Maths

In Maths, we continued with our topic of decimals. The children applied their prior understanding of fractions and place vale to understand the value of each decimal number and order the accordingly. We also focussed on converting between fractions and decimals so we investigated the relationship between them. The children have a strong understanding of how tenths, hundredths and thousandths link decimals and fractions and were able to apply their times table knowledge to find equivalent fractions before converting into decimal numbers.

This linked well to our topic of percentages. The children understand that percent means out of 100 and linked this to fractions through hundredths. We were then able to apply this knowledge to solve problems comparing proportions of items by converting them into percentages.

English

Year 5 have enjoyed the book ‘Firebird’, which is based on the famous ballet composed by Stravinsky. The children have spent time thinking about the choices Prince Ivan had to make on his journey of self-discovery. His determination to prove himself to his Father and brothers led to a greater prize than catching the legendary Firebird.

We began by listening to the first part of the story and creating a class role on the wall about how other characters view him and what his actions reveal about his personality. We then read the description of the what the Firebird looks like and then drew their interpretations from the description. These drawings were absolutely fantastic!

In the story, Prince Ivan comes to a three-way path which he had to make a choice as to what path he went down. We then completed a conscience alley about what advice they would give to the Prince. We then wrote a note to King Vaslav as Prince Ivan about what he has done and why.

Science

This term, our topic has been living things and their habitats. The children have enjoyed learning all about life cycles of animals and comparing the stages of growth for different animals. 

We also looked at the life cycles of different plants and discussed plant reproduction. The children discussed and compared the differences of sexual and asexual reproduction in plants and named some examples of plants that can reproduce in these ways. We have now started to classify plants using keys and Carroll diagrams as the children understand, that with so many different species of plant, having a way to categorise them is very useful.

History

This half term we have been investigating a death that happened 3000 years ago! We began our enquiry with a discovery that happened 100 years ago – a discovery made by Howard Carter. The children had no idea what this could’ve been and so the skills used were carried and developed fantastically over the course of the first two sessions, learning more, we discovered that Howard had found the tomb of Tutankhamun, pharaoh in Ancient Egypt. The children have discussed and identified the artefacts found in the tomb and studied them to make inferences about Tutankhamun’s life.

We will continue with this enquiry next term.

Geography

During our Geography lessons, we have started to answer the ancillary question ‘How do volcanoes affect the lives of people on Hiemaey?’. We identified, recognised and described different photographs of landscapes where we would find volcanoes with a focus on Iceland. The children then have used atlases to identify the location of volcanoes across the world and their proximity to the UK. This required the children identifying key areas on the map and measuring distances, applying the information on the scale provided.

We will continue the investigation after the half term break.

R.E.

In RE this half term, we investigated the idea of consequences- both positive and negative. The children discussed the Hindu beliefs of Karma and Samsara (reincarnation) and compared these with Christian beliefs. The children also considered how these beliefs would encourage followers of Hinduism to lead good lives as they aim to gain good karma by performing good deeds.

Spanish

We began learning about Mi Familia this term. The children have learned the key nouns for describing our families and have worked on using the correct determiners to accompany the nouns based on the number/ gender of the nouns. We have practised talking about and writing our own personal families.

PSHCE

In PSHE this half term the children have been looking at how old you need to be to do different things. They have looked at age restrictions on games and films and why they are there. They have discussed case studies and talked about the effects of accessing activities which are above your own age. On-line gaming was a very popular topic with Year Five. We looked at how much time we all spent on our different technologies whether this is a phone, a tablet or laptop and how long is actually safe for our age group. Two hours at a time was our maximum. We also looked for signs that may show us that on-line content or a game is becoming unsafe or unhelpful for example making us moody or tired or even angry when we don’t win.

 Art

Our art topic this half term has been self-portraits.

To begin with, the children investigated a range of artists as a starting point to develop their own unique self-portrait in mixed media. They brought in a photograph to guide them with their task.

Next, they created a poem self-portrait – writing chosen words about themselves along the lines.

Then, to the background – using shades of painted colour or tearing paper to create a coloured collage.

After this, they used an A4 photograph printed out in grey scale, choosing to either cut the print, add colour with paint/pastels/crayons or arrange on the page and add detail.

After generating these ideas, the children created their final self-portrait using mixed media.

P.E.

The children spent this half term learning all about Athletics. During the sessions, they practiced their running and also looked in depth at their running technique. The discussions around how to run helped the children further improve their sprinting style, something that they will build on next year.  Additionally, the children also learnt how to master a long jump, which proved a tricky skill/concept for them to get their heads around. By the end they were able to- with varying levels of success- hop, skip and jump.  Lastly the children also recognised and applied the different types of throwing. Hopefully the children will be able to apply all these new skills during Sports day.

Music

The Hobbits this half term have been playing the descant recorder. Recapping from their previous skills and knowledge from year 4 recorder work – they played Hot Cross Buns. Remembering the fingering for the notes B A G and looking at the formal notation.

We then began to learn the French folk song Au Clair Du La Lune. They have chosen to perform these two pieces to Key Stage 1 and EYFS classes.

Enrichments

This term, Year 5 have taken part in a Shakespeare workshop where the children learned and practised acting out part of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. The children thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and even performed for the rest of the school in assembly with each child playing a key role in the performance.