1. Year5/6 Autumn Term– Mr Haws
Ancient and Modern Greece – Parent Overview
Areas of Learning
As part of our topic this term, we will be exploring the country of Greece in both ancient and modern times. We will consider the rise to power of the Greek states, the battles that took place between warring cities and the modern thinking behind the Greek political systems. We will look at Greek armies and their weaponry, paying specific attention to famous Greek warriors. We will study the geographical make-up of the country and how this affected the cohesion of the country. We will listen to, read and write our own stories based upon the Myths and beliefs of the people of the past. We will look at the Ancient Greek religion and how it served to both enlighten and frighten its followers. We will look closely at well-known mythical beasts and the powers they possessed.
We will study maps to locate different Greek islands and the stories and traditions of the many once independent states. We will sample Greek cuisine and consider the fashions of the country over the years.
Year5/6 Autumn Term– Mr Haws
How can I help?
Numeracy
Practice all table facts on regular basis, through online games and apps as well as regular written practice. Challenge your children to a times table quick quiz. Ask your child to show you the formula they have been using in class. Let them be the teacher. Some of the methods might be alien to you, others might be familiar. If your child is struggling with their homework, take a break and come back to it later or take it in bitesize chunks. Engage in practical maths – cooking, measuring, volume and capacity, shopping, estimating – these can all be done within your usual routine to reinforce knowledge.
Literacy
Read wherever and whenever possible – any type of literature is better than none-so try to make your child’s reading experience fun and engaging with books, ebooks, reading apps, blogs, media feeds etc.
Point out spellings around you and the environment, on signs, in books etc.
Listen to audiobooks.
Engage in conversations about what kind of literature your child enjoys the most – motivate them through the choice of literature they have access to. RE
Where possible, talk to your child about what they have been learning, Can they tell you any Bible stories or parables? Can they talk about their feelings and engage in some of the bigger questions of life?

2. Learning & Thinking Skills Geographical Understanding
The children in the class will be challenged regularly with a series of challenges, brain teasers and puzzles to help develop problem solving and determination.
Social Skills
We will work on inviting others into our friendships, recognising when someone may feel left out.
Geographical Understanding
We will find out about the climate and terrain of Greece during different times of the year. We will locate different Greek islands on map and become familiar with European countries.
D & T Skills
We will plan and design suitable clothing for an ancient warrior, thinking about movement, flexibility, protection and weight. We will design and make Spartan helmets. We will prepare and sample traditional Greek food.
Science Skills
We will consider our Evolution and Inheritance as well as a study of Living Things through:
Using complex science words correctly
Using a science model to explain
Drawing diagrams to describe/explain
Art
We will study artistic forms found within ancient Greece to create our own pottery and mosaic designs based upon battles, myths and Greek heroes. We will also engage with our local heritage project through the Land of Oak and Iron in relation to the Whinfield Coke Ovens.
Physical Education
We will begin the year with a series of conditioning sessions, focusing on why we need to stay fit and healthy and the benefits to our bodies. We will make and devise team games that require certain throwing, catching, kicking or hitting skills. We will focus on movement after a pass and creating space. We will engage with building gymnastics routines that require shape and balance.
Music
Our music this term will mostly centre around singing and performance.
Communication, Language & Literacy
During this term, we will immerse ourselves into the stories of the Ancient Greeks. We will study and learn from a number of relevant myths and legends, and through discussion and planning, we will use these examples as a basis for: retelling known stories, writing from the perspective of others, describing the armour of a hoplite and writing our own Myths.
We aim to read a series of myths that follow specific characters as well as looking at non-fiction texts from a geographical point of view.
Religious Education
See main RE planner for this- our topics this term are Ourselves, Life Choices and Hope.
Mathematics
Over the next term, maths will include learning about:
Place value of digits including: decimals including tenths, hundredths and thousandths; negative numbers in order; recognition of Roman Numerals and using within context.
Four operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, using a range of formula; estimation and rounding; knowledge of factors and multiples.
Prime numbers and divisibility rules
Statistics: line graphs, pie charts and tables
Computing
Much of our initial focus will be on staying safe online and what to do if and when you feel unsure of things on the internet. We will engage with programming and multimedia, using sequences and logical reasoning to detect errors in computing algorithms.