Unit 3 (Year 5 and Year 6)
In Unit 3 our main aim is to encourage each child to become independent in their learning and in their personal organisation. During these last two years in Primary, we need to set in place the foundations for concentrated, independent, self-motivated study before children enter Secondary School.
We endeavour to make as many cross curricular links as possible, helping children to understand the need to link the work they do in school to real life situations. We use a range of teaching methods to suit different styles of learning. At this stage we encourage children to think about their own learning style, in order for them to become active learners.
As the oldest children in Primary, Year 5 and Year 6 pupils have the opportunity to take part in a number of responsible roles including the Student Council and leadership of our four houses (Aqaba, Jerash, Petra, Wadi Rum). We encourage them to use the skills they have learned to be responsible, caring individuals in school and good ambassadors for the ICS in the local community.
Literacy
In Literacy we aim to offer children a language experience which integrates speaking and listening skills with reading and writing skills. Children learn about language, and they also learn through language. Talk and discussion are encouraged in every curriculum area, through the use of learning or talk partners and small groups.
Our focus on reading in Unit 3 aims to develop higher level reading skills, not just technical reading. As their reading abilities develop, children read for pleasure and information, learn to locate and use books for a variety of purposes and develop the higher order comprehension skills.
The ability to write clearly and expressively is developed through the "Big Writing" programme.
We follow the National Curriculum for England’s Primary Framework for Literacy.
This identifies twelve clear strands as essential areas of focus:
- Speaking and listening for a wide range of purposes in different contexts
- Group discussion and focus
- Drama
- Reading and writing for a range of purposes on paper and screen
- Word recognition - decoding (reading) and encoding (spelling)
- Word structure and spelling
- Understanding and interpreting texts
- Engaging with and responding to texts
- Creating and shaping texts
- Text structure and organisation
- Sentence structure and punctuation
- Presentation
These strands are then arranged into blocks of learning which focus on narrative, non-fiction, poetry and additional text based units. These are subsequently sub-divided into units which include:
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Mathematics
We use the revised primary framework for mathematics. This programme places an increased emphasis on using and applying maths in a variety of problem solving contexts. We develop estimation skills and problem-solving skills using relevant real life examples. We use discussion, hands-on experience with materials and active learning, as well as encouraging the development of mathematical language in communicating ideas.
The curriculum consists of 7 strands, which are covered at different levels in each year group:
- Using and applying mathematics
- Counting and understanding numbers
- Knowing and using number facts
- Calculating
- Understanding shape
- Measuring
- Handling Data
These strands are organised into five blocks which are visited approximately once a term:
- Block A: Counting, partitioning and calculating
- Block B: Securing number facts and understanding shape
- Block C: Handling data and measures
- Block D: Calculating, measuring and understanding shape.
- Block E: Securing number facts, relationships and calculating
In Unit 3, children are introduced to, and use, the ‘My Maths’ program also used in secondary school: http://www.mymaths.co.uk/.
Topics
Each year we cover a number of different topics with the aim of building skills in individual and group research, practical experience and independent learning. All Unit 3 teachers work closely together to plan for the year in order to ensure a consistent and challenging delivery of the curriculum. The work the children will do will be targeted to suit their particular needs.
The Unit 3 topics are outlined in the Unit 3 Two Year Planning.
Learning a Language
At ICS children have the opportunity to study another language as part of our broad and balanced curriculum. Children in Year 5 and Year 6 can choose between Arabic or French. These languages are taught three times a week as part of our Primary curriculum. Children who join us with very little English are offered additional English classes at this time until they are confident enough to learn another language.
Transition - Moving from Primary to Secondary
The transition from Year 6 into Year 7, whilst exciting, can be daunting for some students and parents. We aim to support our students with this move to Year 7 so they can begin their secondary school career confidently, enabling them to display all of their skills and abilities.
Support is offered in a number of ways including:
- Parents meeting with Year 7 staff
- Visits to Secondary classes for specific activities e.g. use of science labs during science weeks
- Visits to the Year 6 classrooms by some Year 7 staff and the Pastoral Deputy Head of Secondary.
- A "Year 7 Taster Day" for all Year 6 students in June
- Year 6 staff have face to face meetings with Year 7 staff to pass on information about attainment, friendship groups, etc.
Whether your child is in Year 6 or Year 7, please be reassured that staff have the same aim… that of supporting students' personal development and their enjoyment for and success in learning.
Download the Primary handbook for Parents.
Download the Foundation stage handbook
