Years 5 & 6 – Herons Class
Welcome to Herons Class page:
On this page you will be able to find information about the work which Year 5 and Year 6 pupils are undertaking. You will also find information of ways in which you can help and encourage pupils in their learning to enable them to fulfil the school values ‘To Nurture, To Grow and To Flourish’.
To enable you to be fully involved with your child’s learning we hold half termly consultation meetings which provide an opportunity for pupils and parents to meet with the class teacher to discuss progress, celebrate achievements and discuss the next steps.
Our topics this term are as follows:
Autumn Term- Herons Class
English
For the whole of the Autumn term, our class-text will be The Thousand-Year-Old Boy, by Ross Welford. Through close reading of this and non-fiction texts, we will consider sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary. Our focus will be on writing and understanding Biographies, explanation text and narrative. The children will have weekly spellings in their Homework Books that are linked to our knowledge-rich curriculum topics and the Statutory Year 5/6 words.
Maths
In Maths we will be working through White Rose Maths. We will be focussing on place value followed by addition and subtraction up to (10,000,000) then multiplication and division up to four digits long. The children will also complete work on fractions, geometry, decimals and percentages. The children will be set challenges through TT Rock stars and Prodigy. Homework will consolidate their learning in class.
Science
In Science we will be studying the Human Body looking at how we grow and how different organs work. There will be a focus on the circulatory system.
History / Geography
The children will be studying Baghdad, 900 C.E. in History. This world History topic will cover the rise of Islam, look at the location of Baghdad as a crossing point for traders, the importance of the river Tigris as well as consider Islamic art. It will allow children to build on concepts of power, religion, civilisation, and conflict. This unit will be followed by a study on The French Revolution.
Children will be learning about ‘Spatial Sense’ in Geography. The aim of this unit is to teach geographical language as well as skills such as locating places using coordinates and identifying elevation on relief maps. After half term, Geography will move on to the geography of North America.
Art/DT
In Art we are studying the Renaissance period, looking at Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and other Renaissance artists and architects. We will study some of the techniques that they used.
RE
In R.E. we will look at connections between the story of Moses and the concepts of freedom and salvation. We will make clear connections between the Bible texts studied and what Christians believe about being the People of God and how they should behave.
PHSE
Children will build on their prior knowledge of Rights and Responsibilities. They will understand and be able to describe some of the basic rights of children and adults. They will consider how ground rules can prevent problems in school, recognise their right to feel respected and their responsibility to show respect to all whether they are on or offline.
PE
With Mrs Ayres on Tuesday’s, children are working on team building activities and team games. Children will practise good sportsmanship, communication skills and teamwork.
With Premier Sport on Wednesday’s, children are working with KICK to develop their Tag Rugby skills.
Computing
In Computing the children are learning about computer systems, how computers work and how different devices connect together to make a network.
MFL
This term the children will be learning French, focussing on their hobbies and pastimes.
Music
In our Music lessons, we will consider different musical genres and directly compare two pieces of modern music. This half term we will listen and practise Pharrell Williams’, Happy and consider what made it so popular. We will compare this to The Carpenters’, Rainy Days and Mondays. We will then consider how these pieces of music make us react and feel and why this is. We will also practise close listening skills to distinguish different instruments and practise the pulse using different percussion instruments. In addition, we will introduce a wide variety of classical music from different eras when children arrive in the mornings.
Spring Term- Herons Class
English
Our English lessons will be linked to the texts ‘Varjak Paw’ by S. F. Said and the classical poem ‘A Monster Calls’ by Patrick Ness. We will have a focus on suspense writing, discussion texts, poetry and science fiction.
The children will be learning new words through Mrs Wordsmith and they will have weekly spellings set through Spelling Shed.
Year 6 pupils will have a mixture of half hour spelling and grammar sessions run by Miss Eaton.
Year 5 will have five half hour spelling sessions a week following the Sounds Write programme.
The children will be learning new words through Mrs Wordsmith and they will have weekly spellings set through Spelling Shed.
Year 6 pupils will have a mixture of half hour spelling and grammar sessions run by Miss Eaton.
Year 5 will have five half hour spelling sessions a week following the Sounds Write programme.
Maths
In Maths we will continue working through Power Maths.
