Year 5

In Year 5, our English learning is a dynamic and engaging process that builds on foundational skills while introducing children to more complex grammar skills and punctuation. We are using Brian Selznick’s captivating novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, as our class text, which combines storytelling with intricate illustrations to explore themes of mystery, creativity, and finding a place in the world. This provides a rich context for developing a range of writing skills, from descriptive passages and character profiles to crafting narratives.

In our guided reading sessions, we are exploring two historical masterpieces: Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse and a test based on the real life sinking of The Titanic. These texts are carefully chosen to deepen children’s comprehension and analytical skills. Through small-group discussions, we will explore a range of reading skills to ensure that we are clear in developing and deepening our understanding of texts. War Horse allows us to explore empathy, resilience, and the devastating impact of World War I from a unique perspective. Meanwhile, The Titanic text offers a chance to understand a significant historical event through a human lens.

Maths

In Year 5 Maths, our Autumn term learning, guided by the White Rose Maths framework, focuses on building a strong foundation in number and the early stages of calculation. We begin by mastering Place Value, delving into numbers up to a million, including understanding Roman numerals to 1,000 and accurately reading, writing, comparing, and ordering numbers. We’ll also hone our rounding skills to the nearest 10, 100, or 1,000. This strong understanding of place value is crucial as we move into Addition and Subtraction. Here, children will develop fluency in mental strategies and confidently use formal written methods for numbers exceeding four digits. We’ll emphasise checking answers through rounding and inverse operations, and tackle more complex multi-step word problems. The term also introduces Multiplication and Division, where pupils will explore multiples, common multiples, factors, and common factors. They’ll also identify prime, square, and cube numbers, and strengthen their understanding of multiplying and dividing by 10, 100, and 1,000.

Wider Curriculum

Beyond the core subjects, in the Autumn term, our Year 5 curriculum is rich with creative and investigative learning experiences. In Art, we are exploring how to convey emotion through still life by drawing a composition of fruit expressing a specific mood, taking inspiration from the surrealist master, Salvador Dalí. This project encourages us to use colour, shape, and form in expressive ways. We will also be embarking on a hands-on Pottery Week, where we will learn to form, model, and construct a teapot, studying the techniques of renowned British pottery company Wedgewood. In RE, we are tackling a profound question: What does it mean if Christians believe God is holy and loving? This will involve discussing complex concepts and engaging in respectful dialogue. For Geography, we will conduct an in-depth study of either the United States or Brazil, comparing and contrasting human and physical features of a different country. Our French lessons will focus on practical conversational skills, including talking about ourselves and our school subjects, as well as themes like shopping in the city and festive jumpers.

Spring Term

English and Guided Reading

In Year 5 English, we will be developing our writing and reading skills through a variety of text types. We will be continuing to be captivated by Brian Selznick’s The Invention of Hugo Cabret, using the characters and setting to craft persuasive letters. Children will need to consider the feelings and motivations of characters to argue a specific point. We will also be building our non-fiction writing skills by delving into historical and scientific topics. Our exploration of Tudor history will culminate in writing biographies of Henry VIII, where we will focus on using accurate dates and facts to present a detailed account of his life. To complement our science topic, we will be researching and writing a non-chronological report on space, learning how to organize information using subheadings, bullet points, and images to present facts clearly and effectively.  In our guided reading sessions, we will explore the magical world of Roald Dahl’s The BFG. We’ll be delving into the enchanting story, focusing on understanding the characters’ unique language, the thrilling adventures, and the heart-warming friendship between Sophie and the Big Friendly Giant.

Maths

In Year 5, our Spring term Maths journey, we will begin by deepening our skills in Multiplication and Division, tackling multiplying and dividing multi-digit numbers, including those with remainders, and exploring the concepts of factors and multiples in greater depth. This will build a robust foundation for more advanced calculations. We will then move into Fractions, where we’ll focus on adding and subtracting fractions with different denominators, including mixed numbers, and begin to explore multiplying fractions by whole numbers. This will be a crucial step in developing fluency with fractional calculations. Following this, we will transition to Decimals and Percentages, learning to convert between them, add and subtract decimals with varying numbers of decimal places, and find percentages of amounts. Our learning will extend to Perimeter and Area, where we’ll calculate the perimeter of compound shapes and understand the relationship between area and perimeter.

