Autumn 2
English
In English, Year 5 are exploring Cosmic Disco Poems by Grace Nichols. It is a collection of poems about animals, nature, and the wonder of the cosmos. Examples include 'Lady winter's rap', 'Aurora Borealis' and 'Sky-artist'. We will use our exploration of senses, targeted emotional language, and literary devices such as alliteration, metaphor, personification and hyperbole to describe the universe as we experience it. The next text Year 5 will explore is Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories, which are imaginative stories written in the style of a myth, which edxplain why the natural world is the way it is. For example: ‘How the Camel got his Hump,’ ‘How the Rhinoceros got his Skin,’ and ‘How the Leopard got his Spots’. Children will compare the archaic language and style with modern stories, and will learn how to mimic this style. They will recap what parts make up a story and will focus on writing description and using rhyme and repetition to engage their readers.
Guided Reading
In Guided Reading, Year 5 are reading I Know What You Did Last Wednesday by Anthony Horowitz, a humorous whodunnit murder mystery set in the UK. Children will experience the story through the eyes of Nick, the younger brother of Tim Diamond - a private detective who was invited to a class reunion on a remote Scottish island when a murder occurs. Children will explore themes such as revenge, family, incompetence, and the satirical, unimpressed voice in which the story is told. We will explore how words and phrases can be taken literally and figuratively, and the different ways the author uses humour to create an interesting, fun, suspense-filled mystery.
Throughout the unit, children will develop the key reading skills of vocabulary, retrieval, inference, prediction, summarising and sequencing. They will explore how authors use language, structure and presentation to create meaning and consider the impact of particular words and phrases on the reader. Children will also learn to identify key ideas and themes, make comparisons within and across texts, justify their opinions using evidence from the text, distinguish between fact and opinion, and discuss what they have read with confidence.
Through thoughtful discussion and carefully chosen questions, the children will deepen their comprehension skills while developing empathy and a greater understanding of the world around them.
Maths
In Maths, pupils are multiplying and dividing 3- and 4-digit numbers by single- and double-digit numbers. They will define multiples, factors and common factors, work with prime numbers, square numbers and cube numbers. They will multiply by 10, 100 and 1000 through use of a variety of methods and will move on to multiply by 2-digit numbers. They will learn to begin to divide by 10, 100 and 1000, with and without remainders using multiple methods, including number bonds and long and short division. Children also learn to read and create graphs, solve word problems and then continue with the topic of fractions, including dividing and multiplying fractions by whole numbers. They will show improper fractions and mixed numbers using pictures, find equivalent fractions, compare and order fractions and utilise the number bond strategy, known as number pairs, in their work with fractions. They will review adding fractions, with a focus on fractions with different denominators and fractions that create improper fractions and mixed numbers. Then they subtract fractions that are different, finding common denominators and subtracting mixed numbers and improper fractions.
Computing
In Computing, Year 5 will be developing their understanding of online safety, learning how to use technology safely, responsibly and respectfully. Children will explore the importance of protecting personal information, making sensible choices online and knowing what to do if they encounter something that concerns them. They will continue to develop their coding and programming skills using Busy Things, and will use Lego Wedo: Grabbing Objects Robot Arm, Inspection Spider, Snow Plow and Catarpiller. We will also use javascript/building blocks through Microbits. Learning to code will help children strengthen their logical thinking, problem-solving and computational skills.
Science
Earth and Space: In this unit pupils will describe the movement of Earth, and other planets, relative to the Sun in our Solar System. They will describe the movement of the Moon relative to Earth and describe the Sun, Earth and the Moon as approximately spherical bodies. Pupils will use the idea of Earth’s rotation to explain day and night and the apparent movement of the Sun across the sky. They will also have the opportunity to find out about how ideas about the solar system have developed and changed over time.
Working Scientifically, children will have the opportunity to plan an enquiry using a shadow stick and look at changes over time. They will take accurate measurements of the shadows formed, decide how to record them and present their findings. They will also identify scientific evidence that has been used to support or refute changing ideas about the Solar System.
As with all areas of our curriculum, scientific learning will be thoughtfully connected to Qur’anic teachings, encouraging children to reflect on the signs of Allah within the natural world. For example, when exploring mixtures and separation, children will reflect upon Surah Ar-Rahman (55:19–20), where Allah tells us, in simple English: “He brings the two bodies of water together, yet between them is a barrier they do not cross.” This connection will be woven into lessons, encouraging children to develop their scientific curiosity while reflecting on the wonder, order and complexity of Allah’s creation.
Geography
In Geography, children will be exploring the world’s climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts. They will ask questions such as: What is the position and significance of the Prime/Greenwich Meridian and time zones? How can we use the 8 points of a compass and 4-figure grid references to identify features on a map? Why is it hotter in some place than in others? How does climate differ around the world? How can we describe how climate zones vary? What is a biome? What are vegetation belts and where are they located in the world? They will explore these questions through a mix of locational and place knowledge, human and physical geography and learning new geographical skills.
DT
The focus will be on textiles, giving students the opportunity to explore different materials and their uses, and make their own bag. They will evaluate bags considering appearance, function, cost and safety and identify the different materials that have been used in a bag and why they have been chosen. They will use a pattern template to practise joining material using sewing techniques and develop a design specification by choosing suitable materials and techniques for a bag. Then they will learn to join the fabric parts and use decorative techniques to achieve a well-constructed and finished bag, which they will spend a few weeks doing. Lastly, they will evaluate their finished bag against their original design criteria, thinking about the user, purpose, and quality of the final product.
