Welcome back....

Homework Update

The homework topic web for this half term can be downloaded from this page but children will bring home a copy this week too. Please support and encourage your child to complete at least three of these projects and encourage them to spend time to complete quality work.  We have tried to include some diverse and interesting ideas but are happy for children to be creative and do any home learning that links to our topics this term that interests them.  We feel it is more important than ever for children in year 6 to complete homework regularly as we are preparing them for the expectations of secondary school. 
Additionally research has shown that:
"Homework encourages self-development and self-discipline. Students who complete regular homework don't just perform better at school and during exams, they learn broader life skills and associate hard work with long term rewards. Homework has also been found to improve parental relationships." (https://blog.teamsatchel.com/research-into-the-importance-of-homework)
We hope you can spend some quality time with your children finding out about their learning at school through their homework projects.

Science
Our new science topic is all about sustainability - really relevant at the moment with the COP26 climate change conference happening.  This would be a good opportunity to discuss some of the issues in the news and perhaps to take some action at home to reduce your families' impact on climate change!

World Views and Religion
In RE we are asking why some people believe in God and some don't by exploring different faiths and non faiths.  In our first discussion the children agreed that it is important to learn about what other people believe so that we can respect them, their culture and beliefs.

English
We have started a new unit of writing and are basing chronological reports on a text about the Simpson Desert in Australia.  This is a beautifully written text that uses powerful vocabulary to bring the desert alive.  The children will be writing to similarly captivate, amaze and inform their readers!

Maths
This week we have focused on the skills needed and methods used in long division! It really has been a tough week with the children all feeling at some point 'stuck' in the learning pit. However, as the week has progressed and with practice, support and resilience progress has been made and we have begun to hear shouts of 'Yes, I did it!" and "Now I understand." This is the first time the children have been really tested in maths this year as it's a totally new concept. Well done to them all for not giving up and for really focusing and working together with this. 

Art
This week we have had two 'one off lessons' totally different to each other. On Thursday we designed and created our FONTS Christmas cards and on Friday we began our Remembrance Day art for a big display. Once complete I shall post a photograph for you all to see. 

Computing
The children were very excited about using the 3d computer modelling website, tinkercad, this week.  They can explore this website for free at home either using their school account or by signing up for their own free account with your permission.
Link to our class page:
https://www.tinkercad.com/joinclass/GL6M16BYT2G9

Finally...
Congratulations to Eva our Star of the Week! She  has produced some fantastic writing this week and has been a really good partner, supporting her peers.  She's been really focused and worked hard all this week.
Christmas card replies due back on Monday 8th!
Cross Country replies for half of the class due back. Watch this space for a different activity for the half in school! 

Have a fantastic weekend and if you are having or watching fireworks please stay safe! 

Thank you,
Mrs Ware and Miss Ruby