Blog
Friday 7th March 2025
This week in maths, we have been focusing on multiplication. We revised multiplying by 10, 100 and 1000. We looked at different methods for multiplying 2 digit by 2 digit numbers, such as; partitioning before moving onto formal column multiplication. Finally, we solved word problems using multiplication.
In English, we have been reading Beetle Boy by MG Leonard. It is a story about a boy and strange beetles, which are highly intelligent. We have been using this and facts about beetles to learn how to write a fact file about beetles.
In RE, we have continued learning about Jewish Synagogues. This week we learnt about the Torah. We learnt about Jewish scribes, who create and repair Torahs, how they’re looked after and even how Hebrew is read from right to left.
In project, we learned about longitude and latitude. We then plotted coordinates on a map showing various pollution.
In science, we learnt about how different thicknesses of wire effects resistance. We also learnt why different types of wires are used to conduct electricity. The children enjoyed building circuits and testing the resistance of the different wires.
World Book Day was fantastic! The children all had great costumes and we did a number of fun activities that focused on books or reading.
Friday 28th February 2025
This week in maths, we have been reading and interpreting graphs and data. We looked at line graphs, time graph, bus and train time tables and column graphs. We analysed the data and created a number of different graphs.
In English, we used our learning from the last week of Spring 1 to write an auto biography about Mae Jemison. The children had include: writing in 1st person, simple past and past perfect tense, relative clauses and fronted adverbials.
In RE we learnt about Jewish synagogues. A synagogue is a special place where Jewish people go to pray, learn, and come together as a community. It is similar to a church or mosque, but for people who follow Judaism.
In project, we learnt about installation art. Installation art is a type of modern art where artists create large, immersive pieces that transform a space. They’re often used to teach about a political or environmental issue. We then looked at global pollution and we created a map with the most polluted areas. These are also the most populated areas.
In science, we learnt all about voltage. We had a series of What if? Statements and the children had to predict what would happen and then test their theory. For example; What happens to a light bulb if we add extra batteries?
Friday 14th February
This week in maths the children have been using a range of methods to add and subtract decimals. We have been looking at adding and subtracting tenths, hundredths and thousandths.
In English, we have moved onto autobiographies. There’s no one better than Sir David Attenborough to focus on, when learning the features of autobiographies. Whilst learning about his fascinating life, the children learnt about tense. This included, simple past, simple present, past perfect and present perfect tenses.
In science, we completed our lighting unit. Hopefully the children have a better understanding about light and shadows and transparent, translucent and opaque objects.
We had an amazing visit from the planetarium! Everyone was amazed at how immersive the London Night Sky video looked and we gained great incites from the WW2 film.
Friday 7th February 2025
Don’t be alarmed if your child is more persuasive this week and we apologise for their improved persuasion skills. This week in English, we have be learning how to write a persuasive letter. In fact, the children wrote a persuasive letter to King Charles, with the intention of persuading him to induct Katherine Johnson (who we have previously learnt about) into his Royal Honours List. They learnt about the importance of flattery and the use of rhetorical questions.
Maths this week has been all about decimals. The children have been ordering decimals and rounding decimals to the nearest tenth, hundredth and thousandth. They also solved a range of problems involving decimal numbers.
Maths day was fantastic and we did a range fun maths activities. We made maths based board games and did a number of different times table based activities.
Kestrals class continued improving their hockey skills and in gymnastics the children practised a range of jumps, including; tuck, straddle and a straight jump.
Falcons class started swimming this week. It has been fantastic seeing how much everyone enjoys swimming!
Friday 31st January 2025
This week in English, we have been writing our own newspaper reports about the four women from Hidden Figures and their contribution to NASA and the moon landing. The children wrote their orientations first, followed by the body and conclusion. They had to include both direct and reported speech, fronted adverbials and relative clauses.
In maths we have been converting units of length. Converting mm to cm, cm to m and m to km. We even looked at converting metric to imperial measurements. We then looked at solving word problems involving length.
