Welcome to Year 5!
Dear Parent/Carer,
Welcome to Year 5! We are looking forward to an exciting year, starting with our busy Autumn Term which sees us learning all about the Victorians, the Water Cycle and the beliefs of Islam amongst many other things.
Our topic this term is The Victorians and we will learn lots about this important period of British history, not just about Queen Victoria herself but how the world changed during her time on the throne. The industrial revolution, the exploration of the unchartered world and the huge leaps forward in Science and ethics will inform our learning this term and we will also discover all about Victorian Folkestone and the people who lived here. In Music we will be discovering the Victorian Music Hall traditions, and will even have a special ‘Victorian Day’ later in the term to experience life as a Victorian school child (Mrs Cadwallader promises not to get too carried away with the cane…!)
Science is a very practical subject this term as we explore changing states as well as our natural elements. Water is vital to our very existence- but how much do we actually know about it? The Water Cycle is our first focus and we will explore the wonderful efficiency of nature as well as how humans use water in ingenious ways.
In Maths we will continue to develop our numerical understanding using Maths Makes Sense. It really helps your child to develop their numerical literacy when they play games at home so please join in the fun maths games that will be sent home and ask your child what they have been doing that week.
Literacy lessons will see us visit the past as we looks at historical texts linked to our Victorian topic as well as study newspaper articles and recount. We will continue to refine our grammar and spelling expertise as well as improve our creative writing skills with a narrative story planning focus and the chance to demonstrate our wildest imaginations to our classmates. Anything goes in our creative story factory so get your thinking caps on Year 5 and see how you can astound your classmates!
PE sees us swimming on Fridays and also improving our skills in football, netball and handball. PLEASE make sure your child has their FULL PE kit in school at all times and that they have their swimming kits of the appropriate days. PE is a vital part of the curriculum and children hate to miss out when they do not have the correct kit with them.
The lead up to Christmas sees us focus on Harvest Festival and of course Advent as part of our Christian calendar. But we will also be taking an in-depth look at the beliefs of Muslims in our ‘Islam Focus’ during our RE lessons. The children’s visit to the mosque really inspired everyone at the end of last year and we are looking forward to discovering lots more about this ancient religion- and even learning a few phrases in Arabic!
The following homework will be given most weeks:
Literacy (plus often spellings), Numeracy (often a maths game plus times table practice) and occasionally a topic or science based ‘Big Think’ question or mini-project. Homework will be set on a Thursday and is due back in the following Wednesday. You should also read regularly with your child throughout the week as this will enhance their learning across the curriculum.
We also have our Class Five Family Worship on the afternoon of 14th October- we hope to see you there as the children are preparing something very special!
We are very much looking forward to getting to know you all and please do not hesitate to make an appointment with the office to come and see us if you have any questions about your child’s time in Year 5.
Mrs Emily Cadwallader & Miss Simone Farnfield
(c) The Royal Hospitals; Supplied by The Public Catalogue Foundation
