Swans

swan water bird nature water 57431 Welcome to the Swans

 We are the Year 5 class team:

Mrs Leach – Class Teacher

Mrs Adair - Teaching Assistant

Email contact 

SLeach@sharnbrookprimary.beds.sch.uk

 

 

For SEND contact Mrs Wildman

sendco@sharnbrookprimary.beds.sch.uk

 

Yr 5

                                

  Year 5

Swans Spring Term 2024

Welcome to the Year 5 (Swans) newsletter. We hope that you had a fabulous Christmas break and return to school excited about all the things that we’re going to be doing. Below you will find an overview of the different topics we’ll be studying.

Read on to find out more...

PE lessons will take place on a Tuesday and Friday. Please come dressed in your PE kit on these days and ensure you have your water bottle filled!  As the term moves on please also keep an eye on the weather forecast; ensure you bring a suitable rain coat/jacket for outdoor PE and I would also recommend a change of socks and shoes if the forecast is wet.  (shoes could be your school shoes, please don't feel you have to purchase two pairs of trainers) 

 

Homework is compulsory and includes reading daily at home, one of these sessions should be to an adult. This should be for a minimum of 20 minutes and all reading should be recorded in the reading diary.  Children should also be working on their timetable knowledge through TTR for a minimum of 25 minutes throughout the week and completing the assigned spelling tasks on Spelling Shed.  Some of these spellings will be tested in our weekly spelling test, which will be held on a Monday.  With spelling and timetable work, little and often is a much better approach than doing it all in one sitting, as this aids long term memory. One longer piece of homework will be set on a weekly basis. The children have been provided with a reading a homework diary, please sign the books at the end of each week to acknowledge that you have seen the homework which has been set.

Healthy Snacks may be brought in daily to eat at morning break.


Water Bottles may be brought in each day and kept with the children throughout each lesson. Water bottles will need to go home daily to be cleaned and refilled.


Pencil Cases:  All pupils should have their own stationery for lessons and all writing will be in blue pen. In pencil cases children will need: a blue ballpoint pen, a graphite pencil, a ruler, a rubber and a sharpener (pencil crayons and felt tips are optional). It would also be helpful to have a small glue stick, pair of scissors, a compass and protractor. Please make sure your resources fit into one pencil case.

 

Curriculum
ENGLISH

This term is going to be filled with exciting journeys through stories. In the first half, we'll embark on an epic quest inspired by 'Arthur and the Golden Rope' by Joe Todd-Stanton. We will craft our own myths, invent heroes, villains, and mysterious monsters, all while exploring enchanting settings. Then, in the second half of the term, we'll switch gears and delve into the inspiring tale of 'The Darkest Dark' by Chris Hadfield. Using this text to inspire us to write a formal biography. As we learn about this incredible astronaut's life, we'll also connect our adventures to the wonders of science that we explored in the Autumn Term.

 

MATHS
Throughout this term we will be covering blocks on Place Value, Addition and Subtraction, Decimals and Fractions, Measure and Data, Multiplication and Division.

 

ART and Design

The Swans will have their art lessons with Miss Gingel on a Friday afternoon.

 

GEOGRAPHY

Throughout the Spring term we will learn that oceans matter because they are like the Earth's lungs, helping us breathe by producing oxygen. Through our studies we will explore how oceans are home to amazing creatures like fish, dolphins, and coral reefs. We will learn about The Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef in the world, an underwater city where many sea animals live. However, very sadly, our oceans are suffering because of pollution, overfishing, and climate change, which make the water warmer and more acidic. This hurts the coral reefs and the animals that depend on them. But, we can help by reducing plastic use, recycling, and taking care of our environment. We will learn how small actions we take can make a big difference in keeping our oceans healthy and happy!

 

HISTORY
Our studies will begin with the infamous Battle of Bosworth, a watershed moment in the War of the Roses, that led to the establishment of the Tudor dynasty. In our exploration of the Terrible Tudors, a captivating chapter in history unfolds, spotlighting the formidable Henry VIII, whose rise to power marked a pivotal era in the 16th century. We will delve into his tumultuous marital escapades, unravel the intricate web of his six marriages, each leaving an indelible mark on Tudor history.  In the second half of the term we will focus on life throughout the Terrible Tudor period.

Anne Boleyn: Locked up in the Tower of London Link    Click on the link to go straight to the short video we watched in our history lesson. 

SCIENCE

In the first half term, we will dive into the exciting world of materials, exploring their unique properties and understanding how they behave in different situations. From investigating solids, liquids, and gases to experimenting with everyday objects, we'll uncover the secrets of the materials around us. Then, in the second half term, we will delve into the wonders of life cycles. We'll explore how living things, from plants to animals, grow and change over time. Get ready for hands-on experiments, engaging activities, and lots of fun as we unravel the mysteries of both materials and life cycles!

 

In the mornings Swans will be expected to walk independently to the classroom from 8.40; a member of the Swans team will be in the room to greet them from this time and the children will be expected to complete their morning work. The children will be dismissed from the classroom at 3.20pm. The children have been told that they must return to the classroom if an adult that they are expecting to meet them isn’t on the playground, ie they are not to just walk home. Please reinforce this with your son/daughter. If your son/daughter is going to be walking home independently, please communicate this in their reading/homework diary or by dropping me an email.

Mobile phones: We recognise that some pupils may need to/wish to bring a mobile phone to school if they are walking to or from school by themselves. All phones need to be named and turned off once on school grounds. In the classroom they will be collected and placed a secure box, the children will collect their phones prior to leaving the classroom at 3.20pm. If pupils have phones out in the classrooms they will be confiscated and a parent will have to collect it from the office. No phones will be allowed on any school trips or visits.


As always, please don’t hesitate to ask if there is anything you are unsure of or require further clarification on.
Mrs Leach and Mrs Adair

Click here to go to the words and music for Jack and the Beanstalk