Class 5

Year 5 Curriculum

Welcome to Class 5. Below is an overview of what Year 5 children cover in each subject over the year.   

English

In English, children focus on sentence structure and building up a wide range of vocabulary. They consider how authors develop plot, characters and settings in narratives and how to integrate dialogue. Children become more independent with basic editing skills, working hard to improve what they have written. English lessons are focussed around a class text and this year the books will be ‘Hidden Figures’ and ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ in the autumn; ‘The Last Bear’ and ‘Who Let the Gods Out?’ in the spring term and ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’ and ‘The Viewer’ in the summer term.

A range non-fiction texts and poems are used to further develop the children’s skills across different genres in both reading and writing.

 

Reading Records

We encourage children to read to an adult at home. Reading Records are sent home for parents to make a comment on their child’s reading progress each time they read. Children who read at least three times a week at home will be entered into our weekly Reading Raffle Prize Draw. 

 

Maths

In maths, children explore 6-digit numbers. Together with addition and subtraction, there is a focus on multiplication and division. Throughout the school year, children practise using formal written methods to complete multiplication and division problems. This includes using long multiplication when multiplying numbers up to 4 digits by a two-digit number. They also use short division when dividing numbers up to 4 digits by a one-digit number, examining when answers have remainders. Children also solve problems with decimals. This includes comparing numbers with up to three decimal places and rounding decimals with two decimal places to the nearest whole number. Year 5 children are also introduced to prime numbers and factors.

 

Science

Throughout the year, children study a range of topics in science, encountering a number of inspirational scientists. ‘Earth and Space’ is studied in the autumn term.  Children describe the movement of the Earth and other planets relative to the sun, and describe the movement of the moon relative to the Earth. In spring term, the initial focus is ‘Forces’ and their uses in everyday life, before children investigate life cycles in ‘Living Things and Their Habitats’. 

The summer term topic focuses on ‘Animals Including Humans’ and ‘Properties and Changes of Materials’. 

 

Art and Design

Children learn about different artists including Karen Rose who is well known for her decorative textile art, and Teis Albers, who is known for his mixed media artworks that draw inspiration from nature. Children work on drawing skills, using sketches and developing backgrounds. They then move on to self-portraits and use a range of mixed media and painting. There is an in-depth study into installation art, including identifying and comparing installation art, exploring space and scale in 3D art, problem solving in construction and developing and applying knowledge to present installation art pieces effectively. 

 

Computing

Skills and knowledge in computing range from knowing how to stay safe online to learning how to store files safely. In autumn term, children look at systems and searching, before learning about using digital devices for video production. In spring term, they learn about, use and create databases and work on programming using a microcontroller. 

Children also create media and use coding design and create their own quizzes.

 

Design and Technology

Throughout the year, children plan, make and evaluate a range of products. They navigate their way through the kitchen to become healthy young cooks with a particular focus on nutrition and making healthier choices. Children also design, make and evaluate their own stuffed toys and finish the year with building structures, problem-solving and making their very own bridges culminating in an exciting competition.  

 

Geography 

In geography, children investigate world rivers as well as learning about local rivers. They learn about rivers, their origins and importance. Children then venture to the Arctic and Antarctica polar regions with a particular focus on the similarities and differences (climatic changes) and how tourism has changed the polar regions and what challenges these regions face. 

 

History

In history, children explore a wide range of events that have happened in the past, starting with what Tudor life was like. They then time-hop back to the Greek era and learn about the major developments of this period with a focus on how this has contributed to life today. The year ends by considering how the Maya civilisation compares to Anglo-Saxon times.

 

Music

In music, children learn about different styles of music and each term have a focused song that they use to explore different musical elements.  These include ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ by Bon Jovi and ‘Make you Feel my Love’ by Adele. Children learn, appraise and improvise, using musical instruments and using their voices expressively. They learn musical notation and compose their own melodies.  

 

PE

In PE, children learn about the importance of having rules within invasion games and how these facilitate the flow of the games. They further develop their understanding of space and how to attack and defend as a team.  Children are taught to perform Rock ‘n’ Roll style dances using a range of movement patterns. They develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance through gymnastics and are introduced to tactical awareness through playing cricket.   

 

RE

In RE, children explore a range of different faiths, discussing what makes them important and the different festivals celebrated. In autumn term, children consider why people have to stand up for what they believe in and why Christianity doesn’t always look the same. Children consider different beliefs around the question ‘What happens when we die?’ in spring term. Then, in summer term, they learn about significant religious places around the world.

 

RSE and PSHE

Through the RSE and PSHE curriculum, children explore relationships, health and wellbeing and living in the wider world. Children begin to understand their body and the changes that occur as they grow, whilst thinking positively. They then move onto how relationships work and how this links into the diverse world in which they live today. There is also a study into digital well-being and its impact on society.  

 

Spanish

Over the course of the year, children will cover a number of exciting topics in Spanish. There continues to be a focus on developing core vocabulary and phonetics.  Children encounter a range of activities across each unit which support them to read, write, listen and respond to and speak the language.  Enrichment opportunities are available through after-school clubs and International Day of Languages is also celebrated to promote the diverse world in which we live.