Welcome back!

A big apology first of all to all Year 6 parents and friends - there have been a few technical issues with the re-booting of the blogs this September, hence why it has taken a little while to get going again.


But not to worry - here is a little summary of what Year 6 has been up to in the last few weeks.


It is without a doubt that the Year 6 team have been impressed by the sheer enthusiasm and determination that the children have demonstrated since day 1 this term. They all came in (well, almost, all!) armed with their homework and an updated pencil-case. Thank you to all parents out there who help prepare their children so well!


Since that day, we have already moved on to our second units in both Mathematics and English. You may have heard that we are looking at Biographies in English. You might want to ask your children some tricky questions on Anne Frank...!


In Science, we have started our topic on Electricity. Whilst we are revising key concepts and we are also consolidating our understanding of fair tests and variables. This week, we will be taking another look at electrical symbols. Let's see how much our little monkeys have remembered since Year 4 (It is a luxury for both myself and Miss Clements to be in that position!).


The children also had a more relaxing day last Friday as we focused on the creative curriculum, looking at re-creating landscapes of London in the Blitz. We will update the blog shortly with some photos. Unfortunately, other activities planned couldn't take place as Head boy/Head girl presentations took precedent. We will no doubt ensure that all the exciting tasks we did have planned do take place over the course of this term. Thank you so much to all those parents for putting so much effort in the children's costumes. Do hang on to them as they will be needed again on the 3rd of December for our workshop/ fantastic finish, where the children will be building a spitfire! Please expect a letter regarding this activity day shortly.


Thanks again also for your support with regards homework so far. That said, some children have struggled a little with completing their reading record. Please remind them that "Reading is breathing in and Writing is breathing out"; their writing will struggle to develop unless they challenge themselves with not only the amount of reading they complete but also the actual content of their reading material.


We wish you a lovely Sunday and look forward to seeing the children again tomorrow.


Mrs Renier and the rest of the Year 6 team.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

It was great to see the children in such fine form this week - they have all made a great start to 2015!  This week saw both classes finishing up their work on WW2, with lessons focusing on the end of the war, including the celebrations and the creation of the United Nations.  In science, both classes completed their work on electrical circuits - considering how electricity flows around a circuit, how electricity can be used safely in the home and learning how to draw their own circuit diagrams. 

Next week, we will begin our Harry Potter topic.  The children should come to school tomorrow ready to be sorted into their Hogwarts houses!  The children will remain in these Hogwarts houses throughout the term and any house points awarded this term will also count as points towards winning the Triwizard Cup (the winning house's treat is yet to be decided).  This week's Hogwarts activities will involve getting to know the characters from the books/films and undertaking some 'magical' (scientific) investigations involving mixing and separating materials.

We look forward to seeing the children in school tomorrow.

The Year 6 team.
  

Thank you

Just a short note to say thank you for all of the cards and gifts that you and your children have brought into school this week.  We have been truly spoilt!  Thank you very much indeed.

We have all really enjoyed teaching the children this term and look forward to seeing them back in school in 2015. 

Merry Christmas.

The year 6 team.

Merry Christmas

As we begin the final week of the term we have to say how proud we were of year 6 last week.
With very limited rehearsal time the children performed magnificently on all occasions to share their version of 'Let's Do A Nativity'.



Despite illness, every character was word perfect and the singing was amazing- we always knew how talented our Crabtree children were, but last week they really got a chance to prove it. Big thanks go to Beth for stepping in to Tom's role in his absence; we're glad to say he is now back at school with us.





Moving into the final days there is still lots to do. Wednesday is not only the school Christmas dinner, but also the year 6 Christmas party. Children are encouraged to bring some suitable party clothes to change into on the day. Remember Christmas dinner day is also Christmas hat day- so plan your designs in advance!





Please ensure that your child brings home all their PE kit after their lesson on Thursday so it can have a good wash and airing over the holidays. When they return in the new term they will definitely need warm clothing for PE including hats and gloves.






