Welcome to Year 5!

Welcome to Year 5! Below is a little bit about the things that we are going to learn.

Empowering English

In English this term, we will explore a range of quality texts - both fiction and non-fiction! We will use the Write Stuff approaches developed by Jane Considine to improve our writing.  Our first narrative unit, will Gorilla. We will then develop our understanding of the features of balanced arguments.  After half term, we will then be exploring the story Computer Dad where we will further refine our understanding and writing of narrative. Then, we will be exploring journal writing. We will analyse the layout, purposes and content of journals before writing one of our own!

We will also be focusing on reading comprehension, spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Our English Targets for the term will be:

• I can indicate degrees of possibility using adverbs, e.g., perhaps, surely, etc.
• I can use modal verbs, e.g., might, should, could, will, must, etc.
• I can use past tense accurately.  I can use sentence punctuation accurately.
• I can use relative clauses beginning with who, which, where, when whose, that, e.g., Maisie, who was extremely tired, finished the race.
• I can use subordinating conjunctions, e.g., although, whilst, because, even though.
• I can use brackets, dashes and commas to indicate parenthesis.
• I can create vivid images using similes, personification, alliteration or onomatopoeia.
• I can use expanded noun phrases.
• I can use inverted commas for speech.

Marvellous Maths

In Maths, we will be revising place value and learning to round larger numbers.  We will learn more about negative numbers.  We will continue to develop the use of written methods for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.  We will practise using these methods to solve written problems.  We will also practise our times tables daily in class.  We will extend our knowledge of Roman numerals. 

Our Maths targets for the term will be:

• I can read, write, order and compare numbers to at least 1,000,000 and determine the value of each digit.
• I can count forwards or backwards in steps of powers of 10 for any number up to 1,000,000.
• I can interpret negative numbers, counting forwards and backwards with positive and negative whole numbers, including through zero.
• I can round any number to the nearest 10, 100, 1000, 10000 and 100000.
• I can read Roman numerals up to 1000 and recognise years written in Roman numerals.
• I can add and subtract whole numbers with more than 4 digits, including using formal written methods.
• I can use rounding to check my answers to calculations.

Sensational Science 

In Science, we will learn about Forces.  We will learn about balanced and unbalanced forces, gravity, friction and the use of mechanisms such as levers, gears and pulleys.  We will identify forces and complete force diagrams.  We will find out about Isaac Newton and his discoveries about gravity, completing a comprehension about his life and his work.  We will look for patterns and links between the mass and weight of objects, using newton metres to measure the force of gravity.  Furthermore, we will work collaboratively to investigate air and water resistance, participating in challenges to design the best parachute and boat. Finally, we will find out about different mechanisms, including levers, gears and pulleys, and will design our own marvellous machine.

In our next topic, we will learn about Earth and space.  We will describe the movement of the Earth, and other planets, relative to the Sun in the solar system.  We will describe the movement of the Moon in relation to Earth.  We will know that the Sun, Earth and Moon are approximately spherical bodies.  We will use the idea of the Earth's rotation to explain day and night and the apparent movement of the Sun across the sky.

Hair-Raising History

Anglo-Saxons

Where did the Anglo-Saxons come from? Find out what happened in Britain after the Romans left in the 5th century.

We will learn all about the houses, religions, languages, daily lives, weapons and warfare of these two civilisations.  We will take a fascinating journey of back in time to find out about the Anglo-Saxon struggle for the kingdom of England and how England became a unified country.  We will explore where the Anglo-Saxons came from, how they fought for territory and power, and how their fighting ultimately led to the kingdom of England we know today. Along the way, we will also find out what life was like for everyday people living in Anglo-Saxon Britain, exploring things such as Anglo-Saxon stories like Beowulf.  Using the mysterious burial ship at Sutton Hoo as a basis, we will explore where the Anglo-Saxons came from, how they came to settle in Britain, along with the Picts and Scots of the north, how Christianity became the predominant religion and much, much more.

