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Upton Junior School

Upton Junior School

One Childhood - One Chance

Year 5 Weekly News 13.3.26

Term 4 Week 3

English

This week, the children have been concentrating on crafting a setting description of Cyclops’ cave. They engaged in a detailed analysis of the text, identifying key language elements to enhance their writing. A particular emphasis was placed on the use of prepositional phrases, which allowed students to create more vivid and descriptive imagery in their work.

Looking ahead to next week, the children will embark on creating a double-page spread dedicated to Greek Gods and Goddesses. This activity will focus on the use of parenthesis, enabling students to add additional information and detail to their descriptions. Furthermore, they will write an internal monologue from the perspective of Odysseus, exploring his feelings of failure regarding his men. This exercise aims to deepen their understanding of character motivation and narrative voice.

 

Maths

This week in maths, the children have been focusing on percentages of amounts while consolidating their understanding of fractions, decimals, and percentages. Through various activities and exercises, students have developed their skills in calculating percentages, which has enhanced their overall numerical fluency.

Looking ahead to next week, the class will engage in a problem-solving investigation that emphasises the skill of working systematically. This approach will encourage students to explore different strategies and methods to arrive at solutions. Additionally, they will begin their new unit on transformations, where they will learn about translating, rotating, and reflecting shapes. This unit aims to deepen their spatial awareness and geometric understanding, providing a solid foundation for future mathematical concepts.

 

Thematic

This week, our thematic focus has been on the fascinating world of the Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Greece. The children engaged in collaborative learning by creating Top Trump cards, which allowed them to express their understanding of each deity and their unique powers. This activity not only fostered teamwork but also encouraged creativity and critical thinking as students researched and presented their findings.

Looking ahead to next week, we will shift our attention to the Parthenon, exploring its architectural significance and cultural importance in Ancient Greek society. This will provide students with a deeper appreciation of historical landmarks and their relevance to our understanding of ancient civilisations.

Science Day

On Wednesday, the children engaged in an exciting Science Day filled with hands-on activities and collaborative learning. The day commenced with an exploration of science conundrums, where students acted out everyday objects to illustrate their functions and properties. This interactive approach sparked curiosity and encouraged teamwork.

Following the morning break, the focus shifted to Mary Jackson, a pivotal figure in our space studies from term 2. The children conducted research and created informative fact files, deepening their understanding of her contributions to science and technology.

In the afternoon, the students designed and constructed paper boats, which they tested on water to observe how different forces affected their buoyancy and stability. This practical experiment not only reinforced scientific concepts but also fostered critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Overall, it was a fantastic day of discovery and creativity!

Wow Day

Today, the children took part in an exciting Ancient Greek WOW day, immersing themselves in the rich culture and history of this fascinating civilisation. The day featured a carousel of engaging activities designed to enhance their learning experience.

Students enjoyed Greek food tasting, where they sampled traditional dishes, expanding their culinary horizons. They also participated in Greek dancing, which allowed them to explore the rhythmic movements and cultural significance of these dances.

In addition, the children engaged in pottery designing, creating their own unique designs inspired by ancient techniques. The Greek Olympic games provided a lively atmosphere, encouraging teamwork and friendly competition.

Finally, the children listened to captivating Greek stories and myths, sparking their imaginations and fostering a love for storytelling. It was a fantastic day, with many children bravely trying activities they had never experienced before, enriching their understanding of Ancient Greece.

Key Dates

Tuesday 17th March- Church visit B and G children. Packed lunch needed on this day.

Wednesday 18th March- Church visit. R and Y children. Packed lunch needed on this day.

Friday 20th March- Comic relief. Wear something red, funny or non-uniform for a donation.

Monday 30th March- Parents afternoon/evening

Tuesday 31st March- Parents evening

Wednesday 1st April- Easter egg hunt

Homework

- Please read with your child at least 3 times a week.

- All children have been given a ZPD to help them identify the correct books for their reading level. Once your child has read their book, they will need to complete a quiz on it before getting a new one. These quizzes can be done either in school or at home on Accelerated Reader using the log-in codes found in their reading records.

Welcome (renaissance-go.com) 

- Children should be playing TTRS at least 3 times a week to build their confidence and fluency with time-tables knowledge.

- Mathletics homework has also been set for the children to complete by next Friday.

- Please see the homework menu attached for our thematic homework. This can be completed in the homework book provided if you wish.

- Please choose ten spellings each week to practice with your child at home. They can use the format shown in the book.

The Year 5 team

Contact Us

Upton Junior School
Edge End Road
Broadstairs
Kent
CT10 2AH

(01843) 861393