Welcome to Year 5. I would like to let you know what your child will be learning at school this term so that you can discuss their work with them at home. You can also extend what they are doing at school through other activities such as sharing relevant books together, exploring websites and visiting museums.
LITERACY
This half term the children will learn about the writer Jamila Gavin, focusing on a book called Grandpa Chatterji. In the next few weeks they will be working towards writing an extra chapter for Grandpa Chatterji, written in the same style as Jamila Gavin. They will also have the opportunity to write as if they were Grandpa Chatterji and will need to have a good understanding of the character and the book to do this. The last two weeks will focus on poetry. You can help your child by reading any chapters they bring home with them and asking them questions about the characters and events to make sure they understand the book.
NUMERACY
This half term children will be learning informal and formal methods of subtracting and adding large numbers and decimals. They will cover tally charts, bar and line graphs. They will also focus on estimating, measuring and converting capacity, weight and length. It may be a good idea to point these out while cooking in the kitchen. You could ask your children if they can estimate what different foods weigh or the capacity of different drinks in the fridge. You can then see if they are right by checking the weight or capacity on the packets or bottles.
SCIENCE
This half term the topic is sound and light. We will be discovering how sound travels and how we see objects around us. Researching these topics on the internet or reading about them in books with your child will greatly help them in class. You could also visit the Science Museum.
ICT
In ICT this half term the children will learn how to use SPEX software. This graphics package enables them to create their own classrooms, bedrooms and streets by combining and manipulating objects found in these environments. They will also have to keep to a budget.
R.E.
This half term the children will be learning what community means and how it relates to the Five Pillars of Islam in the Muslim religion. Discussing this topic with your child will give them a better understanding and help them to contribute to class discussions.
D.T.
DT will link closely to the sound topic in science this term. The children will be listening to different types of instruments and learning how to make their own. Any cereal boxes or empty bottles would be really useful so please send them in!
ART
The topic in art this term is called pointillism. It is a technique that was used by the artist Georges Seurat in France in the late 19th Century. The children will be using Georges Seurat’s art to paint using dots of colour. Eventually, they will paint a whole painting made up entirely of dots of colour!
MUSIC
This half term the children will learn about rhythm and pulse by performing a song which includes dancing and singing and becoming a songwriter, making lyrics and a melody.
HOMEWORK
The children have three pieces of homework to complete every night: literacy, maths and their reading diary. The homework will relate to what they have been taught in class. They should write their literacy homework in a school blue writing pen which they have each been given. If they lose their pen, the fine is 20p. They should write their maths homework in pencil and use a ruler to draw neat margins in their books. We have asked the children to buy a plastic folder to keep their homework tidy.
Spellings: Your children will have spellings to learn at home for a spelling test every
Friday. They have a sheet with ideas to help them learn their spellings. If you would like an extra copy, please just ask.
Times tables: Your children should be practicing all their times tables every night. If you would like a sheet with times tables to help them practice, please just ask.
Reading Diary: It is extremely important that children read every night. In year 5 they will need to write half a page in their reading diaries every night, demonstrating they have understood the book. It is very useful if adults or older siblings can read with them and ask questions about what they have read, such as; describe the main character to me? or What happened in this part of the story? Often children can read the words but lack the understanding of the text.
Finally, please remember that our doors our always open. We are always happy to discuss any concerns that you may have about your child. It would be helpful if you could see us first to make an arrangement. After school is often the most convenient time for such a meeting.
We look forward to seeing you all soon.
Year 5 Cerise Teachers - Miss Wagner, Mrs Young and Mr De Boni
I will be updating the blog with excellent examples of the children's work!
