Knowledge Organisers

Summer Term 1

Year 5 Blog

Week commencing: 17th December 2024

 We've had a busy and exciting week filled with a variety of activities. Here's a look at what we've been up to:

English: We've been writing up our pieces on Baghdad, focusing on its rich history and the magnificent House of Wisdom. In addition, we've started learning our Christmas poem, which is getting us all in the festive spirit.

Maths: This week, we have been focusing on learning to count on when subtracting. Everyone is practicing hard, and it's great to see the progress we're making in our mental maths skills.

Geography: In geography, we've been writing up and drawing our immersive pieces on mountains. Our work showcases the stunning beauty and unique features of different mountain ranges, and it's been a great way to apply what we've learned.

Art: Our art lessons have been dedicated to creating Islamic tiles using the three patterns we've explored: vegetal, geometric, and calligraphy. The tiles look amazing, and we're all very proud of our intricate designs.

RE: In RE, we've been learning about Christingles and even made our own. The process was both educational and fun, and it helped us understand the significance of this tradition during the Christmas season.

It's been a wonderful week of learning and creativity. We're looking forward to our work once we're back from our Christmas break

Week commencing: 12th December 2024

We've had an exciting week of learning, filled with fascinating topics and creative activities. Here's a look at what we've been up to:

English: We've been working on writing pieces about the building of Baghdad and the House of Wisdom: the ancient city's architectural marvels and its rich history have sparked our imaginations. Our sentences are coming to life with colons and embedded clauses: these help us add detail and explanation. We also finished reading David Almond's Skellig, a captivating story that left us all in awe.

Maths: This week, we wrapped up our unit on decimals and ventured into exploring mental arithmetic methods. Everyone has been practicing different strategies, and we're all becoming quicker at solving problems in our heads.

Art: In art class, we've been carefully painting our Islamic art pieces using Indian ink and cocktail sticks. The intricate designs we're creating are stunning, and we're learning a lot about patience and precision.

History: We've started exploring the beginning of the British Empire and its effects on India and North America. These discussions have been eye-opening, helping us understand the significant impacts and lasting legacies of these historical events.

Geography: In geography, we've completed an assessment piece on different mountains around the world, including the Rockies, Alps, Himalayas, and Kilimanjaro. We've learned about the unique features of each range, and it’s been fascinating to see how diverse our planet's landscapes are.

That's all for this week's update. Stay tuned for more exciting adventures in learning next week!

Week commencing: 5th December 2024

This week, our class has been diving into various exciting topics across different subjects!

English: We've been exploring the concepts of influence and legacy, and how these themes are woven into our new model text on Baghdad. We've been analysing how the character Skellig changes throughout the story, and what his transformation signifies for the characters around him.

Maths: In maths, we focused on rounding decimals. We practiced rounding numbers to the nearest whole number, tenth, and hundredth. This skill is crucial for making quick and accurate estimations in everyday life and more complex calculations.

Geography: Our geographical journey took us to the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. We learned about its unique ecosystem, the challenges climbers face, and its significance as the highest peak in Africa. It was fascinating to discover how this iconic mountain influences the climate and cultures around it.

History: In history, we delved into the reasons behind Britain's decision to build an empire. We discussed three main motivations: global trade, global power, and global defence. Understanding these factors helped us grasp the complexities of imperialism and its impact on the world.

Science: Our scientific exploration involved a hands-on activity where we learned how to filter dirty water using simple objects. This experiment showed us the importance of clean water and how basic filtration techniques can make a big difference in providing safe drinking water.



Overall, it's been a week packed with learning and discovery. We've broadened our knowledge, developed new skills, and enjoyed some truly engaging activities. Stay tuned for more updates next week!

Week commencing: 25th November 2024

This week has been full of exciting and diverse learning experiences in our class!

English: 

We've been honing our skills in writing balanced arguments, focusing on the topic of going to school versus homeschooling. Our aim was to use cohesive connectors, embedded clauses, and colons to construct well-structured and persuasive essays. It was fascinating to see how everyone articulated their points, providing balanced viewpoints that highlighted both the benefits and challenges of each option.

Maths: 

Our journey into the world of decimals continued as we explored how multiplying and dividing by 10, 100, and 1,000 affects them. We practiced moving the decimal point accordingly and understood how these operations can change a number's value significantly. This foundational skill will be essential as we delve deeper into more complex mathematical concepts.

Geography: 

Our geographical exploration took us to three of the world's most famous mountain ranges: the Andes, the Rockies, and the Appalachians. We learned about their formation, unique features, and the diverse ecosystems they support. This comparative study helped us appreciate the vast differences and similarities between these majestic landscapes.

