Year 5

As we continue to settle into Year 5, we are incredibly proud of how the children are becoming more confident, independent learners. They have embraced our new routines and have continued to show enthusiasm and curiosity across all areas of the curriculum.

In English, we have been inspired by Shaun Tan’s The Lost Thing. After designing and creating our own wonderfully imaginative Lost Things, the children have written a set of instructions explaining how to care for them. They have carefully selected modal verbs, time adverbials and adverbs of manner, as well as using brackets to indicate parenthesis in an equipment list. We have certainly discovered that looking after a Lost Thing requires some very specific instructions!

In maths, we have been developing our understanding of numbers up to one million. We have practised rounding and explored strategies for adding and subtracting numbers with more than four digits, carefully considering which methods are most efficient.

Science has taken us into the world of thermal conductors, where we have been testing different materials to discover which are most effective at conducting heat. Meanwhile, in geography, we have explored migration and the reasons why people move. We have considered the push and pull factors affecting migration into and out of Richmond, while developing empathy for people whose lives and experiences may be different from our own in PSHE.

In art, we have been experimenting with different materials and techniques to develop our drawing and sketching skills. It has been wonderful to see the children becoming increasingly adventurous and confident with their choices! 

We are incredibly excited for our science workshop next week, when we will be transported into our amazing universe!

                     

                      

Key messages from the Year 5 team: 

• Please remind children about wearing the correct school shoes on non-PE days.

• Whilst we would like the Year 5 children to take responsibility for their own homework, please prompt them to get their maths homework, spelling practice and reading records done on time. All are due on Mondays. 

Key dates (year group specific):

• Wednesday 7th October - Y5 workshop at school: Space Dome                            

Useful links: 

• This half term’s learning bulletin which contains the knowledge and skills that your child is being taught, key vocabulary and suggested activities/reads.  

• Year group spellings 

Year 6

As we enter our fifth week of the year, we are very proud to say the children have truly settled into Year 6 life, becoming increasingly familiar with our routines, embracing the responsibility of being at the top of the school and looking forward to all of the exciting opportunities still to come.

In English, the children have been looking back at their early years, reminiscing about their first experiences of school and sharing funny stories from their toddler years. Their autobiographies are really coming together and have been a lovely way for us to get to know them even better.

In reading, the plot of Holes is beginning to unravel! Stanley has just discovered a bullet casing with the initials ‘KB’ engraved into it. What could this mean? Who is KB? And, perhaps most importantly, what will the Warden think?

In maths, we have moved from developing our number sense to applying this understanding to a range of written and mental calculation methods. The children are beginning to identify which methods are most efficient and explain why.

Science has taken us from the world of animals and plants into the microscopic world of microorganisms. We have investigated the conditions in which bacteria and mould grow best, placing damp bread in sealed bags around the school. We are eagerly awaiting the results!

Our PSHE lessons have opened up some thoughtful discussions about our rights and responsibilities, both as Year 6 pupils and as members of the wider community. We have already seen children embracing this responsibility by helping to plan events for the year ahead.

Coming up, we are excited to explore The Jabberwocky and investigate its wonderful nonsense words. We will discover the results of our mould experiment, while geography will lead us towards our deforestation debate: do the benefits outweigh the consequences?

                     

                     

Key messages from the Year 6 team: 

• Please remind children about wearing the correct school shoes on non-PE days.

• To help us with our reference writing, in addition to the form you have to sign, please also email us with a list of any extracurricular contributions your child has made over the past few years. 

 

Key dates (year group specific):

• Monday 5th October – Y6 workshop at school: Mr. Moore’s Bizarre Secret Society

• Wednesday 7th October - Y6 theatre trip: Mr. Moore’s Bizarre Secret Society                                             

 

Useful links: 

• This half-term’s learning bulletin contains the knowledge and skills that your child is being taught, key vocabulary and suggested activities/reads.  

• Year group spellings