Year 5

Autumn 1

Year 5 have had a very busy first half-term.

In English, we have learnt the features of a biography and have written a biography for Mary Anning. We also read some short stories from a book called, 'Tales from Outer Suburbia' by Shaun Tan and explored the author's use of language. 

In Maths, we worked on place value, writing larger numbers and rounding. We converted fractions to decimals and vice-versa. Another major focus was multiplying and dividing by powers of 10.

In topic, we learned about the properties of materials. We did some experiments, focussing on fair testing. 

In Art & Design Week, we learnt to sew and produced a very effective collaborative collage based on our 'Materials' topic. Each child did their own small collage, representing a particular material. The finished result is on display in the entrance hall and has attracted lots of positive comments. 

Autumn 2

This is going to be a very busy half-term. Our new topic, 'The Vikings', has a history focus and also includes some geography. Viking Day on 27th November will be very fun and informative. We will be looking for some adult volunteers to help on the day.  Parents and Grandparents, who have helped on previous occasions, have always thoroughly enjoyed their day. If you think you can help, please speak to Mrs Richardson or the school office ASAP.

In Maths, we will be learning some new methods of calculation and will be consolidating and deepening our prior learning with mastery activities. 

In English, we will be exploring poetry and will link this to Remembrance Day. After this, we will be studying Shakespeare's play, 'Macbeth'. Children benefit enormously from studying these fascinating works of literature and immersing themselves in the richness of Shakespeare's language.  The story of 'Macbeth' is still really rivetting and children love it.

Year 5 are very fortunate that we still have coaches from Stevenage F.C to teach P.E this half-term. These lessons will continue on Monday afternoons until Christmas. It is very important that children bring their P.E kit for these sessions, for hygiene reasons and also to set up good organisation skills for Secondary school. 

By Year 5, children should be responsible enough to bring the correct equipment each day (eg reading book, planner and P.E kit). Most of our children manage this, but far too many are turning up without the things they know that they need. It is worth noting that repeated failure to bring the correct equipment to school can result in a yellow or red card. 

Over the next few weeks, we will be practising Christmas songs ready for our 'Carols on the Playground' at the end of term.

Essential Websites:

(Children should go on these 2 or 3 times per week)

Spelling Shed and Times Tables Rockstars are an ongoing

part of children's homework, together with their reading and

Learning Log tasks of course :)

Woodlands Junior is a fabulous, and completely safe, website to support

children's learning in all areas of the curriculum.

Their Maths Zone is especially good for practising and consolidating all

the different mathematical concepts children need to understand.

There are lots of games and activities to do.

Homework Help is great for home learning involving research. 

Diary Dates:

Viking Day: Wednesday 27th November

Year 5 Class Assembly: Thursday 5th December 9:00 am