Year 5 Newsletter

Spring 2 2016
Welcome back! I hope you have had a relaxing half term break. We are continuing
to work on the termly targets which were updated in January. If you require any
information on these then please do not hesitate to contact me.
Literacy
This half-term we will begin by exploring persuasive writing and understanding
how writers make a point, support this point with evidence and then explain the
point fully. We will write short stories and explore descriptive writing using a
range of sentence structures and detailed vocabulary. Finally, we will look at
differences between autobiographies and biographies, particularly relating to
Anthony Horowitz. We will continue to look at the grammar and spelling focuses for Year 5 and
explore the meanings of these to aid understanding.
Ways to help
In lessons, we will be focussing on using detail to engage readers. When your child is reading,
encourage them to locate challenging vocabulary, discuss the meaning and how they could use
these words in their writing.

Maths
We will be starting this half term revisiting mental and written division using both the short
method, and the chunking method. Children will then recap 2D and 3D shapes
and use Venn and Carroll diagrams to sort them using their own criteria.
Later on in the half-term we will learn about fractions, decimals and
percentages and then progress onto calculating with these, measuring area
and perimeter and to explore statistics and reading various scales and
interpreting data.
Ways to help
Practice instant recall of all multiplication tables. Use the vocabulary of
multiples, factors and prime numbers to support these terms and ensure they have a good basic
understanding of digital and analogue times.

Science Properties and changes of materials

In science, we will explore materials through conducting a variety of
experiments to test different variables. The children are going to be working
on carrying out different scientific enquiries to test metal, wood and plastic
and exploring reversible and irreversible changes. They will then deepen their
understanding using scientific research to support and challenge their
questions and experiments to write detailed conclusions.
Ways to help
Investigate different materials at home and provide evidence of reversible and irreversible
changes at home when you melt solids or turn liquids into gas. You could also read a range of non-

fiction books exploring materials at home.

Creative Curriculum
History - Early Islamic Civilisation: Baghdad AD900 Case Study
Computing HTML Coding
RE Christianity
Art and Design Textile Bears / Pop Art Designs
PE- Dance. PE lessons will take place on a Thursday afternoon.
French Time
Music Recorders with Mrs Holt on a Tuesday afternoon and Sing Together concert.
PSHE Living in the wider world British Values

Homework
In Year 5 there are two pieces of homework per week. One piece is set every Tuesday and due in
on Thursday and another piece will be set on the Friday and due in on the Monday. Spellings and
times tables will be set every Friday for a test the following Friday.

Thank-you for your support, please do not hesitate to contact me if there is something you wish to
discuss either in person, by phone or via email at s.murray@harris.lancs.sch.uk
Regards
Miss Murray