Can We Save the Tiger? By Martin Jenkins and Vicky White

Over the next three weeks, the children will be exploring this non-fiction book, alongside the poem The Tyger, by William Blake. The book provides factual information about species that are extinct, near extinction, or have been saved from extinction. It includes information about where they can be found, size, life span, habits, breeding, and the number left. The book highlights the ways human behaviour can either threaten or conserve the amazing animals that share our planet. The book has breath-taking illustrations and offers a glimpse of nature's grace and beauty.

Before reading the text, the children will be exploring an argument from another group's perspective. During the sequence of learning, they will be creating posters, persuasive speeches and poems. Their final outcomes will give them the opportunity to research an animal of their choice, before writing and publishing a discussion text. Look out for our amazing work! 

Ruin

During the first half of the spring term, our writing will be based on a post-apocalyptic film, Ruin. Using 'DADWAVERS' techniques, the children will be building their use of description to 'show and not tell' the reader, creating a fast-paced narrative. This unit allows the children to unlock their creativity and even provides them with the opportunity to include a flashback in their writing.

Although this means we aren't responding to a text, the children will be used the skill of inference to unpick the main characters actions.  

Alongside this unit, Mrs Garlick will be reading the chapter book, 'The Fart that Changed the Word, by Stephen Mangan'. Mrs G spotted it on the shelf in Waterstones and had to bring it into 6S!! (6S love a little bit of humour!)

                             The Nowhere Emporium, By Ross Mackenzie   

The Nowhere Emporium is a book about a magical shop that has been stolen and vanished without a trace. The shop is a time-traveling shop that appears at any time and in any city. Daniel, who ventured into the shop to escape bullies, becomes Mr. Silver's apprentice and learns the secrets of the Emporium's vast labyrinth of passageways and rooms. However, when Mr. Silver disappears, the Emporium and all its wonders begin to crumble.

Throughout their study of the novel, the children will be working towards writing their own stories, which will be based on chapters 1-9. 

   The Promise by Nicola Davies 

The Promise is a picture book of great beauty and hope about the power we have to transform our world.

On a mean street in a mean city, a thief tries to snatch an old woman’s bag. But she finds she can’t have it without promising something in return – to “plant them all”. When it turns out the bag is full of acorns, the young thief embarks on a journey that changes her own life and the lives of others for generations to come. Inspired by the belief that a relationship with nature is essential to every human being, and that now, more than ever, we need to renew that relationship, The Promise is the story of a magical discovery that has touched the heart and imagination of each one of us. With poignant simplicity, honesty and lyricism, Nicola Davies evokes a powerful vision of a world where people and nature live in harmony. 

This book will be a stimulus for our writing, as we create a cyclical version. 

We love a picture book in Year 6!! 

 Pig Heart Boy by Malorie Blackman

Pig Heart Boy is a children's novel by Malorie Blackman. It tells the story of Cameron, a 13-year-old boy with serious heart problems, who needs a heart transplant to survive. The only chance for him is an experimental and controversial transplant with a heart taken from a pig.

Will Cameron go ahead with the transplant?

Pig Heart Boy will be enjoyed in the classroom but also used as a stimulus to support our writing. We will be producing a persuasive letter, as well as a newspaper report. 

Recommended reads by the same author:

• Naughts and Crosses (series)
• Girl Wonder (series)
• Chasing the Stars