Welcome to Year 5
Class Teachers: Mr Coleman and Mrs Noonan
Teaching Assistants: Ms Royer and Mrs Warty
Welcome to Year 5. We are really looking forward to the year ahead and seeing the children continue to grow in confidence and blossom as individuals. After spending some time settling back into school, renewing our friendships and making new ones with our new friends we are going to be working hard and making a great start to Upper Key Stage 2! As well as our engaging learning in the classroom, we will also have some great trips and exciting events happening in school.
Spring 1
In the spring term we will be starting new units of work for all reads of the curriculum. We will also be taking part in STEM week, focusing on science, maths, engineering and maths. During this week we will also be taking part in our next DT day.
English
Our theme in English for this half term is Sci-Fi. We will be reading Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce as our inspiration for our writing. We will also be creating new paper reports on UFO sightings looking at using the features of a newspaper report in our writing.
Maths
We are starting this term learning about multiplication and division. The main focus will be on using formal methods of these calculations.
Then our next topics before the half term will be fractions, decimals and percentages.
RE
We will be answering the big question
“How did the first five gurus shape Sikhism?’
We will be focusing on exploring these questions in our lessons
How did Nanak become Sikhi’s first Guru?
Why is the Guru Granth Sahib important to Sikhs?
How is equality shown in the langar?
What does a Sikh wedding ceremony tell us about Sikh beliefs about marriage?
What was Guru Arjun Dev’s greatest achievement?
Key Vocabulary and definitions to support learning
Anand Karaj: The ceremony of bliss – wedding ceremony.
Anand Karaj: The marriage ceremony.
Gurdwara: The doorway to the Guru; Sikh place of Worship.
Guru: Teacher (In Sikhism there are 10 human Gurus and their Holy Book is the 11th)
Guru Granth Sahib: Sikh Scriptures.
Granthi: Person who reads the Guru Granth Sahib.
Khanda: Sikh symbol on the Sikh flag and double-edged sword.
Karah parshad: Food which is shared at the gurdwara.
Langar: The Guru’s Kitchen – the meal served in the gurdwara after diwan (worship), or the place where it is served.
Lavan: Hymn used in Sikh marriage ceremony.
Naam Karan: Naming ceremony.
Sewa: Selfless service.
Sikh: Punjabi word for disciple.
Science
Everyday materials
We will be exploring materials around us and their properties. We will be testing the materials and their effectiveness for the environments they are in.
History
Exploring Multicultural Hammersmith
In our local area history topic we will exploring multicultural Hammersmith and how significant events in history has shaped Hammersmith today. We will be focusing on significant events in history such as Windrush and learning about its impact on Hammersmith today.
Geography
Investigating Climate and Biomes
This unit will teach us all about the climate. We will learn what the five main types of biomes in the world area and what habitats and vegetation they include.
Have a look at the great resources on BBC Bitesize to learn more about this topic https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zvsp92p#zmvsf82
Music
In music this half term we will be focusing on the song ‘Make you feel my love’ by Adele. We will continue to use instruments such as the glockenspiels to explore the melodic sound of this piece.
Why not listen and learn the lyrics here
Art
Andy Goldsworthy – Photography
We will be learning photography skills in art this half term and will be inspired by the artist Andy Goldsworthy and his use of real materials to create pictures, photographs and sculptures.
Computing
‘We are artists’
We will be investigating using computing programs such as scratch to create computer generated images. We will be learning about tessellation and how to write code to produce tessellating images such as these.
RSHE
‘Dreams and Goals’
Our RSHE lessons will be focusing on our dreams and goals. Focusing on aspirations and how to achieve goals and understanding the emotions that go with this.
Autumn Two
In Autumn Two we will be continuing our fantastic learning as well as preparing for the festivities at the end of the term.
English
We will be starting our English learning on Legends. We will be reading and listening to versions of famous legends, finding the features of this type of text before writing our own.
Characteristics of legends can include:
- Contain elements of truth
- Passed from person to person either through writing, illustration or orally
- Can be based on historic facts e.g. the founding of the city of Rome was told as the myth of Romulus and Remus, who were nurtured in infancy by a she-wolf
- Have heroic characters e.g. the story of Heracles
- Can take place in fantasy settings e.g. In Norse mythology, the dwelling place of the Aesir gods is the city of Asgard
- Can be about the spiritual beliefs of a culture e.g. the story of the Rainbow Serpentarises from the Australian Aboriginal peoples’ belief in the fundamental role of water in sustaining life
We will then move to writing persuasive texts and looking at narrative poetry.
Maths
Fractions
We will be focusing on fractions for the autumn two term. We will be ordering and comparing fractions, looking improper fractions and mixed numbers. Use the knowledge organiser below to help with useful terminology and guides on the different types of fractions.
RE
In RE we will be answering the big question
‘How do art and music convey Christmas’
We will be studying famous religious art and music to answer this question and will learn
- To know what makes a piece of art sacred.
- To know the influence carols, have on conveying the central beliefs of Christmas to the world.
- To know and remember the central beliefs in the Nativity narrative.
- To know and remember the key religious vocabulary and what each word means.
Science
We will be learning all about Space in science.
We will be focusing on the planets and the solar system learning lots of facts and information about our cosmos.
Check out some useful videos and information here
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zkbbkqt
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zkbbkqt/articles/zppmqfr
History and Geography
We will be continuing our topics of World War 2 and Poland in these lessons. See Autumn 1 details for knowledge organisers and more information.
Music
In music we will be using Glockenspiels. We will be learning how to play these instruments and taking part in lessons where we can be composers writing our own jazz music. Throughout our lessons we will be listening and responding to range of jazz music and learning some of its history.
