Skip to content ↓

Year 5

Mrs Hodgson, Mrs Taylor and Mrs Abbate hope you had a good Christmas, welcome back for the Spring term!

 

     

   Writing 

During this half-term we will be exploring a non-fiction text, Letters from the Lighthouse by Emma Carroll and will create our own recount. We will also be using 'The Present' which is a short 4 minute animation created by Jacob Frey.  Taking inspiration from the video we will continue the story. We will use Jane Considine to help us unpack the complex languages, structures and concepts of each text.

   

We will be using sentence-stacking lessons to build upon our ideas as we focus on new writing styles and techniques to engage our readers. We will work both collaboratively and independently to write, edit and publish our work.

 

   Reading 

In Year 5 we love to read! We really enjoy hearing about all the different books you have been reading in school or at home. It is so important to make sure we read daily as this helps with our imaginations, develops and improves our language, and it helps us to develop our own writing skills.

During our whole class reading lessons this half-term, Year 5 will be studying the book, 'Holes' alongside exploring a variety of other fiction and non-fiction extracts. We will be practising our reading fluency, understanding word meanings in context, summarising and answering retrieval questions. We will use our inference skills to zoom in closer as we look at themes, characters and events in the texts. 

   Maths 

Across the year, we will be challenging and developing our knowledge of place value, addition, subtraction, division and multiplication. As we work through the four operations, we will apply our mathematical knowledge to various word problems. The children will work on solving word problems with increasing independence, using manipulatives from around the classroom to build their confidence before moving onto pictorial and abstract representations. 

This half-term, our focus in Maths will include multiplication and division, fractions, decimals and percentages. We will also be exploring perimeter and area, as well as interpreting and presenting data in statistics.

Through both these units we will be exploring increasingly complex processes, so don't forget to keep logging onto TTRS to build confidence and speed in your times tables.  

    RE

In our RE lessons this half-term, our unit is called 'Galilee to Jerusalem.' Through this, we will be exploring the context for, and teachings of Jesus. Specifically, we will explore Nazareth as Jesus would have known it, helping us to understand the context in which Jesus lived and preached in. Additionally, we will be studying the Beatitudes and Our Father as the teachers of Jesus, and how he wanted us to live our lives. As we are now in the liturgical year of Matthew, we will explore him as a Gospel writer, and use his Gospel to focus our scriputural readings around. 

    Science 

This half-term in Science, Year 5 will be learning about Living Things and Their Habitats. The children will explore the fascinating world of life cycles, starting with plants—learning about the different parts of a plant and their role in reproduction, as well as how some plants reproduce in unique ways. They will then move on to animals, describing the life cycles of mammals and comparing them with those of amphibians and insects. The children will also learn about birds and how their life cycles differ from other species. As part of this topic, they will discover the incredible work of Jane Goodall and what she found out about chimpanzees.

By the end of the unit, the children will be able to compare and contrast the life cycles of plants, mammals, amphibians, insects, and birds, developing a deeper understanding of the diversity of life on Earth.

 

 

History 

 

We will be exploring the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings this half-term and history! We will have the chance to explore who each of these peoples' were, where they came from, how they lived, and how their eras ended. Through our learning of both these eras we will understand more of the formation of the United Kingdom, and the traditions of those who came before us.

 

Geography

Last half-term in our Spatial Sense module Year 5 read and interpreted maps by focusing on key geographic tools. We explored cartography, learnt how to use map keys and symbols and how the Earth is divided into hemispheres. We used coordinates (latitude and longitude) to locate places and use scale to measure real distances shown on a map. Finally, we examined relief maps, where we used contour lines to visualise the height and shape of the land.

We enjoyed locating countries in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. We found countries which run along the Prime Meridian, such as the United Kingdom and countries which are in both hemispheres, such as Fiji.

