Welcome back! I hope you all had an agreeable half term break. 

We have an action packed term planned. We will be reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and our Guided Reading and English will be based on this fantastic novel. We will be inventing a new shop for Diagon Alley and creating models of these  - perhaps some will even include some miniature merchandise!

We will also write a newspaper report based on thrilling events that take place at the school. 

In Maths we will be working on Multiplication and Division before moving on to tackle fractions. 

This term, our first topic is Geography and we will be investigating the concept of sustainability. We will be learning about different types of sustainable or renewable energy and their respective advantages and disadvantages. We will then be learning about Moja Island which is located off the coast of Africa  and the children will act as consultants, advising which renewable energy sources would best suit the different regions of the island, based on the Island's geography and available resources. 

In Science, we will be learning about Electricity and making circuits that include a range of components. We will be investigating  how changing components in the circuits affect the brightness of bulbs. Finally we will be applying our Scientific knowledge in a DT project, where we will create moving fairground rides that actually move. 

WB 11.12..23

This week in year 5/6 we have been multiplying and dividing fractions by integers, and starting to solve word problems. In English, we have practised writing the main body and the concluding paragraphs of news reports. We have also planned and written our hot task – a news report about Hermione’s ordeal when the Mountain Troll invades the girls’ bathrooms at Hogwarts. To conclude our work on Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, we have designed and started to build a model of a new shop for Diagon Alley. We all thoroughly enjoyed our Christmas lunch and watching the film in the afternoon.

WB 4.12.23

It has been another busy week in Falcon. In Maths, we have been adding and subtracting fractions where the denominator is the same before adding and subtracting fractions where one of the denominators is a multiple of the other. In English, we have explored the features of newspapers, analysed the model text and written orientations. In Guided Reading, we have examined how J K Rowling builds up scenes through details and shows how characters are feeling through her language choices. We have also explored the differences between direct and reported speech. In Science, we have been exploring simple circuits and drawing circuit diagrams before investigating the differences between series and parallel circuits.

WB 27.11.23

This week in Year 5/6, it has been another busy week. In Maths, we have been exploring improper fractions and mixed numbers through models and images; learning how to convert between them. We have also learned to compare fractions with the same and different denominators. In English, we have just completed our ‘Hot Task’ – a description of a new shop in Diagon Alley. We have edited and published these – creating our ‘polished' versions, to showcase our best work. As we are starting a new unit of work on journalistic writing, we wrote a newspaper article based on the scene when the boa constrictor escapes from the zoo on Dudley’s birthday. In Geography, the children have applied their learning of sustainable energy to advise the government of Moja Island what would be the most suitable renewable energy source for the different communities on the island, based on the island’s topography and natural resources.

WB 20 November

This week in Year 5/6, we have started a new unit of work on fractions. In this substantial unit, the children will revise naming fractions, finding equivalent fractions and counting in fractions before learning about improper fractions and mixed numbers. We will then go on to use fractions as operators and perform calculations with them.  In Guided Reading this week we have examined two non-fiction texts and explored how the author and web designer have used persuasive techniques. In English we have been practising descriptive writing, building up a descriptive scene through small details. In our geography Topic, we have been learning about bio mass and bio gas as renewable energy sources. We have also used atlases to compare the distribution of wealth and other resources, using maps of Africa and the world.

WB 13 November

This week in Year 5/6, we have been busy completing assessments in Reading and Maths. In our geography Topic, we have been learning about geothermal and tidal energy and the advantages and disadvantages of these renewable and sustainable resources. Building on our UK Parliament Week last week, we have been talking about the government and the recent cabinet reshuffle. We have also been discussing current events such as the protest marches in London re the situation in Gaza and whether there should be a ceasefire on humanitarian grounds. We are thoroughly enjoying reading Harry Potter and looking forward to designing a new shop for Diagon Alley

WB 6 November

In Year 5/6 we have had a varied and lively week. This is the week we commemorate the Festival of Remembrance and reflect on the sacrifices made by so many during WW1 and subsequently in various conflicts. We have been reading some war poetry – both modern and from the time and reflecting on these.  On Friday we will be joining the rest of the school to lay our poppies in our Remembrance Commemoration. This week, too, is UK parliament Week. The children have been learning about the mechanisms of government, including how Parliament functions.  We have discussed the Monarch’s role within Government and watched part of the King’s Opening of Parliament speech.  We have been thinking about Democracy and the hallmarks of democratic countries such as: Freedom of speech, Equal rights, Free and fair elections and the free press amongst others.

We had our second R.E day on Wednesday, in which we investigated the deeper meaning of various festivals, ranging from Christmas to why the Langar exists in Sikh temples. We also had our first outdoor learning day of the year, which the children thoroughly enjoyed. We took part in a range of outdoor activities.

WB 30 October

I hope you all had an enjoyable half-term holiday.  The children are delighted that we will be reading the fantastic novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone this term. In Topic, we have been learning about the key concept of sustainability and renewable energy sources. We will be learning about Moja Island, which is located off the coast of Africa, where there is no mains electricity. The children will be acting as consultants, advising which renewable energy sources they would recommend  based on the differing available resources. In Maths, we have been practising formal methods for division. 

Next week, on Thursday, we will have an outdoor learning day, so please ensure the children are dressed warmly in rain proof clothes.