English and Maths

This half term, we are delving straight into history by learning about how Britain changed through Anglo-Saxon and Viking times. We will look at the poem Beowulf and the Kennings poetry contained within it, and will then focus our attention on writing informative texts based on the book Viking Boy: The Real Story.

In Maths, we will start the year by looking at place value, including Roman Numerals, and addition and subtraction, including using lots of tried and tested methods. We will continue to practise our times tables and mental maths skills, as well as refining our reasoning and problem-solving skills.

Wider Curriculum

This half term, we will be learning about:

RE: If God is everywhere, why go to a place of Worship?

Science: Growing up and growing old

History: Changes to Britain: Vikings vs Anglo-Saxons

Computing: Word Processing and Spreadsheets

Art: Digital collage and image manipulation

French: French monster pets

Music: What shall we do with the drunken sailor?

PSHE: Being me in my world

PE: Outdoor sports (Tuesday)

Gymnastics (Thursday)

Additional information

SImilar to Year 4, homework expectations for Year 5 are times tables / division facts, spellings and reading.

Homework books will be handed out on a Monday, with a specific times table to practise and some spellings to practise. The following Monday, we will have our times table test and spelling test, and then send new spellings and times tables to be practised for the following week. We ask that children practise both their times tables and spelling list at least 3 times a week and hand their homework in on a Monday for it to be marked and new homework stuck in. 

Reading is also a fundamental part of homework each week. Children will be able to change their reading book as and when they finish a book, from our collection in the classroom. We will also visit the library on a Tuesday so children will have 2 books from school at any time. Please ensure your child reads several times a week (20 minutes a night is preferable) and records this in their reading diaries. Each morning, I will collect reading diaries in from those that have read the night before and they will receive a raffle ticket which will go in our raffle bag. At the end of each half term, I will pull 2 raffle tickets out of the bag and the winners will receive a prize. The more raffle tickets a child has, the greater their chance of winning! Please help encourage your children with their reading, as the reading tests in Year 5 are a big jump from Year 4. We will monitor children's reading at home on a weekly basis.

Dates for your diary

Tuesday 2nd September - 'Meet the teacher' meeting in Year 5 after school (see powerpoint uploaded below this newsletter).