Year 5 Blog

Year 5 - What's happening this half term (Spring 1st half term)?

15th January 2025  |  Posted by Year 5

Happy New Year, everyone! It’s that time again—welcome back to the spring term! I hope you all had a lovely break. Please read on to discover all the exciting things your children will be learning about this term. From engaging topics to fun activities, there’s so much for them to look forward to. Let’s make this term a fantastic one together!  

 

We're excited to invite you to our Spelling and Handwriting Workshop on Wednesday, 5th February 2025! It promises to be a fun and engaging session aimed at enhancing our skills. We hope to see many of you there—let’s make learning enjoyable together! 

 

English 

In Writing, we'll dive into the exciting world of poetry by crafting poems about ourselves. Once we've penned our masterpieces, we'll perform our compositions, paying close attention to intonation, volume, and movement to ensure our meanings shine through. We'll also embark on writing narratives about a legend, exploring how authors bring characters and settings to life through their choices. As we write, we’ll focus on our spellings, identifying key rules to enhance our accuracy. We'll select appropriate grammar and vocabulary to enrich our narratives, weaving in dialogue to breathe life into our characters and keep the story flowing beautifully!  

The children will continue to be encouraged to deliver a high standard of presentation and take pride in the development of their writing. We're focusing on forming joins correctly, ensuring each child feels confident and excited about showcasing their work. It’s all about making writing enjoyable! 

 

In our Reading sessions, we’re going to dive into a delightful variety of texts! It's so important for children to experience a wide range of writing styles. This not only keeps things exciting but also helps to develop their appreciation for literature. We’ll be focusing on the vital skills of retrieval, inference, and vocabulary understanding, ensuring that our young readers build a strong foundation for their future learning. So, whether we’re tackling tales, poems, or non-fiction, there’s bound to be something for everyone to enjoy. Let’s get reading and unleashing those imaginations! 

 

Things to do at home:  

Encouraging your child to read at home is a fantastic way to boost their concentration and independence. Share a book together; it’s a lovely way to bond! As you read, ask questions to check their understanding and spark discussions about the story. This not only helps with their comprehension but makes reading a fun and engaging activity. Remember, every little bit helps! Happy reading! 

 

Maths 

In Maths, we will continue to focus on securing our understanding of fractions, which are fundamental in understanding ratios, proportions, and various applications in real-life contexts. We will learn to order, compare, add, and subtract fractions, which are essential skills for advanced mathematical concepts. Following this, we will progress to multiplying and dividing using formal methods. For example, we will tackle problems involving the multiplication of a four-digit number by a two-digit number. Additionally, we will incorporate short division techniques, addressing calculations that result in remainders, thereby enhancing our numerical fluency and problem-solving abilities. 

 

Things to do at home:  

To enhance maths fluency at home, it is essential to regularly practise times tables, as this builds a strong foundation for further mathematical understanding. Encourage your child to add and subtract numbers using both formal methods, such as column addition, and informal strategies, such as using number lines or visual aids. Engaging in daily discussions around these topics can also greatly reinforce their mathematical skills and confidence. 

 
Science 

In Science, we're diving into the fascinating world of materials! We’ll be comparing and grouping materials based on whether they’re solids, liquids, or gases. You'll also get to observe how some materials can change state when they’re heated or cooled. Plus, we’ll measure or research the temperatures at which these changes occur in degrees Celsius. Get ready for some exciting experiments and discoveries!
 

Foundation Subjects 

In Computing, the children will embark on a thrilling adventure as they use Scratch to create their very own crab maze game! They will utilise their understanding of computer science, mastering the art of giving precise commands to the computer. This hands-on experience will not only ignite their creativity but also enhance their problem-solving skills as they design intricate mazes and programme their crabs to navigate through challenges!
 

In Music, we’re diving into the vibrant world of South and West African traditions! We’ll discover how songs in other languages can surprise us with unfamiliar sounds, like the clicks found in Xhosa. One highlight will be ‘The Click Song,’ known for bringing good luck at weddings. We’ll also explore how major chords create a bright, happy vibe and learn about poly-rhythms—where multiple rhythms dance together.
 

In our exciting Art unit on Painting & Mixed Media: Portraits, pupils will embark on a creative journey! They will outline portrait drawings using words, varying size, shape, and placement for added interest. Experimentation with diverse materials for backgrounds will spark inspiration. Collaborating with partners, they'll communicate their visions for photo portraits, make thoughtful decisions about composition, and ultimately create self-portraits that express their unique identities, reflecting on material choices and techniques.
 

