Welcome to Kestrels 6

Teacher: Mrs Booth

Teaching Assistant: Mrs Hameed and Mrs Townend

Welcome to Year 6!

This is the children’s very last half-term at primary school, and we are excited to make it both meaningful and memorable as they prepare for the transition to secondary school.

Summer 2

Guided reading

During guided reading, we will be reading Can You See Me Now?, a story about a girl who experiences the world differently as she navigates friendships, school life, and the challenges of being autistic. Through this text, the children will explore key events in the story, develop their inference skills, and gain a deeper understanding of the characters, their feelings, and their experiences. We will also discuss themes such as empathy, identity, and inclusion.

English

In English, we will be exploring the humorous poem The Lion and Albert, which tells the story of a boy who visits the zoo and is unexpectedly eaten by a lion, only for his parents to react in a surprisingly calm (and rather funny) way. We will use this poem to develop our understanding of tone, character, and humour. The children will then write a formal letter of complaint to Blackpool Zoo, focusing on structure, formality, and clear reasoning. Additionally, they will produce a discussion text debating whether Albert’s parents were good parents, learning how to present balanced arguments. We will also explore persuasive techniques and how writers influence their audience.

History - The Vikings

In History, we will be studying the Vikings. The children will learn when and why the Vikings invaded Britain, including the famous raid on Lindisfarne. We will explore what Viking life was like, including how they built homes and established communities. The children will also investigate Viking beliefs, daily life, and achievements, before considering what led to the decline and eventual end of the Viking era. This topic will help develop their historical enquiry skills and understanding of how the past has shaped modern Britain.

Science – Evolution

In Science, our topic is evolution and adaptation. The children will learn about how living things have changed over time and how fossils provide evidence of organisms that lived millions of years ago. We will explore the idea of adaptation and how animals and plants are suited to their environments in order to survive. The children will also learn about natural selection, including how certain traits can be passed on from parents to offspring. This unit will encourage curiosity about the natural world and help children understand how living things continue to evolve over time.

Maths 

In Maths, we will be working through a spirals unit, alongside reasoning and problem-solving activities designed to revisit and strengthen all the key skills taught in Year 6. This will include arithmetic, fractions, percentages, and multi-step problems. The aim is to build confidence, deepen understanding, and ensure the children are fully prepared for the challenges of secondary school maths.