Maths

To start the half term, we continued with our topic of addition and subtraction, moving onto formal written methods. The children applied their understanding of place value to line up the numbers correctly before solving problems using the column method. For this we used a CPA approach to ensure all children had a secure understanding and to avoid misconceptions when exchanging a ten for ten ones or a hundred for ten tens. To finish the topic, the children solved word problems by identifying the key language, such as difference or sum, in the question to determine whether they needed to add or subtract.

We have now moved onto Multiplication and division. To begin the topic, the children investigated multiples and factors by organising cubes into equal groups. After this, the children were able to determine whether a number was a prime number or not based on its factors. The children are now learning how to multiply larger numbers by partitioning. We will continue with this topic after Christmas.

English

During the first few weeks of the half term, we finished ‘I Was a Rat’. The children then wrote a final newspaper report on the turbulent events at the end of the story. The children acted in role as characters from the book and as reporters to interview key witnesses and gather quotes to include in the reports. We then focussed on making sure we could punctuate direct speech and reported speech appropriately.

Our new book has been Seasons of Splendour.

 

Science

Forces has been our topic this half term. The children have been able to identify and describe forces acting upon objects including gravity, friction; water and air resistance. They have used their understanding of forces to work scientifically in a number of ways. They have measured accurately using Newton meters to compare the mass of an object with its weight and determining the effect of gravity. The children have also planned and inducted their own investigations for air resistance and water resistance using stopwatches the measure how quickly different shapes would fall or sink.

History

For History, the children have been learning about the Early Islamic Civilization. This linked to our earlier Geography topic on the Silk Road. The unit focussed on the city of Baghdad and its importance to the Empire during that time.  The children interpreted historical sources which described the city and sketched their own vision of what it would have looked like. We then compared the sketches with artists’ versions.

As the children investigated the sources further, they discovered how trade was vital for the growth of the city. To summarise what they had learned, the children wrote an explanation of why Baghdad was known as the crossroads of the universe.

R.E.

We have learnt about Christianity in R.E. this half term and how the Christmas story can be interpreted in different ways. The children have read different accounts of the Christmas story and compared them, identifying similarities and differences.  In the lead up to Christmas, the children learned about and made Christingles before our Christingle Service at St Catherine’s church.

Early in the half term, the children enjoyed taking part in a Diwali dance workshop. The children retold the story of Diwali through a dance routine which they all learned together.

Computing

In computing, the children have been practicing their coding. They have been creating algorithms using variables and functions. They have also been challenging themselves by de-bugging code which is not quite correct.

Spanish

We have been reading Little Red Riding Hood in Spanish this term. The children have really enjoyed reading and hearing the Fairy Tale in a different language and have been able to translate key words in the story from Spanish into English. Along with this, the children have learned the vocabulary for body parts in Spanish and have been able to sing Head, shoulders, knees and toes.

PE

The children have attended swimming lessons every Tuesday this term. They have grown in water confidence and have been able to swim in recognisable strokes over short distances. All the children took part in ‘The Big School Swim’. They learned water safety skills including how to self-rescue and how to keep warm in the water.

DT

The Year 5 children were sent a letter because a number of characters who have been complaining of poorly lit homes. Here is the letter….

You are tasked with creating a model – in the form of a light house -that not only gives clues as to what character would stay in the home but also helps to rectify the problem.

The light house will need to be of an appropriate size and lit appropriately. You will also need to ensure that all rooms have access to natural light given the current energy crisis- your character will want to save money! Where you put your windows and the shape of those is up to you.

Please be creative, as I know the character that has approached you will want a stand-out home! 

Finally, please note natural light will not be great at night-time, so you will need to think about how you will light up the home from the inside for dark winter nights. 

GOOD LUCK!

We then set about researching and designing our individual houses. We worked our way through the design booklet. We helped each other when we found parts tricky. We really enjoyed this project.

Enrichments

As part of Remembrance, an army veteran came to speak to the class about Remembrance Sunday and its importance to the Armed Forces. The children really enjoyed the visit and got to ask any questions that they had.

For Christmas, the children have been making Stars, Snowmen, Christmas cards and calendars. We have linked these to nature to celebrate the opening of Spring Forest (our new forest school). We made the stars out of sticks; our snowmen using pinecones and our Christmas cards depicted forest animals, created using leaves.