  

 

Design Technology

This half-term in Design and Technology, the children will be exploring Automata Animals, combining creativity with engineering principles. They will begin by investigating how cams can convert rotary motion into linear motion, understanding the mechanics behind moving parts. Building on this knowledge, they will design their own animal automaton, selecting a specific movement to bring their creature to life. The children will then develop practical skills by measuring, cutting and assembling wooden components with precision. Once constructed, they will test and refine their mechanisms to ensure smooth and fluid motion. Finally, they will evaluate their finished models, considering both accuracy and creativity in their designs.

In Autumn 1, we enjoyed exploring a range of cultures and the foods that we eat as well as the importance of a healthy and varied diet. The children prepared and evaluated a healthy product, our delicious soup. The children also designed and made a dish that reflected a culture or celebration of their choice.

Art 

Last half term we focused on painting, specifically exploring the use of symbolism to tell a story about ourselves. We studied the works of Frida Kahlo to understand how she used specific symbols and motifs to represent her identity and experiences. Inspired by Kahlo, we experimented and designed our own unique symbols and patterns that reflect their personal feelings or ideas. The main project involved painting a self-portrait where the children incorporated these symbols and personal motifs. The unit culminated with each child writing an artist statement to clearly explain their artistic choices, symbols and how the painting tells their individual story.

  

We enjoyed our forest school session, where we created our own symbols and motifs to represent the forest.

Computing-

This half term we will be completing our Video Design unit. We will be working in teams to plan, record, edit and review our own video based on our knowledge from last half term! We will be considering the best angles to use, and how different frames can be used to show a video audience different information.  

Physical Education 

Netball and Quidditch 

This half-term in PE, Year 5 will be developing their skills in team games and tactics. The children will learn how to use passing and moving techniques to keep possession of the ball and create opportunities to beat an opponent. They will explore different types of passes, understanding when and why each is most effective, and practise using a range of passes confidently. Alongside attacking skills, the children will also develop their knowledge of defending—learning how to prevent attacking opportunities and apply defensive strategies during a game. As the unit progresses, they will combine these attacking and defensive tactics in small-sided games, building teamwork and decision-making skills. To finish the topic, the children will bring everything together in a fun mini-tournament, showcasing what they have learned.

This half-term in PE, Year 5 will be learning skills through a fun Quidditch-inspired unit with coach Danny. They will develop passing and shooting techniques, understanding when and where to move with the Quaffle to create scoring opportunities. The children will practise throwing with accuracy and power, as well as catching and blocking to defend against attackers. They will also explore the role of the Seeker and tactics for catching the Snitch. The unit will finish with an exciting mini-tournament where they can put all their skills into action.

 

Homework 

 

Reading

Children should read for at least 15 minutes per day. Please record your child's reading homework in their reading diary. These will be checked daily.

Arithmetic

Children should be learning their timetables for at least 10 minutes per day on TTRS.

 Click here to access Times Tables Rockstars.

Spelling

Children should be practising their spellings for at least 10 minutes per day on Spelling Frame. Children should complete their online spelling test on Tuesday or Wednesday to be ready for their test on Thursday morning. 

Maths / Writing/ Reading

Children will receive a weekly piece of homework based around their learning in either maths, writing or reading on a rotated basis. This will be given out on a Monday and needs to be returned to school on Thursday morning. This homework should take around 20 minutes to complete. 

 

Walking Home Alone

 In preparation for high school, children in Year 5 and Year 6 whose parents have given written consent will be allowed to walk home alone at the end of the day. If you would like your child to walk home alone, please contact our school office at clerical@stsaviours.cheshire.sch.uk

Mobile phones

Children in Year 5 who are walking home may bring a mobile phone to school. During the day it will be switched off and kept safely in the classroom stock cupboard where children cannot access it. They will be handed to children at the end of the day to go home.

All classrooms have clocks, but children may wear a simple analogue or digital watch to school as it can help them learn to tell the time. However, no Apple or smartwatches please. These will be considered as a mobile device.

Useful links and Resources

Class Gallery

   

 

Cookie Policy