PSHE
In PSHE, Year 5 will continue to explore The Zones of Regulation. Children will learn to recognise, name and understand a range of emotions, while developing practical strategies to help them self-regulate, manage their feelings and respond positively to challenges. They will consider how their emotions can influence their behaviour and relationships and learn how to seek support when needed. Through discussions and activities, children will also develop resilience, empathy, self-awareness and respect for others, helping them to feel confident and ready for the year ahead.
P.E
P.E. will be on Tuesdays. Please ensure that your child comes to school wearing their P:E kit on that day.
Please can children bring a refillable plastic water bottle every day.
Thank you for your support this term.
"If there are any questions or worries relating to your child, please do not hesitate to speak with us."
Ustadha Ahmed and Ustadha Daudi
Autumn 1
ENGLISH
In English, Year 5 are exploring The Journey by Francesca Sanna, a powerful and thought-provoking story about a family seeking safety and a new home. Through the story, the children will develop their understanding of empathy by considering the thoughts, feelings and experiences of the characters.
The children will use these ideas to inspire their own writing, including heartfelt letters and imaginative poetry. They will also explore how figurative language can bring writing to life, experimenting with similes, metaphors and personification to create vivid descriptions and express emotions effectively.
GUIDED READING
In Guided Reading, Year 5 are exploring Oranges in No Man’s Land by Elizabeth Laird, a powerful story set during the Lebanese Civil War. Through Ayesha’s experiences, the children will explore themes of courage, family, conflict and hope while developing their understanding of different perspectives and experiences.
Throughout the unit, children will develop the key reading skills of vocabulary, retrieval, inference, prediction, summarising and sequencing. They will explore how authors use language, structure and presentation to create meaning and consider the impact of particular words and phrases on the reader. Children will also learn to identify key ideas and themes, make comparisons within and across texts, justify their opinions using evidence from the text, distinguish between fact and opinion, and discuss what they have read with confidence.
Through thoughtful discussion and carefully chosen questions, the children will deepen their comprehension skills while developing empathy and a greater understanding of the world around them.
MATHS
In Maths this autumn term, Year 5 will be developing their understanding of place value, working with numbers up to 1,000,000. Children will learn to confidently read, write, order and compare six-digit numbers, as well as write numbers correctly in words. They will develop their rounding skills, rounding numbers to the nearest 10, 100, 1,000, 10,000 and 100,000, and use number lines to identify and position larger numbers. Children will also apply their mathematical knowledge to interpret information and data presented in tables and solve a range of reasoning and problem-solving questions.
COMPUTING
In Computing, Year 5 will be developing their understanding of online safety, learning how to use technology safely, responsibly and respectfully. Children will explore the importance of protecting personal information, making sensible choices online and knowing what to do if they encounter something that concerns them. They will also develop their coding and programming skills using Busy Things, learning how to create, run and debug programs while exploring concepts such as sequences, loops, conditions and variables. Through practical activities, children will strengthen their logical thinking, problem-solving and computational skills.
SCIENCE
In Science, Year 5 will be exploring mixtures and separation, learning how different materials can be separated using methods such as sieving, filtering and evaporation. Children will investigate the properties of different materials, make predictions and carry out practical experiments to discover which separation method is most effective.
As with all areas of our curriculum, scientific learning will be thoughtfully connected to Qur’anic teachings, encouraging children to reflect on the signs of Allah within the natural world. For example, when exploring mixtures and separation, children will reflect upon Surah Ar-Rahman (55:19–20), where Allah tells us, in simple English: “He brings the two bodies of water together, yet between them is a barrier they do not cross.” This connection will be woven into lessons, encouraging children to develop their scientific curiosity while reflecting on the wonder, order and complexity of Allah’s creation.
HISTORY
In History, Year 5 will be exploring Early Islamic Civilisation, with a particular focus on Iraq and the city of Baghdad during the Abbasid period. Children will discover how Baghdad grew into an important centre of learning, culture, science, medicine and mathematics, and explore the significance of the House of Wisdom.
They will learn about influential figures associated with this remarkable period, including Caliph Harun al-Rashid, Al-Khwarizmi, whose mathematical work helped shape the development of algebra, and Al-Kindi, a celebrated scholar who contributed to areas including mathematics, medicine and philosophy. Children will consider how scholars preserved, developed and shared knowledge and how their achievements continue to influence our lives today.
Throughout the topic, children will develop key historical skills by examining sources, placing events on timelines, exploring cause and consequence, comparing different periods and distinguishing between historical evidence and interpretation.
DT
This term in Year 5, the focus will be on sculpture, giving students the opportunity to explore three-dimensional art and develop their creativity through hands-on work. Pupils will investigate different sculpting techniques and materials—such as clay, wire, and recycled objects—while studying the work of famous sculptors for inspiration. They will experiment with form, texture, and structure, learning how to shape and join materials to bring their artistic ideas to life. Throughout the unit, students will design, create, and evaluate their own sculptures, developing both their technical skills and their understanding of how sculpture can be used to express ideas and emotions.
PSHE
In PSHE, Year 5 will begin the year by exploring New Beginnings and the Zones of Regulation. Children will learn to recognise, name and understand a range of emotions, while developing practical strategies to help them self-regulate, manage their feelings and respond positively to challenges. They will consider how their emotions can influence their behaviour and relationships and learn how to seek support when needed. Through discussions and activities, children will also develop resilience, empathy, self-awareness and respect for others, helping them to feel confident and ready for the year ahead.
PE
P.E. will be on Tuesdays. Please ensure that your child comes to school wearing their P:E kit on that day.
Please can children bring a refillable plastic water bottle every day.
Thank you in anticipation of your support this term
"If there are any questions or worries relating to your child please do not hesitate to speak to us."
Ustatha Ahmed and Ustatha Daudi
