Topic outline:

We are starting our topic all about Africa entitled:

Would you like to live in Africa? As part of this, we
will be using maps to learn about cities, countries,
continents, oceans and rivers. We will also be learning
about different habitats and the types of animals that
live there. When researching Africa, we will do a lot
of work about Nelson Mandela and apartheid.
Literacy: In our Literacy lessons, we will be expecting
children to write a range of text types based on novels
written by Beverly Naidoo. These will include diaries,
stories and biographies. As ever we will be promoting
the effective use of vocabulary, connectives, openers
and punctuation within childrens writing. We will also
continue with our expectation that children learn their
spellings every week and present their written work to
the highest standard.
Mathematics: We will be learning about shape and space,
data handling, ratio and proportion and measuring.
There will continue to be a big focus on mental maths,
especially now that children will be competing to be
mental Maths Magicians, and children will still be
expected to problem solve and apply their maths skills
across the curriculum.
Science: The children will be learning about different
habitats, food chains and adaptation. Just before
Easter, we will expect children to do a spoken
presentation of their findings.

Suggested reading material:

Other Beverly Naidoo books.

Children reading novels from start to finish
will make a big difference to their reading.
Any non-fiction books about animals,
habitats, adaptation.
Suitable newspaper articles First News has
some excellent articles for children.
Poetry books.

Suggested visits:
Go and view the African collections
at Leeds museum.
When going to any park or woodland,
you can investigate habitats.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Tropical
World any other zoo or wildlife
centre.

Topic challenges:
Make a suitable habitat for an animal you
could find in your local area.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces/nest
_box/
Research your chosen habitat and animal
in preparation for your presentation just
before Easter.
Find out key facts about continents,
oceans, capital cities, rivers, mountains
and landmarks.
Research other activists such as Martin
Luther King.

Learning links:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/living_things/plant_animal_hab
itats/read/1/
http://www.ecokids.ca/PUB/eco_info/topics/climate/adaptations/index.cf
m
http://www.educationquizzes.com/ks2/science/adaptation/

Reading:
Every child has an individual reading book. When reading
with your child, you may want to ask them questions
similar to the following.
Fiction:
What has happened in the story so far? What do you
predict will happen? Which character is your favourite
and why? How do you think this character feels and why?
Non-fiction:
Can you tell me what you have learnt from reading this?
Who might read this book? How do the layout features
help you when reading?

Find more on our School Blog:

www.bowlingparkprimary.net

Family Learning Letter

Year 6
Would you
like to
live in
Africa?