Every now and again I like to see what historical events took place on a particular day. On January 28th 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger explodes 73 seconds after liftoff from Cape Canaveral, with all 7 crew members killed, including Christa McAuliffe who was to be the first teacher in space. And in 1887 in a snowstorm at Fort Keogh, Montana, the world’s largest snowflakes are reported, being 15 inches (38 cm) wide and 8 inches (20 cm) thick.

I’ll put this reminder up for a few days to save anyone having to search back through old posts. You can send your child’s work through to me at class6@shawburystmarys.co.uk. It’s great if you don’t let it build up as I try to respond promptly and the children can then react to any feedback they receive.

I hope you managed to watch some of the BBC Bitesize shows on CBBC. The History programme from Monday might be good to watch.

We have another online session today to catch up and look at Literacy. If you haven’t already, can I just remind you to read Parent and Pupil Zoom Acceptable Use Policy for school.

Mr Chiverton is inviting you to a scheduled meeting.

https://zoom.us/j/91829671994?pwd=R1ptTGlacHBNOGhQZVQrR1R6bzZBUT09

Meeting ID: 918 2967 1994
Passcode: 7Z4qk5

Maths

As we carry on with percentages, it might help to watch another video (this time on finding a percentage of a number) if you are finding it a little tricky.

Percentage of an amount teaching slides

Developing-Step-4-VF-Percentage-of-an-Amount-1-2

Expected-Step-4-VF-Percentage-of-an-Amount-1-3

Greater-Depth-Step-4-VF-Percentage-of-an-Amount-1-4

Reasoning and Problem Solving

Developing-Step-4-RPS-Percentage-of-an-Amount-1-2

Expected-Step-4-RPS-Percentage-of-an-Amount-1-3

Greater-Depth-Step-4-RPS-Percentage-of-an-Amount-1-4

Literacy

The Machine Gunners Episode 10: A False Alarm

I always find it a little sad when I come to an end of a story. It’s been a long time since I read The Machine Gunners, but I have liked listening to the abridged audio version.

Think of yourself as a spectator. With whose eyes did you see the story? Did you only see what one character in the story saw, or did you see things sometimes as one character saw them, and sometimes as another and so on?

When you were listening the story, did you feel it was happening now? Or did you feel it was happening in the past and being remembered? Can you tell me anything that made you feel like that?

Which character interested you the most?

Is that character the most important in the story/ or is it really about someone else?

Which character(s) didn’t you like?

Did any of the characters remind you of people you know?

Or remind you of characters in other books?

Robert Westall wrote that the ‘drive to possess the gun drove the whole action of the story’. Do you agree with this statement? Is this a successful writing technique and if the ending of the story was a satisfactory one?

Activity

Eventually, the children will have to tell the authorities their side of events over the past few weeks. Write a police report of what you think one of the children told them. You can choose which child you would like to be. The children have been told that they won’t get into trouble and that they are to tell the truth. As the story has been told to the police you will need to write in the 3^rd person.

For example:

February 1st 1940 10:40.

Constable Hardy escorted Mr McGill and his son, Chas to Garmouthpolice station for questioning.

Chas McGill sated, that on the morning of December 2nd , he went to look at the remains of a crashed German bomber. On finding there were only engines visible, and that they were well guarded, he decided to explore the grounds of Chirton Hall. He then went on to explain how he found the machine gun when he stumbled across the crashed plane.He explained how he cut the machine gun free using a hacksaw and had then transported it to his home, stuffed in the leg of a guy on the back of a bogie, accompanied by his friend, Cem.

McGill then explained how he had initially hidden the the machine gun and ammunition around his garden but had decided to move it to a local scrap yard to prevent it being found.

McGill explained how he and his friends: Cem, Audrey, Clogger and Nicky decided to build a camp within the grounds of Nicky’s house with the aim of watching and potentially taking on any German attack. Between them, and assisted by a local man, John, the children built an impressive, well hidden fortress and installed the machine gun as a means of defence.

Focused reading

What does ‘British hysteria’ mean?
Why did Chas think the Germans had invaded?
Why do you think Chas paused when he asked if he could write to Rudi?
Ext: At the end, why did Nicky tell the police sergeant to get stuffed?

