New to Y6

[roaringwater]

I've just been told I'm being moved to Y6 from September. I'm quite pleased about it but I'm aware it's a scary time to make the move with new SATS coming in.

Any top tips for teachers new to Year 6?

Thanks in advance

[FlamingoSausage]

Only an NQT but I guess i learnt from being thrown in the deep end (lots of this is hindsight)!
Go in tough in terms of homework, expectations on quality and quantity of work and be consistent. It can be a huge workload in terms of marking so try your best to get systems in place from day 1 (checklists? a certain lunchtime where you keep any who didn't bring homework in?)
Just because they are big and independent don't assume anything, they still need routines to be taught, lots of praise, rewards, clear boundaries. They actually still respond very much to the consistency and little rules.
Get your TA (if you have one) on board to help out with little bits of marking, checking reading records and little jobs like that.
Teach them study skills, only just finding out some of mine just have absolutely no idea how to revise. I'm in a tough school where parents aren't very involved so they need even more to be told how to revise.
Give them treats related to being role models - can they be house captains, assembly prefects, playground buddies etc.
Enjoy the higher-level conversation and relationship you can have with them, it is what keeps me going. 30 of them can seem a lot (they fill more space!) so I sometimes think of 3-4 children per week to really focus on making sure I have a time to have a 5 minute chat with them and 'check in' that they are happy,know their targets and just have a chitchat to build that relationship.
As much as I hate it, do refer to targets for each SATs subject early on and get them in the habit of always having a personal target (e.g. I need to use modifiers in my writing this week) and make them very aware of the levels/criteria for writing especially. The more you push in Autumn the easier Spring will be.

[RoosterCogburnIsInTheJakes]

Teaching Year Six can be challenging, but it can also be hugely rewarding.

TBH most of the techniques you would apply to any year group will work

Be firm, fair and consistent
Develop routines, involve the pupils in seeing these are followed. If necessary adapt the routines to suit your pupils - include them in discussing any changes implemented
Have high expectations
Allow them some autonomy in the classroom - e.g. include them in decisions about display or allow them to work with you to spend your stationery budget
Give them responsibility - if possible liaise with other classes so that your pupils can act as mentors
Praise and encourage, they will respond to positive reinforcement
Encourage independent learning skills

Have fun - Year Six can be fabulous.

[phlebasconsidered]

In the hell of sats, make one lesson a week a joy. Do Scratch, art, just run around, put on Just Dance. They bloody need it.

Prepare them. Give them a clear plastic folder/pencil case with their equipment and force them to learn to look after it. There will be no mercy for ill equipped kids in Year seven and no pots of pens.

Agree with prior posters: jobs, jobs, jobs.

Teach them the exam technique but show them that you value, and other people value, their other skills as well. Teach resilience. That is really important. Teach care. Ask them to buddy younger students. In lessons, let them share and teach.

Secretly know that sats mean duck all.

Be prepared to spend a lot of time on a leavers assembly, and cry.

Watch for dark horses. They do emerge. Children that have been coasting that the massive amount of sats questions smoke out and you realise they have been.hiding.

Celebrate small successes.

Use the morning task. I swear mine has totally nailed levelling sentences and clauses this term. Make games for everything.

Remember they are ten and eleven. Smelly stickers, badges, wristbands, still work.

I love year six, I hate it. High pressure but large return.

[roaringwater]

Thank you everyone for your great suggestions.

Think I will go for the pencil case idea (backup pens etc in my drawer) to start to teach them that sort of responsibility for their own resources.

They will be given reception class 'buddies' to look after but I'll try to think of other responsibilities too.

It's daunting, given the changes to SATs too, but I'm looking forward to it.