7th May 2007

This week, we thought that it may be an idea to go through each of the SATs subjects in a kind of ‘list’ of possible areas that could come up on the tests. Of course, you still have your revision books and the SAT Attack books for reference.

Before you start wading through the books though, remember that there is only one week left and it is important that you get enough rest, exercise, nourishment and sleep, in order for you to be alert enough to show off how much you know.

If you are planning to get the things that you need for the tests together over the weekend, here’s a list of what you need to bring each day:

3 pens and 3 pencils
A rubber
Pencil sharpener (the ones that have their own container built-in are really good!)

(All of these need to be in a see through plastic bag, as you aren’t allowed to take pencil cases into the hall on the day)

We do have all of this in school, but we know lots of you prefer using your own favourite pencil or pen! This is also the case with the maths equipment, such as calculators, protractors etc.

You can also bring a water bottle each day, but make sure it has a sports cap so that you don’t spill it all over your paper! Also, if you do have a lucky mascot (aka a SMALL teddy) you are allowed to have that on your desk too – just make sure you still have enough space to put your test paper on!

Of course all of this applies to the Year 5 children as well, as you too will be doing your tests the same week.

Literacy

http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/jeather/writingfun/writingfun.html If you click on this link, it will give you the key features of all the genres listed below AND examples of what they should look like when they are written.

Here is a list of possible genres that you may either have to read or write about. Do you know the key features? What should each of them look like? Should you write them in the first or the third person? How should you end it?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/reading/typesoftext/index.shtml this site helps you to identify what each genre, or text type should include .

Click on each of the links to give you further information and some possible questions or examples.

Information Report
http://www.schooltrain.info/powerpoint/elephant_report.ppt you will need to have PowerPoint on your computer for this example. If you were editing this piece, what would you do to improve it?

Instructions
http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/grammar/texttypes/instructions/
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/Phase2delivery/Wales/Literacy/Keystage2/Writing/Instructions/Introduction/default.htm
Recount
http://www.lancsngfl.ac.uk/curriculum/literacy/lit_site/html/non_fiction/war/index.htm
http://www.innovationslearning.co.uk/subjects/english/activities/statements_opinions/state_opin_home.htm
Explanation

Persuasion
http://www.little-g.com/shockwave/hotel.html
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/writing/index.asp?topic=Persuasive
http://www.kidsonthenet.org.uk/dragonsville/poster.htm making a persuasive poster – remember all those verbs you could use!
http://www.dragonsville.com/ a fun site to navigate around for lots of ideas to boost your writing

Discussion

Narrative
http://www.coxhoe.durham.sch.uk/Curriculum/Literacy.htm scroll down to Key Stage 2 Fiction and there are some fantastic links there for you to use.

Diary
http://www.athena.bham.org.uk/diary.htm

Autobiography
http://www.athena.bham.org.uk/autob.htm

Description

Poetry
http://www.lancsngfl.ac.uk/curriculum/literacy/lit_site/html/fiction/narrative/index.htm
http://www.lancsngfl.ac.uk/curriculum/literacy/lit_site/html/fiction/my_monster/index.htm

E-Mail
Letter

http://www.athena.bham.org.uk/formalletter1.htm

Invitation
Newspaper Report

http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/big_news/eng/Introduct/default.htm
http://www.headlinehistory.co.uk/swf/main_launcher.htm we looked at this one last week, and you wrote some fantastic reports about the Pelican Tooth Puller!!
http://www.innovationslearning.co.uk/subjects/english/activities/playscript/play_home.asp click on this link to write your own play. You have to choose your own setting, scenario and characters, but it gives you some fantastic ideas of how to really get to grips with a play.

Numeracy

http://del.icio.us/mathslinks This link is your ‘one stop shop’ for all of the following maths. Just look down the menu on the right hand side of the screen, and click on the are you wish to follow.

Calculating – using all four rules

Counting and Understanding number – multiples, decimals, fractions, estimating, greater than and less than, percentages, place value, partitioning, ordering fractions and numbers, ratio, positive and negative, functions, rounding

Handling Data – classifying and sorting, line graphs, bar graphs, discrete data graphs, mode, median, mean and range, probability

Knowing and using number facts – times tables, number bonds, division, doubling and halving,

Shape – 2D and 3D shape, angles, co-ordinates, symmetry, position, movement, tangrams