Today, we are going to take a look at another of the Five Pillars of Islam. The Hajj is important to all Muslims and a very impressive sight. In Islamic terminology, Hajj is a pilgrimage made to the Kaaba, the “House of God”, in the sacred city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It is a demonstration of the solidarity of the Muslim people, and their submission to God (Allah).

The Hajj Homelearning

Have a good day.

Mr Chiverton

Maths answers

Year-6-Spring-Block-2-Step-4-VF-Percentage-of-an-Amount-1-5

Year-6-Spring-Block-2-Step-4-RPS-Percentage-of-an-Amount-1-5

37 days ago
Posted on January 26, 2021 by Chris Chiverton

Year 6 Home Learning January 27th

Hi,

It was good to see so many of you at yesterday’s online class. We will be having another one tomorrow. Look for the details below.

I hope you managed to watch the BBC Bitesize shows on CBBC yesterday. It would be great if you could catch them if you missed them.

We have another online session tomorrow to catch up and look at Literacy. Can I just remind you to read Parent and Pupil Zoom Acceptable Use Policy for school.

Mr Chiverton is inviting you to a scheduled meeting.

https://zoom.us/j/91829671994?pwd=R1ptTGlacHBNOGhQZVQrR1R6bzZBUT09

Meeting ID: 918 2967 1994
Passcode: 7Z4qk5

Maths

I hope you were okay with the percentages.Remember to check out a percentages video if you need extra guidance.

Ordering Fractions, Percentages and Decimals teaching slides

Developing-Step-3-VF-Order-FDP-2

Expected-Step-3-VF-Order-FDP-3

Greater-Depth-Step-3-VF-Order-FDP-4

Reasoning and Problem Solving

Developing-Step-3-RPS-Order-FDP-2

Expected-Step-3-RPS-Order-FDP-3

Greater-Depth-Step-3-RPS-Order-FDP-4

Literacy

The Machine Gunners Episode 9: The Germans are coming

The children pressure Nicky into admitting that his family owns a boat, which is stored in a boathouse by the river. They promise the boat to Rudi, if he repairs the machine gun. Meanwhile, fear of a German invasion and life under the Nazis has reached fever pitch in Garmouth.

In this episode the fear of invasion creates paranoia and panic among the residents of Garmouth. One by one the children run away from their parents so that they can be together at the fortress. Why do you think the children all want to be together, with the machine gun. Consider the bonds they have established that tie them together and why they think they can save the town when the adults have been unable to.

Consider how the central characters have become more alike since the beginning of the story.

Explore the confusion that the potential invasion creates, the ways in which the adults in the story begin to feel suspicions of each other, not knowing who to trust, who is an enemy and who is a friend. Consider how Robert Westall has used this to create a sense of tension. Also reflect on how the building momentum of the story leads the audience to also feel a sense of rising panic about what could happen.

Activity

There is a lot of commotion in this episode with the Home Guard panicking and the children running off from their parents.

Try to write a description of the scene when Nicky and Rudi are stopped.

What can you hear, see, smell and feel. Don’t forget to explore and describe the feelings that Nicky and Rudi must be having. How would you have felt if you had been stopped by the British Army and police with a German pilot holding your hand?

Focused reading

Why did Nicky regret saying that the boat wasn’t going to sink?
Why was Stan worried after trying to contact the authorities?
How did Nicky and Rudi manage to get past the soldiers?
Ext: Why do you think John was running with his hands in the air?

History

This week, I’d like you to become familiar with the location of the countries involved in first year of WW2 by locating them on a map of 1939 Europe.

Start by looking at a Map of Europe in 1939. See if you can find and 3 different coloured pieces of modelling dough. Read the Dough War Walkthrough. Take your time; there is a lot of information in the timeline. Stop at the Battle of Britain, on 10th July 1940. If you can, listen to Winston Churchill’s Battle of Britain speech or you can read it hear.

What General Weygand has called the Battle of France is over: the Battle of Britain is about to begin. Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilisation. Upon it depends our own British life, and the long continuity of our institutions and our Empire. The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us. Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be freed and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sunlit uplands. But if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duty and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth.

Have a look at the Battle of Britain game instructions. The Battle of Britain was about superiority in the skies, but that the battle was won by Britain with the support of the Royal Navy and advanced radar technology. Have fun playing the game. You could also research questions such as ‘How does radar work?’ ‘How was it discovered?’ ‘Who discovered it and developed it?’ ‘Where were the radar bases in Britain?’ ‘Was it used by countries other than Britain?’

