Spring 1

What a wonderful first half term of spring. The children have worked incredibly hard with some amazing outcomes because of their efforts.

English

We started the half term off with our unit based around setting descriptions. We linked these to places with vibrant atmospheres, filled with smells sights and sounds allowing the children to really immerse themselves into the environments. Alongside the sensory details the children focussed on adverbs to help describe any action that took place in the setting, adverbials of time and place to add detail to the changes which may occur as they moved through the setting or time passed by. Finally figurative language devices such as personification, onomatopoeia, simile, alliteration and metaphors added another level of description really allowing the children to bring their settings to life.

We then moved onto persuasive speeches, a very different style of writing. Formal language was a large area of work in this unit as the children worked on choosing the correct vocabulary to suit the topics they would be writing their speeches about. We then looked at other features that would really elevate the effectiveness of their speeches such as repetition, rhetorical questions and the rule of three. Finally the use of emotive language and metaphor allowed the children to speak directly to the listener and really engage with their emotions

Maths

Students have honed their ability to multiply four-digit numbers by two-digit numbers and divide four-digit numbers by one-digit numbers, both using formal methods. In multiplication, they’ve applied the column method, exchanging where necessary to achieve accurate results. This process, though initially challenging, has equipped them with the confidence to tackle multi-step problems. When dividing, students have gained experience with short division, using place value and remainders to break down complex problems and arrive at precise answers.

In addition to their work with larger numbers, Year 5 students have made significant strides in understanding fractions. They’ve learned how to multiply fractions by integers, which involves applying the concept of repeated addition or scaling up a fraction by a whole number. This skill is crucial in many real-life situations, such as cooking, where ingredients may need to be increased or reduced in proportion. Students have also explored how to find fractions of amounts, which is a valuable tool for solving everyday problems, like calculating discounts or portions. Another important concept they’ve tackled is finding the whole when given a part of it. This skill requires understanding how parts and wholes relate to each other, helping students think more critically about how to reverse fraction problems. Finally, they’ve worked on using fractions as operators, applying them to solve problems.

Science

This term, Year 5 students have embarked on an exciting journey through space, exploring the fascinating features of our solar system. One of the first concepts Year 5 students explored was the order of the planets in our solar system, learning that they orbit the Sun in a specific pattern. From Mercury, the closest planet, to Neptune, the furthest, students have gained an appreciation for the vastness of space and the distances between these distant worlds. A key takeaway has been understanding that the Sun is at the centre of the solar system, its massive gravitational pull keeping all the planets in orbit. In addition to the planets, students also studied the shapes of the planets, the Sun, and the Moon, learning that these celestial bodies are mostly spherical due to gravity. They discovered that while the Sun and planets have relatively smooth, round shapes, the Moon has a more uneven surface with craters, resulting from impacts over millions of years. Year 5 students have also explored the many objects that orbit the Earth, with a particular focus on the Moon. They’ve learned how the Moon’s orbit around Earth causes the cycle of the moon phases, which they later studied in more detail. The class also discovered other objects that orbit the Earth, such as comets, space debris, and the International Space Station (ISS). These objects add to the complexity and excitement of space exploration, and students have enjoyed learning how they move through space and impact our planet. The concept of night and day has captivated the students, as they’ve learned that Earth’s rotation on its tilted axis is responsible for the cycle of day and night. This tilt, combined with the Earth’s rotation, also causes the change in seasons. The Moon’s orbit and its phases were another key area of study, helping students understand how the phases—new moon, waxing, full moon, and waning—occur. They’ve learned that the Moon doesn’t actually “shine” on its own; instead, it reflects the light of the Sun, which gives us the appearance of the Moon lighting up at night. In addition to our in class learning, the children enjoyed a wonderful visit to the Winchester Science Centre. Here they were able to explore other phenomena in space such as black holes and how satellites are used to aid us on Earth. They had the pleasure of a showing in the planetarium as well as other scientific activities in their hands on experiment area.

Alongside these main topics In geography, Year 5 students have been studying settlements and land use, learning about the different types of settlements people live in, from rural villages to bustling urban cities. They’ve explored why people settle in certain areas, considering factors like resources, climate, and geography. Students have also looked at how land is used for agriculture, industry, and residential purposes, gaining a deeper understanding of the relationship between human activity and the environment. Through map work and case studies, they’ve come to appreciate the importance of sustainable land use and the challenges facing growing populations. In design technology, Year 5 students have been tasked with creating and editing recipes to ensure they are healthy and balanced. They’ve learned about the importance of nutrition and how to make informed choices when planning meals. Students have experimented with modifying recipes, substituting ingredients to make dishes healthier, while still ensuring they are tasty and satisfying. This practical learning has not only taught them essential cooking skills but also helped them understand how food choices can affect overall health. To show their learning the children edited a pizza recipe and we made them on the final day of term for you all to go away with and enjoy over the break.