Globe-Trotting Geography

In Geography, we will learn all about the European group of countries; Scandinavia.  We will explore the physical Geography of Scandinavia, looking at aspects such as size, location, landscape, rivers, mountains, and climate. We will explore what Scandinavia is like today and learn some interesting facts about its geography.  We will look at the population and culture of Scandinavia and use a variety of different sources to find out about areas such as food, music, clothes and leisure.  We will consider what we already know about Scandinavian culture before carrying out some of our own research to further our understanding of this fascinating country.  Finally, we will plan a journey / holiday to Scandinavia, exploring distance, time and cost. 

Pacey PE

There will be plenty of opportunities for sport during the week.  We will also enjoy a weekly PE session with Mr Rogers from Worcester Warriors.  Year 5 will have P.E on Thursday and we ask that children wear their P.E kit to school for the day (white P.E t-shirt, black or navy shorts / jogging bottoms, trainers and their school jumper).  PE will be outside where possible, so please wear warm clothes. 

Showbie

Showbie is a program which allows children to upload, save and share their work in class and at home whilst also receiving interactive feedback from their teacher.  Everyone will be given a Showbie username and password and it is available on iPads, tablets and computers.  We will be using this regularly within lessons and for homework each week.

Showbie has proven to be a valuable communication tool during the enforced school closure in order for children, parents/carers and teachers to keep in touch.  The Showbie App includes a range of features which have been utilisied by all:

• Messaging communication
• Sharing / Uploading work
• Instant feedback
• Voice Notes
• Video Uploads
• Class Discussions (Key Stage 2)

From September, Walford will continue to use Showbie as a clear channel of communication between home and school.

I will continue to set and mark homework via the Showbie App on a weekly basis.  Extra (optional) learning activities will be provided where appropriate in order to consolidate learning in school.  Showbie will be used as the new home-school link for reading.  Every child will have a reading folder in their assignments where all reading and comments can be recorded on a nightly basis.

There will also be a general communication folder where any important messages can be shared with class teachers.  Class teachers will endeavour to respond to these messages as soon as possible.  It is important to remember that children will also be able to see this, so anything of a sensitive nature should be dealt with via telephone or email. 

Helpful Homework

Homework is set on a Thursday and should be returned every Monday.  Homework will be linked to the work that we are covering in class.  Remember homework will be set and uploaded to Showbie.  Paper copies can be provided if required.  

Showbie will be used for you to record any learning that you complete at home, including:

• reading
• times table practise
• spelling practise
• Education City
• Times Tables Rock Stars
• MyOn

As you move through KS2, you should be encouraged to become more and more independent at recording the work completed on Showbie each evening.  I will check Showbie every day to see what you have been doing.

Talk Homework will help you to prepare for your Big Write each week.  This can be found on Showbie too.  Please spend 5-10 minutes chatting with a family member at home in order to feel more confident about your written task the following day.

IMPORTANT DATES

Monday, 6^th September 2021: Back to school

 Tuesday, 7^th September and Friday, 10^th September 2021: Meet the Teacher (School Field) at 3.15pm

Monday, 25^th – Friday, 29^th October 2021: Half Term

Monday, 1^st November 2021: Back to school

Friday, 17^th December 2021: Last day of the Autumn Term

To support your learning at home, you will be able to find lots of

English and Maths activities on Education City.

You should also encourage your child to explore www.bbc.co.uk/ks2bitesize.

For photographs of class and school activities, please see below or click on 'WALFORD TV'.  Also, remember to keep checking Twitter: @WalfordSchool for regular updates too.

All letters and class reminders will be sent via emails.  Please ensure that the school office have your preferred email address.  Let us know if you think you are not receiving any updates.

My door is always open and I am happy to chat with parents about our topics and any work that we are covering in class. Please don’t hesitate to come and find me if you wish to discuss anything!

Many thanks!

Mrs Hanham