English

This week in English, the children engaged in an exciting exploration of Greek mythology by creating fact files about Greek Gods and Goddesses. This activity not only enriched their understanding of ancient cultures but also provided an opportunity to enhance their writing skills.

A significant focus was placed on the use of parenthesis within their writing, allowing students to add additional information and detail to their fact files effectively.

In addition to this, the children wrote an internal monologue from the perspective of Odysseus, the legendary hero of Homer’s The Odyssey. They employed emotive language to vividly convey his feelings during his arduous journey home from Troy, capturing the essence of his struggles and triumphs. This exercise fostered creativity and empathy, encouraging students to connect with historical narratives on a deeper level.

Next week in English, the children will be engaged in writing a comparative setting description, enhancing their descriptive writing skills and critical thinking abilities.

Maths

This week, the children commenced their unit on transformations in mathematics. They engaged in practical activities using co-ordinates to translate shapes on a grid, enhancing their understanding of spatial relationships and the properties of shapes. This hands-on approach allowed students to visualise the movement of shapes and solidify their grasp of translation concepts.

Looking ahead to next week, the focus will shift towards arithmetic and reasoning assessments, providing an opportunity for students to demonstrate their mathematical skills and understanding. Additionally, they will learn how to reflect shapes using a mirror line on a grid, further developing their knowledge of transformations. This combination of assessment and new learning will ensure a comprehensive understanding of the topic, preparing students for future mathematical challenges.

Thematic

This week, our thematic focus was on the Parthenon, a significant symbol of ancient Greek architecture and culture. The children engaged in a creative writing activity where they assumed the role of tour guides. They crafted informative narratives to explain the historical importance of the Parthenon and to describe its architectural features, enhancing their understanding of classical history.

In addition to this, the children began planning their Design Technology (DT) projects for the upcoming week. They will be using Computer-Aided Manufacturing Systems (CAMS) to create a moving scene inspired by Greek theatre. This project not only fosters creativity but also integrates technology with historical learning, allowing students to explore the intersection of art and engineering in a hands-on manner.

Key Dates

Monday 30^th March- Parents afternoon/evening

Tuesday 31^st March- Parents evening

Wednesday 1^st 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