History:

In history, we delved into the Seven Years' War, a significant global conflict that shaped many modern nations. We discussed its causes, key events, and lasting impacts on the world.

Gymnastics Workshop: 

Last Friday, seventeen of our pupils had the fantastic opportunity to attend a gymnastics workshop at Wisbech Grammar School. The students participated in various activities that tested their agility, strength, and coordination. It was an inspiring and energetic day that left everyone eager to incorporate new skills into their routines.

It's been a week of rich learning experiences and hands-on activities that have broadened our understanding of multiple subjects. We're looking forward to continuing this journey of discovery and growth!

Week commencing: 18th November 2024

This week has been filled with fascinating discoveries and creative explorations in our class! Here's a look at what we've been learning:

English:  We have been working on cohesive connectors, which are vital for creating a balanced argument. As we prepare to write our essays on the pros and cons of schooling versus homeschooling, these connectors will help us structure our points clearly and persuasively.

Reading: In our reading sessions, we dived deeper into David Almond's Skellig. We discovered that Skellig, the mysterious character Michael finds, not only has wings but is also magical. This revelation has sparked our imagination and led to some lively discussions about the themes of the book.

History: Our history lessons took us back to the era of Britain's East India Company. We explored how this company impacted India, shaping its economy, society, and even politics. It's been eye-opening to learn about the lasting effects of the British Empire's trade and control over India.

Geography: In geography, we journeyed to the majestic Himalayas. We learned about the geography, climate, and culture of this incredible mountain range. Discussing the challenging conditions and the diverse ecosystems of the Himalayas has broadened our understanding of this unique region.

Art: Our art projects this week continued with creating beautiful Islamic stars using geometric patterns. These intricate designs require patience and precision, and it's been wonderful to see everyone's creativity shining through their work.

It's been a week packed with learning and creativity. We are excited to see how all these new skills and knowledge will come together in our upcoming projects and discussions! Stay tuned for more updates in next week's blog.

Week commencing: 11th November 2024

This week in Maths, we delved into the fascinating world of decimals. We learned how to compare numbers up to three decimal places, which required us to be precise and pay attention to every digit. For example, we discovered that 3.456 is slightly greater than 3.455 because the thousandths place is one unit higher. Using number lines and place value charts, we practiced ordering and comparing decimals, and it was a fun challenge that sharpened our attention to detail.

In our History lessons, we traveled back in time to explore the early British Empire and its bustling trade routes. We learned how the British traded goods like spices, tea, cotton, and textiles with countries across the world. This global network of trade brought great wealth to Britain but also had significant impacts on the cultures and economies of the trading partners. It was fascinating to see how trade shaped the world and connected different societies.

Our Geography lessons took us to the magnificent Alps, where we learned about the geography and climate of this mountain range. One of the highlights was discovering the story of Ötzi the Iceman, a well-preserved mummy found in the Ötztal Alps. Ötzi, who lived around 5,300 years ago, provided us with incredible insights into the life of ancient people, their tools, clothing, and diet. We discussed how the harsh climate and rugged terrain of the Alps have influenced human activities and settlements in the region.



In Art, we embarked on a creative journey to design our own Islamic tiles using geometric patterns. We explored how Islamic art is characterised by intricate and symmetrical designs, often featuring repeating patterns. Using rulers, compasses, and our imagination, we created stunning tiles that reflected the beauty and precision of Islamic art. This activity not only honed our artistic skills but also gave us a deeper appreciation for the cultural significance of these patterns.

It has been an exciting week of learning, filled with new discoveries and creative expressions. Stay tuned for more adventures in our next blog post!

Week commencing: 4th November 2024

This week in Year 5 has been a whirlwind of discovery, debate, and important insights.

In English, the students have been diving into the great debate of school versus homeschool. Using examples from Skellig, where Michael attends traditional school and Mina is homeschooled, they’ve been researching and preparing arguments for both sides. This exercise has not only honed their research skills but also taught them the importance of considering different perspectives and constructing balanced arguments.

Meanwhile, Maths has been all about precision and understanding as students explored the concept of thousandths. From using place value charts to engaging in practical activities, they've developed a deeper comprehension of these tiny fractions, seeing how they fit into the larger world of decimals. It's been a week of 'aha!' moments as they grasped this intricate part of the number system.

In Science, the focus turned to a critical environmental issue: plastics and their impact on wildlife and our lives. The students learned about the journey of plastic from production to pollution, and its devastating effects on ecosystems. They discussed the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling, and even brainstormed ways they could make a difference in their own communities.

