What are we Learning?
Thursday 28th March 2024
The children have had a wonderful week.
In English, we have created our own story and used figurative speech and fronted adverbials to elevate our sentences and entice the reader to continue.
In Maths, we have finished fractions, decimals and percentages. Next we will begin to explore area and perimeter. I have been really impressed with how quickly they are able to convert between the three types.
In Science, we have been learning how to separate different materials after there was an accident at the supermarket and all the materials were mixed up. The children enjoyed the experiments relating to sieving, magnets and evaporation.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a relaxing break and I look forward to seeing you for an action-packed Summer Term.
Here are some photos:
Miss MacKellar
Friday 22nd March 2024
An egg-citing week!
The children were delighted to have an opportunity to meet the baby chicks. They demonstrated care and respect towards the chicks and remembered to be gentle.
In English, we have continued our theme of "CATS" and we are now creating our own anthropomorphic poems about an animal of our choice. We had a quiz and the children were able to answer tricky questions about the poems and recognise a poem from just a few words!!!!
In Maths, we looked at rounding decimals to the nearest integer and tenth. The children have also been introduced to percentages. They may enjoy finding out some percentage facts about their interests.
In PE, the children were divided into their house teams and had to use three hoops to cross their team to the other side of the playground without leaving anyone behind or falling into the river. The children also had to watch out for the crocodiles as a foot out of the hoop meant that they would be eaten. It was fantastic to see our 5R’s being modelled so well and impressive team work from everyone.
This is our last Friday at school before Easter!
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!
Miss MacKellar
Friday 15th March 2024
Another wonderful week.
In English, we have continued our study of T. S Elliot's poems about CATS. The children enjoyed creating their own poem in the style of "The Rum Tum Tugger" and they should be added to the show!
In Maths, we have reviewed our knowledge of rounding, and we are now taking that learning forward to round numbers to one decimal place (nearest integer) e.g 3.6 rounds up to 4. The children have learnt a rhyme to support their learning, and you may have a recital at home!
In Topic, we have deepened our understanding of the Maya numbers and cracked some pretty tricky codes in order to reveal the number.
Finally, we had a great day wearing something red to raise money for Comic Relief and took some time to reflect on the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves.
Have a fabulous weekend!
Miss MacKellar
Friday 8th March 2024
We have had a fabulous week!
In English, we have learnt about T. S Elliot and his book dedicated to cats. We have explored how cats are portrayed in the different poems and shared a few of our own anecdotes concerning felines. We have also used our dictionaries to learn new words. See if your child can remember hatter, ineffable , inscrutable or rapt?
A big shout-out to all the children who printed/brought in a picture of a cat. It was marvellous to meet your pets. Remember you may print/send a picture of any pet for our Pet Wall.
In Maths, we have continued to deepen our understanding of decimals and, in particular, the value of each one, using place value charts to help us. I have attached an organiser to support the children with this unit on Google Classroom.
We had lots of fun dressing up for World Book Day and enjoyed a variety of book day activities such as decorating a bookmark, a book and footy quiz, live lessons and art inspired by our dreams. I will put these photos up next Friday. We focused on the wonderful ideas that Marcus Rashford has already achieved to ensure that every child has access to a warm lunch and to support his school meals petition.
We hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Miss MacKellar
Friday 1st March 2024
This year is flying. I can't believe we are in March already!
We have enjoyed a wide variety of learning experiences this week.
Highlights include: RAF STEM Workshop
Science of Magic Workshop
Talk by a parent.
Experiments involving looking at the weight of an object in different liquids.
Separating metals
Bouncy ball experiement.
In English, we have researched 'Mary Leakey' and created our own biographies. We then used the feedback to choose another scientist to research.
In Maths, we have started decimals and, in particular, looking at the value of numbers to two decimal places using a place value chart and how decimals can be converted into fractions (1/10 is the same as 0.1). We also talked about where we find decimals in everyday life.
