Welcome to Year 5 - Beech Class

Class teacher: Miss Birch

Class LSA: Miss Barlow

Year 5 is an exciting year full of new experiences, opportunities and challenges! As the children grow older, we will encourage them to become more independent, confident and responsible, while making sure they continue to enjoy coming to school and learning new things.

There will be lots for the children to look forward to, with exciting topics, creative activities and opportunities to learn beyond the classroom. From discovering fascinating events in History and exploring the world through Geography, to getting creative in Art and DT and developing teamwork and resilience in PE, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

We are looking forward to watching the children grow in confidence, discover new interests, celebrate their successes and support one another throughout the year. Most importantly, we want Year 5 to be a happy, memorable and rewarding year for every child.

English

During Autumn 1, we will be studying Hidden Figures, which tells the story of three Black women at NASA who overcome racism and sexism to help the United States succeed in the Space Race.

We will then move on to The Man Who Walked Between the Towers, which tells the true story of Philippe Petit, who secretly walked on a wire between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in 1974.

In Autumn 2, we will study The Tempest, which follows Prospero, a powerful magician who uses magic to bring his enemies to an island. He eventually forgives them and gives up his magic, choosing a peaceful new life.

Our final book before the Christmas holiday will be Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. It follows Percy, a boy who discovers that he is the son of the Greek god Poseidon. He goes on a quest with his friends to find Zeus’s stolen lightning bolt and prevent a war among the gods.

Maths

In maths we begin the new year by examining place value and numbers up to a million. Addition and subtraction including multi- step problems proceeds multiplication. This includes looking at prime, square and cubed numbers. Our final unit will involve studying fractions, including converting and mixed units .

Science

In Autumn 1, we will study Earth and Space, learning about the movement of the Earth, Moon and other planets in our solar system. Children will use models and observations to develop their understanding of day and night, the Earth’s rotation and the wider solar system.In Autumn 2, Year 5 will explore materials and their properties, investigating how materials can be changed and how their properties make them suitable for different uses. Pupils will develop their scientific enquiry skills through practical investigations and experiments.

Geography

In Autumn 1, Year 5 will develop their map-reading skills, learning how to use grid references, symbols, keys, scale and compass directions to locate and describe places. They will apply these skills to a range of maps and develop their understanding of the world around them.

In Autumn 2, pupils will explore seas and oceans, learning about the world’s major oceans and seas, their locations and key geographical features. They will investigate how seas and oceans are important to people, wildlife and the environment.

History

In Autumn 1, Year 5 will explore 18th-century life, learning about what life was like for different people during this period. They will investigate homes, work, education, society and significant changes that shaped everyday life.

In Autumn 2, pupils will investigate How did Britain gain an empire? They will explore the growth of the British Empire, the reasons behind its expansion and its impact on people and countries around the world. Children will develop their understanding of historical sources and consider different perspectives on Britain’s imperial past.

Alongside our core subjects, pupils will also enjoy a variety of other exciting units, including Art, Design and Technology (DT), and Physical Education (PE). These subjects will provide opportunities for children to develop their creativity, practical skills, teamwork, confidence and physical abilities throughout the year.