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Year 5

Welcome to Year 5!

Blenheim Class

Teacher: Miss Springate
Teaching Assistant: Mrs Bohan

Windsor Class

Teacher: Miss Magog
Teaching Assistant: Miss Newman

Welcome to upper school! We are looking forward to a year of excellent learning, great fun and outstanding achievement for all. In Year 5, you will embed all the knowledge you have learnt in lower Key Stage 2 and start the preparations for transition to secondary school. You will gain a greater independence and confidence from being given more responsibility in your learning because Year 5 is very much about encouraging independence in preparation for bigger things to come.

Term 2: Ancient Egypt

Come meet the clever, creative ancient Egyptians. We think you'll like them ...

The ancient Egyptian civilisation began 5,000 years ago when people started building villages next to the River Nile in north-east Africa. Here the soil was rich and food was plentiful. The surrounding desert helped to keep them safe from intruders, while the Nile kept their world green.

Children will learn about the importance of the Nile to the people of Egypt – how it influences where and how they live – and how humans have intervened to use the river to improve their lives.  We will also discover what it is like to live in Egypt and find out how it may differ from the UK.

 

 

We will learn about the boy king Tutankhamun, and the importance of religion: they worshipped over 2,000 gods and goddesses!

We will also explore their beliefs about a never-ending afterlife and how they preserved the bodies of important people through mummification, building special tombs inside giant pyramids, and filling them with all their favourite things. 

Hook Day: Tuesday 7th November 2023

Children can come to school dressed as an Ancient Egyptian, or wear a plain white top instead with their own clothes. We will launch our Ancient Egyptian topic with a creatively-themed day about this fascinating civilisation.

School Trip Day: Friday 24th November 2023

Since the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb in February 1923 by Howard Carter and George Herbert, a fascination with the mystery of Ancient Egypt has gripped successive generations.

We hope to further inspire the children's learning with a school trip to Maidstone Museum. 

The museum's Egyptian collection of almost 600 objects is the largest in Kent, and explores ancient Egyptian culture with an emphasis on their obsession with death. 

The children will be able to see the only adult human mummy in Kent, Ta-Kush, Daughter of Osiris. They will also take part in a workshop where they will discover the beliefs and techniques of mummification, and handle objects linked to the process.

Please scroll down to find out more about our learning this term.

Writing

In Year 5, children will learn to write imaginatively and cohesively and to choose the right structure and tone for any given piece of writing. This includes:

  • identifying the audience and purpose of their writing
  • modifying their use of grammar and vocabulary depending on what they are writing
  • using a consistent tense
  • checking through their own and their peers’ writing and making constructive improvements.

Children will also learn to use more complex word forms and clauses, to use uncommon punctuation, and to build cohesion by linking ideas across a text. This includes:

  • converting nouns or adjectives into verbs using suffixes like –ate, –ise, –ify
  • using brackets, dashes, or commas to indicate parentheses
  • linking ideas across paragraphs using adverbials of time, place, and number.

Websites

Reading

We would encourage all children to read widely and frequently, outside as well as in school, for pleasure and information. This does not have to be their school reading book, but anything they enjoy (eg. newspapers, TV guides, leaflets, magazines). 

It would be helpful if adults could write a comment in their Reading Contact books too.

Our daily reading lessons focus on the key areas which the children need to know and understand in order to improve their reading comprehension skills. We call these skills VIPERS and we use them everyday to help the children become confident close readers of texts, deepening their understanding and enjoyment of a range of challenging texts. We will be reading some fantastic books in class this year, all of which are linked to our topics.

About the Books

Term 1: Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce

Even though he’s only 12, Liam is constantly mistaken for an adult, but he’s still a kid who loves playing computer games and riding roller-coaster. His inquisitive nature and adult appearance often get him into trouble, but his dad usually intervenes and helps him avert disaster.

When Liam wins a competition to try out the world’s greatest thrill ride, he and his friend Florida are whisked away to Infinity Park in China by the mysterious Dr Drax. The friends find themselves competing for the chance to be sent into space; soon Liam is playing a grown-up in a situation that his dad can’t save him from.