A big congratulations to two of our pupils who won a special prize from our RAF leader.
Here are some pictures from Science Week.
Friday 23rd Febraury 2024
Welcome back!
It has been lovely to welcome the children back to school after half-term. The chidlren have enjoyed catching up with their friends and settling back into life at school.
In English, we have been learning about the features of instructions and how to write a set of clear instructions. We looked at making toast and why we need instructions in order. We discussed that putting Nutella and banana in the toaster was not a good idea!
I have put a folder up on Google Classroom should children wish to create their own video. I would recommend an adult to be present!
In Maths, we have finished Fractions and we are ready to move on to decimals and percentages. Over the weekend, children could be percentage detectives and see if they can see any in use e.g mentioned in Newsround.
In Computing, the children have learnt to make a paper database. We discussed effective ways to retrieve information and decided a computer would be much better! We looked at technical vocabulary and explained the terms record, data, database and field!
Finally, we celebrated 'Thinking Day' and some of the children came in thier Cubs or Brownies uniforms.
We hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Miss MacKellar
Friday 9th February
The children have had a fantastic week.
We have had a big focus on our mental health this week. We have learnt to understand what it is and how to look after it.
In English, we have finished our story and have written our own next chapter. The children demonstrated great compassion for the characters in the story and I am really impressed by their expanding vocabulary repertoire!
In Maths, we have almost finished fractions. The children have been learning how to find 1/3 or 3/5 of a quantity or an amount. We have also looked at finding the whole when given a fraction part.
In Skills for Life, we learnt about children who have made a positive difference, and they really engaged with learning all about Malala Yousafzai . We then talked about how we could make a positive change to our school, they came up with a plethora of ideas! Running your own club won, so the children designed some wonderful posters to advertise this new venture.
We role-played an interview between Malala and the interviewer. The children had great fun role-playing the different characters. Here are some photos.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your time at Parents' Evening this week. It was a pleasure to meet you all and share your child's progress.
I hope you have a wonderful half-term and look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday 20th February.
Friday 2nd February 2024
The children have had a fantastic week.
In English, we have been learning to understand the role of animals as characters in our story alongside the idea that our perceptions of a character can change as we get to know them more.
In Maths, we have returned to "Fabulous Fractions" and have learnt to multiply a unit and non-unit fraction by an integer. I was really impressed with how quickly the children grasped the concept.
We finished learning about the weather in French (Les Temps) and made a fortune-teller to ask our classmates about the different types of weather.
Finally, many thanks to the children for supporting the Roving Bookshop. Books really do open doors.
We hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Friday 26th January 2024
The children have had a wonderful week.
In English, we have continued to read our story, and we have revised modal verbs to give advice. We have also looked at the placement of commas to create more exciting sentences.
In Maths, we have started bus stop division (short division). The children have learnt how to divide 3 and 4 digit numbers by one digit and also how to deal with remainders. I have been really impressed at how quickly they have learnt this tricky concept.
In French, the children have learnt different types of weather through songs and actions. We all had a lot of fun playing" Simon dit" (Simon says)
In Science, we have explored different materials and their properties. Reversible and non-reversible changes were also discussed.
Finally, we were really lucky to have a visit from Jess French. We enjoyed learning about her experiences and asking our own questions.
We hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Miss MacKellar and the Year 5 team.
Friday 19th January 2024
The children were really excited about coming back to school.
In English, we continued our story (Kensuke's Kingdom) and looked at giving Michael advice using modal verbs. The children also drew their version of the island based on Morpurgo's description. Have a look at the fabulous group work below!
In Maths, we have been learning to multiply a three-digit number and a four-digit-number by a two-digit number. This can be tricky. It is beneficial to review the timetables with your child.
In Art, children have been introduced to the world of Monet. We painted our own landscape today in his style. I was really impressed with their engagement and attention to detail.
We hope you have a wonderful weekend. Please wrap up as it is freezing!
See you all on Monday!
The Year 5 Team.