In RE, we are learning about what happens when we die by interpreting various sources of wisdom and beliefs. Throughout our lessons, we will explore the concept of the soul and its connection to eternal life while examining different Jewish perspectives on death. Furthermore, we will discuss how forgiveness is integral to beliefs around death and draw links between Muslim views on Jannah and their historical geography. We will also acknowledge the diversity of funerals within and between worldviews, examine Christian sacraments related to death, and reflect on the broader similarities and differences in beliefs. As death is a topic that will undoubtedly affect all children at some point in their lives, it is imperative that we create a safe space for them to discuss and explore their thoughts and feelings. Please be aware that some children may find this topic tricky and need some further support from you at home. 
 

In PSHE, we’re diving into some really important topics! We’ll explore the risks of sun exposure and how to protect ourselves. Plus, we’ll learn how to plan scrumptious, healthy meals! And let's not forget about taking charge of our feelings and actions, using the right vocabulary to express ourselves clearly. 
 

In PE, we're kicking off with Netball before bouncing over to Tennis! The children will develop essential skills such as teamwork, communication, and agility while mastering passing, shooting, and movement on the court. Get ready for some fun and friendly competition as we work on our techniques and enjoy the games! 

Here is a remainder of our PE days:  

Our PE days are as follows: 


On the days of P.E. lessons, pupils should come to school in their P.E. kit.  Details of kit required for P.E. can be found here.

Please remember, if your child wears earrings, there are three options on P.E. days:


All classes are on X (formerly Twitter) so please do follow us for updates - use the buttons below.

The latest 'Learning At Home’ pack will be available to download soon using the button below.  You can also visit our Learning Hub using the button below.

To help your child with their learning at home, please read with them whenever possible and encourage them to keep practising times tables.  We also encourage the use of websites such as Times Table Rockstars.

 

Thank you so much for your support in engaging with your child's learning! It truly makes a difference. We are excited for the upcoming term that is sure to be filled with positivity and enriching experiences. Together, we can help your child thrive and enjoy their educational journey. 

 

The Year 5 team 😊  

Follow us on X (formerly Twitter)!

Don’t forget to follow our classes on X.  Click a button below to find your child's class on X.

Class 5D - Autumn 2nd Half Term

19th December 2024  |  Posted by Mr Duveen

Aspire

It has been a wonderfully exciting half-term in 5D. The class have achieved a huge amount both academically and outside of the curriculum. They have shown resilience and determination in P.E., taking on the significant challenge of trying boxercise for the first time, and recalling and building upon their previous learning about gymnastics. The children have shown curiosity this term too, in learning all about how the Alps compare to our local area in Geography, and discovering how the civilisations of the Ancient Greeks impact on our modern world. 5D then revisited this topic when we put on our own class assembly ‘It’s all Greek to Me’, singing and acting their way through the myths, legends and fables that they had learned about in class.

Inspire

In Maths, we have continued to build upon the good work done in half term 1. The children have been learning new skills in multiplication and division, showing enthusiasm when learning about fractions and how they can be used to represent parts of a whole. English has often given the children an opportunity to show their creativity. Whether writing persuasive letters inspired by the dramatic events of ‘The Highwayman’ by Alfred Noyes, or re-imagining an advert for the Spanish lottery ‘El Gordo’ as a third person narrative, their positivity tackling a difficult task is always inspiring.

Teamwork

In Music, we have been learning about the Blues. The children have shown teamwork when learning to play the 12-bar blues together as a class, and respect when learning about the difficult lives of the genre’s pioneers. We have helped our school community by engaging enthusiastically with the Junior Leadership Team’s meetings, offering our opinions on how to improve the school in a considerate and respectful manner. In R.E. we have shown respect when learning about different faiths, delving into the world of Christianity through learning about the religions origins and how it is followed today by learning about the features of a Catholic church. 

Class 5JW - Autumn 2nd Half Term

19th December 2024  |  Posted by Mrs Wainwright

Aspire

It has been another busy half term and 5JW has shown lots of curiosity through different subjects. In History, we enjoyed researching many different aspects of the lives of the Ancient Greek society from the Greek Gods to Greek philosophers and democracy. More recently we have been comparing our local area to Alpine areas finding out about the difference in climate, leisure, and transport.  In English, 5JW has shown lots of determination to continue to develop their writing skills building on work from previous years. We have recapped work on different clauses, such as, relative clauses and fronted adverbials.  Lots of resilience has been seen in Maths, with everyone working hard to continue to develop their understanding of multiplication and division, as well as Square, Cubed and Prime numbers.

Inspire

I’ve been really impressed with 5JWs enthusiasm during Science. This half term we have been looking at forces, and pupils have worked hard to investigate friction, air and water resistance and simple mechanisms such as pulleys, levers and gears in a practical way. Pupils have been working hard in English showing their creativity and their ability to write in different genres from persuasive letters to non-chronological reports. Whilst learning all about the Blues style of music, pupils have shown lots of positivity supporting each other whilst using glockenspiels to play chords and the Blues scale.

