Mrs Dyde & Miss Baggaley's Class 2024 - 2025

Hello everyone, and welcome back for our final summer term. Time seems to have flown by, and we hope to make this term a memorable one with more enrichment activities and the Y5/6 production. As before, we have planned a variety of exciting learning opportunities throughout our topics, and hopefully, there is something for everyone.

You can find the overview for the year for Year 5 on the Annual Curriculum Plan. This will give you an idea of all the things we will be doing, although occasionally this may be subject to change throughout the term, depending on interests and texts found. You will also find a document which outlines the national expectations for Year 5, and whilst some children may be working above or slightly below these expectations, we hope it provides you with a guide as to the aim for the end of the year. On our class page, you will also find weekly updates giving an outline plan for the week, and this will include the homework set. There will also be notices posted on our class page when appropriate.

Enriching our Curriculum.

In addition to the daily learning, this year we have several different enrichment activities planned for your children, which will include:

Summer term - a visit by Animal Magic, a truly wonderful experience where children can be hands-on with the animals, linking to our Science.

As a reminder, our school day begins at 8:45 a.m. and finishes at 3:15 p.m. We would ask that your child arrive at school on time, ready and prepared for the day ahead, and being in school for 8:40 is a great way to start the day.

Our class book this term is Kensuke's Kingdom

This is a remarkable tale of survival against all odds, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Pacific and recalling memories of the Second World War. 

"I disappeared on the night before my twelfth birthday."

Washed up on a desert island, Michael struggles to survive on his own. With no food, no water and only his dog for company, he curls up to die. When he wakes, there is a plate beside him of fish, of fruit and a bowl of fresh water. He is not alone...

We will be using this book as our stimulus this term, taking inspiration from different events for our writing. 

Keeping you up to date with our Weekly Learning Journey

Week Beginning 28th April 2025

English -  As usual we continue to review different features of grammar in warm-up activities using Rollama. This week we are exploring why living things become extinct, after reading The Abominables and extracts read. We will be writing a non-chronological report.

Guided reading will continue as before, in small groups, which is where we will explore and develop different reading skills, answering a range of questions. The children, when not in Guided reading, will have the opportunity to read their own book or read short articles on which they can complete a quiz. We will also be having a range of non-fiction books, based on our topics, which the children can read.

Everyone should have a reading book that reflects their reading range from the Star Tests completed.

Maths -   Each day, our Maths lessons begin with a focus on improving our fluency in arithmetic and times tables knowledge.  

This week, we continue following MNP. We are now moving on to adding and subtracting decimals.

Science -  This half term we focus on Animals, including Humans and our life cycle. We begin by looking at the development of different animals and gestation periods. 

Geography - 

History -  Our topic this half term looks at Life in the Tudor Period. We will begin by looking at what the children already know, using clues from secondary sources to give us information about the past. Also exploriong how historians view Henry VIII.

DT -  We continue our focus on structures by looking at buildings and towers around the world. Which is the tallest tower? Which is the strongest? What materials are they made from? How sturdy are they? We will also be looking at how we can combine materials and make our own switches. We are continuing the process of measuring and cutting this week.

Music -  This term we have a fantastic opportunity, making use of Love Music Trust, where the children will be learning to play a brass instrument - free of charge. This will hopefully culminate in a short performance for you all. We are also going to be working on our Y5/6 production and our choice of song for the Music Festival - a fantastic afternoon of music.

ICT -    This half term we continue with our coding, investigating and programming Crumbles using different software and also explore the world of Microbits. 

RE -    This half term we will be exploring how laws are created and how leaders are chosen due to their characteristics. 

French -   This half term we will be exploring phrases used to describe space and the planets. 

PE-  PE changes this term to a Wednesday and a Friday. The children should come in PE kit as usual, and they will be taking part in striking and fielding games, dance, and athletic activities. 

Reading

Please do continue to encourage your child to read and record their home reading. There is an expectation that the children will read at least 4 times a week at home. In Year 5 we encourage the children to be more independent and record their own reading in their reading diaries wherever possible, however, we would like you to sign your child's diary at the end of the week so that you and we know that this is happening -  this is greatly appreciated.

Reading diaries will be checked daily and signed weekly when your child has their Guided Reading Session. Reading so often, every day, both at home and at school, should enable your child to take a book quiz within two weeks - sometimes perhaps three. We will continue to encourage the children to ensure that they can take the appropriate number of quizzes. I know there are some who have previously achieved word millionaire and equally some who have already achieved more words read than they did last year- something they should take pride in.  We look forward to seeing just how many words the children can read and who can reach the millionaire status.

25th April - Homework has been set for the week.

See the file below, or click on the pencil to remind yourselves of what has been set.

Homework

This will usually be sent home every week on a Friday but is expected to be completed by the following Thursday. It can be found outlined on our Brain Builder (clicking on the pencil above) which will be added to our class page weekly. It will consist of spellings and times tables to focus on; Maths, which will be set online using Doodle (or provided on sheets) and Grammar skills which can be completed using Rollama, these results will then be checked by ourselves. If your child is finding it difficult to complete the homework or experiencing difficulty in accessing online homework then please do let us know as there is a homework club provided one lunchtime during the week. Any incomplete homework will result in the children staying in during a lunchtime to complete it. 

Reminders

Seesaw

Seesaw has also proven to be an excellent way of sharing information about the school day, sharing any announcements, and most importantly pictures of your children in action at school. Please make sure you can still access this or are signed up. Seesaw is also a good way to contact us both if you have any questions relating to school in general and we will aim to reply within 48 hours. 

PE and PPA

This term we have PE sessions on a Wednesday and Friday so please remember to come to school in the correct PE kit.

Water bottles

Please ensure your child brings their water bottle to school every day and that it is clearly identifiable. The children should bring in sufficient water to ensure that they have access to refreshments during the day which keeps them hydrated. 

Equipment

Please also make sure your child brings in what is necessary for school which includes their reading diary and reading book daily; lunch boxes if required and water bottles. All of these will return home each day.

If you have any questions relating to any aspect of school life, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can be contacted through the school office using the email address below or through Seesaw. We will then endeavour to reply within 48 hours.

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

Meanwhile please do make use of the websites listed below.

Dates for your diary