Wider Curriculum

In Geography, our in-depth study will include an exploration of different biomes within the chosen country, examining their unique climates, flora, and fauna. For Computing, we’ll be becoming digital creators by learning about video production using Microsoft Photos, and also developing our data organisation skills with fact-file databases. In Art, we’ll be exploring texture and collage by painting to create the texture of a river, using a range of stencils and layers. We will be taking inspiration from the work of Pablo Picasso. Our DT project will involve a practical and delicious food technology unit where we’ll be making a vegetable pasty. In French, we’ll be expanding our vocabulary to talk about healthy eating, how to describe clothes and colours, and even how to create a fruit salad recipe. Finally, in RE, we will be exploring two key questions: Why do Christians believe Jesus was the Messiah? and Why is the Torah so important to Jewish people? These topics will encourage critical thinking and a deeper understanding of world religions.

Summer Term

English

This summer term, our English work will be focused on adventure, mystery, and informative writing. We will be diving into Gillian Cross’s thriller, The Demon Headmaster. We will be developing our narrative skills by retelling a key scene from the story from a different character’s perspective. We will also be using our non-fiction skills to write a detailed set of instructions on how to survive in the rainforest and a newspaper report about a mining disaster, which will help us learn how to present factual information clearly and accurately. In our guided reading sessions, we will be exploring Philippa Pearce’s classic, Tom’s Midnight Garden, which will allow us to discuss themes of time, friendship, and family. This beautiful story is perfect for exploring rich vocabulary and figurative language.

Maths

For the Summer term in Year 5, our maths learning, following the White Rose objectives, will focus on a number of key areas. We will begin with Geometry, concentrating on both properties of shapes and position and direction. This will include identifying, describing, and comparing a range of 2D and 3D shapes, as well as understanding coordinates and translations. We will then move on to measurement, where we will work with different units and convert between them. The final part of the term will be spent on statistics, where we will learn how to read and interpret different charts and graphs, including line graphs. Throughout all these topics, we will continue to develop our problem-solving and reasoning skills.

Wider Curriculum

This term, our learning will extend across a variety of subjects. In History, we will be conducting a local study with the key question, “How has coal mining shaped Stoke-on-Trent?” This will involve exploring the profound impact of this industry on our city’s past and present. In Science, we’ll be delving into Living things and their habitats and exploring the fascinating complexities of the human body. Our Geography lessons will focus on the formation and features of rivers. In Art, we will be embracing a new medium by creating sculptures. We will plan and sculpt a key artefact from the Tudor period manipulating recycled and natural materials, and drawing inspiration from the work of Barbara Hepworth. In French, our topics will be “Out of this world” and “Going to the seaside,” helping us to talk about space and holidays. Finally, in RE, we will explore how Christians live by asking, “What would Jesus do?” and compare the beliefs of Christians and Humanists to determine what matters most to each.

Hello and welcome to our 5A page.

Year 5 is taught by our wonderful teacher, Miss Archer, who leads the class with enthusiasm and creativity. She is supported by our fantastic teaching assistant, Mrs. Reeves. Together, they ensure the children are happy, engaged, and challenged in their learning.
In Year 5, we’ll be diving into all sorts of exciting topics, from ancient civilizations and the wonders of space to the fascinating world of science and the power of storytelling. We will be building on our key skills in English and Maths, with a particular focus on developing independence and resilience in our work.
Our class is a truly wonderful group of bright, happy, and engaging young learners. They have already settled in brilliantly and are showing a great deal of enthusiasm for the new challenges and responsibilities that come with being in Year 5.

