Welcome to Year 5!

We are so excited for your children to be part of Year 5 - we have so many exciting things planned for this term... 

Our topic this term is Space. In English, the children do research and create a fact file about a planet of their choice and then create a weird and wonderful alien character to live there.  We also read a novel called, 'The Iron Man' by Ted Hughes. It is about an Iron Man who came to the top of the cliff. Where had he come from? Nobody knows. How was he made? Nobody knows. Mankind must put a stop to the dreadful destruction by the Iron Man and set a trap for him, but he cannot be kept down. Then, when a terrible monster from outer space threatens to lay waste to the planet, it is the Iron Man who finds a way to save the world. Reading this gripping novel is a fantastic way for the children to learn comprehension skills of inference, predicting, explaining and summarising.  And it produces brilliant writing too!  The children will also read a range of non-fiction, including 'First Man on the Moon' by Ben Hubbard and a narrative non-fiction book called, 'Counting on Katherine' by Helaine Becker. 

In maths, the children will be focusing on number skills.  They will learn about place value and addition and subtraction.

Our science topic, about our planets and the solar system, encourages the children to also think about day and night, the moon and complete a shadow investigation.  This links in perfectly with our music lessons, in which the children will listen to The Planets, a seven-movement orchestral suite by the English composer Gustav Holst, written between 1914 and 1917. We will also be looking at different instruments and what musical sounds could represent a 'Journey Through Space' themed music!

In our topic lessons, we have a geography focus. We will be thinking about North America. We will be looking at the British Isles and comparing the physical and human features to areas of North America.   

During computing this term, we are learning about computers and networks, and will also research about our planet for our English writing. In French, we will be learning about items in the classroom and in PSHE we will be considering role models. 

In our art and D.T lessons, as well as creating self-portraits, the children will learn how to create wonderfully galactic art work.  They will use paint, sponges and pastels to hone their skills and techniques.  The topic will conclude with a rocket building project, in which the children will work collaboratively to design and make their own rockets.  

During our R.E lessons, the children will consider the overarching question: What would Jesus do? They will think about what love is, discuss generosity and greed, and think about why forgiveness is important. They will also learn about Mother Teresa.

We are very lucky this term as we have an extra hour of PE. On a Monday, we will have cricket provision provided by Kent Cricket. On a Wednesday, Miss Dodsworth will teach Lacrosse and on a Thursday, the children will learn netball. 

With lots of changes happening in school, we want to highlight a few changes in Year 5.

Homework:

Each week we will be asking children to complete a range of pieces of homework which will cover maths, reading, spellings and topic.

Maths - Every week, MyMaths is updated with activities that are relevant to the topics taught in class. Before completing these activities, the children should read through the teaching slides to remind and support them in their learning.  The children should also be regularly logging on to TTRockstars to retain speedy recall of all the times tables up to 12x12. 

Reading - We expect the children to be reading for at least 20minutes a day.  It is very good practice for the children to be reading with an adult so that discussions and questioning can clarify meaning and spark further interest. We ask that when reading (whether your child reads independently or with someone) you sign their reading records. This shows us that the children are completing their learning and indicates to us who needs further support or encouragement to read in school. Reading Record Books are reviewed every Friday.

Spellings - Every Wednesday, the children will receive a new spelling list. Please support your children with practising these.

Topic - Every term, the children will receive a topic grid with provides them with a range of activities relating to that term's topic.  The children are welcome to complete as many as they wish!

As always, please check the website and Class Dojo regularly for updates.

PE:

In Term 1, our PE days are on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Everyone must wear a school PE kit and suitable trainers. Children can come into school in their PE kits on these days. 

Communication:

Finally, we will continue to use Class Dojo to communicate with parents and to provide any necessary updates with the classes, as well as updating the school website on the class pages.

Thanks for your support,

Mrs Kinnear, Mrs Williams and Mrs Lloyd