Using and Applying – decimals problems, money, fractions, puzzles,

Measuring – area, perimeter, length, mass, time, temperature, volume, capacity

Science

http://www.coxhoe.durham.sch.uk/Curriculum/Science.htm

Living Things – habitats, plants and animals, sorting and keys, life processes, life cycles, micro-organisms, food chains

http://www.innovationslearning.co.uk/subjects/science/activities/habitats/habitats_home.htm choose a habitat and see which animals live there in the wild
http://www.planetarkive.org/games/designAHabitat.html build your own habitat for your chosen animal
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/10_11/interdependence.shtml BBC science clips - we love this one!
http://www.planetarkive.org/habitats.html this is a lovely site! Just click the habitat you want and then remember to click again on the picture of the chosen habitat. There are some really good photographs on this site!
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/minbeasts/eng/Introduction/default.htm drag and drop the minibeasts into the correct jar, by selecting main part of the lesson 1.
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=lcycles5b label the life cycle diagram of a flowering plant
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=lcycles5b label the part of a flower
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/ks2science.html lots of great interactive activities which are particularly good at labelling diagrams in science.
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/gpe/ the great plant escape!!!
http://www.buginvestigators.co.uk/ everybody loved this one in class!
http://www.acocksgreen.bham.sch.uk/sciencezone/science/lifecycles/LifeCyclesQuiz.html make your own food chain by clicking on the downward arrows

Humans – moving and growing, health, teeth, smoking, drugs

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/8_9/moving_growing.shtml
http://www.acocksgreen.bham.sch.uk/sciencezone/science/ourbodies/KeepingHealthyInfo.html some revision questions to help with the keeping healthy topic
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=teeth label the teeth, but can you say what the function of each of the teeth are?
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/need_my_teeth/eng/Introduction/ why do you need your teeth? This is quite simple to follow.
Materials – sorting and properties, rocks, solids liquids and gases, changing materials
http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks2/science/material_matters/index.htm find out about properties of materials by clicking on the dartboard.
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/rocks/eng/Introduction/default.htm exploring rocks
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/phase4_20030801/Wales/Science/Keystage2/Lifeprocessesan/Anonlinesoilexp/Introduction/default.htm investigating properties of soil
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/9_10/gases.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/8_9/solid_liquids.shtml
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/Phase2delivery/Wales/Science/Keystage2/Materialsandthe/Floatingandsink/Introduction/default.htm testing the thickness of a liquid and finding out if this affects the ability of an object to float in it
http://www.acocksgreen.bham.sch.uk/sciencezone/science/changingstate/MaterialsInfo.html changing state revision

Physical Processes – electricity, earth and space, light and shadows, sound, forces

http://www.andythelwell.com/blobz/ this is by far this best and most interesting site we have come across this year. The characters really make the ideas and facts stick in your head.
http://www.acocksgreen.bham.sch.uk/sciencezone/science/earthmoonsun/EarthMoonSunInfo.html earth and space revision
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/earth_and_space/eng/Introduction/default.htm you might be starting to realise that there are some great resources on this website!!
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/Phase2delivery/Wales/WalesSynd_20030219/Science/Keystage2/Physicalprocess/Shadows/Introduction/default.htm this site will take you through some of those important comparative questions – the ‘ER’ questions!!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/10_11/see_things.shtml can you remember which materials are transparent, translucent, or opaque? Remember when drawing arrows on diagrams, the arrow has to point FROM the light source TO the object!!
http://www.seekscience.org/interact/ click on any of the light, sound or forces adventures for your revision. We have used these since Year 3 in class, so you should be really familiar with them!

Phew! By no means do we expect you to go on all of these sites, but we thought that it may help to have some of the links we have used in class this year in one, easy to find place.
You have all worked extremely hard over the last year (well, since Foundation Stage really!) and now is your chance to shine! If you do have moments of panic and ‘I can’t remember anything’, come and speak to any of the teachers and we will do our best to help. The important thing to remember is, that we want you to do your best...after all, that’s all anyone can ask.

And finally...

There were lots of people without PE kit last week, in particular correct footwear. Unfortunately, due to Health and Safety reasons, we are not able to let you take part in PE lessons in your school shoes. Pumps or trainers have the correct soles for outdoor use, so please ensure that you have the correct kit and footwear in school every day. Because of the fine weather, we may be able to use the field and outdoor area on more than just our designated PE days, so please remember to have your kit in school every day.

Correct kit for the summer term is:

White T-shirt
Royal Blue shorts
Black Pumps or trainers
Also, remember that there should be NO JEWELLRY worn during PE sessions.

Just to let you know also, that Mrs Worrall is back with her class full time from this week, as we said goodbye to Miss Hamill on Friday.

That’s all for this week, in what feels like the longest blog ever!

Year 5/6 team