Autumn is finally here but we are not done with long, sunny days just yet. Let’s enjoy it while we still have it and have a look at what we’re learning this week!

English

In English this week, we have been looking at newspaper reports. We will be writing a newspaper article reporting on Shackleton and his crew returning to Plymouth harbour after being trapped in Antarctica. We began by identifying the features and skills needed to write a great report and then reenacted the arrival of Shackleton into Plymouth so that we could feel the excited atmosphere and interview people of interest. We wrote the introduction of our report, trying to answer the 5 W’s (ask Year 5 what they are) concisely whilst also making our reader want to read more. We then revisited writing direct and indirect speech and how to punctuate speech accurately.

Next week, we will be continuing our report, incorporating indirect speech.

Maths

In maths this week, we have been working on multiplication. We began by practicing multiplying and dividing numbers by 10, 100 or 1,000; using place value sliders to help us. We then recapped multiply 3 and 4 digit numbers by 1 digit using column method and then we finished the week by revisiting the much more daunting two-digit multiplied by two-digits. We, as we often do in Year 5, mixed up Team Royal and Team Indigo to make sure everyone was learning the approach to multiplication that best suited them. Some revisited the grid method before moving onto their next step whilst others had a go at the compact, long multiplication method. Year 5 worked incredibly hard on this and it can be a tricky one to get to grips with as, whatever method they used, it showed how important neat, organised working out is.

Next week, we will be looking at division.

Thematic

This week we have been working on our dioramas of the various mountain ranges of North America and the United Kingdom. We began by creating the form and shape of our mountain range using newspaper and tape. We then moved outside to use mod podge to turn our newspaper bundles into much more recognizable mountains, adding in lakes, details and texture. We also researched our range, finding out the highest point, location and other fun and informative facts. On Wednesday, we finished them off by painting them. This has been a great opportunity to explore the key features of each range and to really think and work with a group to create something recognizable and informative. Once they are fully dried, you can see our mountain ranges on display in our class windows.

 

Spellings

With our rehearsals for harvest assembly next week, we won’t be doing spelling lessons. The week after however, and at the end of each term, we will be testing Year 5 on their red words. These are the words they will be tested on this term:

Mr Oxley and Miss Isaac’s group:

Accommodate    category    determined     foreign      lightning      profession     sincerely     accompany      cemetery       develop

Mrs Mirza’s group:

Accident     calendar     eight     guide    mention    possession     straight     accidentally         caught       eighth

Love to Learn:

For your love to learn task this week, we would like you to become a teacher. You have worked so hard on your multiplication that we would like you to teach one of your adults how to answer the types of questions you’ve been practicing.

Have a look below at the three different types of questions we practiced and teach the method from your group. Then ask your adult to complete the question below and pink and blue their work.

Dates to remember:

9th October - 2.45pm Year 5 and 6 Harvest assembly (in school hall with families invited to watch)

17^th October – Pegwell Bay walk in the morning. The children will be in PE kits anyway but please make sure children are protected from the cold, wind and rain. Make sure to still adhere to the school’s uniform policy for PE.

               Please also bring a snack and a water bottle in their bag.

17th October – Final day of term

 

We hope you have a lovely week!

Miss Isaac and Mr Oxley