Year 5 will be focusing on the following topics:
Multiplication and Division formal methods
Fractions including ordering, adding, subtracting, fractions of amounts, improper and mixed number problems
Decimals and percentages
Year 6 will be focusing on the following topics:
Decimals and percentages
Algebra
Imperial and metric measure
Area, perimeter and volume
Ratio and Proportion
Year 5 will be focusing on the following topics:
Multiplication and Division formal methods
Fractions including ordering, adding, subtracting, fractions of amounts, improper and mixed number problems
Decimals and percentages
Year 6 will be focusing on the following topics:
Decimals and percentages
Algebra
Imperial and metric measure
Area, perimeter and volume
Ratio and Proportion
Science
In Science, our topics will be :
‘Living Things’ Pupils will look at the life cycles of plants and animals in their local area, working scientifically to observe the life cycle of a local tree and the animals that interact with it. The children will also learn the reproduction of flowering plants and find out about the life and work of Sir David Attenborough and Dame Jane Goodall
‘Forces’ The children will be able to explain that unsupported objects fall towards the Earth because of the force of gravity acting between the Earth and the falling object; identify the effects of air resistance, water resistance and friction, that act between moving surfaces and recognise that some mechanisms, including levers, pulleys and gears, allow a smaller force to have a greater effect.
‘Living Things’ Pupils will look at the life cycles of plants and animals in their local area, working scientifically to observe the life cycle of a local tree and the animals that interact with it. The children will also learn the reproduction of flowering plants and find out about the life and work of Sir David Attenborough and Dame Jane Goodall
‘Forces’ The children will be able to explain that unsupported objects fall towards the Earth because of the force of gravity acting between the Earth and the falling object; identify the effects of air resistance, water resistance and friction, that act between moving surfaces and recognise that some mechanisms, including levers, pulleys and gears, allow a smaller force to have a greater effect.
History / Geography
In History we will be learning about
The Industrial Revolution where the children will look at the similarities and differences between the impact that the Industrial Revolution had on the lives of the rich and the poor. The children will learn that through harnessing fossil fuels to power engines, factories and machines, the Industrial Revolution fundamentally changed the way that human beings live.
In the second half of Autumn Term we will be learning about the Victorian Age. We will look at the significant life of Queen Victoria: both her personal life and some of her decisions as a monarch, including her involvement with the British Empire. In addition to the political context of this time, this unit also delves deeper into the social aspects of Victorian Britain, looking in particular at the lives of the poor. The children will also learn about more positive aspects of the Victorian period, looking at the significance of the Great Exhibition and the growth in technology and new discoveries made by the Victorians.
In Geography we will be learning British Geography including East Anglia, Midlands, Yorkshire, Humberside this will include the following:
∙ East Anglia includes the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
∙ East Anglia is warmer and drier than most of the UK and the land is very flat. These are ideal conditions for growing crops.
∙ In the past, much of East Anglia was marshland, people drained the marsh water into man-made rivers which are very straight.
∙ The Midlands means ‘land in the middle’. The biggest city in the Midlands in Birmingham.
∙ Many years ago, Birmingham was the most popular market town
∙ The Midlands is ‘resource rich’, coal and iron were mined years ago, helping businesses to prosper.
∙ Yorkshire covers a very large area. It used to be the largest county in the UK.
In the Second half of Spring Term we will be learning about Australia this will include
∙ Australia is one of the largest countries on Earth. It is located in the Southern Hemisphere.
∙ Australia is incredibly diverse
∙ Dutch explorers mapped the northern and western coastlines in the early 1600s naming the land ‘New Holland’.
∙ British explorer, Captain James Cook mapped the eastern coast in 1770 naming the land ‘New South Wales’
∙ After the loss of the American colonies, in 1783 the British began establishing penal colonies in New South Wales and other parts of the mainland where they could exile convicts.
∙ In the 19th century, many people came from Britain to Australia in search of gold during a period known as the ‘Gold Rush’.
∙ Canberra is the capital city of Australia and home to the government.
∙ Due to its size, regions of Australia have different climates and biomes.
∙ In 1907, the British released rabbits into the wild in Australia.
∙ Climate change, invasive species and urbanisation are threats to Australia’s biodiversity.
The Industrial Revolution where the children will look at the similarities and differences between the impact that the Industrial Revolution had on the lives of the rich and the poor. The children will learn that through harnessing fossil fuels to power engines, factories and machines, the Industrial Revolution fundamentally changed the way that human beings live.