Teamwork

5JW has shown lots of respect during P.S.H.E. and R.E. where we have looked at relationships and the changes and origins of Christianity. We have used teamwork in Outdoor Learning, working together to build structures. In P.E. we have created group and individual balances working together to develop sequences of rolls, jumps and balances.

Class 5P - Autumn 2nd Half Term

19th December 2024  |  Posted by Miss Perkins

Aspire

During our maths lessons we have been learning about fractions, we have practised ordering and converting them. There have been several steps to learn for each, but we have worked hard, shown resilience and aced it! We have been learning about The Highwayman during our English lessons. We have analysed the language used in the poem, looked at unfamiliar words, and thought about the key events in the text. We have learnt about the different tenses that we can use in our writing; some have been a little tricky to grasp but we have been determined to learn them and use them correctly.  During our Geography lessons we have been learning about the Alps, we were curious about where exactly they were located so we used atlases to find them and identify them on a map. We have also learnt about the physical and human features surrounding them- to help us understand what it is like in that region.

Inspire

In our P.S.H.E. lessons we have been learning about relaxation and meditation. We have practised yoga and evaluated its effects on the body. We have been positive and willing when learning new poses and when evaluating its effectiveness. During our gymnastics topic we have been practicing rolls and balances. We have been inspired by the Olympics gymnastics performances and created some Gold medal worthy sequences. It has been especially nice to watch one another’s performances and evaluate them- giving inspiration to those who felt a little shy and hearing positive feedback was lovely. During our science lessons, we have been asking a lot of questions about forces. We have made predictions about what will happen, using our scientific knowledge. We have been very creative and enthusiastic in solving key problems such as: which shape submarine would reach the bottom of the water first or which parachute would fall the fastest. 

Teamwork

Our R.E. lessons have been about Christianity and its core beliefs. We have watched videos and completed activities about the key features of a church, we have thought about what churches are in our community and asked our friends to share any experience they have had in a church. We have shown respect when learning about what specific features are used for and been considerate when giving suggestions about possible uses of the features.

Class 5W - Autumn 2nd Half Term

19th December 2024  |  Posted by Miss Wood

Aspire

What a fantastic half term it has been! We’ve been buzzing with energy, and the children's enthusiasm truly shone through. It was certainly a busy half term, but one filled with joy and learning! During assessment week, I was incredibly proud to see the children demonstrate remarkable perseverance and resilience. They tackled each task with confidence, showing just how much they’ve grown this term. In Geography, their curiosity was ignited as they explored the majestic Alps, learning not only about the breathtaking landscapes but also the vital role these mountains play in our environment. Equally fascinating was our study of the ancient Greeks, where the children engaged deeply with the profound impacts this historical civilisation has had on our modern society.

 Inspire

In P.E., the children demonstrated remarkable trust in their partners while mastering counter balances in gymnastics. It was a joy to witness their excitement as they created their own unique sequences of movements! Meanwhile, in maths, the pupils embraced a positive attitude whilst tackling new concepts such as prime numbers, factors, squared numbers, and cubed numbers. Their determination and eagerness to learn were truly inspiring. Additionally, in English, the children showcased their creativity by crafting persuasive letters about the classic poem ‘The Highwayman’, employing fantastic modal verbs that brought their arguments to life. And let's not forget the enthusiasm displayed in music! The children had a fantastic time learning the 12-bar blues on the glockenspiel, filling the classroom with their vibrant melodies.

 Teamwork

In Religious Education, we've been exploring Christianity, where we've learnt the importance of respecting the beliefs of others. It was inspiring to see everyone engage in discussions, appreciating the diversity of thought around us. Outside the classroom, our outdoor learning area has been a treasure trove of adventures! We’ve shown great consideration whilst exploring, we've been mindful of creatures' habitats, ensuring we leave no trace behind. It’s a wonderful way to foster a sense of responsibility towards nature among the children. In P.S.H.E., we've delved into discussions around equality and the impact of stereotyping. It's inspiring to see 5W recognising how their words and actions affect others, fostering a community of empathy and understanding.

 

That's our first full term complete!  The children have worked super hard and have really impressed me with their focus and dedication to their learning and I can’t wait to see what 2025 has to hold for them!

I think they all deserve a lovely rest this festive season, although I am sure it will be filled with lots of cheer!

See you all in 2025!

Miss Wood 😊

Year 5 - What's happening this half term (Autumn 2nd half term)?