In project, we translated hieroglyphics. We learnt about how we know what the hieroglyphics mean and then we translated hieroglyphics ourselves. We also wrote our own names in hieroglyphics, inside a cartouche.
Kestrals have now finished swimming and for the next two weeks, Falcons Class will get to go to the pool.
Friday 24th January 2025
This week in English. We revised features of newspaper reports. We read a few newspaper articles and found the features used. We then looked at alliteration and puns to create catchy titles, before we moved onto dialogue. We created direct and indirect speech, focusing on punctuation. Some of the children also included relative clauses with their reporting clauses.
Maths has been all about fractions. Converting fractions, creating equivalent fractions and adding and subtracting fractions. We added and subtracted fractions with different denominators too.
Project has continued on with our Pharaohs topic. We looked at life in Ancient Greece and create our own papyrus.
Science looked at how transparent and translucent coloured object effect shadows.
Both RE and PSE linked because they were both about rules and laws. We looked at rules within different settings and British law. We discussed the need for rules and laws and what would happen in a lawless society. In RE we discussed the 10 commandments.
Friday 17th January
This week, both year 5 classes have been practising their class assemblies every chance they can.
In maths, our focus this week was division. We used partitioning and a range of other methods to solve division questions. This proved to be much easier for those with a solid understanding of their multiplication facts. We focused on using bus top method to divide with remainders.
In English, we continued with our book ‘Hidden Figures’ and used reading VIPERS skills to answers a range of comprehension questions. We also looked at the characters and the adversities they had to overcome in order to succeed.
In project, we learnt about famous Pharaohs. We learnt that a pharaoh was the ruler of Ancient Egypt, similar to a king or queen, but they were also seen as a god on Earth by the people. We also learnt about specific Pharaohs like Tutankhamun and Cleopatra.
In PE, the children enjoyed dribbling and shooting in hockey. We engaged in a range of dribbling drills and then had a go a shooting. We focused on positioning our bodies correctly and holding the hockey stick to maximise power and accuracy.
Friday 10th January
It’s been a great start to the New Year. We’ve braved the cold this week and even managed to go out for PE.
In maths, we have been learning about angles. We revised acute, obtuse and right angles before we moved onto measuring and drawing angles.
We started a new book in English. It’s called Hidden Figures and it’s about the amazing feats of 4 extraordinary women that worked for NASA. We learned about segregation and how difficult it was being a black woman in the 1960s.
In project, we started our new unit called Pharaohs. We learnt about the Sphinx before we sketched it. Then, we carved a Sphinx out of clay.
Our indoor PE this half-term is gymnastics-Taking Flight, which focuses on jumping. We looked at a 2 footed vertical jump. Our outdoor PE topic is Hockey. We looked at how to correctly hold a hockey stick, how to pass and how to dribble.
Friday 20th December
In English this week, the children wrote their own crayon story. It focused around their own crayon (that they created) and the dilemmas it endures. They had to include; expanded noun phrases, fronted adverbials, figurative language, dialogue, paragraphs, setting descriptions and detailed character descriptions.
In maths, we focused on subtraction. We revised estimating to check answers and looked at a range of methods for subtracting. The children used formal written column subtraction and solved word problems using subtraction.
We did a range of Christmas themed activities this week, which the children thoroughly enjoyed. The highlight of the week was certainly performing our Christmas carols! We braved the cold on Wednesday night and it sounded fantastic. The children had a blast walking to the Galleria and performing. During both performance we were fortunate enough to have so many family members in the audience.
Friday 13th December
This week we have been practising our Christmas carols as often as we can. They’re beginning to sound great!
In maths, we have been working with negative integers. We used number lines to review negative numbers and looked at real life examples where you see negative numbers, like temperature and unfortunately bank accounts. We then moved onto word problems involving negative numbers.
In English, we wrote postcards from our created crayon to the main character; Duncan. We then wrote our replies as Duncan. We focused sentence structure and using capital letters for emphasis. The children then planned their own story for an addition character that the created. Their plan had to include a dilemma and a resolution. The children will write their stories next week.
