Welcome back Oak Tree Class!

Welcome back! I hope you have all had a lovely Easter, spending time with family and friends, and the children are ready for the new term ahead!

If there are ever any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to get in touch. The support you give is essential for your child's progress and the closer we can work together, the better it will be for them. Finally, don’t forget to follow our class on twitter @OakClass_Sankey for regular updates.

Kind Regards,

Mr. Johnson

Curriculum Overview:

Maths

In Maths this term we will be continuing to recall and retrieve our work on fractions, decimals and percentages and be continuing to embed our knowledge of problem-solving activities to a range of different questions. The children will finish their work on angles and then move on to the topic areas of shape, statistics and algebra before spending some time revising topics from across this year in preparation for the end of key stage assessments. It is really important that the children continue to practise their times tables and will be completing weekly arithmetic style questions to build up their confidence and pace in answering questions independently.

English

In our English lessons this term, we are continuing to work on our knowledge of punctuation and grammar from across KS2, with a particular focus on the use of semi colons, inverted commas and precise use of grammatical features for different writing types.

The children will continue learning to extend their sentences through the use of different clauses. All of our writing across the term will be inspired by high quality texts and children's literature and we will be starting the term off with some writing linked to the book, Manfish. Where possible, we will try to link our spellings in class to our writing also.

Science  

In our Science lessons this term, children will finish their work on looking at properties and changes in materials before starting their new topic on Living Things and Their Habitats’. In this unit, we will teach the children

about the process of reproduction and the life cycles of plants, mammals, amphibians, insects and birds. They will explore metamorphosis in insects and amphibians, comparing their life cycles. The children will also be extending their biological knowledge of classifying plants and animals based on specific characteristics.

Geography                                           

This term the children are studying the topic entitled: Would you rather live in North or South America? In this topic, the children will find out about the continents of North and South America, and the countries that form them. They will also look at the landscape and climate of some of the contrasting regions of the Americas and further develop their use of atlases and maps to support their work.

History                  

In our History lessons, we will be studying the enquiry question 'Why were we victorious in the Battle of Britain?'. During this topic, the children will study the main events of WWII before focusing upon the Battle of Britain and looking more closely at what it was, how the battle was won and why Britain were victorious. Across the topic, children will continue to use and compare different sources of historical knowledge to support their enquiry and learning.

Additional Messages:

SATs 

In May 2025, children in Y6 will complete their statutory end of key stage assessments known as SATs. The children will be tested in Reading, Maths and Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling with Writing being teacher assessed in school. The tests will take place the week beginning 12th May 2025 so we ask that any holidays or time off is not taken during this month. An information evening for parents giving further details will be held later this year and a timetable will be sent out to you in the first week of the Summer term to confirm arrangements. SATs Booster sessions will take place throughout this term and all Year 6 pupils have access to SATs Boot Camp which will support their learning at home.

Reading:

Please make sure that you read regularly (at least three times per week) and get an adult to sign your planner each week. You can read your school reading book, your own book, a library book, newspapers, comics, etc.

Spellings:

Spellings will be taught and practised throughout the week and tests will take place each Friday morning with new spelling lists posted on Google Classroom every Friday. 

PE:

For this term, indoor PE (volleyball) will be on Mondays and outdoor PE (cricket) is on Thursdays.  Once again, the children can come into school in their school PE kits on these days - a T-Shirt in their house colour and black shorts / joggers / leggings and trainers - with all hair tied back and jewellery removed. Please make sure these PE uniform guidelines are adhered to as last year we started to notice a few football shirts, etc. starting to creep in. It is important the children look as smart in their PE kits as they do in their uniforms. Thanks for your support with this. 

Homework:

Homework will be posted on Google Classroom each Friday and should be returned by the following Thursday. Homework will consist of a Maths activity and an English activity linked to the unit of work they are covering in class, so they should be able to complete the activity independently. 

Some useful websites, resources and links:

https://spellingframe.co.uk - Spelling Frame. A great, interactive website to give you chance to practise your spellings in a variety of different ways.

https://ttrockstars.com/ - Times Table Rockstars. Use this website to practise your times tables, battle with your band mates and keep your arithmetic skills up to scratch!

SATs Boot Camp - Year 6 SATs Revision, Practice Papers & SATs Questions Online - SATs Boot Camp (Year 6 only). Use this website to revise maths and English units and complete practice SATs tests in preparation for your SATs in May.