Welcome to our Year 5 Class Page.  

Curriculum Information for Parents and Carers – Year 5 Autumn Term 2023

The Autumn Term is here and we would like to share with you a summary of what your child will be learning in class.  We would also like to share some ways that you can support your child at home.

Detailed information about the topics can be found in the Knowledge Organisers at the bottom of this page.  The Knowledge Organisers contain the key vocabulary and learning for each topic and you can look at these with your child over the course of the term. 

English

Our text this term is Boy at the Back of the Class, where we will have a focus on persuasive writing.  We will learn all about the vocabulary used and how to incorporate persuasive writing in formal letters.  We will also look at how we can change our vocabulary and writing style to entertain, through planning and performing news broadcasts.

Mathematics

Throughout this term the children will be focusing on a range of mathematical concepts including:

• Number and Place Value - we will learn about roman numerals, place value to 1,000,000 and negative numbers.
• Addition and Subtraction - we will use our place value knowledge to add whole numbers with more than 4 digits, round to estimate and approximate, use inverse operations and compare calculations.
• Multiplication and Division - we will find multiples and factors of numbers, learn about prime, square and cube numbers and use place value knowledge to multiply and divide by 10, 100 and 1,000.
• Statistics - we will read, interpret and draw line graphs, use line graphs to solve problems, read and interpret tables and look at timetables.

RE

In RE, we will be using our spiritual learning and scripture to answer the following questions for each topic:

• Ourselves - in this topic we answer the question “What makes me unique?”
• Life Choices - in this topic we answer the question “Why are loyalty and commitment important in relationships?”
• Hope - in this topic we answer the question “What is the hidden meaning in waiting?“

Alongside this, we will study another faith by learning about beliefs and festivals celebrated in Judaism with a focus on Passover.

Science

This half term, we will be learning about Materials with a focus on mixtures and separation.  Pupils explore different types of mixtures and the different methods that can be used to separate them.  They dissolve a range of substances, identify different solutions and investigate how temperature affects the time taken to dissolve.  They design and create a water filter, sieve soil and evaporate solutions.

In the second half term, we will continue learning about materials with a focus on properties and changes. Broadening their experience of the properties of materials, children investigate hardness, transparency and conductivity and consider how these properties influence the uses of materials.  They explore reversible changes, including dissolving and changes of state.  Children compare these to irreversible changes, including rusting, burning and mixing vinegar and bicarbonate of soda.

History

This term, we will learn about Ancient Maya and their civilisation.  Throughout this topic we will develop our research and enquiry skills.  We will discuss the reliability of a range of sources and draw conclusions from them.

Geography

This term, we will be learning about the Alps.  Throughout this topic we will be locating the Alps on a map and identifying the countries they run through.  We will be locating characteristics, both human and physical in the Alps.  We will also be comparing the Alps to our own local area.

Computing

This half-term we will be learning about search engines.  The children will be using research skills and finding accurate information.

In the second half-term we will be learning about micro:bits.  Children will be clipping blocks together in a program and predicting what will happen while making connections with previously used programming interfaces.  Children create animations, recognise inputs/outputs, choose appropriate blocks, and break programs down into smaller steps.

French

The children will discover the physical Geography of France (major cities and rivers) and the history of our connection with France through our topic on the Battle of Hastings.  They will learn to describe their families and to say where they live.  They will also learn different sports in French and to express their opinions on them, as well as describe the days that sports are played on.

Music

Autumn 1: Songs from around the world - In music this half-term, we will be studying folk music around the world. Each week, we will develop our performance skill through a focus on a different continent, singing and playing some famous folk melodies, both in pairs and to the rest of the class.  We will also be developing our composition skills through creating our own folk melody based upon the pentatonic scale.

Autumn 2: Carol Service - Children will be performing in the Christmas Carol Service.  Key Words; diaphragm and projection.  Performance Skills; singing posture, projection.  Singing call and response within the music.

PE

Tag Rugby: We will explore passing and catching skills to keep possession of the ball when attacking and develop knowledge of the rules of the game.

Football: We will develop competencies in key skills and principles such as defending, attacking, sending, receiving and dribbling a ball.

Swimming: We will focus on swimming more fluently and with increased confidence and control.

Indoor Athletics: We will introduce the children to specific indoor athletic events.

Dodgeball: We will improve key skills used in dodgeball such as throwing, dodging and catching.  We will learn how to select and apply tactics to the game to outwit opponents.

Art

This half term, we will be looking and learning about interactive installation.  We will be learning about the features of installation art and how it can communicate a message, exploring the work of Cai Guo-Qiang and discovering how our life experiences can inspire our art.  We will be investigating how scale, location and interactive elements affect the way visitors experience installation art.

Design and Technology

In the second half of the Autumn Term, we will look at mechanical systems to create a pop-up book.  After choosing a simple story or nursery rhyme, children will create a four-page pop-up storybook design.  They will also add accompanying captions, incorporating a range of mechanisms and decorative features, including structures, levers, sliders, layers and spacers.

RHSE (Relationship, Health and Sex Education)

This term we will look at the following topics: Calming the storm, Under pressure, Do you want a piece of cake?, Self-talk. For further information you can visit the Life to the Full portal.

The children will also participate in a series of workshops ‘Together as One’ with a focus on equality and diversity.

How you can help your child at home

• Daily reading
• Freckle Maths
• Times Tables Rock Stars
• Comprehension Homework
• Practising the weekly spellings and Year 5 word lists
• Talking about topics of interest