Friday 6th December
This week we have been learning all about time. Reading and drawing analogue time, converting 12 and 24 hour time and then solving time based problems. We also looked at days, months and year and the need for a leap year.
In English we started our now story; The Day The Crayons Came Home. We read the first story (The Day The Crayons Quit) and used that to write a prediction for the sequel. We have been investigating the characters and their emotions. The children also planned their own section of the book using a crayon they created.
In computing this week we have been analysing and presenting data. Using spread sheets, the children create tables and graphs from the data provided.
In RE we learnt all about King Herod’s temple. We learnt that it was rebuild after it was destroyed by the Babylonians and that King Herod was a brilliant architect.
In science, we had to test the conductivity of a range of materials. We did this by first creating a working circuit and then adding materials to the circuit to see if it would still power up the light bulb.
Friday 22nd November
The children worked extremely hard this week with their checkpoints! We were most impressed with the effort shown and the consideration of their classmates.
Although it was cold, we still managed to get our 2 PE lessons in. The children are doing a fantastic job of learning a Greek dance. We worked on our passing, running and tagging for rugby. Nothing warms you up more than running around with a rugby ball.
In science this week, we conducted a fair test to test the strength of different types of paper. We did this by seeing how many stones or marbles it could hold before breaking.
In project, the children designed their toys. They drew up a prototype and then had to make adaptions. They also shared ideas for the moving parts in groups. They came up with a range of ways to make an animal move with different types of cams.
Friday 15th November
Maths has been all about multiplication. We revised multi-digit multiplication, multiplication strategies and word problems involving multiplication and division. We investigated factors and prime numbers.
In English, we finished reading Hamlet and the children wrote fantastic soliloquy as Claudius. We also looked at personal and impersonal writing. We discussed the motives each character and the choices they made.
In Science, we tried to create heat insulators. We tested these by recording the temperature of porridge in a range of containers that we had built insulation for. The containers we placed out into the cold. The children were surprised to notice that feathers are actually quite good insulators.
There was lots of designing and building in project this week. The children designed and built a working cam that moved a follower up and down. They tried their prototypes using a range of different cams. Some groups weren’t successful the first time and had to alter their prototypes. It was a great learning experience for them.
Friday 8th November
This week in English, we have moved on from our Treasure unit and onto Shakespeare. We started the week learning and performing scenes from Macbeth and have now moved onto learning about Hamlet. We are focusing on Hamlet, A Shakespeare Story by Andrew Mathews. We have been learning about the main characters, their motivations for their choices and we have been making inferences of these choices.
Maths has been all about mass. We have been converting grams and kilograms. We also looked at comparing imperial to metric units. The children solved word problems based around mass and used digital scales to estimate and weigh a range of objects.
Our new Science unit is called Material Consultants. We looked at various objects and grouped them according to a range of traits. Were they magnetic? Were they flexible? Were they opaque or translucent?
In project, we looked at endangered animals and researched features of a range of endangered animals. We will then choose an endangered animal to create a moving toy.
PE this term focuses on Greek inspired dance and rugby. We were introduced to what Rugby and Greek dancing looks like before we moved like Greek Gods and did catching and passing for rugby.
Friday 25th October
In maths this week, we have been learning about decimal numbers. We have been ordering and comparing decimal numbers, converting to fractions and rounding. We even had some amazing parent helpers for one of our lessons.
In English, we have continued writing about Esther from the short film Treasure. We imagined we were Esther and we wrote a diary entry. We used figurative language and had to include, hyperboles, similes and metaphors and superlatives. This is our final week on Treasure before we move onto Shakespeare’s Hamlet in Autumn 2.
In science, we consolidated our learning by creating a double page spread of information that we have learnt about this term. They turned out fantastic and they included some great facts about our internal organs, transport systems and changes we experience as we age.
In project, Mrs Richardson was kind enough to bring in her grandfather’s WW1 medals. This gave the children the opportunity to see real WW1 medals. We then researched these and other medals that were award during WW1. 
