British Motor Museum

We had a fantastic day out at the British Motor Museum. We explored how gears work and then made our own cars to use in time trials! We hopped on board an old London bus and spotted many differences between it and modern buses. We also had time to look around the HUGE selection of cars in the museum.  

Teamwork

We had fun doing some physical problem solving. We had to find ways to communicate without speaking when ordering ourselves...

We had to solve maths problems and show our answers by putting the correct number of body parts in the hoop. What could the question have been?

Autumn Term Communication Letter

Dear Parents/ Carers of Year 5 Pupils,

We hope that you have had a really enjoyable summer. It is lovely to be back in school and we are delighted with how quickly the children have settled in Year 5.  We hope that you find this letter and pack of information useful.

Autumn Term Curriculum

Here is an outline of some of the areas of learning that we will be covering in class this term within the topics of ‘Lasting Legacies’ and ‘A Splash of Paint’

Maths	Place value (reading, writing, ordering, comparing, rounding) Calculations (+ - x). Written and mental methods Fractions and Decimals Word problems
English	SPaG, Greek Myths & Narrative Poetry
Science	Feel the Force & Earth and Space
R.E.	How should believers live? What do religions say? Focus on Christianity and Islam.
Computing	Using the internet with discernment
P.E.	Rugby then Dance (Tuesdays), Games (Thursdays)
Topic (History, art, D.T.)	‘Lasting Legacies’ This will include a study of Ancient Greece. Exploring Greek life, their achievements and influence on the western world today. ‘A Splash of Paint’ This will include studying a variety of artists to further develop the children’s mastery of art and design techniques.

How you can help at home

Homework

Year 5 children will receive one English and one Maths homework weekly. Most homework will be completed in the Maths or English homework books.  It is really helpful if you can encourage your child to complete homework in a quiet place where they can fully focus. If your child has any trouble with homework, all they need do is come and ask us (where possible before the due date!).  It is also appreciated if you could help encourage children to take responsibility for their own homework - if it is not going to be handed in on the due date then children should tell us themselves. Maths homework will be due in on a Tuesday and English homework will be due in on a Wednesday. We will set some MyMaths homework tasks as part of the Maths bubble homework. If you do not have access to the internet at home children are welcome to use laptops at school to complete these tasks during Friday lunchtimes.

In addition, the children learn a spelling rule each week and will receive a list of spellings that follow this rule (every Monday) which they will need to learn for a weekly spelling test on a Friday.

The children will also be tested on a list of 15 half termly spellings at the beginning and end of each half term. We would appreciate your help in supporting your child in learning these tricky words. Thank you.

We also offer an optional homework every term for those children looking for an extra challenge.

Reading

As you know children hugely benefit from reading regularly, every night where possible. It is still important for children to be reading with an adult on a regular basis too. We have listened to all children read individually and in the front of the homework planner have made an individual suggestion of how often your child would benefit from reading to an adult. Of course this is a guide and if you wish to do more reading with your child than is indicated then that’s great.

Planners

Thank you for your support already in using the homework planners. We hope that you find them useful in helping your child organise themselves. The children are using their planners to record homework tasks but can also use it as a personal diary. Children will record their weekly spelling and times tables score every Friday. Please could you check your child’s planner at the end of each week and sign the bottom of the page. Please feel free to make your own comments. Your child should take responsibility for asking you to check and sign it. We will collect the homework planners each Friday.

P.E

We will have P.E sessions on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. We are thrilled that Gloucestershire Rugby will be providing a six week block of rugby coaching every Tuesday for the first half of the term. Our Thursday PE session will be led by Jon and have a games focus. Sometimes our timetable has to change so P.E kit should be in school each day please. A reminder that PE kit should consist of: black daps/pumps/trainers, black shorts and a red or white t-shirt or polo shirt. As the weather is unpredictable it would be useful for the children to have both outdoor trainers and plimsolls (or clean trainers) as part of their kit so that we can use both the hall and outdoors. When it starts to get colder, joggers and jumpers may also be needed. School PE kit should also be worn for after school clubs.

Art aprons

Children will need to have an old shirt or apron for art. Please ensure your child has one in school at all times. Thank you.

Pencil cases

School provides all the writing and drawing materials the children will need, however, they are allowed to bring in their own pencil case if they wish. The pencil case and its contents are the responsibility of the child and need to fit into their tray. This is a privilege and children may be asked to take their pencil case home if it proves to be too much of a distraction.

Planners, reading books and homework books.

Please have all of these in school, in the classroom, each day. Thank you.

Jam Making

Soon we will be making jam using the fruits grown in our school garden. Please can you send in any empty glass jars?  Please can you soak off the labels? Many thanks.

Dates for your diary

·         Class trip to British Motor Museum Wednesday 14^th September.

·         Join us for our class assembly on Thursday 10^th November.

We look forward to working closely with you. Please don’t hesitate to come and see us if you have any questions.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs Michelle Parkin and Mrs Marika Hortop