7th November 2024  |  Posted by Year 5

Welcome to the new half term! We're excited to share what your children will be diving into in their classes this term. We are also looking forward to meeting many of you when you join us for the Maths workshop on Tuesday 12th November.  


In English, we will have plenty of opportunities to showcase our fantastic knowledge of grammar, punctuation and spellings whilst writing elaborate texts such as a non-chronological report (at the start of the term). To do this effectively, we will be learning about the difference between facts and opinions and use coordinating conjunctions (alongside subordinate ones) to make our sentences longer and our writing more cohesive. The children will be encouraged to deliver a high standard of presentation and take pride in the development of their writing. 


In our reading sessions, we'll unpick the classic poem “The Highwayman” and explore other intriguing extracts. These texts will provide a great opportunity for discussions and insights. Additionally, we'll focus on essential reading skills such as retrieval, inferring, sequencing, fact versus opinion, and summarising. We encourage you to discuss what they are learning at home and foster their love for reading.  


In Maths, we will continue to focus on securing our understanding of addition and subtraction, building a solid foundation upon which to develop further skills. This will be crucial as we progress to the next topic of multiplication and division. Our aim is to ensure that all students feel confident and competent in these essential mathematical operations. Towards the end of the term, we will introduce the concept of fractions. This topic will not only enhance their number sense but also provide opportunities for practical applications in real-life scenarios. 


In Science, we will be looking at forces such as air resistance, water resistance, gravity, pulleys and gears and using practical investigations to develop our skills and knowledge. 


In Computing, we will continue to develop our 3D modelling skills to create buildings using Sketchup and then move on to looking at how computer networks are controlled and how to use search engines. 


In Design and Technology, the children have successfully created their designs for frame structures in small groups. The next step involves building these frame structures, allowing students to apply their planning and teamwork skills effectively. This hands-on project not only fosters collaboration but also enhances their understanding of stability and design. We look forward to seeing their exciting creations come to life! 


In History, we will embark on an exciting journey into ancient Greece! We'll uncover the fascinating features of this remarkable civilisation and identify its key periods. Our pupils will make inferences about the Greek gods and delve into research on a specific god of their choice. Furthermore, we will compare the city-states of Athens and Sparta, understanding the different types of democracy, including how Athenian democracy functioned. 


In RE, we are focusing on Christianity. We'll explore why many believe Jesus was the Messiah and examine how Christianity spread as a major world religion. Students will identify features of a Catholic church and discuss their various uses, while also looking into why some Christians practise their faith differently. 


In PSHE, we’re focusing on health and wellbeing. The children will explore the benefits of yoga through guided videos, reflecting on the calming effects it has on their minds and bodies. Our discussions will cover the importance of a good night’s sleep, strategies for embracing failure, and ways to persevere when challenges arise. We’ll encourage them to set personal goals and recognise a wide range of feelings, equipping them with tools to navigate tough situations.   


In Spanish, we will be concentrating on the months of the year, enabling students to communicate important dates and events effectively. 


In PE, we’ll be getting our hearts racing with Boxercise! This dynamic workout not only boosts fitness levels and builds strength but also helps our coordination. As we round off the term, we will be flipping into Gymnastics! This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to develop their flexibility, coordination, and confidence. 

Here is a remainder of our PE days: 

Our PE days are as follows:

On the days of P.E. lessons, pupils should come to school in their P.E. kit.  Details of kit required for P.E. can be found here.

Please remember, if your child wears earrings, there are three options on P.E. days:


All classes are on X (formerly Twitter) so please do follow us for updates - use the buttons below.

The latest 'Learning At Home’ pack will be available to download soon using the button below.  You can also visit our Learning Hub using the button below.

To help your child with their learning at home, please read with them whenever possible and encourage them to keep practising times tables.  We also encourage the use of websites such as Times Table Rockstars.


Yardley Fundraisers (our PTFA) will be holding a Winter Disco for Years 5 and 6 on the following date:

Click here for further information and how to book.


Thank you for your continued support in your child’s education. We look forward to an enriching half term filled with exploration and discovery.

Follow us on X (formerly Twitter)!

Don’t forget to follow our classes on X.  Click a button below to find your child's class on X.

Class 5D - Autumn 1st Half Term

25th October 2024  |  Posted by Mr Duveen

In English, we have written a series of short pieces focussing on recapping some of the skills learnt in previous years. For example, flexing our descriptive muscles by describing both setting and character in the Amazon Rainforest, and bringing the darkest depths of space to life in text. The children have also begun to explore new ways of expressing themselves through our focus on parenthesis and modal verbs.

