Welcome to Swans

Class Teacher - Mrs Cotton

LSP - Miss Merryweather

email:     class.swans@burnttree.sandwell.sch.uk

 

Our learning

Summer Term

Maths

During the summer term, we will begin by studying statistics before exploring 3D shapes and angles, identifying their properties and symmetry. We will then describe position and direction using coordinates, translation and reflection. Our decimals work will focus on place value, addition and subtraction. We will go on to explore negative numbers in context, before ending the term by converting between units of measurement and calculating volume. Throughout this term, we will continue to develop our arithmetic skills and timestable knowledge. Please keep practising using Times Table Rock Stars at home. Please keep practising using Times Table Rock Stars at home.

English

This term, we will be using the short film ‘Home Sweet Home’ to support narrative writing that includes dialogue.  Following this, we will use ‘The Wolves in the Walls’ by Neil Gaiman as the basis for our writing. This imaginative tale follows Lucy, a brave young girl who suspects that wolves are living inside the walls of her house — but no one believes her. Inspired by the story, we will:

Write a newspaper report to inform readers of a dramatic event

Create a diary entry to explore the thoughts and feelings of a character

We will continue to develop our spelling, punctuation and grammar skills, applying them across all written work. Please use Spelling Shed and Education City to support your learning at home.

Reading

Our text of the term is ‘Holes’ by Louis Sachar. We will follow Stanley Yelnats’ journey at a mysterious camp, uncovering hidden clues and connections between past and present. Through this text, the children will build their reading and comprehension skills by learning new vocabulary, taking part in group discussions to share ideas and answering questions linked to our weekly reading skill in order to develop a deeper understanding of the text. We will also read a wide range of other texts to expose children to various authors and genres. Some of these texts will be chosen by the children based on their interests and talents.

Science

Our science topics for this term are ‘Animals including Humans’ and ‘Forces’. We will explore the human life cycle and compare it with other animals, looking at reproduction and stages of development. Later, we will investigate forces such as gravity, air resistance, water resistance and friction, using practical activities to understand their effects and how mechanisms like levers and pulleys help us in everyday life.

History

In history this term, we will be considering the legacy of the ancient Greek civilisation.  We will describe the features of Ancient Greece and make inferences about Greek gods.  We will compare Athens and Sparta and develop an understanding of Athenian democracy.  We will also study the achievements of the ancient Greek philosophers.

Geography

In the second half of the summer term, we will be considering whether we would want to live in a desert.  We will learn about the lines of latitude where hot desert biomes are located.  We will describe the characteristics of a hot desert biome as well.  We will locate the largest deserts in each continent across.  We will study how deserts are used by humans and we will debate whether a desert environment is hospitable or not.

Art 

In art this term, we will be studying architecture.  We will conduct some observational drawing, printmaking and building design. The children will explore architectural elements, analyse Hundertwasser's work and create meaningful monuments, enhancing their understanding of composition, design, and art appreciation.

DT

In Design Technology this term we will be studying electrical system (torches).  We will be evaluating a range of existing torches and then designing a functional torch for a target audience.  we will also be studying textiles (making a waistcoat).  We will consider a range of factors in our design criteria and use this to create a waistcoat design.  We will then use a template to mark and cut out a design and then learn to use a running stitch to join fabric.  We will attach a secure fastening as well as decoration before evaluating our final product.

Music 

Our music lessons will take us back in time as we explore the sounds of Tudor England. We will listen to and analyse Tudor music, developing our confidence in using detailed musical vocabulary to evaluate our own and others' performances. We will also learn how to read and use staff notation to record rhythms and melodies, allowing us to compose short pieces inspired by this historical period.

PE

In PE we will learn about the game of rounders.  We will refine our batting and throwing techniques as well as developing our fielding skills. Remember that on our PE days, you can come to school in your PE kit (black shorts or jogging bottoms, a white PE shirt and a black jumper).

RE 

In Religious Education this term we will be learning about a range of places of worship.  We will also be studying the practice of prayer for Hindu, Jewish and Islamic worship.

PSHE

During the summer term, we are learning about how to keep safe as well as our changing bodies.  We will explore keeping safe online as well as how our bodies will change over time. Following this, we will learn about the laws of our country and what happens if someone breaks a law.  We will learn about our rights including freedom of expression as well as how to contribute positively to society.  We will end the unit by learning about parliament and how it works.

Look at what we have been doing...

Thursday 5th March

 

 

Our first art unit of Year 5 had a drawing focus.  It was linked to space and the idea of retrofuturism.  We evaluated a piece of retrofuturistic art before experimenting with materials.  We considered what the world will be like in 50 years time and incorporated that into our work. We created a collagraph print as a background and then onto this, we developed our initial ideas.