Blue 2023 - 2024

Welcome to Blue Class

We are a Year 5 class who are taught by Miss Griffiths, supported by Mr Richards, Miss Grindley, Mrs Inskip and Miss Cornes.

This is what we will be learning about in the Autumn term:

Maths:

Place Value: Roman numerals to 1,000, Numbers to 1,000,000, Powers of 10, 10/100/1,000/10,000/100,000 more or less, Compare and order numbers to 1,000,000, Round within 1,000,000

Addition & Subtraction:  Mental strategies, add whole numbers with more than four digits, Subtract whole numbers with more than four digits, Round to check answers, Inverse operations, Multi-step addition and subtraction problems, Compare calculations, Find missing numbers

Multiplication & Division:  Multiples, Factors, Prime numbers, Square numbers, Cube numbers, Multiply and Divide by 10, 100 and 1,000

Fractions:  Find fractions equivalent to unit and non-unit fractions, convert improper fractions to mixed numbers and vice versa, Compare and order fractions, Add and subtract fractions and mixed numbers

English:

We will develop our reading and writing skills across a range of genres and text types using high quality texts.

This half term the children will be writing an exploration narrative and a formal report drawing on ideas from the non-fiction text: Where Once We Stood– Christopher Riley

 Next half term the children will be writing a setting description based on the images within the text using the text FArTHER by Grahame Baker-Smith. They will then use these ideas to write a letter about a significant event in the story. 

Science:

Earth and Space

The children will learn about spherical bodies (Sun, Moon, Earth). They will go on to describe the movement of the Earth and other planets relative to the solar system. We will then look at the differences between Geocentric versus Heliocentric looking how scientific evidence can be used to support or refute these ideas. Finally touching on night and day, investigating it in different parts of the world.

Scientists and Inventors

They will learn about the life and work of David Attenborough. Going on to learn about how CSI technicians use scientific techniques to analyse evidence and prove or disprove theories. s. Children will find out about Margaret Hamilton and her invention of the software and computer code that enabled Apollo 11 to go the Moon. Whilst also looking at the lives and works of: Eva Crane, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Stephanie Kwolek and Leonardo DaVinci. 

History:

History: Ancient Egypt

In this topic we will learn about the achievements of this ancient civilisation, where the ancient Egyptians lived, what was important to the daily lives of ancient Egyptians, who Tutankhamun was and how mummies were made. The children will also learn about how Egyptian people used hieroglyphs to communicate and compare the powers of different gods

Geography:

Enough for Everyone

The children will think about the needs of a settlement, and the needs of the planet as a whole. They will find out where resource such as power and food come from, and look at ways in which natural resources can be conserved.

Computing:

Online Safety

In computing this term, the children will learn about email safety with a focus on preventing and dealing with spam. They will consider the importance of strong passwords and how to create them.

3D Modelling

The children will extend their drawing skills to create 3D models. They will then explore how to manipulate their drawings using a variety of tools.

Art:

Wildlife and Birds

In Art the children will have the opportunity to explore the work of the sculptor, Brancusi, and the paper designer, Richard Sweeney. They will also have the opportunity to use pencil, white pencil, print, make clay tiles and model to create quality art work that shows progression in skills.

Design and Technology:

Automata Animals

In DT the children will have opportunities to further develop their understanding of mechanical systems. They will learn about controlling movement with a cam mechanism as part of an automata animal.   

Religious Education:

Hinduism

In RE this term we will be focusing on the topic of Hinduism. Focusing on commitment and how Hindu’s show their commitment to their faith.

Christianity

The children will be learning about incarnation and whether Christmas has lost its true meaning.

Music:

Our Community

In our Music lessons this term blue class will be looking at learning a song through time. Writing lyrics to their own song. Developing accompaniments using ostinato and invented or improvised rhythms.

Solar System

For the second part of the term we will be listening to music with focus and analysing using musical vocabulary. We will be listening to music, focusing on dynamics and texture. Finally, we will be creating and presenting a performance of song, music and poetry.

Physical Education:

The children will have two P.E. sessions. Outdoor PE will be taught on a Friday. In the Autumn term children will be working to improve their orienteering skills and hockey skills. Indoor PE will be taught on a Monday. Lessons will include gymnastics and multi-sports.

On these days, the children will need to come to school dressed in their P.E. uniform: navy shorts and light blue t-shirt; navy tracksuit and light blue t-shirt. No logos or football kits. Trainers should be plain black or plain white. All long hair should be tied back and earrings should be removed.

M.F.L. - French:

Pleased to Meet You

In French this term the children will learn to express their emotions and to talk about the future, using two different tenses. An old favourite story provides a fun background for some of the grammar work, whereas career ambitions help with the rest. Each lesson includes detailed teacher guidance where necessary and all vocabulary is supported by sound files for correct pronunciation.

All Above Ourselves

They will learn to describe their own appearance and are introduced to some key grammatical features of French, such as the position and agreement of adjectives. Children will develop their conversational skills, learning to talk about emotions and health. 

P.S.H.E.:

TEAM

The children will focus on the concept of TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) focuses on the positive qualities of a team, learning how to disagree respectfully and communicate effectively. It looks at the key qualities and skills needed for a team to be successful.

Money Matters

The children will discuss what a financial risk is, why people may take risks with money and some consequences of this. Children will explore how to see the real value of products by being critical consumers and also consider influences that advertisers try to use to encourage people to spend money.

Homework:

Maths: Maths homework will be set via Class DoJo on a Friday to be completed by the following Wednesday. We ask for all children to continue to access Times Table Rockstars online to practice and improve instant recall of key multiplication and related division facts.

English: English homework will be set via Class DoJo on a Friday to be completed by the following Wednesday. We ask that the children also engage frequently with Spelling Shed to practise their spellings.

Reading: At Weston, we encourage children to develop a lifelong love for reading. We ask for children to read regularly at home to adults and to themselves. Reading is fundamental to the wider academic and personal development of children and the need for children to read widely from a broad and challenging range of texts is even more crucial this term, due to the protracted absence from school. Children will be provided with quality texts appropriate for their age and ability. Furthermore, Bug Club will regularly be updated with ebooks and accompanying comprehension tasks to help extend learning and reading skills further.