In Maths, the group have solidified their grasp of place value, which underpins their entire understanding of the subject. They have also shown a lot of determination in recent weeks as we tackle trickier problems in addition and subtraction with an ever sharpening focus on reasoning and problem solving.

We have enjoyed reading our class text – ‘The Explorer’ by Katherine Rundell. At the same time we have been exposed to a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction texts in our reciprocal reading lessons, sometimes even utilising pictures and videos to practise our inference, retrieval, summarising and questioning.

Learning about Earth and Space in science has been particularly fascinating. We have discovered a great deal about the planets of our solar system, the phases of the moon, why we experience night and day and even had the privilege of learning even more through our afternoon spent in the ‘Space Dome’. 

Art went hand in hand with science as we explored new drawing techniques with a space theme through our focus on ‘Retrofuturism’. The children used printing to produce incredibly creative and thought-provoking final pieces. We have moved onto design and technology, with the children producing designs to create a prototype for a frame structure.

In PE, we have improved our teamwork skills through team building and our rhythm through street dance, and look forward to moving on to Boxercise.

Thank you for a wonderful first few weeks 5D. I look forward to watching the whole class grow together over the rest of the year.

Class 5JW - Autumn 1st Half Term

25th October 2024  |  Posted by Mrs Wainwright

The first half term is already over and we have covered so many things. 

In English we started the term by looking at descriptive writing and developing some incredible story settings, making sure we used fantastic expanded noun phrases and even figurative language. We moved on to writing instructions and including parenthesis. After this we looked at using powerful emotive language in diary writing. We have been using our class novel The Explorer to support us with this.

In Maths, we have look at place value to 1 million as well as rounding numbers and identifying numbers that are greater than, less than and equal to. We even had a look at Roman numerals and have now moved on to written methods such as addition and subtraction.

In Science, we have found some amazing information about the solar system and the relationships between the Earth, the Sun and the Moon. We also looked at their relative sizes and shapes and this was also consolidated with our Class Assembly, where everyone made a valuable contribution.

In Art, we looked at space as well, looking at retrofuturism and futurism, with children using callograms to create printed backgrounds for their own futuristic ideas.

We are currently working on our designs and plans for our framed structures in Design Technology, where we make a piece of playground equipment using wood as the framed structure.

It is now time for a rest and to chill. Have a healthy, sae holiday and see you in November.

Class 5P - Autumn 1st Half Term

25th October 2024  |  Posted by Miss Perkins

Hello everyone! It is the end of the first 8 weeks of Year 5 and 5P have certainly made an excellent start. They have transitioned from Year 4 beautifully and continue to be mindful of our school rules and values. They have started as they mean to go on with a hard-working and dedicated attitude. 

In English, we have been writing a variety of short pieces to recap our previous learning whilst at YPS. Whilst writing a setting description, a character description, a set of instructions and a diary entry, we have been able to showcase our fabulous, existing understanding of grammar such as expanded noun phrases and correct comma usage around subordinate clause use in our writing. We have recently been learning about parenthesis and how this can further enhance our writing as a Year 5 writer.

In Maths, we have consolidated our place value understanding and have completed our topic on addition and subtraction. The children have wowed me with their ability to retrieve previous learning and take part in mathematical discussions regarding reasoning and problem solving questions. The children are all eager to improve and learn as much as they can, which is a delight to see.

In Reading, we have enjoyed reading our class text – ‘The Explorer’. Alongside this, we have been exposed to several different texts in our reciprocal reading lessons. We have confidently recalled our understanding of our four key reading skills and have answered lots of retrieval questions whilst using the skimming and scanning technique.

In Science, we have learnt all about Space and its planets. We discovered how the Earth orbits the sun, alongside all seven other planets. We conducted fun experiments that explained this to us easily, too!

In Design and Technology, we looked at frame structures. We looked at many different structures beforehand and decided and planned in groups before we build our structures at the beginning of Autumn 2. 

In PE, we have enjoyed working in teams to team build and break dance. We have confidently created sequences in groups and have performed them to our classes.

Thank you for an excellent start, 5P. You should be so proud of yourselves, I sure am! I look forward to watching you progress and I will see you on Monday 4th November 2024. 

Miss Perkins :)

Class 5W - Autumn 1st Half Term

25th October 2024  |  Posted by Miss Wood

A Good Start to Year 5: Celebrating the First Half Term 🎉 

As we reach the end of the first half term, it's a fantastic opportunity to reflect on the incredible journey 5W has embarked upon so far this academic year. Their transition into Year 5 has been brilliant and I am thrilled to say how well the pupils have embraced moving to upper KS2 and showing their commitment to our school values and rules.  