In the second half of Autumn Term we will be learning about the Victorian Age. We will look at the significant life of Queen Victoria: both her personal life and some of her decisions as a monarch, including her involvement with the British Empire. In addition to the political context of this time, this unit also delves deeper into the social aspects of Victorian Britain, looking in particular at the lives of the poor. The children will also learn about more positive aspects of the Victorian period, looking at the significance of the Great Exhibition and the growth in technology and new discoveries made by the Victorians.
In Geography we will be learning British Geography including East Anglia, Midlands, Yorkshire, Humberside this will include the following:
∙ East Anglia includes the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
∙ East Anglia is warmer and drier than most of the UK and the land is very flat. These are ideal conditions for growing crops.
∙ In the past, much of East Anglia was marshland, people drained the marsh water into man-made rivers which are very straight.
∙ The Midlands means ‘land in the middle’. The biggest city in the Midlands in Birmingham.
∙ Many years ago, Birmingham was the most popular market town
∙ The Midlands is ‘resource rich’, coal and iron were mined years ago, helping businesses to prosper.
∙ Yorkshire covers a very large area. It used to be the largest county in the UK.
In the Second half of Spring Term we will be learning about Australia this will include
∙ Australia is one of the largest countries on Earth. It is located in the Southern Hemisphere.
∙ Australia is incredibly diverse
∙ Dutch explorers mapped the northern and western coastlines in the early 1600s naming the land ‘New Holland’.
∙ British explorer, Captain James Cook mapped the eastern coast in 1770 naming the land ‘New South Wales’
∙ After the loss of the American colonies, in 1783 the British began establishing penal colonies in New South Wales and other parts of the mainland where they could exile convicts.
∙ In the 19th century, many people came from Britain to Australia in search of gold during a period known as the ‘Gold Rush’.
∙ Canberra is the capital city of Australia and home to the government.
∙ Due to its size, regions of Australia have different climates and biomes.
∙ In 1907, the British released rabbits into the wild in Australia.
∙ Climate change, invasive species and urbanisation are threats to Australia’s biodiversity.
Art/DT
In Art we will be looking at Art from Western Africa and Chinese Painting and Ceramics
In DT we will be looking at fashion textiles. The children will look at sewing techniques and produce a draw-string bag.
In DT we will be looking at fashion textiles. The children will look at sewing techniques and produce a draw-string bag.
RE
In R.E. we will be looking at humanism.
PHSE
In PSHE our topics will be looking at working together and financial capability followed by healthy lifestyles
The children will also work on recognising their emotions and will work on their understanding of the zones of regulations.
PE
Our PE lessons will be taught by Premier Sport and KICKt. The children will be developing skills in dance and OAA.
Computing
The children will be studying variables in games and spreadsheets.
MFL
The children will be focusing on French and learning:
Topic 1 – Food
Vocabulary – eating in Restaurant (role play)
Likes and dislikes (asking for opinion)
French meals (formal / informal) – reading
French breakfast
Topic 2 – Daily Routine
Vocabulary
Reflexive verbs (also -er verbs)
time
Topic 1 – Food
Vocabulary – eating in Restaurant (role play)
Likes and dislikes (asking for opinion)
French meals (formal / informal) – reading
French breakfast
Topic 2 – Daily Routine
Vocabulary
Reflexive verbs (also -er verbs)
time
Music
The children will be looking at Film and TV music, especially Star Wars and Dr Who.
They will also be composing music for a mood.
They will also be composing music for a mood.
Summer Term- Herons Class
English
Our English lessons will be linked to the texts The water tower by Gary Crew, The adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, Wolf brother by Michelle Paver and a selection of Greek Myths. We will have a focus on descriptive writing, information texts and adventure stories. The children will be learning new words through Mrs Wordsmith and they will have weekly spellings set through Spelling Shed.
Year 6 pupils will have a mixture of half hour spelling and grammar sessions run by Mrs Lomax.
Year 5 will have four half hour spelling sessions a week following the Sounds Write programme.
Year 6 pupils will have a mixture of half hour spelling and grammar sessions run by Mrs Lomax.
Year 5 will have four half hour spelling sessions a week following the Sounds Write programme.
