The River Nile and the Ancient Egyptians

ENGLISH

This term, we will begin both our Reading and Writing with The Lost Words by Robert McFarlane. This will give pupils the opportunity to immerse themselves in several different poems about British wildlife. This then links with our next class book, The Midnight Fox by Betsy Byars.  We will be learning to put forward both sides of an argument when writing discussion texts and we will be developing our inference skills as we learn about Tom and his family at the farm.

HOME READING

Please continue to support your child’s reading by ensuring that they read at least 5 times per week and bring their reading record in daily.  Please sign their reading record on a weekly basis. Thank you.

SPELLING AND GRAMMAR

Spelling is taught throughout the week (4-5 sessions). Children will also learn a selection of between 10 and 12 spellings taken from the Year 5/6 spelling list each term.

Grammar objectives will be taught within our writing sessions.

MATHS

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

• Multiplication and division – written methods
• Geometry – position and direction
• Fractions, decimals and percentages
• Measurement – length, mass and capacity

SCIENCE

This term, the children will be learning about Forces through investigation, testing and secondary sources. We will be focusing on gravity, air resistance, water resistance and friction. These lessons will usually be taught once every week.

FOUNDATION SUBJECTS

Through our investigation into the River Nile and Ancient Egypt, the children will be making links across geography learning about the location of Egypt and why the Nile is of such importance. We will build on this knowledge in history, learning about the Ancient Egyptian civilisation, how they lived, what they believed and when they lived. The children will also spend time looking at the pharaoh Tutankhamun and will make shadufs with levers and pulleys in Design Technology.

During the spring term, we will also be teaching units of music based on ‘Madina tun Nabi’, an Islamic song, and printing and drawing within art, linked with the artist Paul Klee.

COMPUTING

The children will learn how to create short videos, exposing them to skills including capturing images, video editing and video manipulation.

We will also be continuing to consider the importance of E-Safety.

RE

In RE, we will be focussing on Judaism and Christianity, answering the key questions:

‘What does it mean to live as a Jew in the UK today?’ and ‘Why might the belief that Jesus ‘saved’ people be so important for many Christians?’

FRENCH

In French, we will be looking at vocabulary linked with our unit ‘Au Salon de The’ and how to order foods in a French café.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION (PE)

PE will take place on a Wednesday and Thursday in 5R, and Tuesday and Wednesday in 5H. We will be learning the skills and rules of hockey and football. As BOTH of these sessions will take place outside, please ensure your child brings in appropriate PE kit with layers and a spare change of outdoor shoes. They will get muddy!

HOMEWORK

To promote fast and accurate recall, it is important that children regularly practise their times tables and Times Tables Rockstars will enable them to do this at home. Please complete a minimum of 15 minutes a week on this app. It is also important that your child continues to read at home at least 5 times a week. We will set homework each Thursday which will consist of a maths or literacy-based activity.

If you have any questions or would like to speak to a member of the Year 5 team, please come and see us at the end of the day or email the school office.

Mrs Rigby and Mrs Hunting