ICONIC GAMESYEAR 6
TERM 4 · WEEK 1Startup Studio
Startup Studio adventure artwork

YEAR 6 · TERM 4 · WEEK 1

Startup Studio

Startup Studio: extended Year 6 teaching, evidence-based reading, developed writing, multi-step maths and an applied enterprise mission.
0 / 7 missions complete

YOUR WEEKLY JOURNEY

Seven missions. Deeper thinking.

In Year 6, tell us why, test your ideas and make them better.
MISSION 1 · Workshop

Language Lab

I can choose precise academic and technical vocabulary.

Illustrated Word Workshop for exploring words and language.
SHOW ME

“The storm got worse” becomes “The storm intensified as wind speed increased.”

Need more help?
LET'S LEARN

Replace vague words with terms that name the exact process, quality or relationship.

TRY THE EXAMPLE

Improve “The plan was good because it saved stuff.”

YOU TRY

Which approach is strongest when an unfamiliar academic word appears?

EXPLAIN YOUR IDEA

Replace two vague words with precise subject-specific choices. Explain why each replacement improves accuracy.

0 wordsTarget: 45+ words
  • explains language choice
  • uses context or word knowledge
  • creates an accurate example
  • explains effect or precision
MISSION 2 · Library

Evidence Briefing

I can evaluate whether a claim is well supported.

Illustrated Library for reading and investigating sources.
SHOW ME

“Traffic doubled” is stronger with location, time period and actual counts.

Need more help?
LET'S LEARN

Check source, evidence, method, match between data and claim, and important gaps.

TRY THE EXAMPLE

Name one trust-building detail and one unanswered question.

YEAR 6 SOURCE · READ CAREFULLY

Startup Studio begins with a real problem rather than a single obvious answer. Learners develop an enterprise idea around a real user need rather than beginning with a product they personally like. The group must decide what information is reliable, which constraints matter most and what should happen first.\n\nCost estimates, survey responses and trial results provide evidence about feasibility. This evidence is useful, but it does not explain everything by itself. A Year 6 reader separates direct observation from interpretation, checks quantities and conditions, and notices where information is incomplete. If a source uses a number, the reader asks what was measured, over what period and whether the measure answers the actual question.\n\nA second source adds another perspective. Potential customers emphasise usefulness while the maker focuses on production cost and time. The two accounts overlap in some places but emphasise different concerns. One may prioritise efficiency, safety or measurable outcomes while another highlights people, lived experience, environmental effects or long-term consequences. Neither perspective should be dismissed simply because it uses a different kind of evidence.\n\nThe team creates a short evidence table. They mark each detail as measured data, direct observation, expert explanation, historical source, stakeholder viewpoint or prediction. They then connect each detail to a decision criterion. This helps expose weak reasoning: a piece of evidence can be accurate but still irrelevant to the decision being made.\n\nThe final decision is not simply “pick the biggest number” or “choose the cheapest option”. The proposal must calculate break-even thinking and explain what should be tested before scaling. A defensible recommendation connects evidence to criteria, explains trade-offs and identifies at least one limitation. If new evidence appears, the plan should be tested again rather than defended simply because it was the first idea.\n\nThe group’s final note uses three headings: what we know, what we infer, and what we still need to check. This prevents confident language from hiding uncertainty. It also means another learner can follow the reasoning and challenge it. That is the goal of Year 6 evidence work: understand deeply, compare perspectives, calculate carefully and make reasoning visible.

YOU TRY · CHECK THE EVIDENCE

QUESTION 1

Which habit best matches the source’s approach to evidence?

QUESTION 2

Why does the source include a second perspective?

QUESTION 3

What makes the final recommendation defensible?

MISSION 3 · Studio

Communication Studio

I can build a sustained argument with claim, evidence, reasoning and a fair counter-view.

Illustrated Creative Studio for planning and creating work.
SHOW ME

Route B is faster and avoids the flooded ford; both facts reduce response time and risk.

Need more help?
LET'S LEARN

Organise reasons, use evidence, explain why it matters and address a reasonable alternative.

TRY THE EXAMPLE

Draft a CER paragraph and a fair response to an alternative.

PLAN FIRST

YOU TRY · DRAFT

Produce a developed Year 6 argument response for Startup Studio. Organise purposeful paragraphs or sections, use specific evidence or precise detail, and make your reasoning visible.

0 wordsTarget: 220+ words
□ clear audience and purpose□ three developed paragraphs or equivalent□ specific evidence or technical detail□ cohesive links and sentence variety□ reread and revised
REVISE · IMPROVE

Reread your response. Strengthen one evidence-to-reasoning link, improve one vague word or sentence, and make one deliberate structural edit.

0 wordsTarget: 35+ words
MISSION 4 · Maths Lab

Reasoning Lab

I can justify financial decisions using budgets, unit price, profit and percentage change.

Illustrated Maths Lab for exploring numbers, shapes and data.
SHOW ME

Cost $40 and sell $55 gives $15 gross profit before other expenses.

Need more help?
LET'S LEARN

Calculate first, then compare cost, quantity, purpose and constraints.

TRY THE EXAMPLE

Compare two pack sizes by unit price.

WE DO · CHECKPOINT

$240 budget, $186.75 spent. Remaining?

Use the guided strategy above.

YOU TRY · CONNECTED PROBLEMS

MISSION 5 · Mission Deck

Applied Mission

I can develop an enterprise idea using user need, costs, value, risk and evidence.

Illustrated Maths Lab for exploring numbers, shapes and data.
SHOW ME

Test demand with a small batch and calculate break-even quantity.

Need more help?
LET'S LEARN

Test assumptions on a small scale before committing resources.

TRY THE EXAMPLE

Name the user, need, cost risk and one demand test.

PROBLEM

Use the evidence from Startup Studio to make a defensible plan, decision, investigation or design.

EVIDENCE
  • Use at least one numerical or measurable detail.
  • Use at least one qualitative, historical, scientific or stakeholder detail.
  • Separate evidence from assumptions.
  • Record one uncertainty or limitation.
CONSTRAINTS
  • Your solution must meet at least two criteria at the same time.
  • Explain one trade-off rather than pretending every outcome is positive.
  • Include a test, check or trigger for changing the plan.
MISSION 6 · Arcade

Startup Studio Rapid Reasoning

I can retrieve and apply this week’s learning accurately under pressure.

Illustrated Arcade for playing learning challenges.
ROUND 1 / 4SCORE 0

Loading challenge…

MISSION 7 · Clubhouse

Week 1 Check In

I can reflect on the strategy behind my work and identify a useful next step.

Startup Studio learning artwork
WHAKAARO · REFLECT

Which piece of work this week shows your strongest reasoning? Use one specific example, explain the evidence or strategy that helped, and name one improvement you would make next time.

0 wordsTarget: 45+ words

YEAR 6 HOMEWORK CLUB

Your Year 6 progress

Your work saves on this device.

Continue Term 1, Week 1 →