In English this term our writers have been experimenting with a variety of text types that not only hone their writing skills but also ignite their creativity! Starting off the year with vivid character descriptions to captivating setting descriptions that transport readers to new worlds. We then moved onto instructional writing and the use of parenthesis to instruct and inform our readers of how to build a sturdy raft. Finally, we finished this term with a diary entry focusing on our use of emotive language.  

Our young mathematicians have been hard at work consolidating their understanding of place value. This foundational concept is essential, as it sets the stage for their journey across maths this upcoming year and beyond. We are now beginning to tackle addition and subtraction, using practical and written methods to find solutions. I couldn’t be more proud of their efforts and enthusiasm!  

This term, we have been diving into the captivating world of ""The Explorer""! Alongside this text, we have also been exposed to several different texts in our reciprocal reading lessons where the children have had an opportunity to share their thoughts and insights. We have also been focusing on our four key reading skills; predicting, clarifying, questioning and summarising. 

In Science, we have been exploring all about the Solar System and how fascinating the world beyond our atmosphere really is. We have engaged in activities, such as creating modelled examples of the Sun, Moon and Earth to compare their size differences. We even become young astronomers discovering the unique characteristics of each planet and the magnificent roles they play in our cosmic neighbourhood when we had a visit from the Explorer Dome. 

In Art, our theme, “I Need Space,” encouraged us to delve into the vast realms of creativity that come with exploring the cosmos and beyond. We looked at Retro-futurism art which is an artistic movement that takes inspiration from how past generations envisioned the future. We used this as inspiration to create and interpret our own vision of what the future universe will look like. 

In PE, we began the year by focusing on a series of exciting team-building activities designed to foster collaboration, communication, and resilient team members. We then further developed these skills by working in small groups to showcase creativity, rhythm and coordination through sequencing a street dance routine.  

As we move forward, there are even more exciting events on the horizon, including our upcoming maths workshop, where you can work alongside your child to solve some fluency questions.  

Thank you for a wonderful start to Year 5! 5W you should be super proud of the achievements you have made so far this year. Let’s continue to make this year remarkable together.

Year 5 - What's happening this half term (Autumn 1st half term)?

12th September 2024  |  Posted by Year 5

What a wonderful start to Year 5 the children have had! The children impressed all four teachers with their hard work and dedication, and we are certain they have started as they mean to go on.


In English, we are developing our descriptive writing building on from our skills in Year 4. Then moving onto other forms of writing including diary writing and non-chronological reports. We will be developing our range of punctuation and continue to focus on our presentation. Our class novel this term is The Explorer.


In Reading, we will recap the four key reading skills: clarifying, questioning, summarising and predicting. We will complete lots of retrieval and comprehension tasks based around different texts, such as fiction, non-fiction and poetry. We shall deliver the lessons to the children in the style of reciprocal reading so that lots of discussions and questioning can take place, allowing the children to thrive. 


In Maths, we will focus upon our place value knowledge and discuss our understanding of each digit within a number. In small steps, the children will begin to revise and learn numbers to 100,000 and then 1,000,000 using place value columns to support. Children will then apply this knowledge to successfully partition numbers to support methods for addition and subtraction that will be reviewed in the next block.


In Science, we will be learning about Space. There is a very exciting opportunity for the children as the Space Dome will be visiting us. The children will have an immersive opportunity to learn about Space with an external agency. The children enjoyed the Sound Dome last year, so will know exactly how exciting this is! We will learn about the solar system and its eight planets. 


In Computing, we will start off by discussing digital safety and have insightful discussions about how to stay safe whilst using technology and exploring the wonderful online world. 


In Art, we have started a topic called ‘I need Space’, all about retro-futuristic art. The children will have to opportunity to express themselves through several mediums, such as drawing, print making and painting. Creating a final piece in the retro-futuristic style.


In PE, we will start by doing team building activities. We will discuss the importance of working as a team and how this helps us complete activities positively. Later in the half term, we will start our Dance topic. We will practise street dancing and learn different techniques and routines. 

Our PE days are as follows:

On the days of P.E. lessons, pupils should come to school in their P.E. kit.  Details of kit required for P.E. can be found here.

Please remember, if your child wears earrings, there are three options on P.E. days:


All Year 5 teachers welcome you to approach us about anything in relation to your child’s learning or school life.

All classes are on X (formerly Twitter) so please do follow us for updates - use the buttons below.

The latest 'Learning At Home’ pack will be available to download soon using the button below.  You can also visit our Learning Hub using the button below.

To help your child with their learning at home, please read with them whenever possible and encourage them to keep practising times tables.  We also encourage the use of websites such as Times Table Rockstars.


We look forward to watching the children blossom as they settle further into Year 5! 

Follow us on X (formerly Twitter)!

