was like during these times. This topic will develop the pupils’ opinions in these areas which will allow them to gain a deeper understanding of the topic.

P.E.
This term the pupils will be undertaking a variety of leadership games in order to showcase their communication skills and physicality when solving problems. The emphasis of P.E. will then move towards the pupils showing their abilities in multi-skill games where pupils will have to use different attributes to perform. Please ensure that the children have appropriate PE kit in school. Children must remove all jewellery for these sessions.

FRENCH
French is taught by Mrs Lawrenson. Pupils will revise vocabulary covered to date and will study new topics relating to classroom commands and school subjects, including giving their opinions. 
They will continue both oral and written work in class with a focus on building their conversational language in preparation for secondary school. 

Music
Music is taught by Mr Pettifer.  Music lessons will focus on an introduction to the Blues, including singing and composing Blues style songs. The second half term will focus on song writing –form and structure ending with a Christmas song composition project.
We will also continue to develop vocal skills through our weekly practice and choir sessions.

What can you do to help your child!
•	Please read with your child every night and ask questions especially inference to support them in their success. Please sign off their reading record 5 times a week minimum.
•	Ensure your child continues to revise their times tables. 
•	Ensure that all homework is completed and returned on the appropriate day. You can help with your child’s development this term by supporting us with homework and letting us know how your child found it. If you had to help them lots please make a note in their book so that we know, please do the same if your child is finding it too easy. 
•	Talk to your child and if they are having any issues/problems, please come to me and discuss it. 
•	Practice quick mental maths questions involving the four operations.