Friday 12th January 2024
Welcome back and Happy New Year! We are looking forward to an exciting term.
The children have demonstrated exceptional resilience this week, and I am really impressed with all of their efforts.
In English, we have started our story 'Kensuke's Kingdom' and the children have thought about the items they would need to take if they were to go on a voyage. We will focus on modal verbs and giving advice in this unit.
In Maths, we are learning strategies to help us with a 2 by 2 digit model. The children have practised the area model and the long multiplication method. They are real multiplying magicians!
In Science, children have been learning about water resistance and times when it is beneficial and not so beneficial.
The children had to design a boat and think about the design using scientific vocabulary. I am really impressed by your boats and how you have tested them!
Well done superstars!
Miss MacKellar and the Year 5 team.
Friday 15th December 2023
The last week of term is always busy and the Year 5 children have worked so hard to be ready for next term.
In English, we have created our own Christmas comics. We started off by looking at features of comics, did a Superhero quiz and then created our own. Situations included elves looking for new jobs, a hole in Santa's sleigh and talking decorations!!
In Maths, we have finished our first unit on fractions (they will be back!) and moving forward we will go on to multiplying a 4-digit number by one digit and then 2 digits by 2 digits. Please encourage your child to practise their times tables over the break as this will be essential for multiplication next term.
In DT, we have been making our longhouses. The children demonstrated excellent team work and resilience as they brought their plans to life.
Finally, we were thrilled to have the opportunity to see one of our class perform in "Snow White". Well done to all!
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas/Seasons Greetings and look forward to welcoming the children back for another term of fun in January 2024.
Friday 8th December 2023
The children have had a busy week.
In English, we have been looking at features of a newspaper and will be writing our very own article as a critic of a Christmas show.
In Maths, we have almost finished our unit on 'Fabulous Fractions'. The children have been learning to subtract from mixed numbers.
Finally, we have focussed on our rights and responsibilities and looked at different scenarios where a child may have a right taken away from them and what can be done to help.
I would like to say thank you for collecting recycling for the children. We have almost finished making our Viking Longhouses and I will share photos next week!
We hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Year 5 Team.
Friday 1st December 2023
Year 5 has had another action-packed week!
In English, we have been looking at the poet 'Joseph Coelho' and have been exploring metaphors and even wrote our own poem in a similar style. We practised our poems and used our best performance skills to bring our poems to life for the rest of the class.
In Maths, we have revised key terms such as numerator, denominator, mixed fraction and improper fraction. We have begun to add fractions with the same and different denominators. The children really enjoyed the activity using magnets to place their astronauts on the correct rocket.
On Wednesday, the Buckinghamshire Mental Health Trust came and did a workshop, and we talked about 'Zones of Regulation '. The children identified strategies to help them in the different zones. A clip from 'Inside Out' was used. It is so important to talk about our feelings and I recommend watching 'Inside Out' with your child and discussing how Riley is feeling in the different situations. You could also talk about a time that you have experienced those feelings too! It's good to talk!
Finally, thank you so much for supporting the Christmas Fayre, the children and the Year 5 team had lots of fun, and you have helped to support our school!
We hope you have a wonderful weekend!
The Year 5 Team
Friday 24th November 2023
This week has flown.
We have been looking at forces in science and the children were aeronautical engineers and designed their own paper planes. The children looked at the features of a plane and decided which aspects to change to make their plane fly the furthest. The children had lots of fun and Mr Lack joined in too!
In English, we have been writing our own Viking Saga. I have been really impressed with the children's creativity and the morals behind their sagas.
In Maths, we have been exploring how to compare fractions with different denominators and even completed our own Tarsia puzzle. The children showed lots of resilience as they worked out how to fit all the triangles together in order to complete the puzzle.
Finally, the children had a wonderful time at Hazard Alley and learnt lots of important messages about being safe in a variety of situations. All the children had a go at calling the Emergency Services and displayed resilience as they remained calm when giving specific details to the operator on the other end of the line.
