Year 6

Our topic this term is ‘The Industrial Revolution’, in which we will be studying the Victorian Era and the advances made by people of this time. We will explore medical advancements, education and transport, among other aspects, for the children to be able to answer the question “Did the Industrial Revolution change Britain for the better?”.

Geography this term will be an extension of our History topic. We will be using our fieldwork skills to go on a walking tour of Nottingham city centre. There we will investigate the different buildings that were built during the Victorian times.

The Curriculum Newsletter outlines further details as to what we will be learning during the Autumn Term.

https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/evolution/353115

https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/childrens-article/fun-facts-about-evolution-for-kids

https://scienceforthekids.wordpress.com/2013/03/12/what-is-evolution/

https://www.theschoolrun.com/what-light

In Religious Education, will be learning about ‘Teachings, Wisdom and Authority’.

Through this topic we will be looking at important figures from the 20th Century such as Alexander Graham Bell, Winston Churchill and George Eliot. Can you do some of your own investigating into why they are important figures? We will also be exploring ‘The Holocaust’ and thinking about the importance of battling prejudice and discrimination.

This term, we will be studying the Ancient Maya in our History topic, ‘Magnificent Maya’. We will begin by investigating two intrepid explorers called John Lloyd Stephens and Frederick Catherwood who studied the ancient civilisation. We will then analyse artefacts and explore some of the cultural beliefs of the Maya and how they differ from modern day beliefs. In addition to this, we will learn about the production of chocolate and finally, we will explain the different predictions as to what happened to the Ancient Maya civilisation and what traditions have been kept by their ancestors.

In Geography, we will extend our knowledge and understanding beyond the local area to include Central and South America. This will include the location and characteristics of a range of Central and South America’s most significant physical features. We will develop our use of geographical knowledge, understanding and skills to use eight point compass points confidently and accurately, and draw and use maps and atlases.

Click on the following links to further explore each of the topics covered in each subject:

History and Geography – Magnificent Maya:

https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Maya/353445

https://www.ducksters.com/history/maya/daily_life.php

https://www.funkidslive.com/learn/top-10-facts/top-10-facts-about-the-mayans/

https://kids.kiddle.co/Mayan_civilization

https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/South-America/353792

https://www.kids-world-travel-guide.com/south-america-facts.html

https://www.funkidslive.com/learn/top-10-facts/top-10-facts-about-south-america/

https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/South-America/277149

Science

This term, our Science topic will be exploring ‘The Circulatory System’. We will be learning about the functions of the heart, blood vessels and lungs and their importance within our bodies. We will also consider the role of exercise in keeping our heart and lungs healthy. This will lead to some fun investigations looking at how our pulse changes during different types of exercise.

The Circulatory System links:

https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/heart.html

https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/circulatory-system/352964

https://www.theschoolrun.com/homework-help/human-circulatory-system

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z9w9r2p

This term we will be learning about ‘Beliefs and Questions’. The children will explore the idea of consequences and how this might impact how a person behaves. We will explore the concept of Zakat and Judgement Day (in Islam) and Karma and Ahimsa (in Hinduism) and consider how we treat the world in which we live. Finally, we will consider how we can make the world a better place.

History- Shang Dynasty

Geography- Asia and Australasia

In Geography, we will be using maps to explore Asia and Australasia. We will use 6 figure grid
references to locate the main countries in Asia and Oceania and identify their main environmental regions including the key physical and human characteristics such as major cities, oceans and mountains. Finally, we will investigate how decisions about places and environments affect the future quality of people’s lives.

Science- Electricity and Living things and their habitats

This term, our Science topics will be exploring ‘Electricity' and ‘Living things and their habitats’. In Electricity, We will be building on our work from Year 4 by constructing a series of simple circuits and learning how circuit components can be represented by symbols. In Living things and their habitats, we’ll again be building on our work from Year 4, by exploring the work of scientist Carl Linnaeus and learning how to classify animals into vertebrates and invertebrates.