Summer 2 – Eco-Schools:  Biodiversity

In Summer 2 the whole school theme is Eco-schools. Year 5 will focus on Biodiversity. Biodiversity is the variety of life that can be found on our planet including plants, insects, animals and even micro-organisms. We will be learning what biodiversity is and how it benefits nature; how the human population can threaten the biodiversity of different areas and finding out how we can help and encourage biodiversity locally and globally. This will lead into our Year 5 project which will involve making our own solitary bee houses and bug hotels to site around our nature areas in the school grounds. We will be spending lots of time outside and being at one with nature. Alongside the whole school theme, in Science year 5 will learn about plant and animal life cycles. We will also have SRE lessons learning about the life cycle of humans; more information about this will follow.

Summer 1 – South America

After an exciting topic launch, we are thoroughly enjoying our new topic about South America. Within our geography work we will continue to use our mapping skills to locate the human and physical characteristics of South American countries. We will then focus on Brazil, learning about its’ human and physical characteristics as well as discussing the biomes found in Brazil. We will be looking at the Amazon Rainforest in detail - finding out about the different habitats – and discussing the impact of deforestation and linking this with our English work. We will also compare the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Leeds. In DT, we will be using our sewing skills to make carnival masks and our music focus will be learning and performing Samba music… it’s going to be lots of fun.

Spring term 2 - Earthquakes

During Spring 2, Year 5 will be studying earthquakes in detail to develop our geographical skills. We will be researching what an earthquake is and what causes them. We will be using our map reading skills to find out where earthquakes occur, developing our understanding of grid references and co-ordinates. We will also be looking at the impact of an earthquake and what you should do to stay safe during an earthquake. This geography work will be strongly linked to our English focus on non-chronological reports. In computing, year 5 will be using Scratch to design and create their own Scratch quiz. In music, we will create our own earthquake themed compositions and in Art, we will be sketching 3D earthquake inspired art using the street artists Joe Hill, Manfred Stader and Eduardo Rolero as inspiration. In Science, we will continue to learn about properties and changes of materials.

Spring Term 1 2023 - The Anglo-Saxons and Scots

During Spring 1, following the excitement of our Horrible Histories event, our work will continue to be based around a history theme - Britain’s settlements of the Anglo-Saxons and Scots.

We will be using primary and secondary sources to investigate where the Anglo-Saxons came from and why they came to England. We will also be using artefacts and historical enquiry to look at the discoveries at Sutton Hoo. We are planning a trip to Murton Park in February and look forward to visiting a reconstructed Anglo-Saxon village and becoming an Anglo-Saxon for the day.

Within our science work we will learn about properties and changes of materials. During the whole term, we will really focus on developing our group working skills during our PSHE, PE and RE work. In computing, we will be learning about vector drawings using Microsoft Publisher and linking this work with our 2D work in maths.

Autumn Term 2022 - Ancient Greece

Our main topic in the Autumn term is Ancient Greece, where we study the ancient Greek civilisation; their

 achievements and influence on the western world.

Through our History, English and Reading lessons, children will look at everyday life; they will research who the gods were that the Greeks used to worship, Greek architecture, the theatre and the Arts, famous Greeks and the Olympics. In computing, we will be improving our skills in using Microsoft Word and creating our own research files about Greek food. We will also be learning about computer systems and networks. In Science, we will be learning about Forces: gravity and the effects of air resistance, water resistance and friction. As part of our Muddy Puddle day, with a Greek focus, we will be making Greek food including souvlaki and Greek salad as part of our DT. Children are welcome to come dressed in Greek costume for the day.

After half term, we will be continuing our Ancient Greek topic, linking this again with a variety of subjects. In Science, we will focus on finding out about Earth and Space; our solar system, our Sun and our Moon. We will rise to the challenge of designing and making our very own battery powered Mars Rovers in DT.