Year 5

As we begin a new term, the children have returned full of enthusiasm and excitement, ready to embrace new challenges and build on their learning.

In English, we have continued to take inspiration from Malorie Blackman’s Cloud Busting as the children begin planning their own narrative stories. They have been developing their ideas by originally exploring some good examples of short narratives. Then they have started writing by setting the scene for their stories, thinking carefully about how to engage their readers, create atmosphere and introduce a problem too (to keep the reader engaged). 

In maths, we have been exploring square and cubed numbers, using multilink to help us visualise and understand these concepts. We have also begun investigating how to multiply and divide numbers by 10, 100 and 1,000, looking for patterns and making connections to develop more efficient strategies. Soon we will be moving on to fractions! 

Science has sparked some fascinating investigations! We have been exploring rusting and investigating what causes iron nails to rust. The children have set up a long-term observational experiment to discover which conditions cause a nail to rust more quickly. We are looking forward to monitoring the changes and seeing what our results reveal!

In history, we have begun our new topic on World War One, exploring the key causes of the war and how a conflict that began in Europe soon became a global war. We have been particularly interested in understanding the role of alliances and how countries became drawn into the conflict.

Meanwhile, in DT, we have launched our exciting new topic on bridges. The children have been investigating different types of bridges, exploring their features and considering how their designs help them to support weight and remain stable. This will provide a great foundation for our own bridge-building projects.

It has been a fantastic start to the term and we are looking forward to all the amazing things this term will bring: DT project afternoon, Poppy Factory trip, class show, Christmas activities and more!

  

        

             

 

Key messages from the Year 5 team: 

• As the weather gets colder, please ensure your child comes to school dressed warmly. This includes wearing a suitable winter coat, hat and gloves (even warm thermal layers underneath their school uniform if needed).

• Please record five reading record comments per week, ready for checking on Mondays. 

• Our new PE days are Wednesdays and Thursdays. 

 

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  

• The Top 100 Recommended Reads for Year

 

Year 6

It has been wonderful to welcome all of the children back after a well-deserved half-term break! They have returned refreshed, enthusiastic and, most importantly, thirsty for learning. It has been lovely to see them settling straight back into their studies and embracing the exciting learning opportunities we have planned for the weeks ahead.

In maths, we have begun our new topic of fractions. The children have been exploring equivalent fractions in depth, using practical methods and visual representations to prove how different fractions can represent the same amount. We are now building on this understanding to tackle increasingly challenging problems, including comparing fractions with different denominators and adding and subtracting fractions. The children have been encouraged to explain their reasoning and apply their knowledge to a range of problem-solving activities. In English, we have been exploring the world of advertising and persuasive writing. We have begun analysing different types of adverts and identifying the vocabulary and techniques used to influence an audience. The children have put their skills to the test by creating persuasive adverts for a rather unpleasant place – Camp Green Lake! They have thoroughly enjoyed immersing themselves in the world of advertising and have surprised themselves with just how convincing they can be when it comes to marketing somewhere that most people would probably rather avoid!

In science, we have started investigating the fascinating world of fossils. We have been learning about how fossils are formed and how palaeontologists use patterns, evidence and clues from fossil discoveries to piece together what prehistoric animals may have looked like. The children have enjoyed becoming detectives of the prehistoric world, using scientific thinking to make their own observations and theories. In history, we have begun our exploration of the Second World War. To help us understand the atmosphere and significance of the time, we listened to Neville Chamberlain's announcement to the British public declaring that Britain was at war with Germany. This gave the children an opportunity to imagine what it might have felt like to hear such an important announcement. We have also been investigating why the war began, the key events leading up to it and the countries involved.

In design and technology, we have begun exploring the features of existing birdhouses, considering their purpose, structure and design. This research will help us develop our own ideas and designs before moving on to our practical woodworking projects. We are looking forward to seeing the children's creativity come to life as they begin to plan and construct their own birdhouses! In RE, we have started comparing rituals and practices within Christianity and Humanism, exploring the similarities and differences between the ways people mark important moments and events in their lives. The children have been encouraged to consider different perspectives and think carefully about the importance of beliefs, traditions and community.

Finally, it has been lovely to see so many children excited about representing our school beyond the classroom. We have pupils preparing to take part in the Vineyard Award, alongside those proudly representing the school in a variety of sporting teams. We are incredibly proud of their enthusiasm, commitment and willingness to get involved in these opportunities.

Looking ahead, we have plenty more exciting learning opportunities on the horizon! We are particularly looking forward to our upcoming visit to an RAF bunker, where the children will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the Battle of Britain and gain a greater insight into what life was like during this significant period of the Second World War. In science, we will be moving on to explore inheritance and variation, considering how characteristics are passed from one generation to the next and how variation contributes to evolution. Meanwhile, in English, we will be embarking on our next literary adventure as we begin studying Shakespeare's Macbeth. We are excited to see the children get to grips with this classic tragedy, exploring its characters, themes and wonderfully rich language.

 

Key messages from the Year 6 team: 

• Thank you to those who offered their help to our next trip to the WW2 bunker. We will also be looking for some helping hands during our upcoming DT days. 

 

Key dates (year group specific):

• Thursday 12th November - Jet bunker trip

• Friday 27th November - Kyanite bunker trip

• Friday 4th December - Garnet bunker trip

                                           

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