Welcome to Year 5!

As you are aware, the government has asked parents and carers to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and asked school to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend.  The government’s guidance states, ‘We encourage parents to consider the spirit of the lockdown when making their decision … and Key Worker parents and carers should keep their children at home if they can.”

As a result, Walford Nursery & Primary School remains open for all those children who have had their attendance confirmed by Ms George.

The times of the school day have changed to 8.30am – 3.00pm.  

All children must use the double gates on to the playground to be dropped off and picked up each day.

For those children attending school, Breakfast Club (7.45am – 8.30am) and After School Activity Club (3.00pm – 5.30pm) are still available but you must book at least 24 hours in advance.

For those children at home, there is a comprehensive Remote Learning plan in place. 

We will continue to utilise Showbie to share work and provide feedback.  Alongside this, there will be daily live lessons on Zoom and we will deliver the Year 5 curriculum.

Mrs Hanham will send an email each evening with a detailed plan for the day ahead, including timings for live lessons and all activities on offer.

The Government has stated that children in KS2 should be provided with at least 4 hours remote education each day, including live lessons, recorded lessons and time to complete tasks.  The timetable below ensures that Walford have met this expectation, however, we are more than aware of the demands of remote learning at home so please continue to do as much or as little as you wish – there is no pressure to complete everything!  We would, however, really appreciate all children joining the live lessons where possible, as this provides the daily teaching and the opportunity for the children to stay connected as a class. 

The timetable for Remote Learning in Class 5 looks like this (but can change if appropriate):

9.00am - 10.15am:     Lesson 1: Zoom 

                                    Morning Brainteasers – a bit of fun!

         Morning Register

         Time to complete independent activities

10.30am - 10.40am:   Independent Reading

10.45am - 11.45am:   Lesson 2:  Zoom

Class Story         

         Time to complete independent activities

11.50am - 12.10pm:   PE / Physical Activity

1.00pm - 1.10pm:       Times Table Rock Stars

                                    Spelling Shed

1.15pm - 3.00pm:       Lesson 3: Zoom

                                    Afternoon Register

                                    Time to complete independent activities

Welcome back Year 5! Our topic will be ‘Ancient Greece’. 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 be based on the book 'Gorilla' by Anthony Browne. We will then develop our understanding of the features of biography writing before writing our own, using the inspiration of Hatshepsut Egypt.  After half term, we will then be exploring a novel, 'Cosmic', by Frank Cottrell Boyce 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 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 interpret and draw different graphs and tables, including line graphs.  We will explore the difference between area and perimeter.  We will learn about the different properties of numbers, including:  multiples, factors, prime numbers, square numbers and cube numbers.  Using place value charts we will consolidate our understanding of multiplying and dividing by 10, 100 and 1000.  After this, we will focus on learning about fractions, recognising equivalent fractions and converting mixed numbers and improper fractions.  We will also learn to multiply fractions and mixed numbers.  We will also focus on decimal numbers and their relationship with fractions and percentages.

Our Maths Targets for the term will be:

• 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.
• I can complete, read and interpret information in tables, including timetables.
• I can solve comparison, sum and difference problems using information presented in a line graph.
• I can multiply and divide by 10, 100 or 1000 and by multiples of 10, 100 or 1000.
• I can recognise and find multiples and factors.
• I can recognise and identify prime numbers.
• I can calculate square and cube numbers.

Sensational Science 

In Science, we will compare and group together everyday materials on the basis of their properties, including their hardness, solubility, transparency, conductivity (electrical and thermal), and response to magnets.  We will find out that some materials will dissolve in liquid to form a solution, and describe how to recover a substance from a solution.  We will use our knowledge of solids, liquids and gases to decide how mixtures might be separated, including through filtering, sieving and evaporating.  We will demonstrate that dissolving, mixing and changes of state are reversible changes.  Finally we will learn that some changes result in the formation of new materials, and that this kind of change is not usually reversible, including changes associated with burning and the action of acid on bicarbonate of soda.

After half-term, 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

Ancient Greece

This term, we will study Ancient Greece, including Greek life, achievements and their lasting influence on the Western World. We will investigate the timeline and four main periods of the Greek Empire and explore different kinds of historical sources and evaluate their usefulness.  We will discover when and where the ancient Greeks lived, how they lived in separate city states, how their armies fought and were structured, the gods they worshipped and much more.  We will look at Alexander the Great and the empire under his leadership, learn about trading and design, research lifestyle and clothing, and study key Ancient Greek buildings. In English sessions, we will study the historical background of Aesop and his fables. In addition, we will learn about the roles and rights of free men, women, children and slaves in Ancient Greece and research democracy. Finally, we will examine the exciting Olympics and its modern legacy.

In Art, we will carve our own ancient Greek busts using soap, paint ancient Greek pottery and create comedy and tragedy masks.

In DT, the story of Theseus and the Minotaur sets the scene as we find out what labyrinths are and how to design, create and evaluate our own model labyrinth.  The Parthenon is an iconic image of ancient Greece and we will look at its design and structure in more detail and explore different ways of using a variety of materials to create a model of the Parthenon.  We will then use what we have learnt to design, build and evaluate a final model.

Globe-Trotting Geography

In Geography, we will learn all about the European country of Greece.  We will explore the physical Geography of modern Greece, looking at aspects such as size, location, landscape, rivers, mountains, and climate. We will explore what Greece is like as a country today and learn some interesting facts about its geography.  We will look at the population and culture of Greece today 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 Greek 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 Greece, 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.

As a result of these changes, your child will no longer bring home a Home-School Diary (KS2).  

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

Tuesday, 5th January 2021:  Back to school

Tuesday, 2nd February 2021:  Young Voices Biggest Sing - more information will follow soon

Friday, 5th February 2021:  NSPCC Number Day - more information will follow soon

Monday, 15th – Friday, 19th February 2021: Half Term

Monday, 22nd February 2021:  Back to school

Thursday, 4th March 2021:  World Book Day - more information will follow soon

Friday, 12th March 2021:  Science Week Interactive Workshops - more information will follow soon

Wednesday, 31st March 2021: Last day of the Spring 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 ‘CHILDREN’ and then ‘GALLERY’ or '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