1. In Year 5 we will be learning to:
Term: Autumn 2
Maths:
Extend our understanding of:
Prime numbers, factors and multiples
How to interpret graphs and tables
Identify appropriate strategies to solve
mathematical word problems
Computing:
Use technology to help us to research and develop geometric designs.
Engage:
Lock your doors and pull up the drawbridge: the dreaded ‘Great Pestilence’ is here!
What was the plague and how did it affect society?
What was life like in a medieval castle?
How were castles designed to maximise defence?
What was the role of a medieval knight?
Literacy:
Read the diary of a surgeon treating plague victims in London.
Identify key features of journal writing in order to write a successful example of our own.
Develop narrative techniques using personification.
Explore a range of English poetry and expand the use of persuasive speech.
Science:
Investigate the effects of bacteria on the human body and find out about disgusting and dangerous plague ‘cures’.
PE:
Develop basketball skills, exploring the use of footwork, the importance of spatial awareness and a variety of different passing techniques.
History:
Explore life in 14th Century Britain.
Understand the reasons for the Peasants’ Revolt.
Geography:
Develop the use of maps to identify the spread of the plague throughout Britain and across Europe.
In Year 5 we will be learning to:
Innovate:
Use drama to perform a mock battle, incorporating key historical facts and persuasive dialogue.
Express:
Parents will be invited to our exhibition, where we will present our learning by sharing our presentations, artwork, 3D models and journals.
PSHE:
Learn to understand and assess risks as well as developing strategies to keep themselves safe.
Music:
Explore medieval music involving a range of instruments. Extend their knowledge and understanding of the use of percussion instruments.
Art:
Explore calligraphy and how fonts were used in medieval manuscripts.
Investigate a variety of different printmaking techniques.
DT:
Design shields and coats of arms inspired by 14th century designs.

2. Things to explore with your child…
PE: Our PE days will continue to be on Tuesday and Thursday. This term, our PE coach will be supporting the children to develop understanding of the ways in which high performing teams use their communication skills.
Creative Zone:
Design a coat of arms for your family. Which symbols would you use and what would they represent?
What would your family motto be?
Use a map of the UK to identify castles of the Middle Ages. Make a scrapbook or journal to research facts about one of them.
Reading:
As a class we will be reading ‘Plague: A Cross on the Door’ by Ann Turnball. We will also be reading ‘Plague: Outbreak in London, ’ by Tony Bradman. This thrilling story is about a young boy's fight to stay alive during one of history's deadliest epidemics.
Please support your child to develop their inference skills when reading at home, by asking them to –
- Predict what might happen next
- Link clues together like a detective when
reading -
Maths:
Your child should now have their log-in for Times Tables Rock Stars, which is a carefully sequenced programme of daily times tables practice. Please encourage your child to complete these at home.
Help your child to solve word problems by using everyday examples, such as going to the grocery store and working out a total bill. They could draw a picture or diagram of each question to help them. This will enable them to consider how to solve each word problem before attempting to find their answers.
Writing:
Our personal plague journals will record the horror of the black death and we’ll write some poetry inspired by Geoffrey Chaucer.
Why not encourage your child to write a daily diary in order to develop their journal writing techniques?
Wherever possible, please continue to support your child with their spellings from the Year 5/6 word list.
Dates:
Topic Celebration
Wednesday 19th December
Parents are invited to join us for our Medieval Topic Exhibition at 2:30pm.
End of Term
Friday 21st December
Weekly Practice:
Pupils have been issued with a home-school reading passport. Please encourage them to record their reading progress at home and to complete the review activities. Our passports also include the Year 5/6 common exception words that they should be able to read and spell. Homework tasks relating to these and their times table tasks will be sent home weekly and are due in every Wednesday.