Fantasy is interspersed with reality in this funny and touching story, which ultimately celebrates parents and the love they give.

Term 2 and 3: Secrets of a Sun King by Emma Carroll

The book is set in London, 1922. When Lilian Kaye finds a parcel on her grandad's doorstep, she is shocked to see who sent it: a famous Egyptologist, found dead that very morning, according to every newspaper in England! The mysterious package holds the key to a story... about a king whose tomb archaeologists are desperately hunting for.
Lil and her friends must embark on an incredible journey – to return the package to its resting place, to protect those they love, and to break the deadly pharaoh's curse...

Terms 4 and 5: Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson

This satisfyingly old-fashioned story is set in the early 1900s. Orphan Maia is thrilled to learn she is to live with relatives in South America. She cannot wait to experience the sights, sounds and smells of the Amazon and is particularly looking forward to meeting her twin cousins.

When Maia arrives, however, the family is far from welcoming and she is saddened to see that they have blocked out all evidence of the rainforest from their stuffy home. Maia turns to her strict yet kindly governess, Miss Minton, for company, and strikes up some unusual and rewarding friendships.

This enchanting story has all the trademarks of Eva Ibbotson's writing. Maia is a wonderful heroine, and Ibbotson weaves a charming, compelling and warm-hearted tale of friendship, our responsibility to those around us, and the importance of the natural world. As well as being an exciting adventure story, this award-winning contemporary classic will leave readers with plenty to think about.

Term 6: Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone

In the snowy kingdom of Erkenwald, whales glide between icebergs, wolves hunt on the tundra and polar bears roam the glaciers. But the people of this land aren’t so easy to find – because Erkenwald is ruled by an evil Ice Queen and the tribes must stay hidden or risk becoming her prisoners at Winterfang Palace.

We join Eska, a girl who breaks free from a cursed music box, and Flint, a boy whose inventions could change the fate of Erkenwald forever, as they journey to the Never Cliffs and beyond in search of an ancient, almost forgotten, song with the power to force the Ice Queen back.

 

 

 

Websites

Spelling

In Year 5, children will learn to spell words that don’t fit easy spelling rules and will use dictionaries and thesauruses. This includes:

  • spelling words with ‘silent letters’
  • knowing the difference between uncommon homophones and other confusing words
  • using morphology and etymology in spelling
  • using a thesaurus to expand their vocabulary.

As well as practising the year 3 and 4 statutory spellings and introducing the year 5 and 6 statutory spellings, we investigate the year 5 spelling curriculum using a variety of resources and strategies including Spelling Shed, which the children can access at home. 

 

 

Websites

Maths

In Year 5, children will continue to practise mental and written calculation methods and use all the operations to solve problems. They will meet prime, square and cube numbers, and work with factors and multiples. They will calculate perimeters and areas, draw and measure angles, convert between units of time and learn some imperial measures. They will reflect and translate shapes on coordinate grids and interpret line graphs and timetables.

They’ll be taught long multiplication and multiply four-digit by two-digit numbers, then short division for dividing four-digit by one-digit numbers. They’ll begin to multiply fractions, learn more about decimals and be introduced to percentages. They will be able to count in powers of 10 and round numbers up to 1,000,000 to the nearest 10, 100, 1000, 10,000 and 100,000.

Term 1:

Number and Place Value: children will be expected to read, write, order and compare numbers up to 1,000,000, recognising the place value of each digit. This includes:

  • counting forwards and backwards with positive and negative numbers
  • rounding numbers up to one million to the nearest 10, 100, 1000, 10 000 and 100 000
  • recognising Roman numerals I, V, X, L, C, D and M to read numbers and years.