We hope you have a fantastic half term,

The year 5 team.

Spring 2

This half term in Year 5 has been full of exciting and engaging learning!

In English, students have honed their narrative writing skills, focusing on techniques like direct speech, parenthesis, expanded noun phrases, and fronted adverbials to make their stories more descriptive and engaging. They’ve also just wrapped up their balanced arguments, choosing a subject that sparked their interest and developing their ideas with modal verbs, determiners, and subordinating conjunctions. The students worked hard on ensuring their arguments had the correct structure and used formal language, demonstrating a great understanding of how to present both sides of an issue clearly whilst also remaining balanced and fair. It’s been an impressive term of growth in both creativity and writing technique!

Maths has been all about building on previous knowledge and developing new skills! We focussed on how decimals and percentages link to fractions. Students have worked hard to understand how to convert between them, such as recognizing that 0.5 is the same as 1/2, and 50% is equivalent to 1/2 or 0.5. These concepts align with the National Curriculum, where Year 5 students are expected to understand the relationship between fractions, decimals, and percentages, and apply this knowledge to real-life problems. For example, the class explored how to calculate percentages of amounts, like finding 20% of 150, and converting between decimals and percentages in everyday contexts. Following that, we moved on to the practical side of measurement, focusing on perimeter and length. Students have been calculating the perimeter of rectangles and polygons, practicing the skill of adding up the lengths of sides.

In Science, we’ve been diving into the fascinating world of living things and their habitats, with a focus on life cycles, reproduction, and the 7 life processes, as outlined in the National Curriculum. The students began by studying the life cycles of different animals, including mammals, amphibians, and insects, learning how they reproduce and develop. They explored how mammals, for example, give birth to live young and care for them in the early stages of life. Students also looked at the process of pollination in plants, understanding how flowers are fertilized by insects, birds, or the wind to produce seeds. Moving on to seed dispersal, the class learned about the various ways seeds travel, such as through wind, water, and animals, ensuring plants can grow in new locations. Throughout the term, the students have been engaging with the 7 life processes (MRS GREN)—Movement, Respiration, Sensitivity, Growth, Reproduction, Excretion, and Nutrition—by looking at how these processes are essential for the survival of all living things.

The students also learnt this through practical investigations and discussions, helping them connect their learning to real-life examples. It's been a term full of discovery and hands-on learning, and the class is now able to explain the complex relationships between living things, their life cycles, and their environments!

This half term, we delved into the vibrant world of Art, with a focus on painting and mixed media portraits. Our artistic exploration was deeply intertwined with our History topic on the Tudors, as we analysed and interpreted royal portraits from this fascinating period. Throughout the term, children confidently used sketchbooks for a range of purposes, including testing out different materials, doing line drawings, looking at mixed media and working towards creating their own independent mixed media portraits. We also looked at our focus artist which was Van Gogh and learnt about how his life was reflected through his artwork.

In History, we focused on the fascinating era of the Tudors. We began by learning about Henry Tudor and the pivotal Battle of Bosworth, which marked the start of the Tudor dynasty. We then explored the reign of Henry VIII, delving into his complex relationship with religion and how his desire to change wives ultimately led to significant religious reforms. We studied the lives of all six of Henry’s wives, examining the reasons behind their marriages and subsequent separations. Our journey through the Tudor period also included a look at the remarkable reign of Elizabeth I, where we investigated the Spanish Armada and the challenges she faced during this tumultuous time in history.

We finished up the half term with a trip to Hampton Court Palace. As we explored the grand halls and stunning gardens, we stepped back in time to the Tudor period. The palace, once home to King Henry VIII, was filled with fascinating stories about royal life, lavish banquets, and the intrigue of the Tudor court. We walked through the magnificent Great Hall, where feasts and entertainments once took place, and marvelled at the intricate tapestries and portraits that adorned the walls. We were also lucky enough to have a workshop all about King Henry VIII’s court and what life was like during those times. We were able to explore the Palace and its surrounding gardens and maze on a sunny and quiet day so children could get absorbed in their surroundings. It was an unforgettable day filled with learning and discovery!

We hope you all have a lovely Easter break and look forward to seeing you in the Summer term!