Welcome to Year 5

Year 5 – Summer 1 Newsletter

Dear Parents/Carers,

It’s hard to believe that next year (September) your child will be starting secondary school. These last two terms are where the pupils really start to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in reading, writing and maths in preparation for Year 6.

Topics covered this half term are below:

Benin - Our history focus will help us to understand more about the original Kingdom of Benin – a culturally rich and technologically advanced empire which lasted for nearly 1,000 years.

Maths – Year 5 will continue to focus on decimals and percentages. As adults, we appreciate how these two topics permeate all parts of our daily lives. Any discussions which help children to notice them outside of the classroom (e.g. when out shopping) will help them recognise the how valuable this mathematical knowledge is and how this knowledge is related to life skills.

Reading – This is your child’s homework. 4 reads per week – minimum, ideally for at least 10 minutes at a time. We have hundreds of books in the school library as well as books suited to your child’s reading level. Please encourage them to complete this and note it in their diaries.

Writing – We will be exploring another great book this half-term: Varjak Paw. I know it will quickly become a new favourite for many of the class. Linked to this, we will be writing our own chapter of the story. Later this half term we will be writing a balanced argument on the return of the Benin Bronzes.

Science – Our focus is on the properties of materials: understanding what those properties are, their benefits, their uses, and how some changes can be reversible/irreversible.

PE – Will again be Fridays only this half term. The two lessons will cover gymnastics and athletics – please ensure your child has plain joggers/leggings and hoodies as athletic will be outdoors.

ART – we will be trying our hand at print making this half term: looking at various techniques and effects – apologies if they come home and want to try it all over again