Friday 18th October
In English, we have moved on from The Barnabus Project and onto a short animated film called Treasure. It’s a great short film that shows happiness can be found, even when life doesn’t go your way. The children have been investigating Esther, who is the main character, and the events that may have caused her to end up living in a rubbish tip.
Maths this week has been all about addition and checking our answers through estimating. First, the children would work out the answer and then they would round the sum and see if the answer was similar. The children rounded to the nearest 10, 100 or 1000 depending on the number.
Project was all about life in the trenches. We learnt about the hardships faced by soldiers on the frontline during WW1. We also learnt about a day in the life of a frontline soldier.
In science, we investigated lung capacity. We did a great experiment to measure each students’ lung capacity and then we compared them to different animals and types of people. The average child has a lung capacity of 4L, an adult has 6L but an Olympic swimmer can have a lung capacity of 12L!
Friday 4th October
In English, we have been identifying the features of newspaper reports. As reporters, we came up with interview questions and wrote them as direct speech and as reported speech. We learned about the importance of a catchy headline and how we can use alliteration to create one. Then the children got to create a number of different headlines for the newspaper report they’re going to write next week.
Maths has been all about fractions. We have compared fractions and ordered them. We also looked at real life situations where you use fractions.
In project, we created a timeline for the key events for WW1. The children had strong opinions about conscription when they learned England implemented it in 1916.
In science, we learned about the blood and heart. We measured our heart rates when resting and then we compared them after running around the field.
Music was certainly a blast this week! We sang along to Livin on a prayer and we even played along using boomwhackers.
Friday 27th September
This week was our first week with streamed maths and English classes. This is the children the opportunity to have some learning in the other classroom.
Maths has focused on a range of multiplication techniques. We multiplied by 10s, 100s and 1000s. We multiplied large numbers by 5 but to do this we multiplied by 10 and then halved our answer.
It has been fantastic reading the children’s sequels to the Barnabus Project. They used their own plan, character design and setting design they created previously and wrote their own story set after the Barnabus project. The children had to include, character and setting descriptions, dialogue, paragraphs and relative clauses.
In project, we learned about the significance of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. We also compared transport and weapons from WW1 to modern transport and weapons.
Believe it or not, we managed to avoid the weather and go outside for dodgeball and for our indoor PE lesson, we did a range of group counter balances using benches.
Autumn 1
Friday 6th September
It’s been a great 1st week back. Everyone has settled into year 5 extremely well and it has been a pleasure getting to know the children.
In maths, we have been looking at place value. This has included, reading and writing large numbers, ordering numbers and finding missing numbers. Next week, we look at counting in 10s, 100s and 1000s.
In English, The children wrote a holiday recount, with a catch. It didn’t have to be true. We hope they weren’t true because some children saw zombies, chased lions and even went to space. We also looked at a fantastic short film called The Wish Granter. The children used their skills from year 4 to write a recount of the story and a diary entry from the point of view of the Wish Granter.
Fallen Fields is the name of our project unit and it is all about World War 1. This week we learned about the significance of the poppy.
Science is all about the human body and the changes humans go through as they age. We had fun trying to guess baby pictures of staff members.
Music focuses on a song that we’re sure you know… Bon Jovi’s Livin’ On A Prayer. This week we listened to the song and tried to work out what instruments were being used and even how the hair styles looked in the glam-rock era.
Friday 13th September
In English, we have started our narrative writing unit on the fantastically illustrated book: The Barnabus Project. After reading the story, we did a deep dive into the main character; Barnabus. The children did a fantastic job of writing a detailed character description of Barnabus.
Maths this week has been looking at implementing a range of mental strategies for subtraction and addition. We used number lines and rounding to help add or subtract large numbers.
In project, we learnt about primary and secondary sources. We also learnt the importance of using a range of sources to learn about a historical event. We learnt that sometimes bias is used when recording of historical events and we learnt about propaganda.
Spanish was quite tricky this week, learning masculine and feminine adjectives, which is quite different to how we describe nouns.