English

Our main focus for English this half term has been the Highwayman. The children enjoyed reading the poem and identifying the meaning of the unfamiliar language which is used. The children showed a great understanding of the main points and were able to summarise the plot in their own words. We also studied the description of the setting and used the author’s description to visualise and sketch what the setting would look like.

We have also focussed on writing to persuade. The children have each written a persuasive letter convincing others to stop polluting the ocean with plastic waste. To do this, we researched how much plastic waste there is and how it impacts the ocean. The children also read other examples of persuasive letters, identifying the key features they should include.

Maths

In maths, we have been focussing on geometry this term. The children have been identifying and measuring angles using protractors or by using the information provided and applying their addition and subtraction knowledge. The children are now able to measure angles accurately and can use their protractors and rulers to draw their own shapes with specific measurements.

 

Science

This term, we have continued to look at sorting classifying plants using diagrams and keys. He children have interpreted keys to find out key information and used they keys to identify the names of plants.

History

We have continued with our History enquiry linked to Ancient Egypt. The children have been speculating on how and why Tutankhamun died so young. We looked at pathology reports and studied historical evidence to help us to come to a reasoned judgement. The children have all recorded what they feel happened and backed up their thinking with reasons and evidence.

Geography

We have continued our investigation to answer the ancillary question ‘How do volcanoes affect the lives of people on Hiemaey?’. The children have learned about geographical features like an archipelago and have been able to identify these features on a map of Europe. We then cross-referenced this with a different map to identify which country each feature belongs to.

R.E.

Christianity has been the focus religion this half term. We have been learning how Christians can show commitment to God. The children have discussed what commitment means and given examples of how they show commitment in their lives. We also looked at Christian beliefs and all the different ways that they could demonstrate commitment. This included going to church, following the 10 commandments or taking Holy Communion. Throughout this topic, the children considered which demonstrations of commitment would be most difficult and which wouldn’t be as challenging.

Computing

The children have been learning about operating systems this term. We have looked at some of the different functions of the keyboard and how to save and transfer documents.

Spanish

In Spanish, we continued with Mi Familia. The children have enjoyed learning numbers up to 100 in Spanish and can now use these to say and understand how old someone is.

PSHCE

In PSHCE, the children have been learning about the changes they could face when they become a teenager. We talked about potential physical changes as well as changes in responsibilities. All of the children were able to identify aspects of growing older that they were looking forward to.

Music

The Year 5 children have used our iLearn2 computer scheme to create music this half term and have absolutely loved it! This being a new scheme to school the children worked through the year 3 activities before beginning the Year 5 learning. So to start with they used Chrome Music Lab Song Maker to look at scales, chords, rhythm and tempo. They then used ‘Incredibox’ – which was so much fun. This website builds up a mix using beat, effects, melodies and voices. The children drag and drop each symbol to experiment and compose music creations.

After this the children learnt how to start using ‘BeepBox’ which is an online tool creating music by patterns and number. Children can then edit with their knowledge of music the tempo, volume, sound type and rhythm.

Finally, the children looked at and started to learn to use an online drum machine ‘Muted I0 Drum Machine’. This creates a beat online with a simple, fun 16 step drum machine – there are symbols representing a drum sample – Kick/Snare/Hi-Hat/Tom/Clap/Low-Tom/or snap.

PE

In Year 5, this half-term we’ve been looking at the key skills of Orienteering. The children have been learning how to read maps, look for key features of the school grounds and in addition find points marked on a map.