Year 5

  ENGLISH

Using the book, ‘Beowulf’, as our inspiration, we will explore narratives, learning about how characters and settings can be described and developed.  We will write letters between key characters and write our own beast-themed stories.  We will use the Anglo Saxons book to help us to research the era and write persuasive battle speeches.  Finally, we will explore poetic devices in the form of Kennings and look further into Beowulf as an epic poem, comparing it with others, such as Homer’s ‘The Odyssey’.

  MATHS

This half term, our learning will extend our previous understanding of decimal numbers by learning to add, subtract and multiply decimals.  In Geometry, we will learn about the properties of shapes, including regular and irregular polygons as well as reasoning about 3-d shapes.  Our main focus in Geometry will be on angles: measuring with a protractor; drawing angles; and calculating angles.  For mental maths, we will continue to practise a range of fluency calculations with our daily Fluent in Five questions.  Children also undertake a weekly multiplication tables challenge.

SCIENCE

This half term, we will continue to learn about materials and investigate different ways in which they can be changed.  We will learn about separating mixtures, including recovering solids from a solution.  We will learn about reversible and irreversible changes, including when chemical changes occur.

Science Sum 1

 

HISTORY

We will learn about Britain at the time of the Anglo-Saxon invasions and how Britain changed over time, locating events on a timeline and develop our understanding of chronology through linking the era to other known periods in history.  We will investigate the lives of the Anglo-Saxons, using a range of historical evidence.  We will also start to explore the impact of other invasions on Anglo-Saxon Britain.

History Sum 1

 

GEOGRAPHY

Linked to our reading and history, we will learn about the different groups who became the ‘Anglo-Saxons’, where they came from and which geographical factors contributed to their invasion.  We will explore the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and how they relate to our modern-day counties.  We will also use maps to identify the location of evidence of archaeological finds and explore the geographical reasons why sites were chosen as suitable settlements.

 RE

This term we are learning about Christianity, focusing on how Christians use the idea of ‘What would Jesus do?’ when making choices about how to live their lives.  We will learn about stories from the Gospels including the The Sermon on the Mount and the Parable of the Two Builders.

RE Sum 1

 

 PE

Children will have two PE sessions each week – please make sure your child wears their PE kit in school every Tuesday and Wednesday.  If they wish, your child may wear leggings or jogging trousers to wear instead of shorts for outdoor PE.  For safety reasons, all watches and jewellery must be removed for PE lessons. If your child wears earrings, they must be able to remove them independently or cover them with medical tape.  Please send medical tape in with your child if needed.  Alternatively, it may be easier to leave earrings at home on PE days.

This term we will be learning to play badminton in one of our PE sessions. In our second PE session each week, we will be learning different skills associated with running, including in relay.

 COMPUTING

The children will continue to learn about online safety through our computing lessons.  In addition, we will be learning about computer systems and searches using the Digital Learning Cornwall resources.

 

MUSIC

This term we will be learning some Motown songs from the 1960s, including ‘Dancing in the Street’.  We will be learning to sing the songs and play some accompanying instruments.

DT

In DT, we will be investigating and analysing the different types of breads made during the Anglo-Saxon period as well as exploring some of the many varieties of bread produced today.  We will look at the different types of grains used to make flour and have a go at grinding the grains, before designing and creating our own Anglo-Saxon bread.

PSHE

This term, our focus is on Health and Wellbeing, focusing on sleep and mental wellbeing.  We will also be learning about keeping safe with a focus on sun safety; medicines, vaccinations and immunisations as well as learning about allergies.

MFL

This term we will be learning to say where we live.  We will also learn the names for 10 different rooms in a home and say which rooms we have or do not have in our homes.  We will then review prior learning about ourselves so that we can introduce ourselves and where we live.

 

2025-Checklist-50-Best-Books-Y5

HOME LEARNING

In year 5, children still need to read lots! All children are expected to read at home most nights for 15 – 20 minutes either to themselves or with an adult. This could be their school Accelerated Reader book, listening to a story read by someone else or sharing a favourite book. All are equally valuable. Talking about what they have read is also vital to help develop comprehension skills. This is particularly beneficial to the children when completing their Accelerated Reader quizzes.  All children have a reading record book in which parents, carers or the children themselves can record what they have read or make any comments.

In addition, children all have access to Times Tables Rockstars. Please encourage your child to practise their times tables regularly – five or ten minutes a day is likely to be more beneficial than an hour once a week.

Thank you for your support at home – it is very much appreciated!