Elizabeth Class
Autumn
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English
This term, we linked our writing to the Victorians and read the Usborne children’s version of ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’. Using the book’s fantastic range of vocabulary, we described settings and created atmosphere in our writing. We also developed our skills of ‘showing not telling’ the reader how characters were thinking and then applied this to write detailed diary entries from the perspective of Dr Jekyll or Mr Hyde. Later on in the term, we studied ‘Street Child’ by Berlie Doherty. Using adverbials, questions and modal verbs, we created persuasive advertisements from different perspectives. In the second half of the term, we read extracts from the brilliant ‘Boy: Tales of Childhood’ by Roald Dahl. We were able to apply the features and language style of an autobiography to our own autobiographies about our lives, which we really enjoyed!
Maths
At the beginning of this year, we began by developing our understanding of place value up to one million. By using concrete resources, as well as reasoning activities, we became more confident with larger quantities. After this, we were able to apply this knowledge to round numbers to the nearest 10,100, 1000 and even 10,000! We also became experts at using the column method for addition and subtraction, even when exchanging was involved. Then, we used these skills to solve complex multi-step problems, which really stretched our brains! As well as practising quicker methods for multiplying and dividing, including using multiples of ten and partitioning in our heads, we learned how to calculate the perimeter and area of composite shapes. We had fun putting these problems into practical contexts and discussing their real life purpose e.g. perimeter fencing for gardens.
Science
‘Materials’ was a well-enjoyed topic in Elizabeth class! We conducted several investigations such as how to keep a cup of tea warm for the longest. We discussed variables and which things should be kept the same to ensure fair testing. Furthermore, we calculated averages from the data that we collected. A highlight of this topic was trying to separate an alien mixture of counters, sand, water and a secret ingredient of salt. We soon realised that the sequencing was very important for this investigation and that the salt could actually be recovered by boiling and evaporating the water it had dissolved in, which surprised us! Our second topic, ‘Animals including Humans’ was also great fun as we created lifecycles of humans and investigated gestation periods amongst different mammals. We were interested to find out that the gestation period of animals doesn’t necessarily correlate with their life span.
Creative Curriculum
Elizabeth became immersed in our ‘Victorians’ topic this term by studying different sources and artefacts from the era. We were particularly intrigued by the accounts of children’s living and working conditions during this time in history (especially the punishments in the Victorian school log books). We compared rich and poor lifestyles and studied famous people who assisted the poor during this time e.g. Lord Shaftesbury. Our favourite day was our school trip to Horton Kirby and stepping back in time to become a Victorian child! The real case studies enriched our knowledge of people, places and events during this period. We also discovered that writing on slates in silence (in a re-enacted Victorian lesson) definitely isn’t as fun as the lessons
Spring
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English
At the beginning of the Spring term, Elizabeth were shocked to discover that the corridor had been taken over by lily pads and mischievous flying frogs! The thought-provoking book ‘Tuesday’ by David Weisner gave us plenty of inspiration for our own newspaper report writing using direct and indirect speech. In addition, we created our own narratives called ‘Wednesday’ using cohesive devices including adverbials.
In the second half of the term, Elizabeth’s writing took a more tragic turn… in the form of ‘The Highwayman’ poem! We were blown away by the similes, metaphors and personification in ‘The Highwayman’. The rhyme and repetition moved us to write our own detailed version of this poem of love and sadness.
Lastly, during Danson’s Book Week, we thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘James and the Giant Peach’ by Roald Dahl. Our dramatic performances were second to none in role as James, the Centipede or even Aunt Sponge and Spiker! We have had such a lot of excellent work going on in English this term!
Maths
This term, we’ve been learning some new and quicker written methods for calculations, particularly focusing on multiplying and dividing. We have become masters of the short and long multiplication methods and have applied our skills to solve multi step problems. Also, we’ve consolidated our understanding of short division including looking at the context of remainders. Throughout our activities we have develop our reasoning skills by proving answers in many different ways, using different representations.
Next, we moved on to some complex work with fractions. After using concrete resources to build up our understanding of mixed numbers and improper fractions, we went on to adding, subtracting and multiplying fraction amounts. We have developed methods to do this where denominators are different and through the context of problem solving puzzles. Year 5 have really put the effort in this term to tackle these challenging maths concepts!
