Class 5

                       Welcome to Class 5!

Summer 1st half

This half term we are going to be exploring the Amazon Rain forest, by taking a journey down the Amazon River, as well as learning about the life cycles of the various animals and plants that make up the diverse environment in and around it. Using the information learnt, we will then be creating our own databases, which will be used to support and enhance our learning in maths. We will also take on the role of journalists, reporting on an amazing new discovery - an imaginary creature which lurks in the depths of the Amazon! According to your children's drawings, there are some wierd and wonderful creatures lurking there! Finally our art lessons will focus on sketching techniques using different mediums and various still life objects (including trainers and flowers). It's also a very exciting time of year as we can do a lot of our learning outside, now the weather is getting better!

 AAhhhh!! There's a SKULL in our pond!

This week, to enthuse the children and stimulate their imagination for our Golden Write, we decided to play a little trick on our Y4/5s. Mr Williams (our site manager) buried a replica skull in the mud at the bottom of our garden pond, which has been drained ready for re-landscaping to take place. We placed police tape round the area and PCSO Marsden, from Mansfield Police, kindly popped in to give an interview to the children. Mr Williams and Mrs Castledine were also interviewed and the children then wrote a newspaper article about our gruesome find! 

Spring 2nd half

Our Eastern Adventure continues this half term and will see us learning about life during the Shang Dynasty. We will look at the artefacts that tell archaeologists so much about life during this period in history. The clay will be out once more to enable the children to make their own terracotta warrior and oracle bone! For those of you interested in this period, some of the terracotta warriors are currently visiting Liverpool World Museum until October - I have provided a link below to the website for more information. In PE it's time to get moving for street dance! As if that wasn't enough, we will also be studying the Earth, Sun and Moon together with taking part in British Science Week - all in only 4 weeks and 4 days!

Meeting the ducklings!

We have been lucky enough to have duck eggs in school recently. They were placed in an incubator and withing 5 days,4 ducklings arrived! Years 4 and 5 met our new arrivals in the school hall this morning (Wednesday 28th March) - it's amazing how quiet 4 ducklings can keep 88 children!

Spring 1st half

Welcome back! I hope you have all had a lovely christmas! This half term is going to be another busy one, with lots of fantastic learning planned. Our topic for the whole of the spring term is Eastern Adventures. We will be learning about Ancient China and the Shang Dynasty. This theme will flow into our English lessons, where the children will learn about the story that is depicted on Chinese Willow Pattern plates. Year 5's will complete their swimming lessons, whilst Year 4's will continue practising their athletic skills ready for our sports tournaments against other schools.

Autumn 2nd half

Half term has been and gone - it's not long until Christmas!!

This half term we will be learning about the Smashing Saxons! We will be looking at all aspects of life in Saxon times, debating whether they should/shouldn't have invaded and eventually settled in Britain and also learning about laws. In addition, we will be providing the children with many opportunities to develop their problem solving and mastery knowledge in maths.

Maths problem solving

Years 4 and 5 worked together to solve addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems from the NRICH website, to develop their reasoning and problem solving skills collaboratively.