English         

Our focus texts will be The London Eye Mystery, Holes and The Tempest and in response to these texts we will write predictions, character analyses, first person accounts, narratives, diary entries, explanations, letters and chronological reports. We will also be using co-operative improvement to edit and improve our writing.

In our whole class guided reading sessions, we will read a range of fiction and non-fiction texts. We will focus on a different type of question in each session, including retrieval, vocabulary, inference and deduction. We will have a big focus on using evidence from the text to support our answers.

Each day we will spend 10 minutes reading for pleasure. This will vary each day but will include quiet reading, sharing book reviews and teacher-led reading.

Maths           

We will be using the Maths No Problem scheme to support our mathematical learning. We will be learning how to name and plot co-ordinates, describe translations and movements of shapes on a grid.

We shall learn how to convert units of length, mass and time.

We will also be finding the perimeter and area of shapes.

We will learn to learn about volume. This will include finding the volume of solids, finding the capacity of rectangular boxes, converting units of volume and solving word problems involving volume.

Science        

We will be studying Properties and Changes of Materials.  This includes grouping solids, separating solids, separating solids and liquids and dissolving. This unit will include lots of exciting practical investigations. 

History

Our topic this term is Maya Civilisation. We will be drawing from our previous learning about the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings and making comparisons with the Maya Civilisation focusing on their customs and culture. We have booked an interactive workshop which will take place on Thursday 16th May.

Art & Design                 

In our topic Design for Purpose we will be designing purposeful, functional, appealing products for themselves and other users.

Design and Technology (DT)

Our topic this term is What could be healthier? We will learn about the farm to fork process, understand the key welfare issues for rearing cattle. Compare the nutritional value of existing sauces and develop a healthier recipe.

Music            

In Music this term, Year 5 will see modern tech sounds meet more traditional orchestral music. Using Gabriel Prokofiev’s concerto as a starting point, they will use iPad and music technology to look at electronic sounds and mix these with classroom percussion to modernise nursery rhymes, create grooves and learn to ‘juggle’ sounds and create a cadenza.

After half-term, students will listen to and reflect on Grażyna Bacewicz’s Overture and to other music that uses Morse as a starting point. They will use chosen words in Morse code to form the basis of small group compositions. ​

Computing 

Our work in computing will include coding using Scratch to make quizzes. 

We will continue to develop our programming skills using the Crumble. In this unit, the children will use physical computing to explore the concept of selection in programming through the use of the Crumble programming environment.

Physical Education (PE)              

This term the children will focus on athletics, in preparation for Sports Day. They will be taking part in a dance workshop in preparation for a whole school dance performance.

French          

We will be learning key vocabulary and phrases through the following topics: Verbs in the French week and Meet my French Family.

Religious Education (RE)

This term our topic is Who should get to be in charge? with a focus on Sikhism and Islam. We will also study Why are some places in the world significant to believers? in which we will learn about places that are important to Jews, Buddhists and Christians.

Personal, Social & Health Education (PSHE) / Sex & Relationships Education (SRE)  

This term we will be learning about personal hygiene, the importance of sleep and diversity.

• Your child should read for at least 10 minutes every day. It is also important that an adult continues to read with your child. Please talk to your child about the book and check their understanding by asking questions about events and the characters’ actions. Please also explain new or unfamiliar vocabulary. Their reading book and reading record should come into school every day. Children should be recording in their Reading Record book at least three times a week and an adult should write a comment once a week.
• Your child will have PE on Monday and Wednesday. Their PE kit should stay in school in a named draw-string bag.
• Your child needs to bring a water bottle every day.
• The weather is often cold at this time of year and the children will go out to play if there is light rain. It is important that your child has a waterproof coat, gloves, hat and a scarf.
• We are a Healthy School. Please do not put sweets or chocolate bars in your child’s packed lunch. Please do not send in sweets or other treats when it is your child’s birthday. If you want to celebrate your child’s birthday with their classmates, you could buy the class a book, send in a healthy snack such as boxes of raisins or buy stationery such as a pencil, but due to the impact on the environment, we ask you not to send in plastic toys.
• If your child is absent from school, please contact the school office: 020 8850 5486 and leave a message detailing why your child is absent. If your child has had an upset stomach, they should remain at home until they have been clear of symptoms for 48 hours. Please try to book medical appointments outside the school day and note that family holidays will not be authorised.
• If you have any questions or wish to raise a concern, please contact the class teacher in the first instance. Please use the email addresses above. 

Please note the following events and add them to your diary:

• w/c Monday 22nd - Year 5 Bikeability cycle training
• Friday 26th April - Cake Sale and Pre-Loved Uniform Sale
• Monday 29th April - Class photographs
• Thursday 2nd May - Local elections (Sports Hall) – school open as usual
• Monday 6th May - Bank Holiday – school closed
• Tuesday 7th May - Royal Greenwich Singing Spectacular concert (evening)
• Wednesday 15th May - Year 5 first aid training 
• 20th to 24th May - Walk to School Week
• 27th to 31st May - Half-term break
• Monday 3rd June - Inset Day – school closed
• Tuesday 4th June - Children return to school
• Friday 14th June - Sports Day for Years 3 to 6 (morning)
• 17th to 21st June - Dance workshops for all year groups
• 9th to 11th July - Gordon Exhibition 
• Friday 19th July - 120th Anniversary Party 
• Wednesday 24th July - last day of the Summer term - school closes at 1:30pm