Amethyst Class

Welcome to Amethyst Class

Mrs Foster - Year 6 Class Teacher

Friday 13th February

This week, we have been working hard to identify independent and subordinate clauses in our writing. We have taken part in lots of activities where we have identified different types of subordinating conjunctions and the reason why they have been used. The children have worked in pairs to explore how sentences can be made with clauses in different orders before writing an explanation of how the automaton (from Hugo Cabret) works. I was really impressed with the children's writing and the sentences they created.

In maths, we have complete our topic on Fractions, Decimals and Percentages. The children have shown lots of resilience as it has been tricky remember the fraction, decimal and percentage equivalents.

In science, we have continued our learning about evolution. We had to go back in time to Year 3 to remember fossils are made. We then explored how horses have evolved over millions of years. We used images of fossils to explore the changes and think about the reasons why the changes happened.

In history, we have continued our learning about Britain during WWII. Last week, we found out about rationing and why it was important. We then were given ration books and tokens which we were able to use at the 'shop' to explore what it was like for civilians. This week, we investigated the role of women in Hetton (and Sunderland) during the war. It was interesting to find to about the different roles that women had and why their roles were important to the war effort.

Friday 30th February

Yesterday, the children worked with Mrs Hill to take part in an amazing Matilda workshop. During the day, the explored scenes and used role play to act out some of the scenes taking on the roles of some of the characters. They explored Miss Trunchbull's office using all of their sense and came up with some fantastic descriptions. Finally, they explored a missing scene where someone poured treacle on Miss Trunchbull's chair so she ripped her pants!

Here are some pictures from the day.

Friday 23rd January

This week, we have continued reading Hugo Cabret and it is leaving us with lots of questions. In English, we have been identifying the features of diaries - the children have written great diary entries from Hugo's and Georges' points of views using all of the features.  They have also been trying hard to apply all of the grammar they have been learning.

In maths, we have been focusing on decimals this week. I have been really impressed with how the children have been apply their knowledge in lots of different situations. This week, we have focused on adding, subtracting and multiplying decimals - it has been lovely to see their confidence grow.

The children really enjoyed learning in science and history this week. In science, we have been learning about the adaptations of animals so that they can survive in their habitat. The children then created a new animal for a habitat which had all of the adaptations they needed to survive. In history, we have been finding out what life was like at home for civilians, especially during an air raid. We listened to a soundscape to find out what it may have been like (this included hiding under the tables for safety!). We then explored the reasons why Sunderland and Hetton were bombed during the war.

Friday 16th January

The children have been working hard on their independent writing this week. Before Christmas, we were learning about endangered animals and the children have been wanting to write reports about the animals they have been learning about. Last week, they spent time researching their chosen endangered animal and planning the report they would write. this week, they have drafted their writing; yesterday, the were able to write their reports. All of the children have put lots of thought, care and attention into their writing and the results have been fantastic - I'm so proud of the work the children have done! They should all be proud of the reports they have written.

Friday 9th January

Welcome back to the new term. To find out what we will be learning this term, please read through our curriculum information.

PE will be the same as Autumn 2. The children will have PE on a Wednesday and they will continue to go swimming on a Friday afternoon.

In English, we have started our new book which is called The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selnznick. It is a mystery story with a secret and we have all enjoyed reading the opening chapters this week.  We have focused on reading this week and the children have been working hard to find clues about Hugo and the other characters so that they can make inferences about their thoughts, feelings and actions.

In maths, we have continued with fractions and the children have been learning to multiply and divide them. they have all done a great job and they have really impressed me with their maths knowledge.

In science, the children enjoyed learning about inherited characteristic and how they can from both parents. The children had fun, creating offspring from Mr Men and Little Miss characters and identifying where the characteristics have come from.

Friday 19th December

Just like that our Autumn term is done! 

Over the last couple of weeks the children have joined in with many Christmas events. They have enjoyed the panto Little Red Rising Hood and taking part in our annual Santa Dash. This week, they have taken part in Coffee and Carols and been to church for a Carol Service. Thursday was our Christmas party and the children enjoyed joining in with dancing and lots of games. Today, the children have had a Christmas activities day and we ended with popcorn, hot chocolate and Christmas film.

Have a great Christmas holiday everyone!

Friday 5th December

This week, we have started with some Christmas activities. The children have been performing some great Christmas songs to share with you at Coffee and Carols - they sound amazing!  Today, the children have had a great time 'breaking the rules' and I have enjoyed listening to how they have broken them.  This afternoon, they also had a fantastic time at the panto - Little Red Riding Hood.

In English, we have started to read a book by Martin Jenkins called Can I save the tiger? We have been learning about endangered animals around the world and what we can do to help protect their dwindling numbers. Earlier in the week, the children have started to use the skills they have been learning in art to begin drawing a self-portrait of themselves. They are really trying to use the techniques they have been practicing.