Well done Champions!
The Year 5 team!
Friday 17th November
What a busy and exciting week!
We kicked the week off by wearing odd socks and learnt about bullying. We have continued to fill our kindness buckets. The children also decorated a heart and watched a story. When someone was being unkind, they had to fold their heart. At the end of the lesson, they tried to smooth out their hearts but realised that those words would always leave an imprint. "Before you speak, think and be smart. It's hard to fix a wrinkled heart"
The children have also been agony aunts and uncles who have responded to cards from children who were suffering from peer pressure. Have a look at the photos below!
In English, we have been continuing our work on Viking Sagas and started 'Freya and the Goblins'. We mapped out the story and have used figurative speech to retell the story in our own words.
In Maths, we have started fractions. We have focussed on equivalent fractions and have begun to look at improper fractions. We have noticed that our times tables help us to work these out.
Finally, thank you all for raising lots of money for Children in Need and a huge thank you to Year 6 for organising lots of exciting activities for us all.
Have a wonderful weekend!
The Year 5 team
Friday 10th November
This week has flown in Year 5. We have been really busy!
In English, we have studied Viking Sagas and have retold the story of Odin's creation. The children added lots of humour, and they are now using speech with ease!
In Maths, we have finished our unit on multiplication and division by 10, 100 and 1,000.
We learnt a few tricks, such as, 30 x 60 - can be broken down to 3 x 6 x 100 = 1800. The children are really confident at multiplying large numbers.
Finally, we managed to enjoy two outdoor lessons today as part of our Outdoor Learning. The children had different maths challenges, such as making 3D structures, arrays and estimating how many steps there are from the stairs to the playground. We also enjoyed drawing different pictures and making up dances to act out the different elements. The children learnt the importance of teamwork and sharing ideas.
Finally, I read the poem about "Somebody, Everybody, Anybody and Nobody" and the importance of working together.
We hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Year 5 team!
Outdoor Learning
Friday 3rd November
I can't believe it is November already! The children have settled in really well after half-term.
In English, we have been learning about Rosa Parks and her quest for equal rights! The children wrote diary entries, designed medals, wrote interview questions and a diary entry written by Rosa Parks. I was really impressed with how empathetic the children were and the creativity shown.
In Maths, we have been learning about different numbers and their names:
Prime numbers only have 2 factors.
Composite numbers have more than 2 factors.
Squared numbers are the same number times itself (2 times)
Cubed numbers are the same number times itself (3 times)
1 is not a prime number! Ask your child/children why?
The children have been working together to create their own balances using a partner or two as support. The children had a lot of fun and their balances were well planned, and they worked well together. Have a look at the photos below!
Hello/Goodbye
We would like to wish one of our students all the best in their new school. Do keep in touch!
We look forward to welcoming a new child to Year 5 on Monday!
Have a great weekend.
The Year 5 Team!
Friday 20th October
We have been incredibly busy during this last week of the half-term.
In English, we have finished 'Viking Boy'. Our final piece of writing was to produce a written newspaper report from an eyewitness at the scene of the battle. There is a sequel titled 'Anglo-Saxon Boy' which your child may enjoy.
In Maths, we have started looking at multiplication and factors of number. The children have also explored factors and the least common multiple.
In Science, we have finished our unit on Space and the children took home their moon model. They had lots of fun making them.
Many thanks for attending Parents' Evening. It was wonderful to meet you all!
We hope you have a wonderful half-term.
Lots of love from the Year 5 team.
Friday 13th October 2023
Year 5 has been working incredibly hard this week.
In English, we have looked at features of a newspaper and how to engage our readership. We have also created our own figurative language to describe "The Land of Ice and Fire" in 'Viking Boy'. The children are becoming more familiar with metaphors such as" The wind bit Gunnar's nose."
In Maths, we have finished column addition and subtraction and will be moving onto multiplication. We have been looking at two-step subtraction problems and how to get rid of subtraction across the zeros, which is really tricky! Miss MacKellar's top tip:
1,000 - 350 (subtract one from each number)
999 - 349
Your answer will be the same minus all the exchanging!