Maths
In Maths
Year 5 will be focusing on the following topics:
● Decimals and percentages
● Geometry of shapes
● angles
● measures
● volume and capacity
Year 6 will be focusing on the following topics:
● Area of triangles
● Geometry of shapes
● angles
● statistics
● Maths projects
Year 5 will be focusing on the following topics:
● Decimals and percentages
● Geometry of shapes
● angles
● measures
● volume and capacity
Year 6 will be focusing on the following topics:
● Area of triangles
● Geometry of shapes
● angles
● statistics
● Maths projects
Science
In Science, our topics will be :
Astronomy The Big Bang theory, gravity, the Universe, our Solar System, the moon and our galactic neighbourhood.
Meteorology Weather and climate, the atmosphere, the Ozone layer, air movement and wind direction, cold and warm fronts, thunder and lightning.
Astronomy The Big Bang theory, gravity, the Universe, our Solar System, the moon and our galactic neighbourhood.
Meteorology Weather and climate, the atmosphere, the Ozone layer, air movement and wind direction, cold and warm fronts, thunder and lightning.
History / Geography
In History we will be learning about World War I ,the Causes of World War , how it was fought on land, at sea and in the air, what life was like on the Western Front, The Home Front and the consequences of the War.
In the second half of the term we will be learning about The Suffragettes Democracy in the 19th Century, The National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies, Emmeline Pankhurst and the WSPU, The Anti-Suffrage Campaign 5 and World War I and the Representation of the People Act.In Geography we will be learning about New Zealand and the South Pacific, the location and physical geography ,The history of New Zealand- The Maori , Earthquakes, Climate and the South Pacific Islands.
In the second half of the term we will complete a local geographical study, studying maps,looking at local issues, collecting data and presenting data.
In the second half of the term we will be learning about The Suffragettes Democracy in the 19th Century, The National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies, Emmeline Pankhurst and the WSPU, The Anti-Suffrage Campaign 5 and World War I and the Representation of the People Act.In Geography we will be learning about New Zealand and the South Pacific, the location and physical geography ,The history of New Zealand- The Maori , Earthquakes, Climate and the South Pacific Islands.
In the second half of the term we will complete a local geographical study, studying maps,looking at local issues, collecting data and presenting data.
Art/DT
In Art the children will be learning about Print Making they will look at work from the Artists : Rembrandt, Hogarth, Hokusai and Warhol . They will find out about the different ways of making a print and create their own mono print and screen print. In the second half of the term the children will complete an extended study inspired by the Take one Picture scheme run by the National Gallery.
In DT we will be constructing bird houses!
In DT we will be constructing bird houses!
RE
In R.E. we will be looking at what Jesus did to save Human beings and in the second half of the term we will be thinking about Creation and The Fall.
PHSE
In PSHE our topic is managing safety and risk.
They will learn about the benefits and consequences of taking risks, in familiar and unfamiliar contexts and discuss how their levels of responsibility are changing. They will learn about different strategies for getting help from known and unknown adults, even when this is difficult.describe . The children will complete their cycling proficiency training and learn strategies for staying safer on the roads when using them independently, as a cyclist or pedestrian. They will also learn about keeping safe in the sun and receive some simple first aid training.
They will learn about the benefits and consequences of taking risks, in familiar and unfamiliar contexts and discuss how their levels of responsibility are changing. They will learn about different strategies for getting help from known and unknown adults, even when this is difficult.describe . The children will complete their cycling proficiency training and learn strategies for staying safer on the roads when using them independently, as a cyclist or pedestrian. They will also learn about keeping safe in the sun and receive some simple first aid training.
PE
Our PE lessons will be taught by Premier Sport and KICK. The children will be developing skills in swimming, cricket and athletics.
Computing
The children will be working with TWENTY 20 on STEM activities involving programming
MFL
The children will be focusing on French in the first part of the term and learning about the future – using the future tense and anticipating secondary education and the future (some fun with exaggerated future plans etc!). We will learn about the French education system and learn to compare as well – longer sentences and comparatives.
In the second half of the term the children will learn Italian and write to their penpals at Little Thetford School to show off their new knowledge!
In the second half of the term the children will learn Italian and write to their penpals at Little Thetford School to show off their new knowledge!
Music
The children will be working with Twenty 20 productions to put together their end of year play which will be based around Shakespeare this year.