This week, the children have been completing their end of term assessments (which they have brought home to show you) and I am so proud of how hard they have tried, They really have been the best they can be.

Please keep checking class dojo for upcoming Christmas events.

Friday 28th November

This week, the children have been working hard on the sequel stories for the book that we have been reading called The Promise.  The children have really thought about the vocabulary, similes and metaphors that they could use to add detail and atmosphere to their writing.  They have been able to create stories which have lots of atmosphere which changes part way through their stories to show have a desolate town has become more vibrant.

In art, the children have completed their eye drawings and I have been really impressed at how they have used a reference picture to think about the value of the colour they needed to use, the lines and shapes. They really loved using the blending sticks today to blend in all of their pencil marks.

On Thursday, the children had a great day working with Chris on their first aid and fore marshal training. They have learned about the basics of first aid and what to do if someone is bleeding or has a burn. All of them know to call 999 in an emergency and the information they would need to give to get help. They then learned about CPR and practiced those skills.  The children also learned about the roles of people if there was fire (including their own) and what needs to happen to evacuate the building.

I was really impressed with the questions that they asked and they had amazing recall of the information they were learning.

Friday 21st November

This week, we have spent time building snowmen, singing at Durham cathedral (some of the Y5 and Y6 children) and planting trees.

On Tuesday, all of the children went outside to plant a tree. They have added a label with their name and they gave their baby tree a name too. I'm sure the children would love to show where their tree is.  The little ones from Reception came out to plant their tree and it was lovely seeing all of the Year 6 children helping them.

This week, we have been learning about similes and metaphors and they have used their group work to write some fantastic descriptions to describe the city before and after the planting in The Promise by Nicola Davies. We have moved onto fractions in maths and the children are seeing just how useful their times table knowledge is - please encourage them to practice their times table and use times table rockstars.

In history, we have been discussing what life was like in Sunderland before and during the Victorian era.  I was really impressed with the children' explanations of the changes that happened during the Industrial Revolution. In art, the children are thinking about shape, form and values to help them draw a realistic eye and they have made a great start to prepare for drawing a self portrait (I'll post pictures next week).

Friday 14th November

It has been a busy week this week. The children have worn odd socks for antibullying week and they have been thinking about their super powers. The children have added their super power to a super hero and I am looking forward to seeing them display in school this week.

On Tuesday, the children have taken part in a 2 minute silence for Remembrance and some of the children visited the memorial and Moorsley hut to lay a wreath. All of the children worked together to create a class wreath which is on display in school.

Thursday was Michael Rosen day so the children took part in a live workshop with Michael Rosen. They enjoyed listening to and joining in with his humerous poem all about food.  Then everyone had a go at writing their own funny poems about food.

Friday was Children in Need and it was lovely to see the children (some of them who were dressed in Pudsey and Blush clothes) enjoying some of the activities - thank you for your donations.

Thursday 6th November

We have had a great first week back. Our PE has changed on a Friday now to swimming. The children swim until 3pm then they can be picked up at the baths, walk home from there or walk back to school.  

Today, many of the Year 6 children went to practice for their performance at Durham Cathedral so the children who remained in school spent time working on their water colour paintings of endangered animals. They are looking amazing.

Today was Outdoor Classroom Day and the children have had a great afternoon taking part in a range of activities.  They have had a great time!

Friday 17th October

I have been really proud this week that the children have shown in maths. We started the week introducing long multiplication and it was tricky to remember all of the steps at the start. By yesterday, all of the children are able to complete all of the steps and explain what they need to do. We have also tried some SATs style questions using what they have learned and they have blown me away with their understanding!

In English, we have started the book Windrush Child by Benjamin Zephaniah. The children, Mrs Lawrance and I are really enjoying it. We have been working on inference this week, and the children have shown that they can find clues in the story to help them discuss the characters feelings and their motivations for their actions. 

We have finished our science topic all about the Circulatory System today and I have been really impressed at what the children have remembered and their ability to explain what they have learned.  Today they created spider maps to show what they have learned, including diagrams.  In RE, we have been discussing how famous scientists, who also have religious views, explain how scientific knowledge and religious beliefs can help us to understand the world. Finally, in art this week, the children were introduced to using a grid method and a reference picture to create their own drawing. I am looking forward to seeing what they do when they begin to add water colour next week.

Friday 10th October

Today was wear something yellow for World Mental Health Day and it was lovely to see the children wearing yellow.

From next week, the children will be bring books home to complete homework each week. They have 3 books and the expectation is that they complete 1 page in each book.  I will let the children know on a Monday which pages they need to complete and they need to return their books by Friday.

In English, we have finished our unit based on The Arrival by Shaun Tan and the children have written some great flashback stories based on a memory in the book.  We ended the week by thinking about the journey of feelings that the character had been on and using evidence from the text to support our inferences.