Finally, we explored some real life Viking artefacts and tried to guess what the item may have been used before. Look at the photos below!
Have a wonderful weekend
The Year 5 team :)
Friday 6th October
We have had a busy week, and have been working hard on filling our kindness buckets. The children have thought of ways to fill someone's bucket. The children watched the following story, which shows different ways of showing kindness.
https://youtu.be/0Z8zjHwnMFM?feature=shared
In English, we have almost finished reading 'Viking Boy' and have discovered a special eagle that may save the day! It reminds me of Fawkes from Harry Potter. The children have been writing their own chapter, and I was really impressed with their work and I have added a small sample below.
In Maths, we have been learning column addition and subtraction as well as two-step word problems. The children are becoming more confident with subtraction across the zeros such as 1,000 - 729. They have been working really hard. They may like to play the following game:
In Topic, we created fact files about Viking Gods and the children have learnt all about their favourite one.
I wish you all a wonderful weekend.
Miss MacKellar
Friday 29th September
Can you believe we have nearly been back for a month? The weeks have been flying by!
In Maths, we have finished Place Value and have started to look at column addition and subtraction. We have used our number facts to help us with mental strategies such as 4+ 2 = 6, 40+ 20 =60, 400+ 200 = 600 and 4,000+ 6,000 = 10,000
In English, we have begun to write our own chapter using expanded noun phrases, figurative speech and relative clauses. We hope Gunnar is rescued somehow!
In Skills for Life, we have been learning how to be a bucket filler. A bucket filler is a person who is kind, friendly and asks you about your day. Talk to your child about how they can fill a bucket today. The children will each have their own bucket which we have decorated today, and we will fill them with compliments from the whole class. It is great to be a bucket filler!!
Friday 22nd September 2023
Year 5 has had a wonderful week. We would like to congratulate everyone who volunteered to be on the Student Council and congratulations to our two winners. We have been learning our song for the Harvest Assembly and hope to include a dance!
In Maths, we have just started rounding and the rounding rock stars are already rounding up to the nearest 10 and 100 using the following rhyme "0-4 slide to the floor, 5-9 climb the vine" The children had great fun climbing and sliding!
In English, we have been practising our relative clauses to describe characters in "Viking Boy". We enjoyed singing the song and may have had a dance too! We will continue to explore the characters next week and will start to write our own narratives.
Finally, the children have been really lucky and have had a specialist coach to teach us different games. The children learnt team work, ball skills and had a great time, as can be seen from the photos!
Have a great weekend. You may need to dig out your coats and wellington boots!
The Year 5 team.
Friday 15th September 2023
We have been busy bees this week. We are delighted to welcome our new student to the class too!
The weather has been kind to us, and we have enjoyed some wonderful outdoor learning.
In English, we have continued to read 'Viking Boy' and have been creating our own dialogues between different characters. The children created a wonderful setting description using all our senses, and it was a very scary read indeed!
In Maths, we have been learning to use our place value charts to times and divide numbers by 10/100 and 1,000. We have practised moving the numbers and place value counters to help us understand this concept.
In science, we have been looking at the question 'Is the earth spherical or flat?' We went outside and read different theories to help us decide which theory we agree with.
Have a wonderful weekend Year 5!!
Miss MacKellar and the rest of the Year 5 team!
Friday 8th September 2023
Welcome back! I hope you have all had a wonderful summer. It has been lovely to meet you all. We have been really busy this week and enjoyed lots of fabulous learning.
In English, we have started our text 'Viking Boy' and made predictions about the story. We have looked at adjectives to describe a character and have written a character description.
In maths, we have learnt Roman Numerals and played some place value games where we had to make the smallest and largest numbers.
In science, we have explored the eight planets and worked in groups to think of questions that we would like to know such as 'Why does Saturn have rings?'
