Class 5 - Curriculum

 

Class 5

 

Half Term Beginning 29th October 07

The Tigers had a FANTASTIC time at the planetarium the day before they broke up – I’m sure they’ve told you lots about it.  It will have really whetted their appetite for this half term’s space topic.  Once we have covered the main earth, sun and moon topic, the children will have the opportunity to decide their own space lessons for a week, both as a class and as individuals – this runs alongside the national ‘Takeover’ day, but also encourages children to become more responsible and creative in their studies. Then it’s…… Christmas! Continuing the maths & literacy curriculum, but involving lots of glitter and mess!

 

English

 

We are concentrating on story writing this half term.  We have started to focus on the children’s sentence structure and use of vocabulary which is really beginning to have an impact on their writing.  Some children do have trouble with ideas though and would really benefit from reading more stories and developing a reading habit – please consider using the library or adding books to Christmas lists……. No doubt we’ll be looking into sci-fi writing too!

 

Maths

 

The maths continues to develop their times tables – we should know all of them by the end of this term and written methods for adding and subtracting.  The context will be in more data handling, problem solving and the use of a calculator (another item for Santa?).  With the shops full of gifts, please use the opportunity to discuss shapes with the children – spot the 3D shape while you’re out!

 

Science & topic

 

Earth, sun and moon studies focus on how they orbit each other and the creation of day/night, seasons and the calendar.  It is a difficult thing for children to understand so please help them to notice the different sunset times and different positions of the moon when they go home and when they go to bed.  They might be asking you and grandparents about memories of comets, moon-landing memories and what our space topics were like when we were little (there was no photos or evidence about what planets were like when I was at school!?!?)

Art

 

Mrs Vince is on the case, developing space art and a lot of imaginative work, which will reinforce the topic and develop their imaginative ideas.  She will be looking at work by established artists and help children use the ideas for their own work.

ICT

The children will be learning about graphical modelling with Mr Rees. We will also be using the internet a lot for our space studies.  Some excellent websites include………………………

 

Music & dance in PE

 

Work will centre on pieces from the popular Holst’s ‘Planet suite’ (MORE pressi ideas??) to develop dance and drama. Children will also be doing a lot of composition work based on planet exploration, including looking at chords and their effect on music.

MFL

We are hoping to host a visit from a German author & composer this half term, so we will revisit our german work and knowledge.  We will continue to develop our French though and looking at French Christmas customs, and prepare for our French and German Carol service on December 14th.

R.E.

Mrs Vince will teach RE, looking at Islamic beliefs and Christian approaches to……….  We will also be looking at the different versions of the Christmas story in the gospels and considering how (and why) they are different.

P.E.

Games will be on a Tuesday morning this half term, and children will receive coaching from a professional athletics coach.  They will need warm outdoor PE kit and trainers with them.

I’ve slipped into a Christmas gift catalogue during this flyer – sorry! These are only ideas if you’re stuck and NOT essential!!! Can I also add Starlight Express and Oliver! CDs and perhaps a fountain pen for neat handwriters??? I’m even considering adopting a Tiger in Somalia……  As Christmas approaches, we will be putting up party food lists on the doors and reinstating the Christmas post box in school.     Good luck in your preparations! H Lever