Summer Term

Dear Parent,

Welcome to a very busy and very enjoyable final term at Ickleford. Here is a brief outline of the activities in which your child will be taking part, together with the curriculum areas we will be covering.

Firstly, here are some dates for your diary:

• SATs: week beginning Monday 14^th May.
• Year 6 party Friday 18th May- a special treat for working so hard towards SATs.
• Isle of Wightvisit: Monday 11^th to Friday 15^th June.
• Crucial Crew: Monday 18^th June. This is an opportunity for the children to explore challenging real-life situations in a safe and enjoyable setting.
• Secondary School visit day: Thursday 12^th July.
• Isle of Wightevening: Monday 16^th July.
• Leavers’ bowling party: Tuesday 17^th July.

 Further details of these events will be sent home nearer the time.

Curriculum areas:

Literacy: All aspects of English language will be covered during the term in preparation for the children’s transfer to their secondary schools. After the school journey, the children will be working on their Isle of Wight books. This will involve a wide variety of writing styles including poetry, reporting and diary writing.

Mathematics: We will continue to follow the Primary Framework for mathematics, concentrating especially on problem solving and using mathematics in real-life situations. The children will also be working on transition materials to prepare them for the KS3 curriculum.

Science: We shall be learning about health, hygiene and growing up. The children will be watching the Year 6 sex education DVD in the second half of the term. You will have an opportunity to view this on Tuesday 18^th May, if you have not already seen it.

I.C.T.: The children will be using the internet to research topics connected with our Isle of Wight visit. They will use publishing packages to present their work, together with spreadsheets and graphics software. We are also hoping to use video editing software to experiment with film-making.

History: The children will continue to study exploration and naval warfare, linked with our visit to the Mary Rose museum and HMS Victory. We shall also be looking briefly at the English Civil War and Charles I, who was imprisoned in Carisbrook Castle. The Year 5 study of the Victorians will be revisited during our trip to Osborne House.

Geography: The Isle of Wight will provide a focus for this curriculum area, with emphasis on its geology and human geography. We shall also be studying rainforest environments.

Art: This term’s study focuses on the work of the Fauve movement, especially the paintings of André Derain. The children will be designing their own paintings based on landscapes on the Isle of Wight.

Music (with Mrs Wright):  The children will have the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their ability to take part in a whole class performance (including use of individual instruments) with confidence, expression and control.

P.E.: As always, this is an especially busy term. Activities will include May Pole dancing during this half term, and then swimming, rounders and athletics.

Lacrosse lessons will continue on Wednesday afternoons, with Rising Stars on Friday mornings.

Sports Day will take place towards the end of term as usual.

The children should have their P.E. kits in school every day, together with a pair of trainers that can be worn on the field.

R.E.:  The children will be continuing their study of Christianity and Buddhism.

P.H.S.E.: The two main themes for this term are Growing Up and Working Together. These will be linked to the science curriculum, our Isle of Wight visit and secondary school transfer.

Thank you for the continuing help and support you are giving to your child and to the school. If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely,

 Elaine Sansom