Art
In Art we are focusing on the artist Keith Haring. We will be inspired by his graffiti art to create our own pieces of work, learning how to create his unique style of work.
Use this helpful video to follow how to create a character like Haring.
Computing
In computing we will be learning about ‘Cracking Codes’ and become cryptographers. We will learn about Morse code and using semaphores.
Here is handy guide to both:
RSHE
In RSHE we will be working on the unit ‘Celebrating Difference’. This will link to our learning during Anti Bullying week in November and will guide us through recognising everyone’s unique qualities and celebrating our diversity.
PGL 2024
Last night at PGL, after a day packed with adventure, the Year 5 children were exhausted. By the time the teachers came around to check, the lights were already out, and most of the children were fast asleep. The excitement of the day had truly worn them out, and they drifted off quickly, recharging for another fun-filled day ahead. It’s safe to say everyone got a well-deserved rest!
Day 3 at PGL was another exciting and challenging adventure for our Year 5s, despite frequent rain showers. Equipped with wellies and raincoats, the children embraced the weather and took part in puzzle-solving activities in the forest, putting their teamwork and problem-solving skills to the test.
Some children tackled Jacob’s Ladder, once again relying on perseverance, cooperation, and courage to reach the top. Meanwhile, others faced the high-climbing, low-crawling obstacle course, pushing themselves to overcome physical challenges.
We wrapped up the day with a tasty lunch before heading back to school. Throughout the trip, the children have represented the school brilliantly, showing our core values, particularly courage and perseverance, in every tricky activity they faced. We're incredibly proud of them!
Those who missed out on archery and the climbing wall yesterday had their turn today, showing incredible courage and determination. Many of them overcame their fears and made it to the top of the climbing wall, while others sharpened their archery skills, with some hitting the target for the first time!
One group also took on Jacob’s Ladder today, a test of strength and teamwork as they helped each other climb the giant structure. The other group will tackle this challenge tomorrow. Later, we took on the "Survivor" activity, where the children practiced outdoor skills. The day ended with a fun and competitive balloon splash, leaving everyone in high spirits and eager for the adventures tomorrow!
Year 5 had an exciting first day at PGL, full of adventure and new experiences! Some children bravely took on the climbing wall, conquering their fears and making it all the way to the top. Others honed their archery skills, working on their aim with a bow and arrow. The zip wire was another highlight, as many children pushed past their nerves and soared through the air. Meanwhile, a survival activity challenged groups to build campfires, bringing out their teamwork and problem-solving skills. In the evening, all the children enjoyed a fun "Passport Around the World" task, racing around the grounds to find maps and answer questions. Despite the weather, the smiles haven’t stopped, and their positive attitudes have made the day a fantastic start to the trip! They also loved settling into their dorms with friends and enjoyed a hearty dinner in the canteen, fuelling them up for another day of adventure.
We’re excited for the second day of adventure and hopefully not too much rain.
Autumn One
English
During the Autumn term, we will be covering the following units in English:
- Suspense and Mystery
- Recount,
- Narrative Poetry
- Traditional Tales
- Persuasive writing
- Narrative poetry
We will also be reading 'Goodnight Mr. Tom' by Michelle Magorian as part of our WWII topic. Our grammar focus will be on active & passive voice, subjunctive form, tenses, and various punctuation to enhance writing and reading
We will also be continuing our learning and revision of comprehension techniques.
Maths
Using the White Rose Maths scheme, we will explore:
- Place value
- Addition and Subtraction
- Multiplication and Division
- Fractions
We will also be rehearsing and revising calculation methods.
Useful Links:
White Rose Mathematics - https://whiterosemaths.com/
Timestables Rockstars - https://play.ttrockstars.com/
Mathletics - https://portal.3plearning.com/welcome?productId=1
NRich https://nrich.maths.org/
RE
Our Big Question this half term is ‘What do the miracles tell us about Jesus?’
This will include:
- Looking at a range of miracles and their meaning in the bible
- Investigating the Old and the New testement
- Understanding what it means to have a vocation in faith
Miracles Knowledge Organiser - Autumn 1
Geography
The unit is all about Poland.
By the end of the unit the children will be able to;
- Use digital maps to research geographical features of locations
- Use world maps to locate countries and cities
- Describe and understand economic activity including trade links
Poland Knowledge Organiser - Autumn term
History
The topic is WWII - Britain at War
In our lessons will be exploring the following:
- Appeasement and the start of WWII
- The development of allies on both sides
- The impact of evacuation
- The increased use of technology through flight
World War II Knowledge Organiser - Autumn term
Art
We will by working on Skylines, Cityscapes and Architecture
The children will be learning:
- Knowledge and perspective of landscapes
- Use of techniques such as silhouette
- Colour to create impact
- Developing your own artistic style
- Various perspectives of art around us
- Developing your own scene through imagination
Art Skylines Knowledge Organiser - Autumn term
Science
In Science this term we will be looking at the following units:
- Physics: Feel the force
- Physics: Space
The children will learn about gravity and resistance, as well as space, the planets and distance.
Forces Knowledge Organiser - Autumn 1
Earth and Beyond (Space) Knowledge Organiser - Autumn 2
Computing
The children will learn how to develop an interactive game and crack the codes through coding
We are game developers Knowledge Organiser - Autumn 1
Spanish
We will be learning about:
- Revise opinions
- Sports Vocabulary
- Weather
- Hobbies
- Pets
Music
PE
The children will have their PE lessons with Mr Maura. This term our lessons will be on a Monday and Friday.
Please use these links to support your child at home
Spelling Frame https://spellingframe.co.uk/
Yoga - https://yogabugsvirtual.com/welcome/
