Prep 6 Curriculum Brief

Spellings will continue to be based on the children’s own targets and focus on Year 5/6 spelling rules. Spelling tests will still be held each week on Wednesdays.

Grammar – within our grammar work this term, we are going to continue looking at using devices to build cohesion within a paragraph and think about how we link ideas across paragraphs (using adverbials of time or place, tense choices, repetition of a word or phrase and grammatical connections).  In our non-fiction topic, we will revise how to use a variety of descriptive devices but again focus on layout (e.g. headings, subheadings, columns, bullets, or tables to structure text). In our poetry topic, we will recap poetic devices (rhyming, personification, onomatopoeia, similes/metaphors etc) whilst continuing to develop our vocabulary and try to use words that have a powerful impact on the reader.

We will also refresh our understanding of key grammatical terms (adjectives, verbs, adverbs, adverbial phrases etc) and recap newer terms like hyperbole and idiom.

Punctuation – we will revise key punctuation learnt in lower KS2 whilst continuing to master the use of semi-colons, colons and brackets, dashes, or commas to indicate parenthesis.

Reading/ Comprehension – in our reading this term we will continue to read our own target books but also read a variety of genres and gain a deeper understanding of different writing styles and widen our vocabulary. We will continue to answer comprehension questions that get us to support answers with evidence from the text and be able to identify key literary devices in our model texts. This term, we will also develop our ability to infer information from fiction texts. This skill becomes harder as our texts become harder – so we will practise this skill using abridged versions of older texts (Treasure Island, Oliver Twist etc).

Creative Writing – During this term, we will start by linking our writing to our history topic and read ‘My Secret War Diary by Flossie Albright’ by Marcia Williams. From this text, we will write a sequence of diary entries related to a specific time in history. If we have time, we will finish our year by studying the poem ‘I am a Cat’ by Jackie Morris. From this, we will create our own poem using new, complex vocabulary.

During the summer term, Prep 6 will continue to have times tables practice and mental
maths sessions. The children will be challenged to be problem solvers throughout the topics
covered. The main areas of topic work will include the following:
Fractions, Decimals and Percentages: decimal and fraction equivalents; understanding percentages; converting fractions to percentages; equivalent fractions, decimals and percentages; ordering fractions, decimals and percentages; percentages of amounts in multi-step word problems.
Area, perimeter and volume: Area of triangles and parallelograms; volume of cubes and cuboids.
Statistics: Working with line graphs and dual bar charts; reading, interpreting and drawing pie charts with percentages; calculating the mean.
Geometry – Shape: measuring and classifying angles; calculating angles; vertically opposite angles; angles in triangles, quadrilaterals, and polygons; circles; drawing shapes accurately; nets of 3D shapes.
Geometry – Position and direction: reading and plotting points in four quadrants; solving problems with coordinates; translations and reflections.

In the first half term Prep 6 will be continuing their learning about evolution and inheritance. This will include finding out about parents, offspring and variation, adaptations in animals and plants, living things and their habitats and the fossil record.

They will then be learning about animals including humans. They will identify and name the main parts of the human circulatory system and describe the functions of the heart, blood vessels and blood. They will be recognising the impact of diet, exercise, drugs and lifestyle on the way their bodies function and describing the ways in which nutrients and water are transported within animals, including humans.

We will continue our work on Trade and Economics this term. We will discuss the importance of fair trade in detail (in relation to the distribution of energy, food, minerals and water) and discuss the term globalisation. We will describe an example of a global supply chain and evaluate the overall impact multinational companies have on local trade.

Prep 6 will then be continuing to learn about World War 1, including what elements led to the start of World War 1, what life was like on the front line, the involvement of animals and what life was like for the people of Britain during World War 1.

They will then be learning about World War II. They will be exploring why the war started, learning about significant key events, explaining how and why the changing role of women was significant to the war effort and finding out key facts about rationing, evacuation and the Holocaust.

We will continue to learn French using Book Three of the Skoldo series. Vocabulary wise, we will look at the continents and some countries within each, revise those words ending in ‘eau’, those which contain ‘oi’, and extend our knowledge of common mammals. Grammatically, we will revise the difference between ‘et’ and ‘est’ and look carefully again at French pronouns. We will also be reading the story of ‘les trois petits cochons’ (The Three Little Pigs) and looking briefly at key events in French medieval History.

We will continue to learn Latin using Minimus, a Latin course for children, based on the lives of a real Roman family living at Vindolanda. Firstly, we will be completing our work on shopping trips and plural noun and adjective agreements. We will then learn Latin vocabulary linked to military life. Grammatically, we will look at singular and plural commands and we will also learn about Odysseus’ clever plan to defeat the Trojans.

