Dear Parent/Guardian

Over the academic year your child will enjoy a rich variety of interesting and exciting topics.

Our autumn term begins with the topic To Infinity and Beyond. Initially we will focus on the planets with an exciting hands-on trip to Jodrell Bank Observatory. We will look at the space race and the history of man landing on the moon. We will read George’s Secret Key to the Universe by Lucy and Stephen Hawking in book club. We will look at the moon phases and lots of science.

What’s So Great About The USA is our spring topic where we will focus on some geographical skills. We will look at Martin Luther King’s fight for equality and use his I Have A Dream speech to inspire our writing. We will also look at and native American settlements and their culture. During the spring term we will be going to the Robinwood Activity Centre for a weekend of adventure and fun. This trip is exclusive to our year group and is a great experience that we are sure the children will never forget!

In the summer term, our topic will be Ancient Egypt. We will be finding out about the Ancient Egyptians, their beliefs and the role that Pharaohs played in society. The children will research the construction of the pyramids and find out why the Valley of the Kings was built. We will have a history day to travel back in time to experience life as an Ancient Egyptian.

Here’s to a busy, fun-filled and challenging year!

Your Year 5 teachers.

Children will use their knowledge of Russia and learn about the rivalry between the Soviet Union and the USA, exhibited in the Space Race. They build on their learning in year 3 about the structure of the Earth and how night and day occur, applying their knowledge to the Moon, the planets and the seasons respectively. The identification of hemispheres leads children into learning about the significance of latitude, longitude, time zones and the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn which are introduced during the last year 5 topic around the USA. The children’s consideration of Stravinsky prepares them for critiquing Holst and constructing their own composition. The skills gained via the construction of a labyrinth in year 3 are utilised during the creation of 3D framework ‘lunar buggy’.

	School Learning Zone - Earth and Space
	School Learning Zone - Time Zones

Timetabled in the summer term to incorporate Independence Day (4th July), year 5’s study of the USA involves close examinations of persecution; segregation and Native American exploitation. This prepares children for their first year 6 topic which involves exploring the causes and events of World War Two. The context of events in the wider geopolitical landscape of the space race is made explicit, linking Russia and To Infinity and Beyond. This topic introduces the North American continent, allowing children to apply their geographical skills to locate states, cities and other physical features using maps at different scales. They deepen their understanding of the hemispheres, and use their knowledge of climate zones from year 4 to plot the USA and provide explanations as to how Native Americans were affected by their surroundings. The impact of settlement by outside influences can be compared to the invasion of Britain by a number of aggressors. The use of symbolism in Native American art and design continues themes examined in Russia’s St Basil’s Cathedral, hieroglyphics, Greek artwork and cave paintings. This will be revisited when looking at Mayan temples.

	School Learning Zone - Native Americans
	School Learning Zone - The Civil Rights in America
	School Learning Zone - Oceans and Continents North America
	School Learning Zone - South America

Year 5 continue to develop their Science Skills, Healthy Eating and Digestion and Earth and Space. Children identify organs and the digestive system while learning about the solar system, planets, the moon, day and night and seasons. In the spring term, they study Forces and Properties and Changes of Materials, investigating gravity, friction, air and water resistance, reversible and irreversible changes, and separating mixtures. In the summer term, the topics are Life Cycles and Animals including Humans, covering plant and animal life cycles, human development, and milestones from conception to death.

	Earth and Space Learning Outcomes	[pdf 289KB]
	Earth and Space Topic Mat	[pdf 287KB]
	Healthy Eating Learning Outcomes	[pdf 203KB]
	Healthy Eating Topic Mat	[pdf 197KB]
	Forces Learning Outcomes	[pdf 222KB]
	Forces Topic Mat	[pdf 200KB]
	Keeping Warm Learning Outcomes	[pdf 285KB]
	Keeping Warm Topic Mat	[pdf 275KB]
	Life Cycles Learning Outcomes	[pdf 207KB]
	Life Cycles Topic Mat	[pdf 204KB]