Science
‘Forces’ was our topic for the whole term and we conducted many investigations to test things such as gravity, air resistance, water resistance and friction. One of our favourites was carried out during Science week, whereby we accurately created winged ‘insects’ and timed the speed at which they fell to the ground. Our results gave use important information about air resistance which we were able to record, present and write a detailed conclusion about. Science week also saw us dressing up as strange and different insects and learning why a lunch bag explodes when you mix baking soda and vinegar! We’ve had great fun in Science this term!
Creative Curriculum
Elizabeth became geographers this term, and enjoyed gathering research and information about natural disasters. We were able to offer advice about flood defences according to a budget and plan on a map where they should be situated. Stories about tsunamis affected us, as we thought about the negative effects on the human population and environment. In addition, we offered arguments for and against fire by studying the positive and negative impacts of bush fires around the world. Our expert knowledge and understanding was showcased in our class assembly. Elizabeth presented their facts with clarity and detail, which was a credit to their hard work and fantastic learning this term.
Summer
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English
Suddenly, Summer term was upon us and our ‘Australia’ topic had arrived! Our first text (The Rabbits) was an allegory about the colonisation of Australia, which we enjoyed deciphering and sharing opinions on. Through drama and hot seating, we explored the different perspectives of characters in the story and discussed evocative vocabulary that would describe their emotions. Alongside this, we worked on precision with our punctuation, particularly when using newer symbols e.g. semi colons. After writing an engaging adventure narrative, we self and peer edited and up-levelled our writing – a particularly important skill for Year 5.
In the second half of the term, we became absorbed in the gripping text ‘Holes’. We explored the different sentence structures used in the narrative and also the impact they created. After, we applied our knowledge to write our own diary entry and letter. Our learning culminated in us presenting a balanced argument with reasons for and against sending children who steal to a camp like Camp Green Lake. We clearly have some excellent debaters in Elizabeth class!
Maths
This term, we have been developing our speed and accuracy with times table recall. This has included our related division facts! Elizabeth have enjoyed the times tables competitions in Maths groups and have embraced the more challenging ‘90’s’ test (including multiplying decimals) with determination.
As well as this, we have looked at many aspects of Geometry, including angles and properties of shape. Year 5 became experts at classifying, estimating, precisely measuring and drawing angles with protractors. Our understanding of regular and irregular shapes was strengthened through various sorting, labelling and reasoning exercise where we used our mathematical vocabulary to explain why answers were or were not correct.
Finally, our measurement skills were put to the test as we used conversion rules to solve problems involving length, mass and volume. By using and applying place value, multiplying and dividing knowledge, Elizabeth were able to confidently approach challenging multi-step problems in this area!
Science
One small step for man, one giant leap for Elizabeth class! Our first Science topic this term was ‘Earth and Space’ during which we explored how planets move in relation to each other. We had great fun orbiting and rotating to help us remember the vocabulary. One of our most memorable moments was simulating a moon crater impact with flour and measuring the diameter of the ‘craters’. Likewise, in the second half of the term we applied our observation, planning and investigative skills when (excitingly) we were the proud carers of five class caterpillars! We watched their lifecycle in action and compared it with other animals including mammals, amphibians and reptiles. After metamorphosis, all five butterflies were set free on the school field and we proudly waved goodbye.
Creative Curriculum
Elizabeth have enjoyed many themed days and weeks this term. We got caught up in the Royal Wedding excitement by delving into England’s royal history as well as writing our own very formal invitations for a royal wedding! Then, on London History Day, we marched with pride around the school to celebrate ‘Votes for Women’ and took part in a fun drama workshop. Year 5 were also lucky enough to take part in ‘Australia Week’ where, amongst other fun activities, we designed our own boomerangs and created 3D coral reefs in D&T. Lastly, Creative Curriculum week reminded us of the treasures in our local area e.g. Red House and Danson Park. Applying our enquiry skills, we researched and presented information about real people using genuine historical photographs and ordnance survey maps of Welling. We have loved having the opportunity to show our history and geography skills in creative ways this term!