Key Information

• Our school day starts at 8:35. Home time is at 3.25pm.
• Reading books are changed weekly. Please ensure your child brings their bag to school daily with their reading book and diary inside.
• Children are expected to read at least 4 times a week at home. Children who go above and beyond this and read 5 or more times will receive a certificate in assembly.
• Children are encouraged to bring a water bottle into school for them to access during the day. Toast, crumpet and a drink is available to children every morning. Money for this should be pre-loaded onto their arbour account.
• Children will receive house points when they are following the Maple values and our 3 new school rules: Be Ready, Be Respectful and Be safe.

PE

• Our PE day will be Thursday
• Please make sure your child has a red PE top, black shorts/joggers and black pumps in school ready for PE. Any earrings must be removed. Please help your child to practise getting changed for PE independently.

Swimming

• In Autumn 1, we will be swimming on Tuesdays. After this, Tuesday will become an additional PE day.
• For swimming, children will need a swim costume or trunks, a swim cap for longer hair, a towel, flip flop/sliders as well as a dressing robe etc if required. They will be allowed to wear swim goggles if parent permission is given.

This year, we will be exploring the following topics

Autumn Term

Literacy

In Year 5, our English learning is a dynamic and engaging process that builds on foundational skills while introducing children to more complex literary works. We are using Brian Selznick’s captivating novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, as our class text, which combines storytelling with intricate illustrations to explore themes of mystery, creativity, and finding a place in the world. This provides a rich context for developing a range of writing skills, from descriptive passages and character profiles to crafting narratives.

In our guided reading sessions, we are exploring two historical masterpieces: Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse and a test based on the real life sinking of The Titanic. These texts are carefully chosen to deepen children’s comprehension and analytical skills. Through small-group discussions, we will delve into the powerful themes and historical contexts of these books. War Horse allows us to explore empathy, resilience, and the devastating impact of World War I from a unique perspective. Meanwhile, The Titanic text offers a chance to understand a significant historical event through a human lens.

Maths

In Year 5 Maths, our Autumn term learning, guided by the White Rose Maths framework, focuses on building a strong foundation in number and the early stages of calculation. We begin by mastering Place Value, delving into numbers up to a million, including understanding Roman numerals to 1,000 and accurately reading, writing, comparing, and ordering numbers. We’ll also hone our rounding skills to the nearest 10, 100, or 1,000. This strong understanding of place value is crucial as we move into Addition and Subtraction. Here, children will develop fluency in mental strategies and confidently use formal written methods for numbers exceeding four digits. We’ll emphasize checking answers through rounding and inverse operations, and tackle more complex multi-step word problems. The term also introduces Multiplication and Division A, where pupils will explore multiples, common multiples, factors, and common factors. They’ll also identify prime, square, and cube numbers, and strengthen their understanding of multiplying and dividing by 10, 100, and 1,000.

Wider Curriculum

Beyond the core subjects, in the Autumn term, our Year 5 curriculum is rich with creative and investigative learning experiences. In Art, we are exploring how to convey emotion through still life by drawing a composition of fruit expressing a specific mood, taking inspiration from the surrealist master, Salvador Dalí. This project encourages us to use colour, shape, and form in expressive ways. We will also be embarking on a hands-on Pottery Week, where we will learn to form, model, and construct a teapot, studying the techniques of renowned British pottery company Wedgewood. In RE, we are tackling a profound question: What does it mean if Christians believe God is holy and loving? This will involve discussing complex concepts and engaging in respectful dialogue. For Geography, we will conduct an in-depth study of either the United States or Brazil, comparing and contrasting human and physical features of a different country. Our French lessons will focus on practical conversational skills, including talking about ourselves and our school subjects, as well as themes like shopping in the city and festive jumpers.

Spring Term

English and Guided Reading

In Year 5 English, we will be developing our writing and reading skills through a variety of text types. We will be continuing to be captivated by Brian Selznick’s The Invention of Hugo Cabret, using the characters and setting to craft persuasive letters. Children will need to consider the feelings and motivations of characters to argue a specific point. We will also be building our non-fiction writing skills by delving into historical and scientific topics. Our exploration of Tudor history will culminate in writing biographies of Henry VIII, where we will focus on using accurate dates and facts to present a detailed account of his life. To complement our science topic, we will be researching and writing a non-chronological report on space, learning how to organize information using subheadings, bullet points, and images to present facts clearly and effectively.  In our guided reading sessions, we will explore the magical world of Roald Dahl’s The BFG. We’ll be delving into the enchanting story, focusing on understanding the characters’ unique language, the thrilling adventures, and the heartwarming friendship between Sophie and the Big Friendly Giant.

