Year 6 Page
2024 - 2025
Spring Term
Autumn Term
y6 autumn overview for parents 2425.pdf
Science
We will carry out a range of activities linked to our first term topic of adaptation and evolution. They will develop ways of working scientifically through research, pattern spotting, classifying, making models and planning fair tests. We will look at how different animals and plants are classified, common features of animal groups and how species have adapted and evolved over time.
During the second half term, we will learn about light. We will also learn about famous scientists who have studied within these areas.
Geography: Mexico
To begin our learning on Mexico, we look at how to locate the country on a world map, and some of the geographical features that can be found there. These include mountain ranges, gulfs and volcanoes. We then look at why Mexico is classed as a developing country, and therefore why natural disasters such as earthquakes can be devastating to the people who live there. Following our learning about Mexico as a developing nation, we then look at how Mexico supports its economy through its natural resources. After learning about Mexico’s exports, we compare Mexico to Brazil to see the similarities and differences between the two Central and South American countries. Linked to our persuasive holiday brochure writing, we will then learn about the positive and negative impacts on Mexico of tourists visiting the country.
History: Vikings
We will be learning about the Vikings. We will study the origins and motivation of the Viking invasion, and how it impacted on British settlements. We will then look at how we can analyse and evaluate historical sources to inform us about the Viking’s way of life, and what their legacy in Britain is today.
2023 - 2024
Autumn
Discover Project (History Driver)
“Is life easier when we do what we are told?”
Through studying the Ancient Greeks, we will be discussing the concepts of democracy and government, and how it was used within Ancient Greece as well as making links to the wider world we know today. We will be discussing and debating what impact democracy can have on the concepts of fairness, free will and individuality.
As good historians we will be analysing and questioning primary and secondary sources, interpreting bias and constructing timelines of key events including: the beginning of Greece; the battle of Marathon; the invasion of Greece by Persia; founding of the Olympic games; war between different Greek city states; the establishing of the first Athenian democracy; impact of the Greeks on modern civilisation and the fall of Ancient Greece.
Throughout the project, we will be making links to our project question and analysing how giving everyone a voice influenced the lives of Ancient Greeks.
By the end of the autumn term, your child will be a critical-thinking historian who will be able to impart key knowledge to amaze you and all the family!
Spring
Explore Project (Geography Driver)
"Do we need wealth to deal with adversity?"
Through learning about natural disasters and weather phenomena, we will be focusing initially on volcanoes, earthquakes and flooding. To help focus our discussions, we will look at ourselves as wealthy, and whether we have faced adversity in our lives.
As effective geographers, we will analyse human and physical features. We will begin looking at volcanoes and how they were created, focusing on The Ring of Fire. We will focus on using specific geography terminology and then move onto earthquakes. We will compare the effects of an earthquake on an economically developed country to a country which is less developed. This will link back to our work on how wealth helps us deal with different weather phenomena.
Following our work on earthquakes, we will then look at tsunamis. We will encourage the children to lead this learning and ask the classes which natural disasters they might want to do further research into.
We will learn map skills to analyse how height and distance is represented on a different maps.
By the end of the spring term, we hope be a creative and evaluative geographers who will be confident to share their learning with you!
Summer
Create Project (Arts Driver)
“What is the legacy we leave?”
Through our project on William Shakespeare, we will be focusing predominantly on the play ‘Macbeth’. To help focus our discussions, we will be basing learning around key concepts and asking children to think about their own legacy.
As good artists, they will be analysing and evaluating artwork created by others. We will begin looking at portraits and the medium of pencil sketching. We will focus on using specific artistic terminology and will move through different styles of art throughout the topic.
We will work through a series of drama lessons resourced from the RSC to gain a better understanding of Macbeth and use an accompanying series of music lessons also linked to the play.
Throughout the project, we will also be working with charcoal, pastels and paint. We will look at artists who specialise in these mediums and learn different skills for each such as blending or shading. We will then use our new skills to create a fresh piece of art linked to the story of Macbeth.
By the end of the summer term, we hope your child will be a creative and evaluative artist who will be confident to share their work with you!