We are writing to share some information about life in Year 5.
Our two classes are Foxes class with Miss Byrom and Badgers class with Miss Ball. Our teaching assistants are Mrs Vaughan and Mrs Wilde and Mrs Aldridge.
Curriculum
Our project question is 'Is there anybody out there?' which involves exploring many aspects of Space. Our class reading book is 'Cosmic' by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, a funny adventure story about a boy who ends up in Space. In English, we will learn about different genres of texts to do with space and from this we will be writing our own pieces from a non-chronological report to a retelling. There are two focus subjects this term: Science and History. In History, we will be developing our historical enquiry skills to find out about how space has been discovered over time. We will be exploring different viewpoints around the history and learning about different people who are involved in space exploration. In science, we will be learning lots of features about the different planets and how their place in the solar system impacts this. We also have a wonderful visit from the Planetarium to help us expand our knowledge on space even further! An overview of the curriculum can be found on the website at https://www.stwilfrids-hh.school/web/year_five/363094
Reading at Home
Even when your child enjoys reading and reads well on their own, they still need to read aloud all the way through their Key Stage Two years. Books can be borrowed from the school library – each class will visit once a week – and each year group has a selection of books that your child can borrow and read at home. Every time your child reads at home, you (or your child) should log this using BoomReader — The Digital Reading Record.
BoomReader also has a free app which can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or Google Play. The school code is 39826 and your child’s login has already been sent home. If you need this again, please email the year five address and we can provide this for you. In Phase 3, children will be awarded value points for every occasion that they read at home. When children have finished a chapter book, they need to click the option on BoomReader that allows them to show they have completed the book so we have a record of the types of book they are reading.
Reading Rewards
Children can earn ‘Reading Rewards’ time, for reading at home and recording it in their reading records. To receive this reward time, children need to read at home on at least five occasions (either independently or to an adult) during the week and records these. Diaries must also be signed by a parent or carer (once per week) in order for children to receive this time.
Homework
Maths homework is set every week on a Friday and needs to be completed by the following Friday. This homework will be usually be an activity on the website MyMaths based on what the children have been learning that week, revision of a prior concept or an introduction to a future concept. Children have been given their log-in details for MyMaths, but if these have been misplaced, please inform the class teacher.
English homework is set each month on Microsoft Teams and is usually a written task, based on a prompt, such as a story opening or illustration. In addition, children will be set spellings on Spelling Shed to practice and these will be tested on a Friday in both classes. These will be a mixture of words from the statutory ‘word lists’ and those with particular spelling patterns.
Times tables and related division facts should be practiced on an on-going basis, ideally a few minutes daily. Children are expected to know these and be making progress with them. Children are expected to know these and be making progress with them. ‘Times Tables Rockstars’ - Times Tables Rock Stars: Play (ttrockstars.com) - is an excellent website to use to practise these and children have been provided with logins to access this at home. There will be ongoing 'Rockstars battles' where Phase 3 children will battle out to get the most points - the winner will win a rockstars party.
All children are expected to complete and hand their homework in on time. If children are finding it difficult to complete their homework at home, they can choose to attend ‘Learning Links’ (homework club) for part of their lunchtime where they can receive support with their homework.
PE
This term, PE is on a Monday and a Friday. If there is any reason why your child cannot participate in a PE session, please let the class teacher know through the year five email address. As an alternative, or in addition to plimsolls, sports trainers are allowed in the Juniors. These are particularly useful during the winter months as it allows the field to be used for outside PE. PE is only cancelled in the event of heavy rain, icy or extremely cold conditions, therefore children can wear a a pair of jogging bottoms (ideally navy). Children should wear school sweatshirts for PE. Children with pierced ears must be able to remove their own earrings or cover these with tape.
Water bottles and snacks
Please remember to bring in a water bottle and a healthy fruit or savoury snack (for example, fresh fruit, a bagel, raisins) for break time. Please ensure any snacks are both nut and egg free.
Uniform
Please ensure your child has a waterproof coat in school every day. Children will only stay indoors at playtimes if it is raining heavily. All clothing, including PE kit, should be labelled with your child’s surname.
We are looking forward to a great term. If at any point you have a message for your child’s teacher, please contact us through the year group email: year5@stwilfrids-hhs.school
Please do contact us if you have any questions.
Best Wishes
Miss Ball and Miss Byrom