Don’t forget to follow our classes on X.  Click a button below to find your child's class on X.

Class 5A - Summer 2nd Half Term

18th July 2024  |  Posted by Mr Argyle

What a way to finish Year 5! We have not stopped this half-term. 

Mr. Argyle’s Maths set have worked on developing our understanding of statistics with information being presented in tables and graphs for us to decipher. We have studied place values on the smaller side of the decimal point and been linking that back to our work on fractions earlier in the year. We have also studied both two- and three-dimensional shapes and developed our technical vocabulary for describing them. 

To my Maths set – you have all worked amazingly hard this year and your thirst for knowledge and your determination to improve does you all credit. Good luck as you move up into Year 6 and beyond. You will be amazing and I will miss you all. 

Back in 5A, during English we have completed our last two big pieces of writing – a fable and then a narrative crafted entirely using our own ideas. We have been revisiting skills, checking that we have a solid understanding and impressing Mr. Argyle with our fantastic subject knowledge. We have finished reading both Cogheart and Stormbreaker; we even found the time to watch the film of Stormbreaker so that we could compare the two. 

In the Foundation subjects, we have been all over the world and delved into diverse topics. During History, we looked at the Dyche photo collection which celebrates the multi-cultural heritage of our city. In Geography we travelled all over the globe to look at life in deserts, especially the Mojave Desert. We learned that not all deserts are hot! Did you know that? 

We studied the ideas of seasonal and sustainable food before creating our own salads during D.T. lessons. They were colourful, aromatic and, most importantly, contained no fingers! 

In Art, we studied architecture and used the work of Zaha Hadid and Hundertwasser as inspiration for designing our own buildings and monuments. We learned about single- and two-point perspective drawings and took all these great ideas outside to create some abstract monuments celebrating our time in Year 5. This idea of celebrating Year 5 has also been a theme in our Music lessons, which culminated in us writing a rap – call out to the 5A crew!

To 5A – It has been a wonderful year and I have never had the pleasure of teaching a class with so many strong and diverse characters. You are all fantastic and it has been my privilege to be part of your journey through Yardley Primary School. You will no doubt be amazing in whatever you choose to do and remember: you are always going to be 5A and we are UNSTOPPABLE!

Class 5D - Summer 2nd Half Term

18th July 2024  |  Posted by Miss Delaney

In English this half term, we have finished our book, ‘Stormbreaker’ and we really enjoyed learning how determined and courageous Alex Rider was. We have worked hard to recap grammar we have learnt throughout the year, as well as new grammar to include in our writing. We have also really enjoyed reading ‘Who Let The Gods Out’, and writing some interesting pieces based on this. 

In Maths, we started off the term with learning about perimeter and area, and moved onto shape, including translation of shape. We have also learnt new skills, such as adding and subtracting decimals, as well as recapping fractions. 

In Science, we have been looking at Animals including Humans. We have explored the life cycle stages of humans, and what happens to us as we grow older. 

In Computing, we have been practising our coding skills by using Kodu – a programme where we use Kodu to create and play a game in a virtual world. We have also recapped our typing skills, and learnt more about digital safety and how to stay safe online. 

In our wider curriculum lessons, we completed our Seasonality and Culture day, where we made seasonal salads. We also completed our architectural Art topic, which allowed us to design our own buildings using floor plans, 3D views and front on views. We also completed our Geography topic, where we explored the Mojave Desert and the features it has.

In PE, we have learnt how to play Rounders and Football, and it was great to see the children working in teams. 

I can’t believe that this year is over. I am so incredibly proud of every single one of you for the knowledge and confidence you’ve gained over the past year. We’ve had our struggles and tough times, but I am beyond proud to have been your teacher for Year 5. I will always have fond memories of our laughs and interesting times throughout the year! You are all incredible children, and should always keep being your wonderful selves! 

I wish you all the very best of luck for Year 6, and I hope you will come and tell me about the fun that you have!

Have a well-deserved summer everyone!

Class 5H - Summer 2nd Half Term

18th July 2024  |  Posted by Mr Hogarth

We have had a busy but brilliant, fun-filled last half term.

In our wider curriculum topics, we loved going on a virtual field trip to the Mojave Desert. We learned about the different ways the Mojave Desert is used, and we can now name and describe the physical features found in a desert. In D&T, we thoroughly enjoyed learning about which fruits and vegetables are in season during the summer, and then making our own salads. In our final Art lessons, we applied composition skills to develop a drawing into a print.

In English, we finished reading ""Stormbreaker"" and started ""Who Let the Gods Out."" Based on the themes of these books, we have produced some lovely work. We also wrote our own fables and comedy stories. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed our class reads this year, and I hope that 5H has been inspired to pick up a book over the summer and get engrossed in a gripping story.

