English         

Our focus texts this term will be Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz and When the Sky Falls by Phil Earle. We will be writing balanced arguments, writing in the style of the author, summarising and using the text as evidence. We will be putting ourselves in the shoes of different characters from the text to understand characters’ behaviour and writing from a character’s perspective. We will be developing our writing in various ways by editing, peer assessing and improving using the Year 6 writing criteria. We will also continue to revisit and incorporate new grammar into our English lessons. 

Maths           

We will be using the Maths No Problem scheme to support our mathematical learning. This term we will be completing units on Place Value, the Four Operations and Fractions and Decimals. We will be refining our knowledge of place value and working with numbers between 1 000 000 and 10 000 000. We will explore the four operations in combination and in isolation. We will be simplifying, comparing and ordering, adding, subtracting multiplying and dividing fractions and decimals.

Science       

We will be studying two science topics this term, Animals including Humans and Living Things & their Habitats.

In Animals including Humans, we will build on our knowledge and understanding of different systems within the body. We will research the parts and functions of the circulatory system. We will focus on how nutrients are transported around the human body.

In Living Things & their Habitats, we will be learning about the classification of living things, including micro-organisms. The children will build on their work in Year 4 by sorting animals into groups based on their similarities and differences. They will extend our learning to find out about the standard system of classification first developed by Carl Linnaeus.

Geography

We will be investigating the importance of the oceans to our planet. We will be able to locate and describe the significance of the Great Barrier Reef and explain the impact humans have on the health of reefs and oceans.

History 

This term we will be looking at World War II. We will extend our chronological knowledge beyond 1066 and learn how World War II changed British society. We will learn about the different reasons why Britain went to war in 1939 and investigate the experiences of families during the Blitz. Using a range of sources we will reconstruct the feelings of those living on the home front in World War II and consider how migrants helped the war effort.

Art & Design 

This term we will be studying Photography. We will look at composition, colour, light, abstract images and underlying messages. Familiarising ourselves with new photography artists, we will gain a new perspective on the way we look at the people and objects around us, capturing and presenting images in different ways.

Music            

In music this term we will be focusing on harmony singing and preparing for the Young Voices concert at the O2 Arena and our Christmas performance. We will be using musical notation to look at harmony and dynamics before moving onto using Garageband on iPads to create group compositions.

Computing

This half-term, we will develop our knowledge and understanding of using a computer to produce 3D models. After the half-term break, we will be learning the importance of formatting data to support calculations, while also being introduced to formulas and will begin to understand how they can be used to produce calculated data in spreadsheets.

Design Technology (DT)                 

We will work on Structures: Playground equipment. We will be challenged to design and create a model of a new playground featuring five apparatus, made from three different structures. We will practise visualising objects in plan view and also get creative with our use of natural features and cladding for our structures.

Physical Education (PE)   

We will be learning the skills required for sports such as basketball, cricket and rugby.

French         

We will be conjugating the verb ‘aller’- to go, identifying correct prepositions, learning sports vocabulary and how to express preferences. We will develop and practise language-learning strategies, develop reading, speaking and listening skills and respond to questions about sports.

Religious Education (RE)                

We begin our learning by focusing on Christianity. We will be exploring how Christians follow Jesus and his teachings in their daily lives and some of the challenges they face in the modern world. After the half-term break, our focus moves to Sikhism where we will be learning how the Gurdwara is a centre for worship and a place that demonstrates Sikh values.

Personal, Social & Health Education (PSHE) / Relationships & Sex Education (RSE)

In Families and Friendships, we will be learning what it means to be attracted to someone and different kinds of loving relationships; what marriage and civil partnerships are and that people have the right to choose whom they marry or whether to get married.

• Your child should read for at least 20 minutes every day. Across the week, this should be a combination of independent reading and reading to an adult. Please talk to your child about the book and check their understanding by asking questions about events and the characters’ actions. Please also explain new or unfamiliar vocabulary.
• You child's book bag should come into school every day.
• Your child will have PE on Monday and Wednesday. Their PE kit should stay in school in a named draw-string bag. We will send it home at the end of each term for it to be washed and returned.
• Please ensure all items of clothing are clearly named.
• Your child needs to bring in a water bottle every day.
• The weather is often cold at this time of year and the children will go out to play if there is light rain. It is important that your child has a waterproof coat, gloves, hat and a scarf.
• We are a Healthy School. Please do not put sweets or chocolate bars in your child’s packed lunch. Please do not send in sweets or other treats when it is your child’s birthday. If you want to celebrate your child’s birthday with their classmates, you could buy the class a book, send in a healthy snack such as boxes of raisins or buy stationery such as a pencil, but due to the impact on the environment, we ask you not to send in plastic toys.
• If your child will be absent from school, please contact the school office. You can call 020 8850 5486 and leave a message detailing why your child is absent, send a message via ParentMail or email office@gordon.greenwich.sch.uk . If your child has vomited or had diarrhoea they can return once they are feeling better. They do not need to be clear of symptoms for 48 hours. If your child has vomited or had diarrhoea they can return once they are feeling better. They do not need to be clear of symptoms for 48 hours. Please try to book medical appointments outside the school day and note that absence due to family holidays will not be authorised.
• If you have any questions or wish to raise a concern, please contact the class teacher in the first instance. Please use the email addresses above. 

Please note the following events and add them to your diary:

• Wednesday 13th September - Safer Neighbourhood Meeting -6:30pm / Lower Hall 
• Monday 18th September - Information Evening - 6pm / Middle Hall
• 25^th to 29th September - Cycle to School Week
• Tuesday 26th September - Nasal flu vaccinations
• Thursday 28th September - FoG Annual General Meeting – 7pm / Lower Hall
• Friday 29th September - Book Fair (until 4^th October) 
• Monday 9th October - Open Evening – 3:30pm to 7pm
• Wednesday 11th October - Open Evening - 3:30pm to 6pm
• Friday 13th October - Inset Day – school closed to pupils
• Thursday 19th October - Cultural Evening – 5pm to 6:30pm / Sports Hall
• 23^rd to 27th October - Half Term Break
• Friday 3rd November - FoG Quiz Night - 7pm / Sports Hall
• Tuesday 5th December - Christmas performance - 2pm / Sports Hall
• Tuesday 19th December - Carol Concert - 4pm / Methodist Church
• Thursday 21st December - last day of the Autumn Term