Year 5 Autumn Term
A Journey from North to South America
Welcome from Year 5! It’s lovely to see everyone back in school, again. Here is an outline of what our teaching and learning should look like over the coming months:
WRITING
This term, we will be writing in a range of genres for different purposes. To begin, we will be creating short stories linked to ’How to Live Forever’ by Colin Thompson. Later in the term, we will be writing non-chronological reports linked to our Geography and History topics. After half term, we will write a newspaper article linked to ‘The Whale’ by Ethan Murrow, poetry linked to ‘Werewolf Club Rules’ by Joseph Coelho and more non-fiction texts, this time related to our history topic on the Maya.
GUIDED READING
Guided reading will be taught each week and will cover fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Our first whole class novel will be The Firework Maker’s Daughter by Phillip Pullman. After half term, we will focus on ‘Cinnamon’ by Neil Gaiman. To further promote research skills and comprehension, we will also be reading a variety of information texts linked to our topics on America and the Maya. Please continue to support your child’s reading by ensuring that they read at least 5 times per week, making notes of pages read and unfamiliar vocabulary in their reading record. Their yellow reading record should be brought into school, daily. This will be monitored in school. For children who continue to read from books on the school reading scheme, books will be changed when completed with adult support. However, if your child is a free reader, they will have access to the Year 5/6 library area where they will be encouraged to change their book independently when required.
SPELLING AND GRAMMAR
Spelling will be taught using No Nonsense Spelling. There will be discrete spelling lessons several times throughout the week. Spellings will be tested informally throughout the term with formal spelling tests at the end of units of work, mainly focusing on the Y5/6 statutory spelling list (attached). Grammar will be taught in context within our writing lessons so that it is purposeful and relevant.
NUMERACY
Numeracy is taught daily. Key concepts this term will include:
SCIENCE
This half term, the children will be learning about Earth and Space. After the half-term break, we will be studying Properties and changes in materials. These lessons will be taught once each week.
FOUNDATION SUBJECTS
Geography - As part of our journey from North to South America, the children will be learning geographical skills and concepts including longitude and latitude as well as learning about the geographical features of both continents, including volcanoes.
History - After the half-term break, the children will be learning about the Maya civilisation of Central America.
Art - Sculpture. We will be designing and building Mayan coil pots.
French - We will be learning vocabulary associated with the family (La Famille) and with rooms in our homes (Chez Moi).
Design Technology - With a link to our learning on the Maya, we will be focussing on the food of Mexico, designing, creating and tasting a variety of Mexican dishes.
COMPUTING
The children will undertake volcano research on the internet as well as having the opportunity to word process pieces of writing with a focus on presentation. We will be using physical selection and coding to create part of a fairground ride, creating movement and light, digitally. We will also be continuing to consider the importance of e-Safety.
RE
In RE, we will be working to consider and discuss the following questions;
PHYSICAL EDUCATION (PE)
PE will take place on a Wednesday and Thursday afternoon (5R) and Tuesday and Wednesday (5H). This term we will be learning fitness skills as well as playing netball. After half term, we will move to tag rugby and dance. Please could you ensure that your child wears the correct PE kit into school on their PE day, including tracksuit bottoms for when the weather gets cooler.
HOMEWORK
To promote fast and accurate recall, it is important that children regularly practise their times tables and TTRockstars will enable them to do this at home. It is also important that your child continues to read at home at least 5 times a week. More formal aspects of homework linked to English, Maths or foundation subjects will be given out every Thursday and must be handed in no later than the following TUESDAY morning.
Kind regards,
Mrs Rigby and Mrs Hunting
