Year 5 Newsletter
Friday 18th December 2015
Welcome to the Year 5 newsletter!
Dear Parents,
We have reached the end of a very busy and successful term in Year 5. Since our last newsletter we have enjoyed a fantastic camp. The team of teachers that joined us at the Lady MacLehose holiday camp were very impressed by the positive attitudes, co-operation and kindness displayed by the students. Children had the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities and develop a range of skills including rock climbing, archery and orienteering as well as time management, barbecuing and making their own beds, to name a few! We'd like to thank all of them for making it such a happy and successful camp.
We have now embarked on our new unit, Where We Are In Place and Time (see below for more information). We have had some fascinating presentations of artefacts from many different periods of history this week, and this has sparked the interest and imagination of the students as they begin to delve deeper into ancient civilisations.
Over the past two weeks we have enjoyed a number of Christmas celebrations including watching the sensational Year 2 Show, listening to the festive school choir perform and watching this afternoon's entertaining staff pantomime. In the classroom we have enjoyed making Christmas crafts and getting into the Christmas spirit with songs and carols!
We are sad to say goodbye to the following students: Justin (5B), Andrew (5B), Hugh (5B), Edwin (5B), Georgie (5K), Jasper (5S). We wish them well at their new schools around the world. Stay in touch!
As ever, thank you for your continued support.
All the Year 5 team wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
See you in 2016!
Unit of inquiry
'Where We Are In Place And Time'
Central Idea: Evidence of past civilisations can be used to make connections to the present day societies.
Lines of Inquiry: An inquiry into...
What are the characteristics of civilisations and societies? (Form)
What connections can be made between the past and present (Connection/Reflection)
What are the processes involved in collecting, analysing and validating evidence? (Function)
How does knowing about the past impact on our lives today? (Responsibility)
The students have loved bringing in their artefacts and sharing them with their class. There have been interesting discussions about what connections we can make between the past and the present day.
We have also began to discuss the characteristics of civilisations:
G - Geography
R - Religion
A - Achievements
P - Politics
E - Economy
S - Social structure
For more information about 'GRAPES' click here
Maths
After Christmas we will be starting a new unit in Mathematics on Multiplication and Division. Here are the 'I can statements':
- I can use known multiplication facts to mentally multiply two digit numbers by a one digit number
- I can solve problems (including real life and word) involving multiplication of large numbers by one or two digit numbers using efficient mental and written strategies:
Doubling and Halving
Known Facts
Rounding and Compensating
- I can carry out short multiplication using a formal method
- I can carry out long multiplication using an expanded formal written method
- I can carry out short division using a formal written method
- I can use efficient mental and written strategies for division:
Partitioning
Chunking
Inverse Operation
Games
The second Games rotation is now in effect and will continue until 2nd February. We will inform you in advance of the change to your child's Games activity.
DRAGONS - Athletics
LIONS - Netball
PHOENIXES - Rugby
UNICORNS - Hockey
***Important***
Children playing rugby are strongly recommended to wear a pre-moulded mouth guard to every session. Children playing hockey must wear a pre-moulded mouth guard, long socks and shin pads to every session. All available from the PTA!
Celebrating Channukah in 5A
Sharing artefacts in 5D
Making edible snow balls in 5S
Sharing artefacts in 5B
Enjoying Christmas lunch in 5K
Year 5's Christmas Party!
Book Week
This year at Kennedy School we will be celebrating Book Week (11th - 15th January). There will be a number of activities happening during the week with a particular focus on Literacy. Year 5 will be lucky enough to enjoy a production by Faust touring theatre company.
On Friday of Book Week all students are invited to come to school dressed as their favourite book character. We are looking forward to some creative, inspiring costumes! Ask your child about Weslandia!
Important Dates:
- 4th January, Term 2 begins
- 11th to 15th January, Book Week
- 15th January, Book character dress up
- 28th January, Sports Day
- 5th February, CPD Day, school closure