It’s been an enlightening week, packed with learning and activities that connect academic concepts with real-world issues. The students are not only growing in knowledge but also developing a sense of responsibility and critical thinking skills that will serve them well in the future.

Week commencing: 14th October 2024

Another fabulous week for Year 5.  They have been writing some impressive assessment pieces for history and geography, demonstrating their love for the topics we have covered this term, especially Baghdad!

In English, we have been exploring using our senses in our writing, ready to write about Michael finding Skelling in his garage.  I am really excited to see what they come up with and look forward to sharing them with you on Parents' Evening.

In science, we loved learning about the blood and its components: plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.  I'm about to share an app they are loving with you via message, but it's called 'The Human Body' by TinyBop.  Finally, on Friday, we played mini football matches in their houses.  The children demonstrated improvements in their skills, but most importantly, they showed superb team spirit and sportsmanship - well done Year 5!

Week commencing: 7th October 2024

What a fabulous end to the week - a day out at Wisbech Grammar School playing tag rugby.  All the children had beaming smiles and learnt some exciting new skills, ready for our rugby season next half term.  Thanks WGS for having us all.

Our science experiment was a huge success - see heart rate photos opposite.  The pupils watched the heart rates rise on our screen as our exercisers skipped, joked or burpeed their way through two minutes of exercise.  Afterwards, they rested and we saw their heart rates slowly decrease.

In maths, the pupils had a successful mini assessment on their place value knowledge and are about to learn their next new place value - thousandths.  In geography, we explore height in maps with contour lines and relief maps, recapping our knowledge of Mount Fuji.  In history, we guided the class through the take over of Baghdad by the Mongols and the turning black of the River Tigris with the ink from the books.

Week commencing: 30th September 2024

What a week!!  Year 5 have have been learning how to use scale on maps to work out how far away places actually are; exploring how the library expanded in Baghdad to become a centre of learning; and started to plan their modernist pieces for art.

In English, we have continued to read about Skelling, with a few hints as to what he actually is but are desperate to find out more.  We have been learning the difference between a fronted adverbial and a subordinate clause when they both begin with after/before or since, which they are getting ready to use accurately in their next written piece.

In maths, we have moved from negative numbers to roman numerals, with so excellent code breaking skills demonstrated.  Pupils have showed excellent retrieval of topics we covered last year, and their maths is developing with clear understanding - well done year 5!

Opposite is Emelia's comprehensive essay about the House of Wisdom in Baghdad. 

Week commencing: 23rd September 2024

The children have 'wowed' me with their maths this week, grasping powers of ten with ease and recapping negative numbers well.  I look forward to seeing how our negative numbers progress next week.

In English, they wrote fabulous biographies about David Almond, who is the author of 'Skellig'.  They included a new concept for them: relative clauses. They even managed to punctuate them correctly - amazing work!

Our most challenging lesson this week was science as we learnt what made a fair test, as well as the difference between dependent variables and independent variables.  Next week, we put them all to good use when we measure what happens to our pulse rate  with exercise over time.  We are going to use heart rate belts to make sure our test is accurate.  We'll keep you posted.

Week commencing: 16th September 2024

Wow what a week Year 5 have had!  We have being digging into Skelling, desperate to find out what 'he' is.  On top of that, we have been learning how David Almond evolved as a writer and overcame personal tragedy with courage to become a world-renowned author.

In maths, our place value knowledge is progressing, and children have been able to round numbers up to 1 million.  For the first fine minutes of each maths lesson we have been recapping our times tables that they smashed last year, and going over topics they found tricky, such as fractions and time.

Our afternoon lessons have kept our interest piqued, with learning about hemispheres in geography; why Baghdad was the City of Peace in history; and exploring music and its form of communication in RE.  However, your artists have amazed me by creating quick pieces using two different techniques - rough and smooth.  Tanor's style variance was perfect - well done Tanor.

Week commencing: 9th September 2024

The children have made a fabulous start to this year.  This week they have been developing their knowledge of the heart, walking the path of the blood and learning how it changes from deoxygenated to oxygenated.  I have super impressed with their use of technical vocabulary.  Opposite is a photo of Amelia's fabulously detailed drawing of the blood vessels and their features.  Beautiful, Amelia!!

In English they have been stretching themselves by learning about foreshadowing and its use in Skellig, as well as relative clauses and relative pronouns ready for their biographies next week on David Almond.  They have leapt into the book and are eager to find out who 'him' is.

Their rounding has progressed and combined with their new knowledge of other place values, they have been putting it to good use in their maths lessons.  Luckily for us, we finished of the week with some art, sketching some Rocco style pieces and learning about their features.  I look forward to seeing what next week brings.

Curriculum visits and enrichment activities: