Year 5
Curriculum Overview – Autumn
The first lessons in RE when children return in September focus on our school saint, which is Ambrose Barlow; the class saint, which is Mary Mackillop; the school Mission Statement, and a lesson based on our values and virtues for that term. Year 5’s class assembly takes place in November. In RE, children cover the first two branches of ‘Discerning Disciples’ which encompass Creation and Covenant, and Prophecy and Promise.
Year 5 read ‘Beowulf’ by Michael Morpurgo and focus their writing on creating their own legend and persuasive writing. After this, they read and study the book ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens and focus their writing on play scripts and character descriptions.
In Numeracy, children explore number and place value up to a million, addition and subtraction and multiplication and division. In History, the first topic is The Industrial Revolution. They learn about the reasons behind this and explore the enquiry question, ‘Did Child Labour power the Industrial Revolution?’
In Geography, children research and explore fossil fuels, use atlases to locate the major cities in the United Kingdom, and develop a greater understanding of The Water Cycle.
Science lessons involve investigations where the children explore different materials, learn about the features of the Solar System, and undertake practical work to learn more about forces.
In RSHE, children reflect on Personal Relationships and learn what bullying is and how we can prevent it in our school.
In Art, children draw flowers from direct observation and create their own paper flower sculpture and they design and sew a mobile phone case in Design and Technology lessons.
Our first topic in Computing is based on learning how to use search engines and how to undertake searches on the Internet.
In PE children, participate in cricket, tennis, and dance lessons.
Spring
In RE lessons, children study the next two branches from ‘Discerning Disciples’ which are Galilee to Jerusalem and Desert to garden. They participate in Holy Week assemblies in the lead up to Easter.
Literacy lessons focus on writing science fiction stories and writing hybrid texts. The children read ‘Slick’ by M.M Vaughan and discuss the themes found within this novel. As well as celebrating ‘World Book Day’ in the spring, children also participate in ‘Shakespeare Week’, with Year 5 studying the play ‘Macbeth’.
In Numeracy, the children study Fractions, Decimals and Percentages. Pupils take a trip to the Black Country Museum after they complete their work on ‘The Industrial Revolution’, before beginning their new topic of ‘The Romans’ where they investigate the question ’What did the Romans ever do for us?’
In Geography lessons, pupils identify and name the main mountain ranges and rivers within Europe as well as learning about the main features of a river. They use maps and atlases to identify and name the countries in Africa and explore where the main deserts can be located in the world.
Science lessons involve exploring dissolving different materials, exploring life cycles of insects and amphibians and undertaking investigations to learn more about the forces of friction and air resistance. In RHSE lessons, children learn about how to stay safe online as well as exploring different Catholic Social Teachings.
Children learn how to draw shells from direct observation using pens and coloured pencils in Art. They create a collage background and using reclaimed materials, create their own printing stamp, which they use to print onto their prepared background to create an underwater scene. Design and Technology lessons focus on food technology; pupils taste a range of ingredients before guessing where these originally come from. They research a range of Mexican dishes before learning how to prepare and make their own Mexican dish.
In PE lessons children, develop their football skills and learn how to play volley ball. In Computing, the children plan, create and edit their own videos and explore creating their own vector drawings by layering objects, copying or rotating them and then resizing and flipping the objects to build up their drawing.
Summer
In the summer term, in RE, children study the branches To the ends of the Earth and Dialogue and Encounter from ‘Discerning Disciples’. Year 5 also explore various aspects of the Sikh religion and conclude their learning with a visit to a Sikh Gudwara.
In Numeracy lessons, children cover the topics of Geometry, Position and Movement, Measurements as well as Perimeter and Area and Volume.
In Literacy lessons, children create their own non-chronological reports based on research they undertake linked to the Rainforests of South America as well as writing their own adventure story based on their class text, which is ‘Journey to the River Sea’ by Eva Ibbotson. They also study Greek Myths and read a range of non-fiction texts before creating their own report on the Olympic Games.
During Science lessons, children identify the phases of the Moon as well as exploring reproduction in plants and exploring and designing mechanisms. In History, they complete their work on ‘The Romans’. By exploring the evidence, we have in Britain, this helps to reveal what life was like for the Romans here in the UK. Geography lessons involve continuing to learn about renewable and non –renewable sources of energy as well as exploring the countries in South America and learning about the harm that rivers can cause to our environments.
In Art lessons, pupils learn about a variety of artists, architects and designers before creating their own dream catcher. In Computing lessons, they learn about databases, creating their own paper based databases as well as learning how to undertake searches to answer specific questions. Children learn how to programme a Microbit in Design and Technology lessons, they research self-watering plant pots before designing and using Micro- bits to create their own prototype. In PE lessons, pupils explore OAA, Fitness activities, Athletics lessons and Football skills as well as having the opportunity to participate in individual and team races on Sports Day. In RHSE lessons, children learn about Me, My Body, My Health as well as exploring what it means to help others in our wider world.
Throughout the year, Music and French lessons are taught by specialist teachers.
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