Maths

In Year 5, our Spring term Maths journey, guided by the White Rose Maths framework, will delve into more complex numerical concepts to solidify understanding and prepare for future learning. We will begin by deepening our skills in Multiplication and Division (Block B), tackling multiplying and dividing multi-digit numbers, including those with remainders, and exploring the concepts of factors and multiples in greater depth. This will build a robust foundation for more advanced calculations. We will then move into Fractions (Block B), where we’ll focus on adding and subtracting fractions with different denominators, including mixed numbers, and begin to explore multiplying fractions by whole numbers. This will be a crucial step in developing fluency with fractional calculations. Following this, we will transition to Decimals and Percentages, learning to convert between them, add and subtract decimals with varying numbers of decimal places, and find percentages of amounts. Our learning will extend to Perimeter and Area, where we’ll calculate the perimeter of compound shapes and understand the relationship between area and perimeter.

Wider Curriculum

In Geography, our in-depth study will include an exploration of different biomes within the chosen country, examining their unique climates, flora, and fauna. For Computing, we’ll be becoming digital creators by learning about video production using Microsoft Photos, and also developing our data organization skills with fact-file databases. In Art, we’ll be exploring texture and collage by painting to create the texture of a river, using a range of stencils and layers. We will be taking inspiration from the work of Pablo Picasso. Our DT project will involve a practical and delicious food technology unit where we’ll be making a vegetable pasty. In French, we’ll be expanding our vocabulary to talk about healthy eating, how to describe clothes and colours, and even how to create a fruit salad recipe. Finally, in RE, we will be exploring two key questions: Why do Christians believe Jesus was the Messiah? and Why is the Torah so important to Jewish people? These topics will encourage critical thinking and a deeper understanding of world religions.

Summer Term

English

This summer term, our English work will be focused on adventure, mystery, and informative writing. We will be diving into Gillian Cross’s thriller, The Demon Headmaster. We will be developing our narrative skills by retelling a key scene from the story from a different character’s perspective. We will also be using our non-fiction skills to write a detailed set of instructions on how to survive in the rainforest and a newspaper report about a mining disaster, which will help us learn how to present factual information clearly and accurately. In our guided reading sessions, we will be exploring Philippa Pearce’s classic, Tom’s Midnight Garden, which will allow us to discuss themes of time, friendship, and family. This beautiful story is perfect for exploring rich vocabulary and figurative language.

Maths

For the summer term in Year 5, our maths learning, following the White Rose objectives, will focus on a number of key areas. We will begin with Geometry, concentrating on both properties of shapes and position and direction. This will include identifying, describing, and comparing a range of 2D and 3D shapes, as well as understanding coordinates and translations. We will then move on to measurement, where we will work with different units and convert between them. The final part of the term will be spent on statistics, where we will learn how to read and interpret different charts and graphs, including line graphs. Throughout all these topics, we will continue to develop our problem-solving and reasoning skills.

Wider Curriculum

This term, our learning will extend across a variety of subjects. In History, we will be conducting a local study with the key question, “How has coal mining shaped Stoke-on-Trent?” This will involve exploring the profound impact of this industry on our city’s past and present. In Science, we’ll be delving into Living things and their habitats and exploring the fascinating complexities of the human body. Our Geography lessons will focus on the formation and features of rivers. In Art, we will be embracing a new medium by creating sculptures. We will plan and sculpt a key artifact from the Tudor period manipulating recycled and natural materials, and drawing inspiration from the work of Barbara Hepworth. In French, our topics will be “Out of this world” and “Going to the seaside,” helping us to talk about space and holidays. Finally, in RE, we will explore how Christians live by asking, “What would Jesus do?” and compare the beliefs of Christians and Humanists to determine what matters most to each.