Summer 2

In English, we completed a Talk for Writing unit on writing warning stories and developed a toolkit to focus on characterisation. Linking to our Ancient Greek topic, we read many Greek myths but focused on Pandora’s Box. The children wrote their own fantastic warning story containing the Greek God Hades.

In maths, we have worked on two decimals and percentages units and then gone onto measuring and drawing angles. The children learnt the names of angles and how to classify them and then how to use a protractor to measure and draw angles accurately.

In music, we continued to learn how to play a brass instrument. During the lessons, the children continued to build on their knowledge of reading and recognising the notes of music and they performed various pieces as a whole class.

In PE, the children developed their games skills with a focus on rounder’s. It was lovely to see so many families attend Sports Day to spectate.

In DT, the children tried a variety of Greek foods and used this experience to design and make their own houmous. They created a detailed list of equipment needed to complete the recipe and designed a food hygiene safety poster.

In history, our topic has been on Ancient Greeks. The children have learnt when the Ancient Greeks lived and how the roles of men, women, children and slaves were different. We looked at why the Ancient Greeks believed in the gods and researched the different gods and goddesses and what their powers were. Finally, we looked at the similarities and differences between the ancient and modern Olympic games and was surprised to discover that in Ancient Greek times the competitors were naked. To end our topic, the children took part in a Greek drama day where the children performed the play of the story of Cynisca, the first woman to enter and win the Olympics.

In our final week together, we completed a ‘bee project’ and began our understanding of the importance of bees from reading this moving poem.

The Last Bee

After the last ee

had uzzed its last uzz,

the irds and the utterflies

did what they could.

ut soon the fields lay are,

few flowers were left,

nature was roken,

and the planet ereft.

Following on from this the children created fantastic posters about how pollination depends on bees and ways in which we can protect and save them.

We have thoroughly enjoyed teacher Class 11 and 12 this year and we know they will make fantastic role models in Year 6.    

Summer 1

In English, we focused on a discussion Talk for Writing unit. We used a text 'TV or no TV?' to create a toolkit for what makes an effective discussion text.

In maths, the children have finished our multiplication and division unit of work and then understood how to find equivalent fractions by simplifying and expanding and how equivalent fractions represent the same number differently. The children also learnt how to convert between mixed numbers and improper fractions and how to use these in real-life contexts, using pictorial representations to demonstrate their understanding.

In geography, the children answered the enquiry question - What are the main ocean currents of the world? They completed lots of practical tasks to understand that an ocean current is a continuous movement of ocean water from one place to another. The children also understand that ccean currents are created by wind, water temperature, salt content and the gravity of the moon and affect weather patterns around the world: they transport warm water to colder areas and cold water to warmer ones. The children created wonderful double page spreads to showcase their learning and Mrs Bradbury was so impressed that many were rewarded with a Headteacher award.

The children were very mature and sensible during our relationships and sex education unit. When a recent visitor came into school the children could recall the facts they had learnt and showed a great understanding. 

The children continued to learn how to play a brass instrument via peripatetic Mrs Daws. They have learnt about how to construct and care for the instrument and are thoroughly enjoying the experience. 

In science, we compared the life cycles of plants, mammals, insects and amphibians. We also learnt the art of zentangle patterns and after practising the techniques, we were ready to create our own beautiful butterfly pictures.

We are looking forward to the final half term and seeing the children progress and mature as they become ready for Year 6!