Year 5

This term we will be working on the following topics:

English         

Our focus texts will be Beowulf, Clockwork and When the Mountains Roared. In response to these texts, 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 Anglo-Saxons. 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 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

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, 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. The 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 our topic will be French Monster Pets. The children will be reviewing previously known words, learning to notice cognates and near cognates, using French dictionaries, recognising and sorting nouns by gender and number, and to explain the effect this may have on an adjective and modifying sentences to use the correct articles/pronouns (un/une and il/elle) according to gender.

 

Religious Education (RE)

This term our first topic is Commitment where we will discuss the concept of commitment in both religious and non-religious ceremonies and daily life.

The children will find out about non-religious, Jewish and Christian coming-of-age ceremonies, fasting within Islam and marriage within Hinduism. The children will then apply their learning by planning their own commitment ceremony and consider the changes they might make in their lives for the benefit of themselves and others.

 

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.

Reminders:

• Your child should read for at least 15 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.
• 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. 

Please see the school calendar and weekly newsletters for information about events for Year 5.