St John's C of E Primary - Nurturing Excellence

Falcon Class

Welcome to Our Falcon Class Page!

English

In English, Year 5 are reading Skellig by David Almond as a stimulus for their writing. Through the novel, pupils will explore characters, settings and themes, using the text to develop rich ideas for their own work. Children will focus on improving their vocabulary choices, sentence structure and use of descriptive language, learning how authors create atmosphere and emotion. They will practise planning, drafting and improving their writing, responding thoughtfully to key moments in the story. Through discussion, modelling and shared writing, pupils will build confidence in expressing ideas clearly and creatively, using the text to support and inspire their own written work.

Mathematics

In Maths this term, Year 5 will focus on developing a secure understanding of decimals, fractions and percentages. Pupils will learn how decimals work, how they are equivalent to fractions, and how to round them accurately. They will explore the links between fractions, decimals and percentages, helping them to compare values and solve problems with confidence. Alongside this, children will apply their knowledge by solving problems using all four operations. Each Friday, pupils will take part in focused arithmetic lessons to practise and consolidate key skills, building fluency, accuracy and confidence in calculation and fractions.

Science

In science this term, Year 5 will be learning about forces. Pupils will explore how forces such as gravity, friction, air resistance and water resistance affect how objects move, slow down or change shape. They will investigate how changing the shape or surface area of an object can affect the forces acting upon it and will carry out fair tests to explore these ideas. Children will also learn how simple machines, including levers, pulleys and gears, can be used to make work easier. Throughout the unit, pupils will develop their scientific enquiry skills by planning investigations, taking accurate measurements and using evidence to explain their findings.

History

This term in history, Year 5 will be learning about the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Pupils will explore why the trade developed, the experiences of enslaved Africans, including the brutal conditions of the Middle Passage, and how slavery supported plantation economies in the Americas. They will learn about resistance by Africans, the work of abolitionists in Britain (including figures such as Thomas Clarkson and Olaudah Equiano), and the reasons why the slave trade and slavery were eventually abolished. Lessons will be taught sensitively and respectfully, using age-appropriate sources to help children understand this important and challenging part of history.

Geography

In Geography this term, Year 5 will be studying Australia. Pupils will learn about Australia’s location in the world and explore its diverse physical and human geography, including deserts, rainforests, rivers, biomes and major cities. They will use maps to identify key settlements such as Canberra and investigate why much of the population is concentrated along the coast. Children will also learn about Australia’s climate, biodiversity and the challenges it faces, including invasive species and climate change.

History
This term in history, Year 5 will be learning about the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Pupils will explore why the trade developed, the experiences of enslaved Africans, including the brutal conditions of the Middle Passage, and how slavery supported plantation economies in the Americas. They will learn about resistance by Africans, the work of abolitionists in Britain (including figures such as Thomas Clarkson and Olaudah Equiano), and the reasons why the slave trade and slavery were eventually abolished. Lessons will be taught sensitively and respectfully, using age-appropriate sources to help children understand this important and challenging part of history.

Art

In art this term, Year 5 will study traditional Chinese painting and ceramics. Pupils will explore Chinese brush painting and calligraphy, learning about the materials used, typical subjects such as nature, and the importance of precise, expressive brushstrokes. They will practise painting bamboo, flowers and Chinese characters using ink and brushes. Children will also learn about Ming Dynasty porcelain, including how it was made, decorated with cobalt blue and traded with Europe. Throughout the unit, pupils will analyse artwork, practise new techniques and evaluate their own work, developing their understanding of how art reflects culture and tradition.

Design and Technology

In Design and Technology, Year 5 will be learning to cook pitta bread as part of their work on cooking and nutrition. Pupils will follow a recipe, measure ingredients accurately using scales, and learn key skills such as activating yeast, mixing, kneading, shaping and baking dough. They will explore different types of bread from around the world and learn how bread fits into a balanced, healthy diet, linking their learning to geography and science topics such as wheat production and nutrition. Children will taste and evaluate their finished bread, reflecting on what went well and how it could be improved, before taking their learning and cooking skills forward into future projects.

Physical Education

In PE this term, Year 5 will be exploring a range of dance styles from different decades, including the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Pupils will learn key movements from styles such as rock and roll, the twist and disco, using music and video clips to understand how dance reflects the culture of each era. Children will work individually and in small groups to create and perform dance sequences, linking movements into motifs and longer phrases. They will develop their choreography skills by using techniques such as unison, canon, mirroring and changes in speed, direction and levels. Throughout the unit, pupils will build confidence, teamwork and creativity while learning how dance can communicate ideas and themes.

PSHE

In PSHE this term, Year 5 are learning about healthy and safer lifestyles. Pupils will explore what it means to live a healthy life by learning about balanced diets, nutrition, physical activity and the importance of regular exercise. They will develop their understanding of how routines, choices and behaviours affect both physical and mental wellbeing, including the importance of sleep and dental health. Children will also learn about online safety, considering how time spent online, social media and gaming can impact health, why some content is age-restricted, and how to make safer choices. Throughout the unit, pupils are encouraged to reflect on influences on their lifestyle, take responsibility for their own health, and think about how to make positive, informed decisions as they grow older.

Religious Education (RE)

This term in Religious Education, Year 5 will be learning about the Christian belief of salvation. They will explore how the Gospels tell the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection and what these events mean for Christians. Pupils will learn why Christians believe Jesus died, including ideas about sacrifice, forgiveness and rescue, and how these beliefs fit into the ‘big story’ of the Bible. They will also learn how Christians remember and respond to salvation through worship, particularly Holy Communion, and how these beliefs influence the way Christians live their lives today. Throughout the unit, children will be encouraged to think thoughtfully, ask questions and reflect on the value and impact of sacrifice in their own lives and in the wider world.

Music

In Music this term, Year 5 are continuing their learning about African American spirituals. Pupils will listen to and learn a range of traditional spiritual songs, exploring how they were used by enslaved African Americans to express faith, hope and the desire for freedom. Children will develop their singing skills by learning songs such as Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, When the Saints Go Marching In and Michael, Row the Boat Ashore, practising techniques such as call and response, verse and chorus, and singing in two-part harmony. They will also explore how spirituals influenced later musical styles including blues, gospel and jazz, making links to history and culture. Across the unit, pupils will practise listening carefully, singing together as an ensemble, and performing confidently, before evaluating their work to improve future performances.