Batttle of Britain task 1

Battle of Britain game

If you don’t have Playdough you could use anything else suitable for moving around.

Have a good day.

Mr Chiverton

Maths answers

Year-6-Spring-Block-2-Step-3-VF-Order-FDP-5

Year-6-Spring-Block-2-Step-3-RPS-Order-FDP-5

38 days ago
Posted on January 25, 2021 by Chris Chiverton

Year 6 Home Learning Tuesday January 26th

Hi,

It looks like we might have seen the last of the snow for a few days. I remember when I was your age, the snow was so deep it covered the entire back door! Let’s hope it doesn’t get that bad.

BBC Bitesize are showing a range of educational programmes each day. On CBBC (and available afterwards on the iplayer) are a few programmes linked to today’s science. It would be great if you could catch them.

We have another Zoom session this morning to catch up and look at Literacy. Can I just remind you to read Parent and Pupil Zoom Acceptable Use Policy for school.

Mr Chiverton is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/98818907656?pwd=cWZxS09qSndLZDZsYkJScTNkZ0daQT09

Meeting ID: 988 1890 7656
Passcode: fNyEh0

Maths

I hope you were okay with the first day of percentages. If you have any questions you can either email me or check out a percentages video.It’s American, but it works.

Teaching slides Equivalent Fractions, Decimals and Percentages

Developing-Step-2-VF-Equivalent-FDP-2

Expected-Step-2-VF-Equivalent-FDP-3

Greater-Depth-Step-2-VF-Equivalent-FDP-4

Reasoning and Problem Solving

Developing-Step-2-RPS-Equivalent-FDP-2

Expected-Step-2-RPS-Equivalent-FDP-3

Greater-Depth-Step-2-RPS-Equivalent-FDP-4

Literacy

The Machine Gunners Episode 8: Closing in

One day, as he’s leaving his house for the Fortress, Chas senses he’s being followed. He thinks it’s a policeman, but despite his best efforts, can’t shake him off. He’s forced to confront Boddser on the mud flats below Nicky’s house. With no one around to help, Boddser easily gets the better of Chas. But eventually Chas plays dead and Boddser lets go of him.

Does anyone feel empathy for Boddser. If so, why? If not, why not? Consider if you think Chas and Boddser will ever stop fighting one another. How do you think Boddser would tell the story you have heard so far, what would his perspective be?

Reflect on why Rudi doesn’t escape when given the opportunity. What does this reveal about his relationship with the children and also the life he would have if he escaped, either as a prisoner of war or on return to Germany?

There’s lots of twists and turns in the story, and Robert Westall likes to introduce the odd time jump to keep things interesting.

Activity

Think back about the pursuit of Chas through the bushes, over broken glass covered walls and out onto the mudflats.

I’d like you to rewrite an account of what happened when Chas and Boddser confront each other. Remember to use powerful adjectives to describe feelings (both mental and physical). If you use dialogue, take care to ensure that it’s punctuated accurately.

Focused reading

What do the children get Rudi to do for them and what does Rudi want in return?
Why does Robert Westall suggest that they were no longer children?
What is a cul-de-sac?
Why do you think Stan Liddell went round to both boys’ houses?

Science

This week, we will be looking at how the fossil record helps us understand evolutionary relationships.

I’d like you to ‘walk’ around on all fours. Before humans evolved, early common ancestors with other mammals walked on all fours, but that the fossil record tells us that early humans (australopithecines and homo species) ‘evolved’ to walk on two legs (anatomical evidence, but also bipedal footprint fossils). Can you suggest any advantages to being able to walk on two legs that this might have given early humans? (ability to pick foodstuffs from low branches, freeing hands to carry food, hold tools, carry babies, etc. enabling early humans to appear larger and more intimidating, see predators more easily, and helping early humans to move over wide, open landscapes quickly and efficiently) and disadvantages (e.g. back pain and other skeletal problems, less ability to climb steep slopes (see goats for a good example of this) or trees, more easily seen by predators). So although there are some disadvantages, in terms of survival, the advantages (literally!) outweigh them.

