Year 5
Summer Term in Year 5
year5@allsaints-harwich.essex.sch.uk
Year 5 Summer Term 2024
I hope you have all had a wonderful Easter holiday! I can't believe how quickly this academic year has gone and I'm shocked that we're starting our last term of this year already! We have an exciting term to end our year though as we focus on our topic of 'The Greeks!'
English
In the first half term of the summer, the children will be reading and writing their own stories linked to their topic about The Greeks. Children will be using skills from the year 5 writing checklist to write a myth where their character goes on a quest to defeat a monster. We will be looking at setting descriptions and improving our vocabulary to make our writing interesting for our reader. We will then start to look at non-fiction writing and see how we can apply our writing skills to writing instructions too.
In reading lessons, we will be reading a variety of texts linked to our topic. We will practice a range of skills needed in order to be a good reader such as prediction, vocabulary, fluency, expression, comprehension and inference skills. Reading helps to support our children’s writing greatly, so we will continue to have daily reading lessons for the children to not only learn reading skills, but also identifying words and phrases that we can use in our own writing.
Regular reading of a range of texts at home will continue to support learning in this area so please make sure that you are encouraging your child to read as much as possible. This does not have to be their usual reading book, just whatever the children enjoy- comics, information books, magazines… etc.
Please remember to still sign your child’s reading diary so we can keep track of who is reading regularly at home and support children with reading where ever possible.
Mathematics
This term, the children will be developing their skills in many aspects of Primary Mathematics including shape, direction and position and the number system looking at negative numbers. You can continue to support your child by engaging them in every day mathematical situations including telling the time, handling money and reading measures. We also encourage you to support your children’s knowledge of times tables, using Mathletics where ever possible. Speedy recall of times tables makes so many other areas of maths much easier for the children.
Science
I am really excited to dive into our science work this term! We will be learning all about living things and reproduction- investigating life cycles for both animals and plants. The children have already shown so much enjoyment in science lessons and I’m sure it will continue as we begin our research.
RE
As part of our R.E work this term, we will be looking at different thoughts about how we see the world focusing on Hinduism. We will cover lots of information and investigations about how Hindus make sense of the world around them, their beliefs about the world and their yearly routines of festivals.
History
History is a big focus for us this term and I have been so impressed with the children's level of interest in history! I am so excited to be able to share this series of lessons with the children. Within our history lessons this term, we will be finding out about The Greeks. We will be comparing their way of life to this period in history, using sources to gather information as historians would. We will then explore how our every day life has been influenced by the Greeks.
Geography
This term, the children will be developing their geography skills within our topic of ‘Would you like to live in a desert?’ The children will be locating different deserts around the world using maps and comparing the environments across continents. We will also be looking at how the eco-system is affected by global warming and rises in temperature around the world.
Music
During our Music lessons, the learning is focused on learning to sing, play, improvise and compose with this song, we will listen to and appraise other similar songs few well known songs including ‘Dancing in the street’. I am sure quite a few of our parents will know this song and can help to practise at home! J
P.E and Forest schools
P.E and Forest schools will now take place on a Friday afternoon. I know the children enjoy this time developing skills outside of the classroom. Remember to send your child into school wearing their P.E and suitable clothes and shoes for foresting can be sent in for them to change into after their P.E lesson.
Art
For our art unit this term, the children will be investigating sculptures as part of our focus on 3D art. The children will test out and design their own light installations! I can't wait to see the children's creativity come to life in such a fun way!
D.T
As part of our technology lessons, the children will be learning about food and nutrition. The children will be finding out where food comes from and then design and make their own meal so be prepared for some cooking lessons coming home!
Spanish
I am already very impressed with the children’s knowledge and love of Spanish at school! This term, we will be learning the names of sports as part of our Olympic topic- just in time for the Summer Olympics this year being held in Paris. The children will continue to develop their speaking and listening skills of Spanish by saying phrases to ask which sports other children enjoy and which ones are not their favourite to take part in.
Homework
Weekly spelling patterns or words are sent home on a Monday via Marvellous Me. We work on these words and spelling patterns throughout the week, but practising at home can help to embed these spellings, ensuring the children consistently use them within their writing.
Mathletics homework is set on a Friday each week and should be completed for the following Friday. All children who complete this earn an extra break on a Friday afternoon. If it has not been completed, this time is an opportunity where we can support children in completing the work.
We also ask that reading is completed five times a week for at least five minutes and recorded in their reading records. Children may wish to read to themselves, but we ask that their reading records are still signed by an adult. They do not need to only read the book they are currently reading at school, but instead could choose to read anything that they are interested in.
Key messages
If you have any questions, anything that you want to let me know or just check, feel free to catch me on the gate in the morning or at the end of the day. Alternatively, you can leave a message with the office or email me on our class email which is Year5@allsaints-harwich.essex.sch.uk.
Please let us know if you have any further questions or queries.
Kind Regards
Miss Thorpe