Welcome back. I hope everyone had a lovely summer and enjoyed the fabulous weather. It’s great to have Primary 6 back. They have all settled into their new classroom and have been brilliant remembering all the routines around the school.  

Firstly, I would like to introduce myself; my name is Miss McKenna, and I am thrilled to be joining the Mount Carmel team. I am from Glasgow and some of my interests include travelling, hiking, and going long walks with my dog Alfie. I have lived and taught in Spain previously and I am looking forward to this new chapter teaching at Mount Carmel and getting to know you all over the coming year.  

Below is an overview of the learning and teaching taking place in P6 this term.  

Literacy 

Reading  

Our class novel and topic this term is Wonder. The pupils will complete Active Reading tasks related to this novel. In Primary 6 most pupils will be expected to quote from the text when answering comprehension questions. This will be modelled by the teacher. Most pupils will complete daily reading to writing tasks associated with the novel. This novel has links to other areas of the curriculum such as Expressive Arts and Health and Wellbeing. We have already begun reading it together and the children are enjoying the humour and the message it delivers – Choose Kind.  

Writing 

Our writing day will be a Wednesday. The pupils will have the opportunity to discuss and plan their writing the day before. This term Primary 6 will be focusing on Descriptive writing. The pupils will use the Active Literacy description bubble template to structure their writing. Primary 6 will focus a different aspect of grammar/punctuation each week with the expectation they use this in their formal writing. Some pupils will be expected to up-level their writing by using tools such as thesauri and the VCOP pyramid.  

Spelling 

The spelling groups will continue to experience the Active Literacy spelling program, this will introduce common words and focus phonemes pertinent to their level and stage. The pupils will revise the Active Spelling strategies throughout Term 1, these include diacritical marking, syllabification and words within words.  

Numeracy 

This term P6 will focus on Place Value (whole number and decimals) and Rounding and Estimation. Beyond Number topics will be 3D shape, Angles and Symmetry and Probability. The pupils will experience activities at their stage and level. The revision of multiplication tables will be encouraged across all groups. Sumdog and Topmarks games can help with the rigour of times tables at home.  

Health and Wellbeing 

The focus this term is Friendships and Relationships, Change, and Kindness. These are core themes in the novel Wonder. These themes also tie in nicely with our PATHS lessons. P6 will complete two PATHS lessons a week. Each pupil has a ‘check in’ card in their tray which they can complete at various points in the day. This allows the teacher to see how pupils are feeling. The ‘Pupil of the Day’ is up and running. This year we are complementing each other based on each other’s skills and talents. 

Our PE days are Thursday and Friday. Pupils are asked to come dressed for PE on these days – school uniform on top but leggings, joggers, trainers can be worn on the bottom. The focus in PE this term is Rugby with the Kilmarnock Rugby Club (Thursday’s) and Hockey with the class teacher on a Friday.  

Expressive Arts 

Through our class novel P6 will have the opportunity to experience activities in Music, Drama and Art activities pertinent to their level and stage. The Charanga music teaching tool allows pupils to discuss and learn about different genres of music, rhythm and tempo and instruments. It also allows them to sing different genres as well – now we can sing together again! 

RME  

Throughout Primary 6 the pupils will listen to and engage with stories from the Gospel of Matthew. This term P6 will also reflect on their own gifts and talents and discuss and learn about inspirational people who use their gifts to enhance the world.  

In Primary 6 we promote hard work and amazing attitudes. Our reward card system allows pupils to gain reward cards for Wonderful Work, Amazing Attitude, and being a ‘Superstar’. When the pupils gain five cards, they can choose an individual reward. They can also choose to go for a class reward once everyone reaches five reward cards; this promotes teamwork within the class.  

If you have any queries or questions, please contact the school directly.  

Thank you for your support and I look forward to a wonderful year in Primary 6.  

Miss McKenna