Addition and Subtraction: children will be expected to be able to solve addition and subtraction problems involving numbers with more than four digits. This includes:

  • practising a range of mental calculation strategies as well as using a variety of methods to calculate including using objects, diagrams or drawings such as number lines, models such as the area/grid method and written column addition and column subtraction
  • using rounding to estimate answers and checking that their answers are sensible and accurate
  • solving multi-step word problems for which they will need to solve multiple calculations before coming to the final answer.
Term 2/3:

Multiplication and Division: children will be expected to be able to solve multiplication and division problems involving numbers up to four digits and begin to learn long multiplication. This includes:

  • multiplying four-digit numbers by two-digit numbers
  • dividing four-digit numbers by one-digit numbers and interpreting remainders
  • understanding the terms multiple, factor, common factor, prime, square and cube numbers.
Term 4/5:

Fractions: children will be expected to be able to find fractions of numbers and quantities including thousandths and begin to learn about percentages. This includes:

  • recognising and converting between mixed numbers and improper fractions
  • multiplying proper fractions and mixed numbers by whole numbers
  • understanding percentages as ‘the number of parts per hundred’ and knowing percentage and decimal equivalents of \huge \frac{1}{2}, \huge \frac{1}{4}, \huge \frac{1}{5}, \huge \frac{2}{5} and \huge \frac{4}{5}.

Decimals:  children will develop their understanding of division.  This includes:

  • ordering and comparing decimals
  • rounding to 2 decimals places
  • adding and subtracting decimals
Term 6:

Properties of Shape:  children will continue to develop the knowledge of geometry.  This includes

  • identify 3-D shapes, including cubes and other cuboids, from 2-D representations
  • know angles are measured in degrees: estimate and compare acute, obtuse and reflex angles
  • draw given angles, and measure them in degrees (°)
  • identify: use the properties of rectangles to deduce related facts and find missing lengths and angles
  • distinguish between regular and irregular polygons based on reasoning about equal sides and angles.

Websites

Science

The principal focus of science teaching in Year 5 is to enable children to develop a deeper understanding of a wide range of scientific ideas. They should select the most appropriate ways to answer science questions using different types of scientific enquiry, including observing changes over different periods of time, noticing patterns, grouping and classifying things, and carrying out comparative and fair tests. Children should also read, spell and pronounce scientific vocabulary correctly.

In Year 5, our science topics are as follows:

Term 1: Out of this World (Earth and space)

Children learn about space. Starting with the Solar System, they look next at how ideas about space have changed over time before they explore what causes us to experience night and day on Earth.

Term 2: Material World (Properties and changes of materials)

Children learn about materials and how they change. First they test properties of materials before looking at how materials dissolve, what a solution is and evaporation. Finally, children compare reversible and irreversible changes.

Term 3: Let's Get Moving (Forces)

Children learn about forces and machines. They start with the force of gravity then study friction forces, including air and water resistance, before investigating how simple machines work.

Term 4: The Circle of Life (Living things and their habitats)

Children look at the life cycles of various species including mammals, amphibians, fish and birds. They also look at and describe the life process of reproduction in plants and animals.

Term 5: Growing up and Growing old (Animals, including humans)

In this topic, children look at and describe the changes as humans develop to old age. They draw a timeline to indicate stages in the growth and development of humans and learn about the changes experienced in puberty.

Term 6: Amazing Changes (Properties and changes of materials)

Children learn about materials, how they change and which changes are reversible and irreversible. The topic concludes by looking at how these properties are applied in the real world.

Websites

Physical Education

A reminder that Year 5 PE is on Monday and Wednesday. You need to be prepared for both outdoor and indoor PE. We will be going out, even when the weather turns colder.

Key points to remember:

  • no jewellery including watches
  • hair tied back
  • PE kit to be house T-shirts or plain white T-shirts
  • navy shorts/joggers
  • appropriate footwear - bare feet/plimsolls for indoors and trainers for outdoors

Homework

  • Children should aim to be reading independently at home and reflecting on what they have read in their Reading Contact book. 
  • Regular practice of spellings (using Spelling Shed or alternatives) and times tables (using Times Tables Rock Stars) is also expected. These will be tested weekly.

Please encourage children not to leave their homework to the last minute!   

If they need any help, be sure to ask in class. ‌If possible, try to get into a routine with a specific time/day/place to complete homework each week.

Useful Websites

Ancient Egypt

History of Space Exploration

Geography

Other

  1. Year 5 Overview 2023/4 pdf
    Download
  2. Year 5 Term 2 Spelling lists pdf
    Download
  3. Year 5 Term 2 History pdf
    Download
  4. Year 5 Term 2 Overview pdf
    Download
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