Autumn Term - Me, Myself and I

​At the start of the year, the children work on a topic about Identity.  In this topic the children think about what it is that makes them a unique individual.

Children write about their personal experiences, interests, hobbies, their family, important places to them, and their beliefs – all of which help to make them who they are.

Art focuses on their identity through exploring different portrait styles.

Topic : ‘Never Forgotten: a study of World War One’

English

In ​English, the children study the text War Horse by Michael Morpurgo and use this as a stimulus for writing.

They also study famous war poets such as Wilfred Owen and John McCrae, and write their own Remembrance Day poetry. 

Biographies are written about significant world leaders.

The children will also write newspaper reports based on real events, for example the declaration of war.

In their Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling sessions, the children will learn how to write in the active and passive voice, use modal verbs correctly, write sentences using a range of clause structures, as well as consolidating grammar work from previous year groups.

Geography

In Geography, the children study and learn about how the map of Europe changed before and after the war, and why this was the case.

They learn about the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance, and map these. They also look at the physical map of Europe.

History

In History, the children learn about the causes of the war including the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. They learn about the alliances and the history behind them. They mark key events on a timeline and understand the significance of each. They children learn about the Battle of the Somme and the Treaty of Versailles. A visit to the Imperial War Museum takes place this term.

Performing Arts

The children perform a class assembly based on this period of history. Incorporated into this is a dance performance from this era taught by our specialist dance teacher, Emanuela. The children perform a musical composition which gives them the opportunity to show case their musical talents.

Art

In art the children produce pieces for Remembrance Day, learning about the significance of the poppy. Charcoal, pastels and paints are used. In addition, the children learn how to sketch horses and produce silhouette pieces of war scenes.

Maths

In Maths this term the children consolidate their understanding of how to carry out the four number operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) using formal written methods and mental strategies.

This includes becoming secure in using formal long and short division.

The children learn about the properties of numbers such as highest common factors, lowest common multiples, prime numbers and square numbers.

Children become more confident working with decimals, including rounding and ordering. Fraction work focuses on adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions as well as finding fractions of quantities.

In their shape work, the children learn about the different types of quadrilaterals (rhombus, square, oblong, rectangle, parallelogram and trapezium) and identify their properties.

Vocabulary such as parallel and perpendicular lines, reflective symmetry, and diagonals are used to describe their properties.

Children learn how to calculate the area and perimeter of increasingly more complex shapes, including trapeziums, triangles and compound shapes. Children learn how to translate and reflect shapes.

Science

In science this term we look at light for the first half of the term and then electricity for the second. The children investigate different light sources and learn how we see things through the light reflecting off objects into the eye.

We also learn how light refracts through different materials; namely water and glass and conduct experiments to investigate how shadows are formed and how shadows change.

In the second half of the term we look at electricity and learn how circuits are made. We look at the scientific terms for parts of a circuit and create our own to investigate how these work.

We then test the effect of voltage on a light bulb using different size batteries which links very closely with the work that we do in our Design and Technology lessons.

Design Technology

In Design Technology the children work on a project to design, make and evaluate a motorised vehicle, linked to their electricity topic in science.  

The children explore mechanisms using pulleys and gears and use these within their model to make them move.  

The children also consider the modifcations that can be made to make their vehicle go faster.

Computing

This term in computing we design and develop computer programs.

Using the context of games development, the children explore computational creation by designing games and explore the concepts of conditionals and data, iteration and incremental development and systematic testing.

Spring Term - We Are All Born Free

English

This term the children look at the text Pig Heart Boy by Malorie Blackman. The aim of this text is to generate conversation and debate amongst the children, allowing them ideas for their writing.

The children write arguments using persuasive techniques, letters home asking for advice using emotive language, and use the text as a starting point for story continuations.

The children also write reports based on the controversial issues focused on in the text and gain an understanding of the issues some people face with their health.

​Science

​In science this term the children will learn about evolution and inheritance in the first half and living things and their habitats in the second.

In the first half the children will learn about inherited characteristics and how variation occurs, how organisms have evolved to survive in the environments and well as studying significant scientists in the field of evolution.  

As part of the Living Things and their Habitats topic the children will learn about a variety of organisms are classified and will conduct an investigation into how microorganisms behave.

​Design Technology

​In Design Technology the children work on a project to design, make and evaluate a burger as part of a balanced diet.  

The children will research existing burgers on the market and discuss their nutritional value.  

They will then investigate possible ingredients, design their final burger and then follow their design to make their own unique creation.

Art

In art the children will work with an increasing range of media, developing their sense of perspective and ability to represent abstract concepts.  

The children will work with pastel, glue and tissues to create a textured heart in the style of Jim Dine, as well as using digital media to produce a Julian Opie style self-portrait.

Summer Term - Moving On!

This term we focus a lot on ’Moving On’. We discuss with the children the transition between primary school and secondary school and discuss any concerns or worries that they might have.

We will have PSHE lessons focused on growing up as well as trips to Into University, where the children discuss life after primary school and will be taught skills for independency and organisation, as well as what to expect from their new schools.

We also have an amazing trip to PGL Liddington in Wiltshire for our week residential. The children leave home for the week and experience an array of exciting physical and mental activities designed to give them confidence and skills for working in groups.

These activities include: low ropes, high ropes, orienteering, camp fire skills and building tents from their surroundings.

They experience life out of London and it is lovely to see them in a completely different environment where we can discuss memories of their time in school and what they are most looking forward to in their new school.                                                

During this term, a lot of focus is on the end of year show. Last year, Year 6 performed an adaption of ‘The Greatest Showman’.

The children practised for weeks in school, learning their lines and the music and dances to go with the show and it was truly a wonderful end to such a lovely year.

It is something that the children always look forward to and celebrates all of their achievements whilst at Walnut Tree Walk.

​Curriculum

​​If you would like to find out more about Walnut Tree Walk, then click the buttons here to either read our new school prospectus, or  contact us directly to arrange a visit. We look forward to meeting you.