It has been wonderful to see how engaged and enthusiastic the children have been in their learning, and we are incredibly proud of the progress they have made.

In English this half term, we have been focusing on newspaper reports. The children took part in a variety of lessons exploring key journalistic techniques such as using the 5Ws, direct and reported speech, and rhetorical questions. We then applied these skills to write our own newspaper articles. Alongside this, the children developed detailed character descriptions, focusing on POSAM (personification, onomatopoeia, similes, alliteration and metaphors), as well as parenthesis and writing in the third person. We also explored how a character’s personality and demeanour influence the way they are described.

In Maths, we have covered several important units. We began by exploring multiples of 10, 100 and 1,000, and the children learned how this understanding can support more complex calculations. They then applied this knowledge when tackling division, using inverse operations to solve increasingly challenging problems. Most recently, we worked on adding and subtracting fractions with the same denominators, helping the children become more confident when working with fractions.

In Science, we have been investigating the properties and changes of materials. We began by revisiting previous learning and classifying objects based on their properties. The children then explored reversible and irreversible changes through practical investigations, including activities involving burning and dissolving. To conclude our topic, we examined methods for separating solutions and looked at how to rank materials according to their hardness.

In History, the children have delved into the fascinating worlds of the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings. They explored what life was like during these periods, including daily routines, beliefs, and the impact both groups had on Britain. We also examined the Vikings’ reputation, questioning whether they truly were as vicious as history often portrays them or whether they have been misunderstood. To enrich our understanding even further, we enjoyed an exciting workshop with the fantastic Mr Dilly, who helped bring Viking culture and beliefs to life.

We also had a wonderful festive experience this half term when Year 5 performed beautifully at the Christmas carol service. The children also took part in a competition, where they designed the front cover for the order of service, demonstrating great creativity and attention to detail.

It has been a brilliant half term full of curiosity, learning, and exploration. We look forward to welcoming the children back after a well-deserved break!

All the best,

The Year 5 Team