Year 5
Autumn Term - Masks and Myths: A study of Ancient Greece
English
In English the children study a range of Greek myths and legends and use this as a stimulus for writing.
They write descriptions of characters, retell myths, write myths of their own and present information about the topic in a range of different non-chronological reports.
The children also read, perform and respond to a range of poetry using figurative language such as metaphors and personification.
In addition to the Greek myths studied this term, the children also produce a range of response writing for a Roald Dahl text.
This is either Danny the Champion of the World (the story of the relationship between a boy and his father who find themselves involved in the world of poaching), or Matilda (the story of a very clever girl who is misunderstood by her family).
These books give the children the opportunity to explore characters, storyline development and a range of issues involved in the stories of this very popular children’s writer.
Maths
The maths covered this term, using a Maths mastery approach, includes: Place Value, Addition and Subtraction, Statistics, Multiplication and Division, Perimeter and Area.
Science
The children investigate Forces in Science this term.
Children work towards being able to explain that unsupported objects fall towards the Earth because of the force of gravity acting between the Earth and the falling object.
The children identify the effects of air resistance, water resistance and friction that act between moving surfaces and recognise that some mechanisms, including levers, pulleys and gears, allow a smaller force to have a greater effect.
Geography
In Geography, the children develop their map skills by locating significant parts of Greece and the rest of Europe.
The children are given the opportunity to use maps and atlases to locate features associated with both Greece and the rest of Europe.
They study the geography of Greece in the past and compare it with the present to explore how things have changed and what has stayed the same.
They consider how the physical geography of a place can impact on the human geography such as the significance of tourism due to the islands and their beaches.
History
In History, the children learn about who the ancient Greeks were and what we can learn from them today.
They study how and why empires grow, ancient Greek democracy and look at the similarities and differences between political systems.
The children learn about the significant gods, goddesses and mortals from Greek mythology and how this has been embedded in the history of Ancient Greece.
They learn about the Olympic Games; from how they started to how things have changed through to the Modern Olympics.
The children compare the past with the present using a range of different sources and evidence. They find out about different types of evidence and how this informs us about the past.
Art
In art the children make their own Greek vases using papier mache. In addition, the children learn how to sketch Greek gods and goddesses and create their own mythological creatures.
They also create paper mosaics using ancient Greek mosaics as a starting point.
DT
In Design Technology the children work on a project to design, make and evaluate their own bread.
As part of this, they explore a variety of breads from around the world. The bread they make is tasted alongside a range of Greek inspired toppings and dips.
Computing
In computing children build upon their programming and coding skills by designing and creating their own games.
They use modelling software Sketchup to make their own scale model of the Parthenon in Athens. As well as this, the children learn about binary (through traditional games such as battleships), and how computers store and transfer information.
In addition, they also continue to develop their awareness of E-safety through a range of tasks linked to how to be safe in a digital world.
PHSE
In PHSE children are encouraged to think about who they are and what makes them unique, and produce art and poetry around this theme.
As well as this, children take part in discussions and debates surrounding topical issues encouraging them to express their opinions and take into account the thoughts of their peers.
Spring Term - Amazing Africa
English
In English this term the children explore the themes and ideas discussed in Beverley Naidoo’s, ‘Journey To Jo’burg’. This is a powerful story of children in South Africa during Apartheid and the impact of segregation at this time.
It enables children to explore issues of equality and through the study of the writer herself and the life of Nelson Mandela, the children are able to gain an insight into this period of time in the history of South Africa.
The children also get the opportunity to read, write and perform traditional African tales from a range of countries in across the continent of Africa.
As well as reading the African inspired novel and traditional tales, the children also read and respond to Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo.
This is a story about a young boy who after being stranded on a desert island, makes friends with an old man who has been living on the island for a while.
The children write setting descriptions, dialogue between characters and additional chapters to predict the story.
Maths
In Maths this term, the children cover: Decimals, Properties of Shape, Geometry – Position and Direction, Measurement – Converting Units and Volume and Capacity.
Science
In Science this term, the children investigate materials and their properties. This involves comparing and testing different materials to investigate transparency, strength, permeability, magnetism and other scientific criteria.
The children create their own tests and make them fair in order to compare a range of different materials as well as identifying how these scientific qualities impact on the way they are used.
Geography
In Geography this term the children get the opportunity to explore the geography of the continent of Africa.
With such a vast and varied area to find out about, the children use maps, atlases, digital images and photographs to compare the different geographical features throughout Africa.
They find out about the deserts, rivers and mountainous areas and how the climate impacts on the human geography of different countries.
They learn about trade and the natural resources found, the varied population and how they live and the differences between rural and city life in some of the countries.
As well as finding out about tourism and why people visit different parts of Africa, the children also explore the challenges some countries face due to political and climate limitations.
History
In addition to the modern history of South Africa, the children also spend some time looking at the ancient civilisations of Benin and Egypt.
This enables the children to find out about the many significant achievements of these ancient civilisations and to compare areas of Africa in the past and in the present.
Art
The children produce a variety of artwork inspired by both African traditions and modern African art.
They paint landscapes and figures, make traditional masks such as those worn in West Africa and explore weaving as technique.
Spring Photo 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
DT
The DT focus this term is about joining materials and it finishes with the making a pair of slippers for themselves.
They investigate the materials used in making slippers, they explore the different possible styles and designs and practise the joining of fabric shapes through stitching.
Once some of the techniques involved have been acquired, the children design, plan, make templates and then complete the finished project resulting in a pair of slippers fit for wearing.
Curriculum
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