Year 5 2021 - 2022

Welcome to Year 5

This year marks the progression from the lower to the upper stages of the KS2 curriculum. As we now begin the final phases of the primary curriculum, we encourage an increased level of independence and responsibility from our pupils whilst maintaining a nurturing and supportive environment.

Meet the team…

Miss Knott Y5K Class Teacher and Director of History

Miss Russell Y5K Class Teacher and Director of Science

Mrs Burke (Year 5 Teaching Assistant)

Mrs Poole (Year 5 Teaching Assistant)

The Curriculum

Last term, Y5's topic was Dynamic Dynasties. This project taught the children about the history of ancient China, focusing primarily on the Shang Dynasty, and explored the lasting legacy of the first five Chinese dynasties (some of which can still be seen in the world today).

This term, we have moved onto a new topic called Sow, Grow and Farm. This project teaches the children about the features and characteristics of land use in agricultural regions across the world, including a detailed exploration of significant environmental areas.

Last term we studied the book 'Tom's Midnight Garden' by Phillipa Pearce. We are continuing on the gardening theme this term and are studying 'The Secret Garden' by Frances Hodgeson Burnett. The novel centres on Mary Lennox, who is living in India with her wealthy British family. She is a selfish and disagreeable 10-year-old girl who has been spoiled by her servants and neglected by her unloving parents. When a cholera epidemic kills her parents and the servants, Mary is orphaned. After a brief stay with the family of an English clergyman, she is sent to England to live with a widowed uncle, Archibald Craven, at his huge Yorkshire estate, Misselthwaite Manor. Her uncle is rarely at Misselthwaite, however. Mary is brought to the estate by the head housekeeper, the fastidious Mrs. Medlock, who shuts her into a room and tells her not to explore the house.

In the final term, Y5 will be studying our final project of the year - Groundbreaking Greeks. This project teaches children about developments and changes over six periods of ancient Greek history, focusing on the city state of Athens in the Classical age, and exploring the lasting legacy of ancient Greece. We will also be moving onto a new book this term - but this too is a secret for now!

Our Letters to Taiwan

Our year 5 pupils have been involved in an exciting new project this year. As part of our topic on 'Ancient China', we arranged for the children to write to penpals in New Taipei, Taiwan. This has been the most fantastic opportunity for our students to learn about what life is like for children in a different country and for them to share what it is like to be a child here in the UK. Some of the things the children were most suprised to learn was that the children in Taiwan spend over 12 hours a day at school and that Christmas is not a national holiday in China but a 'regular day'. We have just recieved replies from the last letters we sent and are currently working on our replies. This time, we are hoping to learn about how Chinese New Year is celebrated in Taiwan and how this is different to our own Christmas and New Year celebrations. After Chinese New Year, which is a national holiday in Taiwan, we are hoping to virtually 'meet' our new friends. All of our children are very excited to be part of this initiative and we as teachers are thrilled to see how enthusiastic they are about writing to thier new friends!

Home Learning

In Year 5, we encourage an increased degree of independence. Homework is set each Monday and is due to be completed by the following Monday. This allows time for children to speak with teachers if help is needed but also gives them the weekend to ensure all is complete.

Weekly homelearning is set for spellings, maths and grammar. Topic homework is due in once per term and pupils have a list of project ideas from which they are requitred to choose any two. Daily reading is also encouraged at home as this is the best way to develop the vital skills of fluency and pace. We thank all parents and carers for their continued support in this.

Maths can be accessed via the child's individual LWP account (Learning with Parents).

Grammar homework can be accessed via the child's individual login at SPaG.com.

Spellings will be given to children each Monday but can also be found on our class homepage in case of absence.

Your child will have an Online Safety lesson in school 2 to 3 times per half term through the ‘village’ section of Gooseberry Planet. At the end of each lesson, there are activities/ games for your child to complete at home. The child with the most points tops the leader board! Your child’s username and password will be emailed to you shortly.

The expectation is that children read a book at their individual reading level at least five times per week at home. Children are able to access suitably levelled books from school.

Further learning activities can be found online at the Oak National Academy. This is not a homework site but is a useful place to look for any revision/practice if needed.

If you would like to contact class teachers please do so via email.

Year 5's Christmas Perfomance - please watch and enjoy!