Spring 2
In writing, we focused on writing a quest story and we used the text ‘Nyangasa the fire python’ as our example piece. The children focused on action and created a toolkit to support them with their own quest story.
In maths, our focus has been a multiplication and division unit. In this unit, the children extended their understanding of multiplication and division using a range of methods to calculate with up to 4-digit numbers, multiplying by 2-digit numbers or dividing by 1-digit numbers while dealing with exchange. The children then developed reasoning and problem solving skills while interpreting remainders.
In Science, we continued with our learning about properties of materials. We also celebrated Science week, which had a time focus, and we looked at the progression of forensic science by looking at fingerprints. We discussed what we know about fingerprints and looked at our own fingerprints using a magnifying glass. We also compared different fingerprints and identified patterns. Finally, we discussed the career option of being a Forensic scientist and their job of collecting evidence from crime scenes and taking it to a laboratory for testing. We also took part in a special assembly, which was full of exciting experiments.
Geography has been a slow start due to other exciting activities organised in school. We have started to look at the enquiry question – What are the main ocean currents of the world? We are going to continue with this unit next half term.
In music, we are very lucky to have the peripatetic Mr Kinmans teaching the children how to play the glockenspiel. This learning opportunity will continue throughout the Summer term.
Spring 1
In writing, we completed a Talk for Writing unit for a beat the monster story. We used the text Krak the Cobbler and focused on using description. In our description toolkit we included precise detail, onomatopoeia and relative clauses.
We then completed a poetry unit focusing on Haiku and Kenning poems. The children enjoyed a visit to the woodland at Barker’s Park to gain inspiration for their poems. After learning about the structure of the 3-line Haiku poem consisting of 5 syllables, 7 syllables and 5 syllables the children used photographs from our visit to capture a moment in time by writing their Haiku poem. We then looked at Kenning poems, which are like riddles. The children had to use a noun + noun or noun + verb to describe their chosen idea.
In maths, the children completed a fractions unit, which builds on previous learning about equivalent fractions and converting between mixed numbers and improper fractions. In this unit, children applied this learning to move on to comparing and ordering fractions, including those greater than 1.
Our next unit extended their understanding of fractions by focusing on addition and subtraction of related fractions and mixed numbers. The children continued to develop their confidence in reasoning and problem solving and also explored different methods for addition and subtraction of fractions.
In History, we looked at the enquiry question – what was the Kingdom of Benin and why is it important in world history? The children learnt that the Kingdom of Benin was in West Africa and was from AD900 – 1300 and the people who lived there were called Edo. We enjoyed looking at artifacts and guessing what they were used for and made from. We discovered that archaeological evidence is more reliable that oral histories. We learnt that Obas (Kings) were always men and were very powerful and respected in Benin. People thought they were semi-divine and could communicate with gods and spirits.
In Spanish, we have recapped colours and body parts and developed our conversational skills.
In P.E we have been looking at dance where we have focussed on the dance style ‘freestyle’. As part of their routines, the children looked at what a cannon was and how to create one.
In music, we have enjoyed learning notes on the glockenspiel to play along to the ballad ‘Make you feel me love’ by Adele. We sand beautifully as a class and have worked hard to learn each verse.
Autumn 2
In maths, we completed Power Maths Unit 3 on addition and subtraction. This unit built on children’s work in Year 4, where they learnt to add and subtract 4-digit numbers. It extended their knowledge of addition and subtraction using formal written methods for numbers with up to five digits. It gave the children the opportunity to build confidence with problem solving and to explore efficient methods for addition and subtraction calculations, including those that can be solved mentally.
The children then completed a multiplication and division unit. This unit developed children’s multiplicative reasoning. The children began by developing their understanding of multiples, common multiples, factors and common factors, recognising what they are and how they are found. Following this, the children learnt about prime numbers and how they are different to composite numbers. We then investigated square and cube numbers and linked to concrete understanding of the shape namesakes. Having learnt about properties of numbers, the children learnt how to multiply and divide by 10, 100 and 1,000 and used this knowledge to multiply and divide by multiples of 10, 100 and 1,000.
In English, we focused on a Talk for Writing unit that included a change. We looked at the text The Tunnel by Anthony Browne and the children used dialogue to convey a character toolkit to write their own story. Our second text was How to look after a pet dragon with a focus on instructions. Linked to the festive season, the children created their own instructions on how to look after an elf.
In geography, we looked at mapping. The children learnt about what a map is and a scale and also learnt and developed the skills of reading four and six figure grid references.
In music, we were very lucky to work with Mr Wilcock (who is a music specialist from Rotherham Minster). The children were taught special songs for a unique performance held at Rotherham Minster, which hosted Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon touring artwork. The children in Year 5 were given the opportunity to perform under this magnificent artwork. We were also invited to attend workshops linked to the artwork, Class 11 completing a drama linked task and Class 12 a STEM activity.
This all linked with the Science topic of Space and our visit to The National Space Museum. The children thoroughly enjoyed their visit, which enhanced their knowledge on space.
In art, we completed an art through technology unit. We worked in pairs to take a digital photograph of each other and then used software to alter and adapt it. We took inspirational from Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe pop art and using the photograph of themselves the children created a calendar in this pop art style. We hope you enjoy displaying and using the calendars throughout the upcoming year. We have also developed our pastel blending skills to create some tree-rific Christmas cards which we hope you enjoy receiving.
We decided to decorate our Classroom tree through the creation of reindeer candy cane inspired Christmas tree decorations. Within this DT topic the children designed an appealing product based on a simple design specification. They produced a detailed list of equipment and fabrics which they needed for the task and then selected the tools and equipment they would need. Finally, the children compared the final product to the original design specification and considered the views of others to improve my work.
Christmas in school has been an eventful and fun experience for the children. They have worked hard to learn the songs for our Christmas concert. It was lovely to see so many families in school enjoying the performance.
