Year 5

SUMMER TERM Learning

English

In Summer 1, we will explore the texts ‘The sleeper and the spindle’ by Neil Gaiman and ‘The Lost Happy Endings’ by Carol Ann Duffy and Jane Ray. Both texts feed into the theme on Legends and Folklore. These texts provide inspiration for the children to write their own reworking of a fairytale and a narrative from an alternative perspective. In Summer 2, our theme is ‘Mystery and Truth’. We will read the texts ‘High Rise Mystery’ by Shama Jackson and ‘Curiosity’ by Markus Motum. From these texts, the children will write both a narrative and explanatory text.

Whole Class Reading

In Summer 1, we read the historical fiction novel ‘Letters from the lighthouse’ by Emma Carroll and the poem ‘The listeners’ by Walter de la Mare. After half term, we will read ‘Overheard in a Tower Block’ by Joseph Coelho – a series of poems about growing up in a tower block - and ‘Real life mysteries’ by Susan Martineau and Vicky Barker, which examines evidence from unexplainable events allowing children to make up their own mind.

Maths

In the Summer term, we will continue to work on fractions, including multiplying integers by unit and non-unit fractions, equivalent fractions and fractions as decimals. After half term we will consolidate topics visited across the year, in particular converting measurements, coordinates and translation and geometry.

Science

This term, we will start by looking at unbalanced forces. We will be learning in detail about different forces and how they can act simultaneously to speed objects up, slow objects down and change their direction. We will then move on to a unit called ‘The human timeline’ when we will look at the different stages of a human’s life cycle. Both these units will involve a variety of investigations to further our learning through prediction, observation and conclusions based on evidence.

Computing

We will begin the term by learning about stop motion animation and children will use a stop motion platform to create their own animation storied using plasticine. Then, in Summer 2, our theme is ‘Creating media: stop motion animation’ in which we will re-cap some of the skills learnt across the year, ending the year with further online safety lessons.

Geography / History

Summer 1 will be Geography in which we will be asking the question ‘Would you like to live in a desert?’ We will be using the Mojave Desert as a case study. Returning to History in Summer 2, we will be looking at the legacy of Ancient Greek civilisations, focusing on Greek Gods and Philosophers.  

Art/DT

In Art, our topic is painting and mixed media, with a focus on creating portraits.
In DT, our topic is structures and children will be building bridges.

Music

In the first half term, we will be looking at looping and remixing and children will work towards using loops to create a whole piece of music, ensuring that the different aspects of music work together. After half term, our focus becomes musical theatre and children will create, rehearse and perform a scene from their own musical.

PSHE

In Summer, we will examine citizenship, including parliament, the law and the environment, as well as economic wellbeing, including budgeting and borrowing money. We will also use PSHE lessons to prepare the children for Year 6.

Spanish

This term, the children will learn to converse about travels, both around Spain and South America.  The children will then create a campaign about how they can protect and save South America.

PE

In Summer 1, Mr Haughton will be teaching volleyball on a Friday whilst class teachers will be teaching cricket on a Monday. In Summer 2, Mr Haughton will teach athletics and class teachers will teach badminton.  

RE

In our work on religion and world views, we will be considering the questions ‘Who gets to be in charge?’ and ‘Why are some places in the world significant to believers.’

Trips and Special Events

In school workshop on the Greeks, linked to History – Friday 12th June
Sports Day – Tuesday 16th June (there will be no sports clubs on this day)
Tower Bridge, linked to DT – Friday 10th July
As always, you will be informed of any other trips that are booked in due course.

Reminders

Atom Learning will be set every Thursday, to be completed by the following Wednesday.

Spellings – please ensure your child practises each week for the Friday tests.

Forest School is every Wednesday from week 1- week 5 in Summer 1.