Year 6 Curriculum Overview – 2022-23

Each project covers all the work for half a term in history, geography, science, art and design, design technology and computing. It also has links to PE and PSHE.
Each year the teachers cover 6 projects including those listed here. They choose projects that will ensure full National Curriculum coverage and also suit the interests of the children within that year group.
Each project is based around acquisition of knowledge, development of skills and the addition of cultural capital to a child’s experience of school.

The Year 6 curriculum is enhanced by the following –

• A 3 day residential visit to London
• An end of year musical production
• A Christmas show
• Participation in sporting competitions
• Transition visits and activities with Manor Community Academy (our local secondary school)
• An enterprise project that runs throughout the year where children create goods to sell and plan events to raise money.
• Outdoor learning in the Forest School
• Homework tasks that are creative and linked to the project

We deliberately keep our curriculum broad and balanced, while still preparing children for SATs tests and for transition to secondary school.

A Child’s War 

A siren sounds and a Spitfire zooms overhead! It’s 1939 and Britain is at war.

This half term, we’ll imagine what it was like to be evacuated and live with a family other than our own. Using different source materials, we’ll learn about evacuation and write letters to our families ‘back home’. We’ll plot the Second World War’s events on a timeline and learn about rationing, Pearl Harbour and the Battle of Britain. From a range of maps, we’ll identify safe and dangerous places during the war and make persuasive posters to support the war effort. After reading an extract from The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, we’ll write our own diaries. From a range of sources, we’ll find out about children and school during the war and learn about discrimination that existed at the time. We’ll learn about what it was like during the Blitz and think about how soldiers might have felt. In D&T, we’ll make Anderson shelters and cook delicious wartime food.

At the end of the ILP, we’ll reflect on Winston Churchill’s stirring speeches and write our own. We’ll compose and perform wartime songs and create a presentation to show what we have learned.

Help your child prepare for their project
We’ll meet again! Why not visit a local museum together to investigate how the Second World War affected your local area? You could also read an exciting fiction book set during the war. Alternatively, you could ‘make do and mend’, working together to create a model inspired by the Second World War from recycled materials or unwanted household items.

Blood Heart 

Let’s explore our circulatory system!

At the start of our project, we’ll dissect an animal heart, finding out about the different parts and how the blood flows. Afterwards, we’ll write a report of the experience and use software and models to learn more about how the circulatory system works. We’ll use a data logger to measure our heart rates and test how it is affected by exercise. In D&T, we’ll make model hearts, and test materials before making a stethoscope. As part of our music work, we’ll use our bodies as percussion instruments and feel our pulse. We’ll read shape poetry, and write poems inspired by the heart. We’ll learn about how smoking affects the heart and write adverts to persuade people to stop smoking. We’ll visit the ‘Give blood’ website, and make a flow diagram to illustrate the circulation process.

At the end of the ILP, we’ll create fact files to share what we have learned.

Help your child prepare for their project
Your heart will be with you forever, so it’s important to look after it. Why not research heart-healthy foods together and try out delicious, nutritious recipes that will make your heart happy? You could also set up an obstacle course in the garden and take each other’s pulse before and after exercise to see how it changes. Alternatively, you could investigate advice for keeping your heart healthy and make an informative poster.

Darwin’s Delights 

Ship ahoy! We’re off on an exciting journey with Charles Darwin and his crew on the HMS Beagle.

During this half term, we’re going to investigate a range of animal specimens, describing the characteristics of the creatures, and labelling their body parts using software. We’ll use a range of non-fiction books to investigate adaptation, natural selection, variation and inheritance. After examining letters and journal entries written by Darwin, we’ll write our own examples. We’ll collect natural items and discover what plants live around our school. We’ll retrace Darwin’s steps using maps and create sketchbooks to record the plants, flowers and trees we encounter. Using maps and globes, we’ll plan an expedition. What will the weather be like and what physical and man-made features might we encounter?

At the end of the ILP, we’ll think about why the Galapagos Islands developed such diverse animal life, and why they might be under threat. We’ll also think about what Darwin would have worked on if he were alive today. How would he use our technology?

Help your child prepare for their project
Charles Darwin was a world-renowned naturalist, geologist and physicist, and we’re going to follow in his footsteps. Why not collect samples of plant life from your garden and see if you can identify them? You could make detailed sketches of the plants you find, just like Darwin. Alternatively, visit a museum that has fossils on display. What can you learn about the animals from which they were formed?

Frozen Kingdom 

In the Frozen Kingdoms project, your child will learn about the regions of the Arctic and Antarctic. They will learn about the similarities and differences between these two regions, including the climate, landscape and natural resources. They will learn how to use grid references, lines of latitude and longitude, contour lines and symbols to identify the geographical locations of the Arctic and Antarctic, and how these, along with the tilt of the Earth, affect day length and warmth. They will investigate polar oceans to learn how they differ from other oceans on Earth and how climate change increases Earth’s temperature and leads to rising sea levels. They will learn about the indigenous people of the Arctic, including how their lives have changed over time, and about the positives and negatives of tourism in Antarctica. They will also learn about classifying animals, animal adaptations and evolution, and polar exploration and discovery.

Hola Mexico! 

Bienvenido a Mexico! We’re going to explore this unique country, from its towering temples to its fun-packed festivals.

During this half term, we’ll watch a traditional Mexican performance and join in with percussion instruments. To cool down afterwards, we’ll have a refreshing drink of sangrita or limeade. We’ll use non-fiction books to find out about the importance of music in Mexican culture and have a go at folk dancing. Using our literacy skills, we’ll write about festivals and create an invitation to a Mexican food tasting session. In preparation, we’ll make delicious drinks and savoury dishes. We’ll learn about the ‘Day of the Dead’ and create 3-D skulls. With the Chihuahuan Desert as our imagined location, we’ll write postcards and clear instructions for a game. We’ll read Maya myths and legends, and write our own. Using maps, we’ll locate Mexico and explore its natural features. We’ll discover what daily life is like and how it has changed over time. Then we’ll craft Maya chocolate and simple woodwind instruments from recycled materials. Who can make the highest, loudest and longest sounds?

At the end of the project, we’ll listen to Maya music and learn a traditional song. We’ll also perform Mexican music from the past and present.

Help your child prepare for their project
Mexico is a fascinating land full of music and celebration. Why not work together and use non-fiction books or online research to find out about the impressive landmarks of Mexico? You could also look at holiday brochures or websites to plan an imaginary trip to Mexico. Alternatively, you could sample Mexican food in a restaurant or at home.

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