In P.E., we learned the skills required to play rounders and football. We also had our year group Sports Day. Thank you to all parents who attended and cheered on all the children. Special thanks go to those who competed in the teacher and parent egg-and-spoon race.

We have been very busy in Maths this term. We had lessons on negative numbers, fractions, decimals and percentages, and area and perimeter. Once again, I have been mightily impressed with the determination and resilience shown by my maths class. Please keep up the good work in Year 6, and keep practising your times tables!

We really enjoyed our Science topics this term. We learned about the life cycles of humans and animals, the different stages of life we go through, and how they can affect us. We particularly enjoyed a lesson where we created our own investigations to find whether our reaction times change as we get older. 5H discovered that I still have good reaction times and therefore I am (despite the grey hair) ''...not old just yet.”

5H have had an excellent term and school year. It has been a pleasure to be part of their learning journey. I am proud to have been their teacher, and I am proud of the progress they have made. 

I would like to thank all parents for their support throughout the year, and I wish every member of 5H the very best in Year 6 and beyond. Enjoy the summer, get some rest, and make sure you come and say hello to me in September.

Mr Hogarth

Class 5JD - Summer 2nd Half Term

18th July 2024  |  Posted by Mr Duveen

What a wonderful half term it has been in 5JD. 

In English, the class have thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Who Let the Gods Out?’, and have based a lot of our writing on this fantastically entertaining book. The children have exceeded my expectations over and over again with the great work they have produced, including writing a job advert, a fable, and a creative story.

The Mojave Desert was the focus of our Geography topic at the start of the half term. The class were fascinated by the different features of a desert, and were particularly intrigued by looking at the world’s time zones, and why they exist.

In July, we studied the impact of seasonality and culture on the food we eat by designing and creating our own summer salads. This was done over one school day, and afforded the children the opportunity to practice their chopping skills. The class displayed commendable maturity by using appropriate kitchen tools safely, and with correct technique.

Our Art topic has been ‘Architecture’, in which the children explored the work of Freidenreich Hunterwasser, a prominent artist and architect. The children also developed their observational drawing skills by sketching the outside of our school building before using their work to create a screen print.

My Maths group have worked extremely hard this term, covering decimals, negative numbers, statistics, shape and position and direction. They also show great resilience and determination in completing their end of year 5 assessments to the best of their ability.

Our final 2 topics of the school year in P.E. have been rounders and football. These topics have given the class the opportunity to practice their teamwork skills, and to develop their ability to compete against each other respectfully. The children have risen to these challenges admirably and have shown me that they are reaching the level of maturity that will be needed in year 6.

It has been a pleasure teach and get to know the children this year, and I can’t wait to see how the continue to develop in year 6. Well done 5JD!

Year 5 - What's happening this half term (Summer 2nd half term)?

5th June 2024  |  Posted by Year 5

Hello everyone, it’s good to have you back after a week’s rest. We hope you’re ready for the final half term of year 5! 

In English, we are moving onto our new class text, ‘Who Let The Gods Out’, and we will be composing many different pieces of work, like a fable. We will also be developing our spelling and grammar, and incorporating these into our final pieces. 

In Maths, we will be finishing our Geometry topic, and we will be recapping all the skills we have learnt this year, and applying to fluency and reasoning/problem solving questions. 

In Science we are continuing our Animals Including Humans topic, and we will be carrying out different experiments to do with humans and the way in which we grow. We will also have a recap of all topics and skills learnt this year, before we finish Year 5.  

In PE, we will be moving onto Rounders and Football. We are hoping that the weather continues to be nice and clear, so that we can develop our skills and complete games against each other, helping us build communication and teamwork.

On the days of P.E. lessons, pupils should come to school in their P.E. kit.  Details of kit required for P.E. can be found here.

Please remember, if your child wears earrings, there are three options on P.E. days:

In Computing, we will be continuing with Kodu, which will allow us to code and program a game for us to play. We will also be covering a brief Digital Safety topic, educating the children on the news and how we can perceive information online. 

We will be finishing off our Geography topic of ‘Deserts’ and moving onto an Art topic, where we will be exploring how different buildings are made within the realm of ‘Architecture’. After that, we will be moving onto final topic of Design Technology, where will be creating a salad which is celebrating seasonality and culture. 

We are carrying on with our ‘Citizenship’ topic in PSHE, where we will look at the impact of energy on the planet and contributing to the community

We also have our trip to Cockshut Hill on Wednesday 10th July, which will be an exciting chance for pupils to see the school, as well as engage with activities in Science, Computer Science and Maths.

We hope you enjoy your final half term in Year 5! 

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