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Year 5

Welcome to Year 5

Ms Deacon - Dahlia Class: sdeacon@gordon.greenwich.sch.uk

Mrs Olding - Osmanthus Class: aolding@gordon.greenwich.sch.uk

Learning at Gordon Primary School is broad with a wide range of engaging experiences that reinforce key concepts in every subject. It is balanced so that children receive a full and rich curriculum containing all subjects, and implemented well so that children remember in the long term the information and skills they have been taught. We place priority on the children’s personal, social and emotional development because we know this is key to a successful school career and life in general. Our curriculum is designed to engage and meet the needs of all children and enables them to achieve success in all subjects. 

Autumn Term Learning

This term we will be working on the following topics:

English         

Our focus texts will be Clockwork and Beowulf. In response to this text we will write predictions, character analyses, diary entries, persuasive leaflets and letters, as well as focusing on grammar. 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.

At the end of 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 mastery approach to mathematical learning. We will be reading and writing numbers up to 1 000 000 and looking at their place value and rounding to different amounts.

We will move on to the addition and subtraction of whole numbers, using a variety of different methods. Our learning about multiplication and division begins with factors, multiples, square and cube numbers and prime numbers.

We move on to multiplying and dividing 3- and 4-digit numbers by single- and double-digit numbers. After this, we will be solving word problems that involve multiple steps and a variety of operations.

Our final topic for the term will be reading and interpreting information in tables, including timetables and line graphs.

Throughout the term we will be practising and checking our multiplication tables and will continue to develop our fluency skills using the Mastering Number at KS2 programme.

 

Science        

We will be studying Forces.  This includes understanding friction, water resistance and air resistance.  We will be using scientific enquiry to conduct practical investigations.

 

History

Our topic this term is the Saxons and the Vikings. This will include using archaeological evidence from the remains of Sutton Hoo to ask and answer questions. We will be discussing the differences between invading and settling. This will involve debating whether the Saxons did invade. 

 

Art & Design                 

Our topic is architecture. The children will learn how to draw from observation, create a print and draw from different perspectives. They learn about the role of an architect and are challenged to consider why houses look the way they do and if there is scope to change and improve them.

 

Design and Technology

Our topic this term is Doodlers. The children will analyse an existing product that uses a motor, then redesign it with their own preferred configuration and finally teach others how to make one by writing instructions as part of a DIY kit.

 

Music            

In Music this term, we will start by looking at rhythm and notation writing. We will use mat drumming and Lego to develop rhythm reading and compose rhythmic phrases that we will notate. After half-term, we will focus on notation reading and ensemble performance technique, learning songs for Christmas performances.

 

Computing 

Our work in computing will be on sharing information. Children will develop their understanding of computer systems and how information is transferred between systems and devices.

 

Physical Education         

In PE, this term, the children will be learning basketball and hockey skills and then using these to play games.

 

French          

This term children will be learning about the French-speaking world and developing their knowledge of vocabulary through the topic French monster pets.

 

Religious Education (RE)

This term our first topic is Why do people have to stand up for what they believe in? where we will be identifying challenges people face because of their religious beliefs, suggesting ways to create positive change, assessing different points of view, exploring various viewpoints surrounding religious prejudice and considering why there are still issues regarding religious freedom today.

In our topic Why doesn't Christianity always look the same? We will be exploring different Christian practices and the importance of each for different people.

 

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

This term we will be learning about friendships and relationships. This will include managing friendships and peer influences, and respecting ourselves and others.

 

General Information

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 book at least three times a week and an adult should write once a week. 
  • Your child will have PE on Tuesday 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. 
  • 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 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. 

 

Diary Dates

Wednesday 4th September - first day of the Autumn term

Wednesday 11th September - Welcome Meeting for parents and carers (3:25pm / 3:45pm / 4:05pm)

Thursday 26th September - Freshwater Theatre visiting Year 5

Monday 30th September to Wednesday 2nd October - Book Fair

Monday 21st October - School photographer (individual and sibling photos)

Friday 25th October - Inset Day (school closed)

Monday 28th October to Friday 1st November - half-term break

Wednesday 20th November - Flu vaccinations

Friday 20th December - last day of the Autumn term