Summer 2025
In Geography, year 6 have been exploring the Big Question: What is the impact of volcanoes and earthquakes on human lives? We explored how volcanoes and earthquakes are formed, and then used this information to discuss the primary and secondary impacts. As well as this, we researched the positive and negative effects of volcanoes, and we used all of our knowledge to design houses that are earthquake proof.
In writing, year 6 have been looking at discussion texts and writing a text based on the question: Should people live near volcanoes? We used knowledge from our Geography lessons, and from the book ‘Earthshattering Events, and wrote a balanced argument, but we were allowed to give our own opinion at the end!
In RE, year 6 have been exploring what religions teach about social justice and how they try to work for fairness and equality. We explored different teachings, such as what Jesus taught about wealth, and we looked at what we would do if we had a never-emptying bank account. Furthermore, we researched how different charities, such as Islamic Relief and Christian Aid help people around the world, and reflected on what more we would like to do to help others.
In Science, year 6 have been learning about living things and their habitats. We have looked at food chains and how to create branching databases to categorise living things. As well as this, we have been exploring microorganisms, and we completed a bread experiment, whereby we observed different sorts of bread over time, and looked at how and when mould grew on them. We then used our prior knowledge to work out why different bread might grow mould at different rates.
In History, year 6 have been learning about the Ancient Maya. We explored and compared their hierarchy and diet to what this was like in Britain at the time and we looked at why they were advanced for their time.
In English, we have been reading ‘The Curse of the Maya.’ In this book, two children and their father travel to Guatemala so their father can research an ancient Maya temple. Using this story as inspiration, we wrote leaflets to persuade holidaymakers to visit Guatemala.
In Art, we have been exploring the work of Frida Kahlo. We looked at what inspired her and how she created her art. Then, we practiced using grid method to draw pictures accurately, and followed instructions to create different facial features. Eventually, we create our own self-portraits using watercolours to add detail.
In RE, we have been looking at where religious people get their moral codes from. We explored different scriptures such as The 10 Commandments, 5 Precepts and the golden rule, and then looked at ways in which we could learn from these. In addition to this, we researched how religious people put these beliefs into action.
In History, our topic was ‘Eyam and the Plague.’ We learnt about what the Black Death was and how it came to England, and then we explored how and why Eyam quarantined itself during this time to stop the spread of the plague. We linked this to what we had experienced in Covid and discussed what life was like for them compared to modern times. We also visited the village to get a first-hand look at what life would have been like.
In English, we have been reading ‘Children of Winter’ which is based during 1665 in Eyam when the plague was ravaging the village. In this book, three children shelter in a barn from the plague, but one of them becomes sick. We decided to write an end chapter to show what we thought would happen to the children, and who we thought would survive.
In RE, we have been exploring how religious people work in and for the community. We had a visit from Rev. Nikki Bates who told us about her work in the local community for the Church, and we researched, and compared and contrasted what different religions do, including how they welcome people into their community.
In DT, we have been researching and making fairground rides. We had to learn how to draw, measure, cut, saw and glue accurately to ensure that our carousel would turn and we used a cam mechanism to help us with this. At the end, we used the coding programme ‘Crumble’ and a motor to get our carousels to spin independently.
In History, year 6 have been studying World War II, exploring the big question: ‘What lasting impact did WWII have on Britain?’ We looked at the role of women within WWII, rationing and studied Anne Frank’s diary to get a first-hand account.
In RE, we have been studying the Holocaust and exploring the impact of it on Jewish people. We looked at how Jewish people were persecuted in this time and how their faith was affected by this, and we also thought about the importance of learning about the Holocaust so that it never happens again.
In English, we have been looking at the book ‘Silverfin’ and writing our own horror stories based on the prologue of this story. We had to think carefully about how to build the tension throughout the story and show but not tell our reader what was happening.
In DT, we have been studying bridges and exploring angles and the different shapes used within them. We also studied the different types of bridges and used all of our knowledge to create our own using different materials and techniques.
