1. MOUNT PLEASANT PRIMARY SCHOOL AUTUMN 1 YEAR 5 MATHS This half term the children will be studying place value and basic number facts, multiplication, division, addition and subtraction. We will also be looking at how we can apply our mathematical knowledge to real life situations. YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD BY - Ensuring your child practices their times tables regularly, giving your child plenty of opportunity to develop their mental maths skills and allowing them to access websites such as Mymaths, Mathszone etc. SCIENCE In Science we are learning about Earth, Space and the phases of the Moon. The children will learn about the rotation of the earth and how this affects our calendar and how we get night and day. We will learn about why we have day and night, as well as the effect of the Earth’s titled axis and proximity to the sun on the seasons throughout our year. YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD BY – Talking about the changes you notice in the shape of the moon and how the seasons are changing. Discussing different planet names and placing into context the scale of the solar system and galaxy. ENGLISH This half term we are reading ‘Cosmic ‘ by Frank Cottrell-Boyce. In this unit we will be writing a variety of both fiction and non-fiction texts including a diary, instructions, a non-chronological report and a news report! We will also be looking at different aspects of grammar including how to use both direct and indirect speech and the difference between formal and informal language. YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD BY – Reading other books by the author mentioned above, reading with your child everyday and encouraging them to use their writing skills frequently. Children should be reading a wide range of material, not just stories. Comprehension exercises which can be found online and in popular book stores will certainly help your child move on with their reading. History This half term the children will be learning about the famous scientist Albert Einstein. This topic will cover the theory of relativity, theories about gravity, including Newton’s idea about gravity and James Maxwell’s. At the end of this unit, children will produce a biography about Einstein showing what they have learned. You can help your child by researching about Einstein using reference books and/or the internet: http://einstein.biz/ http://einstein.biz/ MFL In Modern Foreign Languages this term we will be learning how to read, write and speak in French. In addition to consolidating previous work, the topics we will be covering are: Parts of the body Adjectives for facial features Parts of the head Names of animals YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD BY – Discussing new words they have learnt. ICT The children will be learning new skills that are linked to programming. The children will then use these skills to create animations that have different functions. YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD BY – Discussing ideas and concepts that popular games include in their programming. This could also involve the certain styles that are evident within each of the programmed games as well as the artistic elements involved. PHYSICAL EDUCATION The children will be swimming every week as well as having a session taught in school. This half term we will be focussing on dance. YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD BY – Making sure they have their swimming kit each Wednesday DESIGN TECHNOLOGY This half term the children will be focusing on food technology. They will be using their five senses to form opinions about food and will be exploring what it means to have a healthy diet. YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD BY – Discussing what is needed for a healthy and balanced diet and lifestyle and why this is important. TARGETS Reading: In year 5 pupils are challenged to read for 20 minutes everyday. Please use their planners to let the teacher know if they have been reading. Help them meet the reading challenge and receive their rewards. Maths: Each week the children will be tested in the ‘Kung Fu Maths’ challenge. They will need to learn their times tables to pass each test and move on to the next level. To ensure children can spell common words, they will be receiving spelling homework weekly which they will be tested on the following week. I PSHCE In PSHCE the theme that the children will be studying is New beginnings. Children will talk about and discuss the hopes that they each have and set themselves targets to achieve them. Children will also revise the school Behaviour Expectations YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD BY – Stressing the importance of the schools expectations. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION In RE children will be learning about particular religious journeys and will be discussing why they are special. They will find out which places are special and where in the world they are. YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD BY – Talking about journeys that are special to you. COMPREHENSION This year we will be focusing on comprehension work in order to improve your child’s understanding of what they are reading. You can help your child by questioning them when they read to you and using comprehension activity books which are available through several book shops.