In case we don't get the chance to say it in person we would like to take this opportunity, all be it a little prematurely, to wish you all a very happy holiday. Enjoy Christmas and we look forward to seeing everyone in the new year.
The Year 6 Team

Christmas begins

As ever life in year 6 is busy.
This week we are carrying out the second week of assessments with the children. Already, with what we have marked, we are seeing progress. A really positive end to the term for many children. Results will be fed back to the children next week once all papers are levelled.


If that isn't enough to do we are also mid concert preparation- something which has had to take a bit of a back seat due to the year group assembly the other week.
Children received their scripts and words for songs last week and their homework over the long weekend was to learn their lines.


This week, due to the assessments, children will not be getting any additional homework. It will resume next week.


On the subject of concerts, a few ideas for costumes. Children were told last week what they would need, but here for adult eyes is the definitive version.


All children start in, and those who are school children stay in their uniform.
Teacher- own clothes suitable for climbing on and off the stage- nothing too short please.
Shepherds- checked shirts and jeans.
Star and angels- something white or silvery. (Wings are optional!)
Kings including Herod- a cloak to add over their uniform and a crown.
Servants- a cloak to wear over their uniform.
Innkeepers and citizens- everyday clothes.
Mary and Joseph- traditional nativity costumes. (Mary needs a baby Jesus please)


If there are any problems with the costumes please see your child's class teacher as soon as possible or drop them a note.


Thank you for your help in this.


The Year 6 Team.

Another busy week in year 6!

We started the week with a visit from three representatives from Show Racism the Red Card.  The children took part in a range of activities designed to raise awareness of differences in our communities and racism within the UK.  The children had the following comments about their day:

ELDER

Firstly we went into the hall to watch a video about what racism is, how if affects people and why it happens.  (Oran)

Next, we had a PE session with former footballer Luther Blisset.  It was really exciting because he is a Watford legend and I am a Watford fan!  (Alfie M)

We designed people and we had to draw and label symbols of what a good friend would have.  (Lucy D)

Finally, we had a workshop on judging people.  Manisha asked us questions and we would hold up a face that we thought was the right answer.  We almost got all of them wrong because we judged by the colour of their skin. (Izzy)

We had a great day overall and I leant that you should not judge someone by the way they look or the colour of their skin.  (Charli P)

ELM:

First we watched a short video clip about 'Show Racism the Red Card'.  We were amazed at how many people had suffered from racism. (Charlie C)

We rushed into a session with Luther and we played some immensely fun games in teams and then a competition. (Lucas C)

We played a game about trying to work out what we could tell about someone by the colour of a person's skin.  As a result of getting 98% of the questions wrong we realised that the colour of a person's skin doesn't tell us a lot about the person's life.  (Georgia)

We learnt how to explain a person's colour of skin without offending them.  (Fay)

All in all the day was great and we learnt lots about racism.  (Harry)

On Wednesday year 6 had a visit from Springboard East.  The children enjoyed some drama activities and a workshop focusing on the history of democracy in Britain.  They produced some fantastic posters for the suffragette movement.

In literacy each group has been continuing with persuasive writing this week.  Most groups will finish this work next week and move onto writing some poetry involving powerful imagery.

In topic work the children have been working hard on their Anderson Shelters.  As a result of this we have had to send home the lovely 'make do and mend' items that the children made over half term.  We have very much enjoyed having these items in the classrooms and attach some photos of the wonderful displays below.

 

On Thursday a team of children attended the Year 6 Maths Challenge at Aldwickbury School and did very well indeed - watch this space for the full results!

In short, its been a busy but extremely enjoyable week in school.  We hope you have a lovely and restful weekend.

The Year 6 team.

 

 

What an amazing assembly!

We were so proud of the children this morning as they performed beautifully in our first assembly of the year.  It was wonderful to see the children working so well together as a team to celebrate all of the wonderful learning that they have completed so far this year.

Well done everyone.  We will let the pictures speak for themselves!

Looking forward into next week, we have another busy week.  Its anti-bullying week in the UK and at Crabtree we are kicking off the week with a whole school day focusing on the theme of 'Show Racism the Red Card' on Monday.  Year 6 will also spend Wednesday morning looking at the history of democracy in Britain - the children will take part in two extremely engaging workshops led by two actors who present their material in very interesting ways!  We hope to squeeze in some work too!

Have a lovely weekend.

The Year 6 team