Year 5

Welcome to Year 5!

Welcome back Year 5! Our topic for the Spring Term 2020 will be ‘Ancient Greece’. Below is a little bit about the things that we are going to learn.

Empowering English

In English, we will be studying the myth of Prometheus and Pandora before writing our own version.  We will develop our understanding of the features of instructional writing.  We will analyse, evaluate and write instructions of our own.  After half term, we will read, Bling!, a modern version of the myth King Midas and write our own endings.  We will explore the difference between a first person recount, such as a diary, and a newspaper report of the same event.

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

Our English Targets for the term will be:

• I can use past tense accurately.
• I can create vivid images using similes, personification, alliteration or onomatopoeia.
• I can use expanded noun phrases.
• I can use subordinating conjunctions, e.g., although, whilst, because, even though
• I can use brackets, dashes and commas to indicate parenthesis.
• I can vary the position of clause structures, e.g., fronted adverbials, embedded clauses, subordinate clauses, etc. 

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.

We will also have weekly times tables tests in class. 

Our Maths Targets for the term will be:

• I can subtract whole numbers with more than 4 digits, including using formal written methods.
• 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 recognise and find multiples and factors.
• I can recognise and identify prime numbers.
• I can calculate square and cube numbers.
• I can multiply and divide by 10, 100 or 1000 and by multiples of 10, 100 or 1000.

Sensational Science 

To start the term, 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

Year 5 will have PE on a Friday with SuperStars.  There will be plenty of opportunities for sport during the Spring Term, so PE kits should be brought to school on a Monday and remain here until Friday each week.

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 that you can always upload your homework to Showbie.  

Your blue Homework Diaries should be in school every day.  The main purpose of this book is for you to record any learning that you complete at home, including:

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

As you move through KS2, you should be encouraged to become more and more independent at filling it in, recording the work completed and the date.  All we ask you to do is get an adult at home to sign it or place their initials each time to show that the work has been completed.  You will be encouraged to share this book with your teacher every day and Dojos will be awarded for any work completed!  It is really important that you bring this book and your reading book to school every day of the week.  This will ensure that you get the opportunity to read to the adults in the class as often as possible.

Talk Homework will help you to prepare for your Big Write each week.  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

Friday, 31^st January 2020:  Percussion Workshop at Blake Theatre, Monmouth

Monday, 10^th February 2020:  Author Visit

Tuesday, 11^th February 2020: Safer Internet Day / E-Safety Learning Walk at 9.00am

Thursday, 13^th February 2020: KS2 Disco 6:15pm – 7:30pm

Friday, 14^th February 2020: Class 5 & 6 Assembly at 2:15pm

Monday, 17^th – Friday, 21^st February 2020: Half Term

Monday, 24^th February 2020:  INSET (No School)

Tuesday, 25^th February 2020:  Back to school

Monday, 2^nd – Friday 6^th March 2020: Parents’ Evenings

Monday, 2^nd March 2020: Democracy Workshop with Councillor Watson

Thursday, 5^th March 2020: World Book Day

Tuesday, 10^th March 2020:  Y5 / Y6 Internet Safety Workshops

Friday, 13^th March 2020: Sport Relief (Wear What You Want)

Thursday, 2^nd April 2020: KS2 Oscars at 5:30pm

Friday, 3^rd April 2020:  Y5 / Y6 Trip to Big Pit - STEM

Friday, 3^rd April 2020: Last day of 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 click on ‘CHILDREN’ and then ‘GALLERY’.  Also, remember to keep checking Twitter @WalfordPrimary 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