Learning

Autumn Learning: 

Download: Term 1 – Amazing Americas

Download: Term 2 – Angry Earth

The classes have delved into all things Mayan and gained a fantastic understanding of their achievements, different roles, houses and general culture. The term culminated with ‘The Day of the Maya’ as children took part in an enriching day full of fun activities: creating their own Mayan ‘nahs’ (houses) out of clay; making their own headdresses; creating some Mayan drama around the fire and playing a traditional game of ‘Pok-a-tok’. In Science, Year 6 have been learning about the human body and made their own blood in the process! The children also went on an engaging trip to Lifeskills where they learnt some essential knowledge to be used in the everyday world and the future.

Year 6 have had a fun-filled term 2 and have thoroughly enjoyed the festivities.  As their topic was Angry Earth, children developed their knowledge of natural disasters. In turn, they were set the task to research, design and build earthquake-proof structures. After making prototypes, they refined their use of materials, designs and construction techniques before making their final products out of wood. The best examples were able to last a ‘human-initiated earthquake’ for 10 seconds whilst supporting weight! The children also enjoyed making their own soundtracks for films in music as they composed emotive pieces in groups. In computing, children created their own websites based upon their interest – they were able to combine multi-media, sub-pages and evaluation of how professional they looked. To culminate the term, Year 6 took part in a carol concert. On a beautiful evening, the singing was a magical way to finish off a brilliant term.

Spring Learning: 

Download: Term 3 – Survival of the Fittest

Year 6 have been learning all about Darwin’s theory of evolution and how animals have adapted to their environments, in order to survive. We did some fun experiments in science to help us understand this including practising picking up food with different ‘beaks’ and considering what the offspring of Mr Men and Little Miss characters might look like. In art, we have looked at the Pre-Raphaelite Sisterhood, attempting to produce watercolour paintings in their style. In English, we have studied Darwin’s Dragons and imagined what it would be like to be shipwrecked and how we would then survive on a desert island. In maths, we have been looking at measurement and geometry, creating nets, and using masking tape to convert measurements. We also celebrated the NSPCC Number day by calculating how to divide chocolate bars equally between the class – a yummy, practical session! In PE, we have explored Outdoor Adventure Activities by using maps to find control points, plotting the best routes and avoiding obstacles.

Download: Term 4 – I Predict A Riot

Just before the Easter holidays, our topic has focussed on protests and political movements. The children have learnt about the Bristol bus boycotts, the Colston statue protest, the Greensborough sit-ins and the Montgomery bus boycotts. We explored the reasons behind these protests, examining the figures who took part and the change they effected. This topic has culminated in the children writing their own protest letters to Mr Thomas, arguing for the removal of homework. In maths, we have been recapping all of our learning across the year. The children have also had fun recreating famous Baroque pieces of music on the glockenspiels. In DT, we have begun our unit on Fairground Rides, looking at the mechanisms which cause the rotation of the rides, and considering how we can design our own rides through the building of prototypes. In PE, we honed our rugby skills in the lead up to an inter-house rugby tournament.

Summer Learning: 

Download:  Term 5 – Blitz and Pieces

The children took the SATs in their stride and highlighted their resilience, diligence and confidence. We celebrated their hard work with fish, chips and lots of well-deserved celebrations in the sun. This term the children learnt all about WW2 and started the term by rummaging through some old wartime suitcases containing lots of intriguing artefacts! In Design and Technology, children created their very own moving fairground rides – combining their DT skills with their computing skills to create programmed signs out of Microbits. Year 6’s last Sports Day was a blast as children showed their speed, skill and competitiveness!

Download: Term 6 – Lock ’em up!

What an awesome last term year 6 have had. We had an amazing time on camp and were able to experience gorge scrambling, weaselling, orienteering, kayaking, canoeing, England-semi-final-winning and much more. The last ever Play Day saw children having an absolute blast and even getting to have a water fight with all of the teachers at the end. The children’s SATs results were brilliant and showed the hard work they had put in over their years at Beacon Rise – again achieving way above the national average. RISE festival saw children playing laser tag, inflatable darts, inflatable assault courses and just general fun – we loved the dance moves the children so proudly exhibited on top of the mound. In the final week, the children performed their leavers’ play ‘I’m an 11-year-old get me out of here!’ – it was deemed by many as an outstanding performance, fitting for such a wonderful year group.