In Year 6 this year, we have had a very busy first term. In History, we have been learning all about WWII. We have found out about the causes of the war and have carried out some research on the Blitz. The children produced an information page using the information that they had found out. As well as this, we have explored the idea of propaganda and looked at how people were encouraged to grow their own vegetables, mend and reuse different items, and accept rationing as a way of preserving their precious resources.

In Science, we have learnt about our bodies and the circulatory system. We have identified the body parts which make up the circulatory system and have focused on finding out more about the function of the heart and lungs. The children have produced some excellent diagrams of the heart as it pumps blood around the body. Very soon we will be creating our own bottles of blood to learn about its components: red blood cells (wheat hoops) carry oxygen and nutrients around the body; white blood cells (marshmallows) fight off germs and diseases; plasma (the liquid) conveys the cells around our bodies; and platelets (sweets) clog any holes in our blood vessels so that we don’t lose excess blood as we heal. We will also create a mini vacuum inside a bottle to show how the diaphragm helps our lungs to take in oxygen that is then absorbed into our blood stream.

In Art, we used our knowledge of the Blitz to create a silhouette. We painted a sunset background and used black paper to create the silhouette skyline and figures. Next, we will  start to look at Pablo Picasso and will play a game of ‘Roll a Dice Picasso’ to create different Picasso inspired faces and we will practise blending oil pastels to create our own Picasso style portraits. Pictures of all of this will follow later in the term.

Next term, we will continue to learn more about World War II and every child will be asked to research their families’ involvement in the conflict to help us link the events of the past with the present.