Bipedalism is a unique evolution in terms of the great apes and contributed to helping humans to survive in a diverse range of environments. As ‘great apes’ we are related to other primates (the chimpanzee is our closest living relative with around 97% identical DNA), we did NOT evolve from them – we share a common ancestor from about 14 million years ago. Evolution is not a straightforward linear process and that many species become extinct along the way (see hominid evolution diagram), often simply being ‘related’ rather than direct ancestors.

Have a look at the tree of life video then think about how you would order a set of biscuits, ordering them by complexity (You could have simple digestives to biscuits with an added ingredient; then maybe layers; and eventually layers and chocolate coated). By laying out the biscuits and drawing a ‘v’ between the most complex (and closely related) biscuits and then drawing relative links between all biscuits as per the example (see resources), we are identifying ‘common ancestors’ and features that ‘evolved’ – this is called a cladogram.

Why do some early biscuits continue to be popular today and others aren’t (digestives keep well, are not too rich or indulgent, and don’t melt. They are also great to dunk in tea! So overall they are a success story and are fit for purpose). This happens in nature too (e.g. cockroaches – they have changed over time, through evolution, but the basic ‘model’ remains the same, as with ferns). It is not always the strongest or most successful at that moment in time that necessarily survives long term, but the most adaptable – see bacteria!

Activity

You will be exploring how scientists examine the fossil record and make connections between species that ultimately lead to evolutionary theories. Explore the evolution of birds here. Once you have completed the activities and demonstrated an understanding on the final section, try to create your own simple cladogram using animals alive today (see instructional video). Choose your own animals, or use the ones in the video example. Then watch whale evolution video to see how the fossil record has enabled scientists to infer how these creatures evolved.

Evolution resources

Have a good day.

Mr Chiverton

Maths answers

Year-6-Spring-Block-2-Step-2-VF-Equivalent-FDP-5

Year-6-Spring-Block-2-Step-2-RPS-Equivalent-FDP-5

39 days ago
Posted on January 24, 2021 by Chris Chiverton

Year 6 Home Learning Monday 25th January

Hi,

I hope you had a good weekend and enjoyed the snow.

Just in case any parents missed this from previous posts, you can send your child’s work through to me at class6@shawburystmarys.co.uk. It’s great if you don’t let it build up as I try to respond promptly and the children can then react to any feedback they recieve.

Tomorrow, we have another Zoom session. Can I just remind you to read Parent and Pupil Zoom Acceptable Use Policy for school.

Mr Chiverton is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/98818907656?pwd=cWZxS09qSndLZDZsYkJScTNkZ0daQT09

Meeting ID: 988 1890 7656
Passcode: fNyEh0

Joe Wicks PE

See if you can fit a workout in with Joe Wicks.

Maths

Having worked on decimals for a while, the next step is to move onto percentages. The key thing to remember when working with them is that percentages are part of 100 or 10. If you have any questions you can either email me or check out a percentages video.It’s American, but it works.

Fractions-to-Percentages Teaching Slides

Developing-Step-1-VF-Fractions-to-Percentages-2

Expected-Step-1-VF-Fractions-to-Percentages-3

Greater-Depth-Step-1-VF-Fractions-to-Percentages-4

Reasoning and Problem Solving

Developing-Step-1-RPS-Fractions-to-Percentages-2

Expected-Step-1-RPS-Fractions-to-Percentages-3

Greater-Depth-Step-1-RPS-Fractions-to-Percentages-4

Literacy

The Machine Gunners Episode 7: A German Friend

I would like you to pause the episode at “‘What are we going to do?’ screamed Clem. ‘He’s a Nazi!’” Should the children turn Rudi in to the authorities or keep him a secret?

Listen to the remaining part of the episode and reflect on the decision the children in the story took. Have you noticed how Robert Westall humanises the ‘enemy’ in this episode?

I would like you to reflect on Rudi’s perspective of the children that they have had to grow up too fast and are behaving like adults.

In this episode it is revealed that the adults have worked out what has happened to the machine gun. With this in mind, I’d like you to write a version of the next episode based on your predictions.

It would help if you could listen to Episode 8 before tomorrow’s Zoom lesson.

Focused reading

What does ‘a call of nature’ mean?
Why did Rudi say ’Dummkopf’ when the children captured him?
Why do you think Rudi went to sleep so quickly?
Why should the children be cautious of Sergeant Green? Explain why.

PSHE

As a good learner, it helps if you can recognise your own achievements.

