Autumn Term 2026

A Journey from North to South America   

Welcome 

Welcome from Year 5! It’s lovely to see everyone back in school, again. Here is an outline of what our teaching and learning should look like over the coming months: 

Reading / Phonics 

Guided reading will be taught each week and will cover fiction, non-fiction and poetry.  Our first whole class novel will be The Firework Maker’s Daughter by Phillip Pullman. After half term, we will focus on ‘Cinnamon’ by Neil Gaiman. To further promote research skills and comprehension, we will also be reading a variety of information texts linked to our topics on America and the Maya.  Please continue to support your child’s reading by ensuring that they read at least 5 times per week, making notes of pages read and unfamiliar vocabulary in their reading record. Their yellow reading record should be brought into school daily, and signed by an adult at least weekly. This will be monitored in school. For children who continue to read from books on the school reading scheme, books will be changed when completed with adult support. However, if your child is a free reader, they will have access to the Year 5/6 library area where they will be encouraged to change their book independently when required.  

Writing 

This term, we will be writing in a range of genres for different purposes.  To begin, we have started writing our own poetry based on Joseph Coelho’s anthology, ‘Werewolf Club Rules’. We will then move onto creating short stories linked to ’How to Live Forever’ by Colin Thompson.  Later in the term, we will be writing non-chronological reports linked to our Geography and History topics. After half term, we will write a newspaper article linked to ‘The Whale’ by Ethan Murrow and immerse ourselves in several non-fiction texts, this time related to our history topic on the Maya.  

Spellings 

Spelling will be taught using Essentials Spelling.  There will be short spelling lessons several times throughout the week.  Spellings will be tested informally throughout the term with formal spelling tests at the end of units of work, mainly focusing on the Y5/6 statutory spelling list (attached).  Children will also have personalised spelling lists to continue to practice comprised of words they are still struggling with from words they have already been taught. Grammar will be taught in context within our writing lessons so that it is purposeful and relevant.    

Please see spellings in the links below:  

Handwriting 

 

Maths  

Numeracy is taught daily. Key concepts this term will include:   

• reading, ordering and comparing numbers up to at least 1,000,000   

• counting with negative numbers and interpreting them in context, e.g links with temperature  

• rounding numbers to 1,000,000 to the nearest 10, 100 and 1000   

• reading Roman numerals to 1000 (M) and recognising years written in Roman numerals.   

• adding and subtracting numbers mentally with increasingly large numbers.   

• adding and subtracting whole numbers (more than 4 digits), including using column methods   

• using rounding to check answers to calculations   

• interpreting information on line graphs and timetables.   

• multiplying and dividing whole numbers by 10, 100 and 1000.   

• identifying multiples and factors, square and cubed numbers and prime numbers.   

• Identifying cubes, cuboids, prisms and pyramids from nets  

• multiplication and division using formal methods  

Science 

This half term, the children will be learning about Earth and Space.  After the half-term break, we will be studying Properties and changes in materials.  These lessons will be taught once each week.  

All foundation subjects being covered during the term   

Geography - As part of our journey from North to South America, the children will be learning geographical skills and concepts including longitude and latitude as well as learning about the geographical features of both continents, including volcanoes.   

History - After the half-term break, the children will be learning about the Maya civilisation of Central America.   

Art - Sculpture. We will be designing and building Mayan coil pots.  

French - We will be learning vocabulary associated with the family (La Famille) and with items in the classroom (En Classe).  

Design Technology - With a link to our learning on the Maya, we will be focussing on the food of Mexico, designing, creating and tasting a variety of Mexican dishes.  

COMPUTING   

The children will undertake volcano research on the internet as well as having the opportunity to word process pieces of writing with a focus on presentation. We will be using physical selection and coding to create part of a fairground ride, creating movement and light, digitally. We will also be continuing to consider the importance of e-Safety.   

RE   

In RE, we will be working to consider and discuss the following questions;  

• What influence does believing in the Trinity have on Christian world views?  

• How does the Hajj show what matters to Muslims in Britain?  

Knowledge Organisers 

Please find Knowledge Organisers for Maths, Science and Geography for this term in the links below.  

PHYSICAL EDUCATION (PE)   

PE will take place on a Wednesday and Thursday afternoon (5R) and Tuesday and Wednesday (5H).  This term we will be learning fitness skills as well as playing netball. After half term, we will move to tag rugby and dance. Please could you ensure that your child wears the correct PE kit into school on their PE day, including tracksuit bottoms for when the weather gets cooler. The other days of the week should be smart uniform.  

Homework  

To promote fast and accurate recall, it is important that children regularly practice their times tables and TTRockstars will enable them to do this at home.  It is also important that your child continues to read at home at least 5 times a week. More formal aspects of homework linked to English, Maths or foundation subjects will be given out every Thursday and must be handed in by the following TUESDAY morning.  

Routines and equipment needed (eg water bottles, stationery etc) 

Other useful information relevant to your particular year group.  

Kind regards,  

Mrs Rigby and Mrs Hunting 

Knowledge Organisers

 

Spellings: