Mayfield Primary SchoolYEAR SIX: SPRING TERM
OUR YEAR SIX DURING SPRING TERM
OUR CORE INTENTION IN ACTION
SPRING TERM 'WHEN I GROW UP...' THEME: OLYMPIC HEROES
A 'When I Grow Up' Spring Summary
Olympic Heroes took centre stage for Spring Term as we continued with our new ‘When I Grow Up…’ themes. This is the first of two important concluding history led themes which take a look at the 'modern' world in Britain and beyond. The second of which is Bring Me Sunshine in Summer Term. Year 5 enabled the children to look at the ancient origins of the Olympic Games, whilst our knowledge focus was firmly fixed upon the legendary achievements and controversial moments in more modern times.
Starting with the Berlin Olympics of 1936 (which flow smoothly from our Autumn Term World War Two studies) we move through each Summer games considering the achievements of athletes such as Cathy Freeman, Bob Beamon, Carl Lewis, Sir Steve Redgrave and Laura Kenny from a historical perspective. Our Stunning Start brought us our own taste of the games before returning to the format for our Parent Celebration events. We moved into application of our place and location knowledge during this term for our Geography studies. Alongside applying our understanding of cities, countries, continents etc... we developed our work with the tropics, time zones, latitude and longitude.
Our Science studies allowed us to consider aspects which link well with our Olympic studies, as we took a close look at the human body, in particular: changes with age; the circulatory system; damages that can be caused to the body. We then moved onto study plants, animals and micro organisms by using detailed classification systems for them.
Our 'creator' subjects presented a wide range of challenges and opportunities linked to Olympic Heroes studies. In 3-D form, we have been creating some Olympic pictograms which represent the range of sports within the games during our Art studies. Keirin cycling moveable mechanics have been the focus of our Design & Technology work. Motors and buzzers formed parts of the overall design and finished products.
During Music, we have continue to work at implementing the model music curriculum. This term is the performing aspect. Developing melodies in up to four parts and developing our range of repertoire pieces for performance. Counter balance and counter tension, alongside mirrored moves have been the focus of our gymnastics work within this highly celebrated Olympic area. Whilst our swimming and further movement work in expressive arts has continued at pace. It has been a busy Physical Education time.
Religious Education has seen us focusing upon Christianity this term. As we have explored themes of eternity and the continuing significance of Easter as a result of this. Computing has allowed us to use databases as we gather Olympics medal information for leading nations from the 1936 Berlin games onwards. The children then moved into the arrangement and display of data in different formats and charts. Les Jeux Olympiques has been the aspect studied in French and allowed us to maintain our Olympics focus. As ever, we have continued with our planned e-safety work each half-term, whilst challenging discrimination and stereotypes within our valuing equality studies, formed the focus of our PSHE & Relationships time together. Money and evaluation of media sources and their influential role in young lives were also areas that we have considered this term.
A time of algebra, decimals and percentages in Mathematics. While perimeter, area, volume and ratio were other units we have covered during the term. Dennis Hamley, L. Frank Baum, The Beatles and Louis Armstrong were amongst the wide mix of authors, writers and performers studied in our English units during Spring Term as we considered a wide range of fiction and non-fiction styles - always aimed at entertaining particular audiences.
