Year 5

This term we will be working on the following topics:

English         

Our focus texts will be The Explorer and Holes 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.

 

Art & Design                 

In our topic Painting & mixed media: Portraits we will develop skills in creating interesting portrait drawings using words, experimenting with materials and techniques, and construct self-portraits that represent aspects of ourselves.

 

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 of 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 code 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 on Thursday 12^th June.

 

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, and 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.

Reminders:

• 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 at least three times a week and an adult should be writing once a week.
• Your child needs to bring in a water bottle every day. 
• 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 pencils, 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 can return to school when they are better. 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 see the school calendar and weekly newsletters for information about events for Year 5.