I would like you to think about a Hall of Fame or Roll of Honour. Think of three or four achievements you are proud of. Choose one that is a personal or school achievement, one about learning, and one that is to do with your family or friends.

Draw a picture of yourself on a blank ‘’. Write your name before writing as much as you can to show what you like or admire about yourself.

Have a good day.

Mr Chiverton

Maths answers

Year-6-Spring-Block-2-Step-1-VF-Fractions-to-Percentages-5

Year-6-Spring-Block-2-Step-1-RPS-Fractions-to-Percentages-5

41 days ago
Posted on January 22, 2021 by Chris Chiverton

Year 6 Homework January 22nd

Hi,

Homework this week is to continue with your spellings. This week they are:

Take a look at the SPaG activity and use your knowledge from your maths this week to answer the decimals activity.

SPaG

Developing-HW-EXT-Fractions-to-Decimals-1-2

Expected-HW-EXT-Fractions-to-Decimals-1-3

Greater-Depth-HW-EXT-Fractions-to-Decimals-1-4

Have a good weekend.

Mr Chiverton

Answers

45 days ago
Posted on January 18, 2021 by Chris Chiverton

Year 6 Home Learning Wednesday January 20th

Hi,

I don’t often say this, but today might be a good time to watch the news. Every four years the USA appoint a new president, and today Donald Trump leaves office to be succeeded by Joe Biden. Let’s hope everything runs smoothly.

I hope yesterday’s Zoom meeting was useful.There will be another Zoom meeting tomorrow at 10:30 to have a look at Literacy. I hope you’ll be able to make it. If you can, a notebook and pencil might be useful.

Mr Chiverton is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Chris Chiverton’s Zoom Meeting
Time: Jan 21, 2021 10:30 AM London

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/93949707196?pwd=YmYyWTFvMkg5c3ZhellyQmIrOUhadz09

Meeting ID: 939 4970 7196
Passcode: se7sZ1

PE : Joe Wicks will be doing new online PE lessons again during this ‘lockdown’ and is available on his Youtube channel.

Maths

Remember to look through the teaching presentation first.

Developing-VF-Fractions-to-Decimals-1-2

Expected-VF-Fractions-to-Decimals-1-3

Greater-Depth-VF-Fractions-to-Decimals-1-4

Reasoning and Problem Solving

Developing-RPS-Fractions-to-Decimals-1-2

Expected-RPS-Fractions-to-Decimals-1-3

Greater-Depth-RPS-Fractions-to-Decimals-1-4

Literacy

Listen to episode 5 of The Machine Gunners. Life at the Fortress.

Towards the end of the episode the fortress is built and the children in the story begin to spend an increasing amount of time there. Listen to the episode again but this time close your eyes and try to visualise the fortress in your mind’s eye as you listen to the description. Which words or phrases help you to imagine the fortress? For example, ‘the long Anderson shelter was as warm as toast’ or ‘Sergeant Jones and Private Nichol lounged on the pink-sprigged mattresses that covered the bunks as content as cats.’

Write a detailed description of the Fortress using detailed language and to include adjectives, similes and metaphors.

Focused Reading

Listen to episode 5 of The Machine Gunners. Life at the Fortress.

What happened to Nicky?
How did the bombing affect the Fortress?
What do the boys all turn to Audrey when Nicky is upset and expect her to know what to do?
Do the children realise what they are doing, and do they still think it’s a game?

History

The Life of an Evacuee

This week, I would like you to learn about the evacuation of children during WW2 and become evacuees!

At the start, write identity cards, on brown card preferably. Sit at your table and try to be solemn and thoughtful, because something important is going to take place. Then take out your tag in silence and sit down again, without discussing anything. On the identity card, consider what is on there, including the destination on the back. Where are you going? How do you feel about having to go to that place? Have you been there before? If you can, research the place they are being ‘sent to’. After some research time, consider what you have learnt. Think about the feelings you may have (Some of you may be excited, others may be heartbroken).

Children in cities in the war were sent, by their families, to safety in the country, as ‘evacuees’.

You are going to find out more about life as an evacuee, using the research questions.

Cut out your tags. Use the ‘tags’ for their research into evacuee life. The tags would be pinned onto your coat, so that people would know who you were and where you were going.

Children might get a carrot lolly (carrots with lolly sticks stuck in them) as a treat for an evacuee child when sugar was rationed but carrots were grown in the countryside.