In maths, we have continued our calculating unit. This week, we have been learning about prime, square and cube numbers and using our known number facts to calculate.

We have finished our PSHE unit called Being Me in My World.  Our last 2 sessions were about having a scenario and taking on the role of adults who would need to deal with the situation. I was really impressed with the children's thoughtful discussions and insightful view points.

Friday 3rd October

This week, we have been planning a flashback story which we are going to write next week in English based on The Arrival.  We have done lots of work around vocabulary this term and I am really impressed with the ambitious vocabulary the children have chosen to create a sense of fear in their story.  I am looking forward to reading their stories next week.

In reading, we have started to read descriptions from classic fiction. We started the week with an extract from A Christmas Carol and the children made super inferences about the phantom (Christmas Yet To Come). They had some fantastic insights about the way that the phantom was described and the impression that Dickens was trying to create.

In maths, we have finished our place value unit and we have moved onto the 4 calculations.  The children have again made a very strong start and I am so impressed by their knowledge.  On a Friday, our maths lessons are focused on arithmetic as this develops the children maths fluency skills.  The children have brought their work home to share with you.  Please encourage the children to look at the questions where they struggled. We have gone over them in class and it would help them to practice a little at home too.

This week in science, we have started to think about the effect that exercise has on our bodies. The children started an investigation to find out what happens to our hearts and lungs when they exercise: there has been lots of deep breathing, walking, jogging and sprinting in class.  The children were super scientists and were able to make links to the effects they could feel in their bodies and the reason for them to happen.

All of the children have their reading book and library book.  Please encourage the children to read for 10 minutes every day.  Reading fluency is a big focus in our class and reading a little every day will help them to develop this.

Thursday 25th September 

It was all about elections at the start of the week. Lots of the children put themselves forward to be part of the miniSLT in school.  They all worked hard on their speeches and they were amazing on Monday as they stood in front of the school to share them.  The voting was really close, but we have 4 children who are now out min SLT team for the year.  Well done to Isabelle, Sophia, Keean and Leon!  All of the other children will have the chance to have other responsibilities in school such as being a Lunchtime Leader or part of the Corridor Crew.

In English this week, we have been using drama to help us imagine what 2 of the characters in The Arrival may have been saying to each other. Over the last couple of days, the children have been working hard to turn their role play in conversations using direct speech, synonyms for said and adverbs of manner.  They have really been able to get the emotion and atmosphere of the scene across.

We continued art this week and the children have loved generating ideas for a charity t-shirt.  Today, they were choosing their favourite animal and using tracing paper to transfer the image into their sketch books. Then they have thought carefully about colour to make the animals more stylistic rather then realistic.

Friday 19th September

It has been another busy week in Amethyst Class.  The children have all brought home an invitation from Hetton Academy to their Open Evening which is Tuesday 23rd September, 5 - 7pm.

Over the last 2 days, the children have written some fantastic stories based on our class novel The Arrival. They have really impressed me with their use of ambitious vocabulary, their use of different types of sentences and their handwriting.

In maths, we have continued with our place value unit. The children have all been maths superstars this week and I have been blown away by their knowledge of numbers to 10,000,000. today, we completed an arithmetic activity and the children have brought home their work to share it with you. They were super knowledgeable and super quick.  They have promised to work on the ones they find a little tricky and we are going to work on them next week.

This week, we have continued with our science topic. They have been able to describe the circulatory and have researched the different parts of blood and their function. We started our new RE topic and the children have enjoyed journaling and making notes around a copy of the creation story from the book of Genesis in the bible. I think everyone's favourite lesson this week has been our first art lesson.  We discussed protest art and it features. We explored the reason why protest art is important in sharing people's messages and views.  The children have worked hard to create their own protest poster about climate change using what they have learned.  You can see their artwork below.

Friday 12th September

Welcome to Year 6! It has been lovely getting to know the children again since I last taught them in Year 3.  They have all had an amazing week and have made an excellent start to Year 6.  All of the children have really shown me what super role models they are to the younger children and I am looking forward to seeing them grow over this coming year.

This week, we have been focusing on our PSHE unit of 'Being Me'. The children have written letters to their future selves about their hopes and dreams for the year.  They will get the letters back to share with you on the last day of Year 6 so they can see how much they have achieved.  We have also explored some of the rights that children have and how some of these are not met for children in different parts of the world - ask them what they think about chocolate!

Next week, we will beginning many of out new topics. Please have a look at the overview above to see some of the things the children will be learning.

We ended the week with a lovely treat.  All of the children have completed assessments this week. I am so proud of the effort and resilience they have shown. Today, Mrs Lawrance and I, took the children to the firepit and they really enjoyed toasted marshmallows and fruit skewers.