Autumn Term 2 - Island of Fire.

Key Events

• Monday 30th October – First day of term
• Wednesday 15th – Monday 20th November – Scholastics Book fair
• Thursday 23rd November - Natural History Trip, London
• Friday 8th December – Winter Fayre 13:30 – 15:30
• Monday 18th - Friday 29th December – Winter Holiday
• Tuesday 2nd January – INSET
• Wednesday 3rd January 2024 – First day of Spring term

Hook

To launch this project, the children will explore the text ‘The Land of Neverbelieve’. Each class will explore the islands' unique features by following a set of clues that lead them around the mysterious island.

Outcome

The children will share all of their learning from the ‘Islands of Fire’ project during their celebration of learning. They will share their learning about the structure of the earth, Evolution and both their short narrative and non-chronological reports about their own island.

Reading

In autumn two, children will begin by learning how to make inferences and identify the meaning of words in context. They will then use this knowledge to help them understand more about the language choices authors make. After this, the children will revisit their understanding of making predictions and summarising events from a text.

To help your child at home, please continue to encourage them to read daily and record their progress in their planners for the teachers to see.

Lead Text: Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin.

Writing

During each half-term, the children will write one fiction and one non-fiction piece of writing. Within each of these learning journeys, they will learn new skills, practise using them and apply them through extended pieces of writing.

Fiction

During this learning journey, the children will be writing their own short narrative about a fictional island. they will revisit their understanding of narratives. They will then learn how to use figurative language to describe settings and create atmosphere. From this point, the children will use their skills to plan, write and edit their own historical short narrative.

Non-fiction

During this learning journey, the children will write a non-chronological report about their own island. This learning journey will begin with the children revisiting their understanding of non-chronological reports and how these are written to give the reader information about a specific subject area. They will then learn how to use colons and semi colons as part of a list. From here, the children will then learn how to use the passive voice in their writing to support them to adopt a more formal tone.

Spelling

The spelling patterns the children will learn this half-term are:

• Year 5/6 list (d-h)
• able/ably
• ible/ibly

Maths

In autumn two, the children will be focusing on the following units:

• Multiplication and division – The children will revisit their understanding of recognising and using factor pairs. They will then build on this by identifying multiples and factors, including finding all factor pairs of a number, and common factors of two numbers. Children will then learn about prime numbers, prime factors and composite numbers. Finally, they will multiply and divide whole numbers by 10, 100 and 1000.
• Fractions – The children will revisit their understanding of how to find equivalent and simplify fractions. They will then build on this by focusing on comparing and order fractions. Children will then learn how to add and subtract, multiply and divide fractions. Throughout the journey, the children will also explore improper fractions and mixed numbers.

Science

In autumn two, children will be taught to identify how animals and plants are adapted to their environments. They will then learn to explain natural selection and how it may lead to evolution. Once they have a secure understanding of the concepts, the children will explain how adaptation may lead to evolution by examining the theories of evolution constructed by Darwin and Wallace. We will then support them recognise that living things produce offspring of the same kind, but normally offspring vary and are not identical to their parents. At the end of the journey, they will be support to recognise that living things have changed over time and that fossils provide information about living things that inhabited the Earth millions of years ago.

Music

In Music this half-term, children will be revisiting their learning from previous years to describe the tempo of music. They will then learn to describe the dynamics and texture of a piece of music. Finally, they will apply their knowledge of tempo, dynamics and texture.

Geography

In autumn two, children will be taught about the structure of the Earth. They will then learn to explain plate tectonics and explore how they behave. Once their understanding is secure, the children will investigate and explain the effects of moving / colliding tectonic plates. From here the children will then learn to explain how volcanoes and earthquakes are formed. At the end of this journey, the children will revisit their map skills to compare and describe features on a map and compare them to photos.

Languages

In Spanish this half-term, Children have learnt likes and dislikes, and have expressed basic opinions. After learning the names of sports, children will be able to say which sports they play and do not play, and like and do not like, and also describe the preferences of a 3rd person.

Sports:

• atletismo - athletics
• badmintón - badminton
• baloncesto – basketball
• gimnasia - gymnastics

Computing

The year Six Computing learning journey for this half-term focusses on the concept of ‘Code’ through the creation of a Scratch diving beetles. The children will revisit their knowledge of variables, selection and algorithms. Within the unit, the children will learn to design, write and debug a programme that accomplishes specific goals. Finally, children will evaluate their own work and identify any errors.

PSHE

This half-term, the children will focus on the concept, ‘Valuing Difference’. The children will learn about key qualities of friendship and explain why friendships sometimes end. They will learn about the importance of demonstrating respectfulness when responding to others and responding appropriately. Finally, they will develop an understanding of discrimination and its injustice, and the value of diversity within the school community.

RE

In RE this half-term, children will learn about the concept of interpretation. This learning will build upon their prior knowledge of the Christmas story. The children will explore the meaning of the word interpretation and contextualise this by learning about the different versions of the Christmas story. During the communication stage of the cycle, children will express a personal response to the concept of interpretation and apply this by explaining interpretation may occur.

PE

In P.E this half-term, the children will work on their social skills. During their P.E lessons, children will learn to show patience and support others. They will also give and receive sensitive feedback to improve themselves and others. They will learn these skills through their dance and Real PE lessons.