We held a MacBeth experience to introduce our new topic on Shakespeare. The children explored a number of artefacts and scenes whilst Witches cackled from a mysterious cupboard! Can you work out what might have happened in this play through some of the clues?

We have been looking at the way the digestive system transports nutrients to our body as part of our Science this term. We watched an animation that showed us how food travels down the oesophagus to the stomach, where it mixes with digestive juices before being transported through the small intestine and then into the large intestine as a waste product.  We then watched this being modelled through the use of Weetabix, orange juice and a pair of tights. A demonstration, it's safe to say, no-one will forget!

We have been learning about micro-organisms in Science. Some of these micro-organisms can be classified as bacteria, virus or fungi. We have learned that there are some good uses of each of these three, along with some not so good uses as well. As part of Science Week, we wanted to find out what conditions would be best to enable fungi to thrive and particularly what changes might occur. Using metacognition to help us plan an experiment,  we thought about how we could test certain variables. It was then decided as a class to choose the affect light might have on growing conditions. Ensuring our sandwich bags have been sealed for our own safety, we have been making regular observations of our two slices of bread, one we chose to leave on the sunny windowsill and the other in a dark cupboard. Look at our results so far! Can you work out which one has had light and which one has not? What conclusions can you make from our results? 

The children were invited to dress up as a book character or come in their pyjamas ready to hear a story. World Book Day in Year Six had a distinct Harry Potter theme. We made Howlers during English, cracked magical codes during maths, made wand pencils and played Quidditch. Which book character would you dress up as and why?

We used rainbow drops to help us work out ratio problems. Before we were allowed to eat any of our 'math equipment' for this lesson, we needed to demonstrate that we could simplify each ratio. 

Year Six kicked off a thoroughly enjoyable Ancient Greek experience by exploring artefacts and information relating to Sparta and Athens,  paying close attention to the role of women within Athenian and Spartan society.   A Greek quest then ensued where the children needed to solve various problems to complete a codex. On passing the six quests, the children then needed to consult the Oracle for a letter. Using lots of perseverance and working as a team, the children were able to work out the final clue.  

Our attention then turned to comparing Roman and Spartan battle formation. This was another hands-on activity where the children needed to not only recall some of their learning from Year Three on Romans but also apply metacognition to work out how to create a Roman Testudo and a Spartan Phalanx that could not only withstand an aerial onslaught but could also march as one unit. A lot was learned about the strengths and weaknesses of each battle formation (and no children were hurt in the re-making of these battle scenes)  

On returning to the classroom, we learned about the entertainment that took place in Greek Amphitheatres all over Ancient Greece. Another opportunity for a bit of role play and crowd participation to help the children really grasp the origin of all modern musicals and films.  This took place under the watchful eye of a Greek staff member who was ready to enforce more civilised behaviour should the crowd become too displeased with the play and be tempted to throw rotten food at our budding thespians.  Thankfully the play was well received with cheers and the Greek tradition of stamping of feet.

As part of our Greek unit, Year Six have been exploring Greek art, in particular, pottery. We have explored the purpose of pottery within Ancient Greek culture and the various styles that were used. The children were then given the task to design their own Greek pottery with traditional Ancient Greek patterns. To help with metacognition, the children not only designed their pot on paper but had time to explore the skills they would they need to use by practising with playdough first. This enabled the children to plan their approach to this task, try their skills and then review how they could make their pot even better with their new found knowledge once they moved onto using clay. 

Year Six took part in their very own Ancient Olympic event. The children were required to partake in four of the Olympic events that were held in Ancient Greece to access more information about these events and enable them to complete a true or false quiz about the Ancient Olympics. Due to extreme weather conditions at the time, it was necessary to hold this event in the hall, which actually helped the children to appreciate the benefits of this event taking place in the Greek Summer. Can you work out the four events that were held in Brook Fieldius Ancient Gamesrus?

Year 6 used chalk to create some beautiful drawings of their chosen rainforest animal as part of their art focus on colour.

Following on from reading in our school library, one of the recommended reads - The Terrible Trenches - Year Six were given the opportunity to put their metacognitive skills into practise by planning and making a response to what we had learned about World War One and Two in keeping with Remembrance Day.

Some children chose to respond through poetry, power point presentations and diary writing. Others decided to create artwork such as a model spitfire and the Big Bertha gun with an actual fully working firing mechanism. All of the children's work was collated into a book which was presented to Mrs Bickell along with the models the children had produced.    All children agreed how important it is to know the bravery of those who supported their country  - We Will Remember Them.

Following on from our trip to Cadbury's World, we evaluated the packaging and contents of current chocolate bars on the market. We then designed our own truffles based on a target audience and created a name for our new truffles. Watch out Cadburys! We may have some delicious designs to rival anything you can find in the shops!

As part of our topic on the Maya, Year 6 went to Cadbury's World to look at how chocolate has developed over the years. We attended a talk about the Maya where we learned more about what they wore and the fashion trend of flattening foreheads from birth. We got to hold a real cocoa pod and smell real cocoa beans.

Mayan Hero Twin Experience. After listening to the story of the brave Hero Twins, we had the opportunity to experience the main events of the story for ourselves. We had to jump over the river of spears, river of blood and the river of puss. We were then given the option to sit on the burning bench and greet the Lords of Death before making our way through the House of Blades and the House of Jaguars. Finally, we had to choose whether to jump over the oven or jump in!