Class Teacher: Miss Launder

Teaching Assistant: Miss Knights

Hello everyone and welcome to Sequoia Class.  Miss Launder is the class teacher, supported by Miss Knights.

We hope you have had a fantastic half-term. 

We have lots of exciting things planned for your children and we cannot wait to tell you all about it!  They will embark on new challenges, be given fantastic opportunities and have the most fun whilst doing so.  We will ensure that the last year of their primary education, will be one to remember! 

English

We are going to start the new term with a fictional film unit called 'Piano'.  This is a powerful story that links wonderfully with our History unit of World War 2; a man sits at his piano on his own when he is 'visited' by a number of memories.  This is followed by a powerful memory from World War Two where we see him working as a medic and caring for a comrade.  

Our non-fiction unit will be based on a book called the 'London Eye Mystery'.  This fantastic unit will involve the children becoming detectives to try and solve a crime of a missing boy.  This is a spine-tingling thriller!

 Lastly, our poetry unit will involve the children writing their own free verse poem based on the poem ‘Thinkers Rap’ from the book ‘Thinker: My Puppy Poet and Me’ by Judith Viorst.

Maths

In Maths, we will continue our unit of percentages before moving onto measure (perimeter, area and volume).  We will then study properties of shape.

Multiplication is a pivotal part of Maths and underpins so many aspects of the curriculum throughout our school.  All children should be confident in their timetables by the end of Year 4 although of course, it is understandable this may not be the case for all children. Therefore, we would ask that children continually practise timetables regularly to increase their confidence.  This will help them significantly as they progress through Year 6. 

History - World War II

We will be continuing with our History unit of the Second World War and build on our knowledge from Spring 1.  This has been a very interesting unit and the children have blown me away with their understanding and engagement.  

This half-term we will be studying the heroic rescue at Dunkirk, the D-Day landings, the liberation of the concentration camps and the celebrations of VE Day.

We will be researching the lives of the ordinary people who faced the Blitz and coped with rationing and evacuation as well as learning about the inspiring stories and achievements of significant people such as Anne Frank and Winston Churchill.

Electricity

Our Science unit will involve the children being part of a Dragons’ Den where they will market their very own inventive festive light decoration.  They will use motors, switches, bulbs and buzzers to make their product the stand-out choice of the dragons.

I have also organised a class trip to Burnley College on the 28th February 2025 where the children will have the opportunity to use the Science labs and equipment.  If you haven't already done so, please remember to return your signed consent form as soon as possible.  

Guided Reading

At Water School, we have a love of books and a passion for reading.  In our whole class reading sessions this term, we will continue studying the fantastic novel, 'Wonder', by RJ Palacio.  This incredibly inspiring and heartwarming story is about a boy called August Pullman, a boy with facial differences, who attends a mainstream school for the first time.

PE

This term, our PE days will continue to take place each Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.  Please can all children attend school in full PE on these days.

Forest School

There will be no forest school this half-term for our Year 6 children.

Readers

We understand the importance of reading and expect children to read for at least 10/15 minutes each night.  It is extremely important that we focus on the skill of sustained reading, rather than just reading a few pages.  This will help children in all areas of their learning and make them much more independent as they progress through Year 6.   

Snacks

If you would like to buy a healthy snack for your child to have at break time, it is £1 per week.  This can be paid via Parent Pay each half-term.  A reminder will be sent out via text.  Alternatively, children are more than welcome to bring their own healthy snack to school. 

A note from Miss Launder

I am so excited to be part of your child's journey in their final year of their primary education.  I am confident that with hard work, determination and self-belief, your child will continue to flourish and make exceptional progress.  

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school office.

Thank you so much for your continued support.  I very much look forward to working with you and seeing you all in the new term.

Please also see our weekly newsletter for additional diary dates and information.  The link is sent in a text each Friday afternoon. 

Many thanks 

Miss Launder 

Snow Work - 8th January 2025

Please see below work that has been uploaded for children to complete during our school closure.  

Please also follow the links below to the Oak Academy Website for Science and History.

Comparing characteristics of living things | Oak National Academy 

History, primary, Year 6 - Lesson listing | Oak National Academy

Many thanks

Miss Launder