Spring 1
Spring 1
In this first Spring term, we will continue to look at Earth’s place within our solar system, and learn about Earth's place in space.
English
Our stimulus for narrative writing in Spring 1 will be a fantastic book - 'The Jamie Drake Equation'. We will join Jamie as he sets out to save his astronaut father's mission as he orbits Earth in the International Space Station. We will be writing an explanation text about being an astronaut. Our Grammar learning for the term will be using modals and relative clauses. Learning to edit and handwriting will play a crucial role in this too.
Pupils should continue to use Bedrock at least twice a week at home to support with their vocabulary - it is also our aim to access this resource daily in school.
Vocabulary: verb, modal verb, infinitive, relative clause, subordinate clause, conjunction, relative pronoun, explanation text
Guided Reading - Reading for Inference
We will use a variety of texts - both fiction and non-fiction texts to enable us to apply our learning to a range of question types, and to make links between different books and our own growing general knowledge. We will continue to use text annotation as a method of exploring a text, and will build on our retrieval and inference reading skills. In order to support your child with both their grammar and reading at home, please use the following links: https://app.bedrocklearning.org/
https://gb.education.com/games/grammar/
http://www.eslgamesworld.com/members/games/grammar/index.html
Maths
We will continue to focus on honing our times table knowledge and recall skills as we continue learning about fractions, then move on to decimals and percentages this term. Times tables and generating new facts from those known will be a focus within the classroom and during our morning task time. It is imperative that pupils are able to recall these facts in order to access the Year 5 curriculum thoroughly. We will be using Number and Lightning as the basis of our knowledge to support our arithmetic skills. Pupils will be taught operations in depth and will be tasked with using these in a variety of different contexts.
Vocabulary: multiplication, multiply, division, divide, multiples, fraction, numerator, denominator, equivalent, improper, mixed, sequence, integers, decimal, decimal place, decimal point, round, percentage.
Homework will continue to be set from the White Rose Maths Practice Journal. In order to support your child with their times table knowledge at home and with arithmetic in general, please use the following links:
https://timestable.pixl.org.uk/Timestables.html
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z826n39
Science
Our Science exploration in Spring 1 will be around properties of materials. We will learn about properties including magnetism, translucency, hardness, electrical conductivity, and insulating qualities.
Vocabulary: material, property, quality, transparent, translucent, opaque, magnetism, hardness, conductor circuit, cell, bulb, variable, insulation, insulator, thermometer, temperature, lifespan.
RSE and PSHE: Citizenship
In PSHE, our focus for this term is Citizenship. We will begin to understand what happens when the law is broken. We will also begin to understand how parliament works.
Vocabulary: rule, consequence, law, magistrates court, crown court, police, trial, fair, judge, jury, rights, responsibilities, government, company, businesses, community, society, parliament, monarch, Prime Minister.
Geography
In Geography this term, we will be learning about our planet’s oceans. We will investigate oceans and seas. We will gain a better understanding of the pivotal role oceans play in Earth’s climate, but also sadly how climate change is affecting oceans and the abundance of life therein. We will consider the impact of humans on our oceans.
Vocabulary: Atlantic Ocean, World Ocean, Pacific Ocean, North Pole, South Pole, nearly enclosed, salinity, transported, trade, maritime trade, manufactured goods, quantities, freight, maritime shipping routes, ocean currents, warm currents, cold currents, gyres, phytoplankton, Atlantic coast, oceanic earthquakes, tsunami, Caribbean, hurricanes, wind, stream, regulates, fossil fuels, Aral Sea drift-net fishing, marine life
Religion and World views
This term our big question is: What happens when we die? We will be interpreting different sources of wisdom and beliefs about what happens when we die, making links between beliefs around a soul and eternal life.
Vocabulary: atonement, cremate, eternal, judgement, mourning, reconciliation, solemn, soul
Computing: Data Handling - Mars Rover 1
In Computing, our Space-themed learning continues as we meet the Mars Rover automated vehicle. We will explore how and why the Mars Rover transfers data. We will understand how messages can be sent using binary code. We will experience how to programme a Mars Rover using binary code.
Vocabulary: binary, code, communicate, construction, data, design, transmission, discovery, distance, input, output, Mars Rover, Moon, numerical, radio signal, sequence, simulation, technology, numerical, 8-bit binary, instructions, RAM, byte, CPU, decimal, hexadecimal,
P.E.
Indoor PE: Table Tennis. We will build on previous learning by working on key skills including being able to pass and rally the ball with precision, using a successful forehand and backhand push interchangeably, and being able to serve effectively within a game situation. We have a Year 5 table tennis fun event on 30th January, so this will be a great chance to use our skills.
Vocabulary: alternate, forehand, backhand, push, rally, serve, smash
Outdoor PE: Multi-Skills. We will build on previous learning by working on key skills including co-ordination, movement, balance, throwing, catching, reaction time, and competition.
Vocabulary: co-ordination, simultaneous, direction, stimulus, competitive
Design and Technology
In DT, we will be creating a functional four-page pop-up storybook design, using lever, sliders, layers and spacers to create paper-based mechanisms.
Vocabulary: design, input, motion, mechanism, criteria, research, reinforce, model
MFL: French Numbers, Calendars and Birthdays
We will extend our knowledge of numbers to 31, learn the days of the week, months of the year, dates and seasons through maths and songs and class surveys. We will also research the dates of French festivals and revise the unit by having a traditional French birthday celebration in the classroom! How exciting!
Vocabulary: un anniversaire, C'est quand ton anniversaire? (When is your birthday?) Quelle est la date d'aujourd'hui ? (What’s today’s date?)
Important dates for this term:
Term begins 08/01/24
Y5 Table Tennis event: 30/01/24
National Space Centre class trip: 06/02/23
Internet Safety Day: 07/02/24
Valentine’s disco: 15/02/24
P/C event: 15/02/24 (2.15 – 3pm)
Term ends: 16/02/24