The Mediterranean and the Ancient Greeks 

English 

Writing and Reading: Over the summer term, we will be reading ‘Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief’ by Rick Riordan, identifying and discussing its themes and conventions. Year 6 will also learn about Ancient Greek myths: King Midas, and Theseus and the Minotaur. The children will then rewrite modern day versions and write a newspaper article. Using their knowledge of mythological creatures, the children will design their own and write a detailed report about this creature. 

Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling (GPS): Year 6 will continue to learn the statutory word list spellings and spelling errors from their own writing, as well as research words with Greek origins. The focus in grammar and punctuation will be on editing to enhance meaning and to fit the formality of the writing, as well as incorporating the use of the Subjunctive Form. 

Maths 

  • Area, perimeter and volume 
  • Scale factors 
  • Ratio and proportion problems 
  • Line graphs and pie charts 
  • Finding the mean 
  • Arithmetic practice 

Science 

Heart and Circulatory System 

Year 6 will identify and name the main parts of the human circulatory system and describe the functions of the heart, blood vessels and blood. The children will then investigate the ways in which nutrients and water are transported within animals, including humans. Our work in Science will link closely with our work on ‘Healthy Bodies’ in PSHE. The children will learn about the impact of diet, exercise, drugs and lifestyle on the way their bodies’ function. 

History/Geography 

We will alternate this half term between History and Geography. 

In Geography, the children will explore the position and significance of latitude and longitude, including identifying the tropics, meridian and time zones. The children will also find out about the physical geography of Greece as well as investigating the population and culture of Greece today.  

In History, we will start the new topic off by considering who the Ancient Greeks were, considering the features of an ancient civilisation, placing them on a timeline and learning about city states, with a focus on Athens and Sparta.  

ICT and DT 

Year 6 will apply all their knowledge of programming robotics using Crumble to create a project incorporating both movement and light, based on Greek gods and goddesses. 

Art  

The children will be continuing to model and paint their Super Lambanana sculptures that they have designed.  

Linking to their topic of ‘The Mediterranean’ the children will be sketching and creating a Mosaic Tile Design. 

Music 

In music this half term, the children will continue to learn either the trumpet or trombone; this is taught by a peripatetic teacher from North Yorkshire’s Wider Opportunities.  

P.E. 

PE lessons this half term will be focussed on Fitness and OAA.  

R.E. 

The children will be exploring whether it is better to express beliefs in arts and architecture or in charity and generosity. They will describe and make connections between examples of religious creativity (buildings and art) focussing on the similarities and differences between Christian and Muslim sacred buildings. We will then discuss ideas about the importance of being generous and charitable and think about why some believers see generosity and charity as more important than buildings and art. 

P.S.H.E. 

Healthy Bodies 

To start off our work on Healthy Bodies, Year 6 will learn about body image (including thoughts and feelings about height, weight, shape, skin colour, and appearance and attractiveness) and how this can be affected by advertising and digital media. They will then explore the impact of diet, exercise, drugs and lifestyle on the way their bodies’ function.