Welcome to the Year 5 Class Page - Summer 2

As we begin our final half term of Year 5, we are excited to make the most of every remaining moment together. Summer 2 is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate how far the children have come while continuing to build on their skills and confidence. We look forward to engaging lessons, creative projects, and collaborative activities that will keep curiosity alive and enthusiasm high. This half term will also be a time to reflect on achievements, tackle new challenges, and prepare for the transition into Year 6 with pride and resilience. We are especially keen to encourage independence, responsibility, and a positive mindset as the children take the next steps in their learning journey. It has been fantastic to see their growth both academically and personally, and we know they will continue to impress us. Let’s work together to ensure a happy, successful, and memorable end to a brilliant year.

Year 5 Staff

Class Teachers: Mr Kulyn (5K), Miss Sutcliffe (5T)

Teaching Assistants: Miss Harrison, Miss Burgess, Mrs Williams

Year 5 – Summer 2 Curriculum Overview

Writing: 

This half term in English, Year 5 will immerse themselves in the inspiring true story Shackleton’s Journey by William Grill. Pupils will begin by writing in role as a member of Shackleton’s crew, creating detailed journal entries in the first person. They will focus on maintaining consistent tense, adopting an authentic voice, and using conjunctions to link ideas effectively. Children will also use modal verbs to express degrees of possibility, bringing depth and realism to their writing. Building on this, they will then craft an exciting adventure narrative based on a key part of the journey. Emphasis will be placed on creating suspense and cohesion, using expanded noun phrases to describe the harsh polar setting vividly, and incorporating parenthesis to add extra detail and insight.

Later in the half term, we will explore Polar Survival Guide, which will inspire pupils to produce their own informative survival guides. They will focus on clear organisation and layout, ensuring their writing is purposeful and engaging for the reader. Children will apply grammatical features such as colons to introduce lists and semi-colons to link related clauses, as well as using parenthesis to add important information.

Throughout the half term, pupils will continue to develop their handwriting, spelling, and grammar through regular practice. We look forward to seeing their growing confidence, creativity, and ability to apply a wide range of skills across both narrative and non-fiction writing.

Reading:

Guided reading takes place daily using a variety of engaging texts, alongside our new online reading programme, Reading Eggs. It’s important that children access Reading Eggs at home—each child has received a laminated copy of their login details.

Please encourage your child to read regularly outside of school. If you need book recommendations, feel free to ask. Lovereading4kids.co.uk is a fantastic resource, and we also have a wide selection of books available in school. Remember, comprehension and enjoyment are just as important as speed and fluency. There’s a book for everyone—if you're unsure what your child should read next, we’re happy to help.

Maths:

This half term, children will build on their mathematical understanding through the study of statistics, shape, position and direction, and negative numbers, following the White Rose Maths scheme. In statistics, pupils will learn to read and interpret line graphs and tables, using this information to solve a range of problems. They will also begin to draw their own line graphs, developing accuracy and reasoning skills when presenting and analysing data.

In shape, children will deepen their knowledge of geometry by identifying, comparing, and measuring angles, including right angles, acute angles, and obtuse angles. They will also explore properties of rectangles, using this knowledge to solve problems involving perimeter and area.

Within position and direction, pupils will learn to describe positions using coordinates in the first quadrant and will practice plotting and translating simple shapes, developing spatial awareness and precision. When studying negative numbers, children will explore counting backwards through zero, interpreting real-life contexts such as temperature, and solving problems involving negative values.

As always, we will continue to develop reasoning and problem-solving skills alongside fluency, encouraging children to explain their thinking clearly. Daily “5-a-day” activities will reinforce prior learning and support retention across all areas of Maths.

Please continue practicing multiplication tables at home. By the end of Year 5, children should confidently recall all multiplication and division facts. Times Tables Rock Stars remains a great tool—please ask if login details are needed.

Science:

This half term in Science, children will study Animals, including humans, focusing on how humans change and develop as they grow older. They will explore the different stages of the human life cycle and learn about the physical and emotional changes that occur over time, building a deeper understanding of growth, development, and wellbeing.

 

Geography:

This half term in Geography, children will develop their locational knowledge by studying Antarctica. They will learn where Antarctica is in relation to the rest of the world, explore its key physical features, and understand its unique climate. Pupils will also compare Antarctica to other continents, building a deeper understanding of its environment and global significance.

Design Technology/Computing: 

This half term in Design and Technology, children will explore Programming Pioneers, developing their understanding of how computer systems are used in everyday products. Pupils will design and create their own ideas for products that use embedded computer systems to monitor and control functions, such as doors or rooms. They will begin to write simple programs, as well as model and communicate their ideas through prototypes or computer-aided designs. Throughout the unit, children will evaluate their designs, considering the views of others to refine and improve their work, building both creativity and problem-solving skills.

Spanish:

This half term in Spanish, children will explore the topic of Habitats through the Language Angels scheme. They will learn key vocabulary to describe different habitats and the animals that live within them, as well as develop their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. Pupils will practice forming simple sentences and expressing their ideas confidently, building a stronger foundation in conversational Spanish.

Religious Education:

This half term in RE, children will explore the question, What is the best way for a Christian to show commitment to God? They will learn about different ways Christians demonstrate their faith, including following the Ten Commandments, loving others, and taking part in prayer and worship. Pupils will develop an understanding that people show commitment in different ways and that some practices may be more meaningful to individuals than others. They will also have opportunities to reflect on and explain their own ideas about what makes certain forms of commitment important.

PSHE:

We follow the Jigsaw scheme of work. This half term in PSHE, children will explore the topic of Changing Me, focusing on both physical and emotional development. They will learn about body image and self-esteem, as well as the changes that occur during puberty for both boys and girls. Pupils will begin to understand that these changes are a natural part of growing up and will discuss ways to look after themselves physically and emotionally.

Children will also explore what it means to become a teenager, including how to express their feelings about change and how to manage new challenges with confidence. Through this unit, they will be encouraged to reflect on their own strengths, develop a positive self-image, and consider the healthy choices they can make as they grow and prepare for the future.

Physical Education (P.E.):

P.E. takes place every Monday and Tuesday. Please ensure your child brings the correct kit: white T-shirt, black shorts, and black pumps. Track pants and a warmer layer are recommended for outdoor sessions. All items should be clearly labelled and kept in a named P.E. bag.

Homework:

Reading is the most important activity outside the classroom. With the right book, it won’t feel like hard work!

 

Weekly spellings are given every Monday and tested on Friday.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school office to arrange an appointment.

Mr Kulyn, Miss Sutcliffe and the Year 5 Team :)