During this Summer Term, we will focus on ‘Pentecost’ and how the arrival of the Holy Spirit empowered the Apostles and the early Church.  We shall look at the fellow workers of Paul and how we can continue their work in our own lives. After our half-term break, we will prepare for our leaving assembly and use some time to carefully reflect on our time at St Christopher’s.

Prep 6s last term at primary school will be filled with some exciting collaborative art projects! The Olympic games are nearly upon us so we will be creating a ‘sporty figures’ art piece as well as designing symbols and mascots for the Paris games. This will involve large scale 3D construction out of recycled materials and lots of creative imagination! A 3D pyramid tower inspired by op art is also on the cards!

The focus this term will be preparing to perform ‘Aladdin’ at the end of the summer term. We will look at different ways to bring songs to life as well as how to rehearse and prepare for a performance.

Due to the exploratory and ‘spontaneous’ approach in this subject, we will often go off in different directions depending on the ideas and interest of the children. And so the formal lesson plans are often deviated from to preserve a flexibility and originality of approach. New projects often ‘evolve’ from the children’s ideas in the sessions and it is an important part of the approach and style in this subject to maintain this flexibility and spontaneity. This generates a feeling with the children that they are going on a ‘journey’ in this subject each term. The formal lesson plans are only intended to be used as a basis and guide to the type of work and projects that are covered and are not intended to be rigidly adhered to.

Termly Forecast – Prep 6

Prep 6 will be working on a number of different topics. They begin from ‘design drawings’ on A4 paper. This consists of a detailed diagram of the design idea, showing materials used, measurements and different perspectives of the design where necessary. Eg they will be expected to show a plan and side view of their design where appropriate.

Week 1 and 2

‘Peg in hole’ puzzle design

This project involves the design and construction of a board game involving wooden pegs (dowelling) in a plywood base drilled with 4mm holes.. The children will need to think of a theme for their games and also devise a scoring system for two players. They also need to think about decoration and stability and have an opportunity to test their designs.

Weeks 3 and 4

Design Kits. This project will involve the children thinking of a product to market which will be a simple and neat design kit for children aged 6 – 10. The materials used will need to be simple so that they can be packed in an A5 zippable wallet. Their ‘product’ should make use of easy to obtain materials and not be too complex. They should include some instructions with their designs which will be included with their product. They may use a range of materials which will need to fit in the bag and be safe for children to use at home.

Weeks 5, 6 and 7

Musical Instrument Designs

The children will be invited to think about and plan different ideas for simple musical instruments. They will be able to design and make instruments that can either be blown, plucked or hit in the case of percussion instruments.They will be working with a variety of materials, including plywood, softwood, tubing, fabric and plastic and metal containers. They will also be looking at appearance, aesthetics and decoration of their designs.

The latter part of term will involve individual projects of the children’s own choice, provided that they can show necessary thought and planning has gone into their ideas.

Weeks 8 and 9

Clock Face Designs. incorporating electrical movements. This will involve designing and making a clock face, which will be cut out of plywood. The children will be able to fit fit a battery operated clock movement. Starting with 4mm plywood bases, the children will be looking at a theme, shape and design for their clock face

In the latter part of the term, the children will able to work on projects of their own choice, provided they can show the necessary planning.

In Citizenship this term, Prep 6 will be reflecting on the role of the UK Parliament. They will be continuing to prepare their presentations on their bill, and we will end the term with focusing on their debating skills.

This term the pupils will be completing work on documents and slides in relation to other curriculum subjects. They will be designing a programme in preparation for the school play. They will also look at animated programmes and create a short piece of their own creation.

They will rehearse the school play in the summer term. They will be learning acting and performance techniques and working with musical theatre. They will also be learning how to create characters on stage. They will also gain an understanding of how to put a play together including lighting, props and backstage instructions.

PE/ Games – Games: Simple cricket activities, based around limited game situations. The skills involved in catching, throwing, bowling and hitting will be developed. Athletics – to include sprints, hurdles and relays. In field events simple javelin/long jump/high jump (where possible).
P.E. A collection of activities linked to the cricket/rounders sessions. Racket skills linked to tennis and table tennis.
Swimming: Water time will be spent on the development of correct technique and other related activities. All work based on the ASA ‘National Plan for Teaching Swimming’.

Prep 6 are learning about relationships this term. They will be learning about different relationships, changing and growing, adulthood, independence and moving to secondary school. We will be discussing these questions – What will change as we become more independent? How do friendships change as we grow?