Western Primary School

Year 5/6 Curriculum Letter – Spring Term 2015

Welcome to the Spring term in Years 5 & 6

Space Invaders

Slide 3: Overview of topic(1st half-term)

Slide 4: Overview of topic (2nd half-term)

Slide 5: General information

Slide 6: Meet the staff

Slide 7: Useful dates

Slide 8: How you can help at home

Slide 9: KIRFs

Slide 10: Useful websites

Slide 11: Curriculum 2014

YEARS 5 & 6 LEARNING JOURNEY SPRING TERM 1 2015

Week 1Welcome back. The Big Bang Theory, the Solar System and Design a

Planet

Week 1Welcome back. The Big Bang Theory, the Solar System and Design a

Planet

Week 2Into space – rocket

workshops and playground launches.

Week 2Into space – rocket

workshops and playground launches.

Week 3Constellations and the

nature of stars.The difficulties of space

travel for astronauts

Week 3Constellations and the

nature of stars.The difficulties of space

travel for astronauts

Space Invaders

Week 4Rotations and orbits. Can a day be longer

than a year?

Week 4Rotations and orbits. Can a day be longer

than a year?Week 5

Art focus – creating spacescapes using

acrylics

Week 5Art focus – creating spacescapes using

acrylics

Week 6Evaluation – what have

we learned so far? What next?

Week 6Evaluation – what have

we learned so far? What next?

YEARS 5 & 6 LEARNING JOURNEY SPRING TERM 2 2015

Week 7Moon focus. Where did it come from?

What would Earth be like without it? Why

does it change shape?

Week 7Moon focus. Where did it come from?

What would Earth be like without it? Why

does it change shape?

Week 8Visit from Harrogate

Astronomical Society,moon poetry,

telescopes

Week 8Visit from Harrogate

Astronomical Society,moon poetry,

telescopes

Space Invaders

Week 9Mini topic – The Roman Invasions. Why did they

come and what was Britain like at this time?

Week 9Mini topic – The Roman Invasions. Why did they

come and what was Britain like at this time?

Week 10Mini topic – which

parts of Britain were affected (geography). What was the legacy

of the invasion?

Week 10Mini topic – which

parts of Britain were affected (geography). What was the legacy

of the invasion?

Week 11Year 6 to East Barnby – climbing,

canoeing and exploring.Year 5 – chocolate research and

development project.

Week 11Year 6 to East Barnby – climbing,

canoeing and exploring.Year 5 – chocolate research and

development project.

THE TERM AHEAD IN YEARS 5 & 6English

We are placing a particular emphasis on the children’s use of spoken English this term as well as developing their confidence when speaking to an audience. Each child will be asked to deliver a verbal book review during the term and we will also be engaging the children in formal debates. Our aim is to help the children to distinguish between informal chat (e.g. the constant use of the word ‘like’, and formal, spoken English). Any encouragement from home would be most welcome!

HomeworkHomework is given out on a Friday to be completed and handed in the following Wednesday. Each child will receive maths homework and a topic/literacy related homework each week. This term, the children once again have a homework menu to choose from which has been sent as a separate email. It is also posted on the school’s website. Please note that teachers are increasingly using Mathletics to set maths homework online. A note is sent home to confirm when this is the case.

PEPlease ensure that your child has the correct PE kit in school. This should consist of black pumps or trainers, black shorts and a white T-shirt. School jumpers or sweatshirts and jogging bottoms can be worn in colder weather. For health and safety reasons, children are not permitted to wear jewellery during PE.

Water bottles and snacksChildren are encouraged to bring a water bottle and a healthy snack to school each day. Please be aware that children in Years 5 & 6 are now able to buy a snack in school at break time. Please contact the school office for further information.

STAFF IN YEARS 5 & 6

Teaching staff

Mr Broad, Mrs Wood, Miss Riddle, Mr Frost, Mrs Brooke, Mr Costa (student teacher)

Classroom assistants Mrs Tilson, Mrs Gray,

Mrs Carter, Mr Pacey

Inclusion team

Mrs Wilson. Mrs Coghlan, Mrs Mansfield, Miss Arkley,, Mrs Edwards, Mrs Jackson

KEY DATES THIS TERM Thursday 15th January – Rocket workshops and launches

Tuesday 3rd and Thursday 5th February – Parents’ Evenings (further info to follow)

Tuesday 24th February – Parents’ information evening re- SATs & East Barnby

Visit from Harrogate Astronomical Society (date to be confirmed)

Thursday 19th March – Y5/6 Space Invasion event for parents (2.00 – 3.00 p.m.)

Monday 23rd March – Year 6 to East Barnby

Costs: Parents have already been given information relating to the rocket workshops on 15th January. We are hoping to have a visit in school relating to our Roman work but this is yet to ne confirmed.

HOW YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD AT HOME

Learning OnlineAs you will be aware, all children in Y5/6 have access to Mathletics and Spellodrome. These are two powerful learning tools which the children really enjoy using. They can be used to complete homework and to practise aspects of maths and spellings being taught in school. In addition, there are lots of fun games and competitions for the children to try.

KIRFsChildren are asked to spend 20 minutes per week learning these recall facts at home. Please help your child by using some of the activities suggested on their KIRF sheets.

Talking!Talking to your child about what they have learned in school is a very good way of reinforcing that learning. We would also ask parents to encourage their children to practise speaking more formally where this is required.

General homework supportPlease encourage your child to take pride in their homework and ensure that it is completed to the best of his or her ability. Feel free to help and support but remember that they also need to be practising independence.

KEY INSTANT RECALL FACTS (KIRFS)

These helpful fact sheets are stuck into maths homework books each half term. They can also be found on the Western School Website (www.western.n-yorks.sch.uk). Click on the ‘for parents’ tab on the homepage and then click on the link to download KIRFs

These are facts which the children need to commit to memory and which will be very valuable to them as mathematicians. The children will be tested on their knowledge of these facts towards the end of each half term.

USEFUL WEBSITES FOR YOUR CHILD TO VISIT

www.conkermaths.com - a very useful site with links to KIRF objectives.

www.bbc.co.uk/learning - lots of links for all ages covering almost everything!

www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch – a brilliant school website with games & activities.

http://www.everyschool.co.uk/science-key-stage-2-earth-and-space.html

http://www.topmarks.co.uk/interactive.aspx?cat=73

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/physical_processes/earth_sun_moon/play/

THE NEW PRIMARY CURRICULUM FOR 2014Parents will no doubt be aware that the new Primary Curriculum became statutory this academic year for children in Years 1, 3, 4, and 5. Children in Y2 and Y6 will continue to be taught from the previous curriculum in English and maths and will still take the levelled tests at the end of the school year in these subjects. From September 2015, all primary school children will be taught the content of the new curriculum. To accommodate some of these changes, maths groups for this year have been organised into separate year groups.

Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher or a senior member of staff if you require any further information.

The weblink below explains the changes incorporated in the new National Curriculumwww.theschoolrun.com/primary-national-curriculum-2014