Hello everyone!
As the days grow shorter and the weather turns colder, we can really feel winter approaching. This week ended on a lovely note with our Kindness Carnival on Friday; the children did a fantastic job running their stalls, and it was wonderful to see some of you there!
Here is what Year 5/6 have been up to this week:
Maths
Year 5
Fractions A
| Aut.4.11 – Add fractions with total greater than 1 |
| Aut.4.12 – Add to a mixed number |
| Aut.4.13 – Add two mixed numbers |
| Aut.4.14 – Subtract fractions |
| Aut.4.15 – Subtract from a mixed number |
Year 6
Fractions B and Converting Units
| Aut.5.3 – Calculate with metric measures |
| Aut.5.4 – Miles and kilometres |
| Aut.5.5 – Imperial measures |
| End of Unit Assessment |
| End of Term Assessment – Arithmetic |
Literacy
This week in Literacy, we explored adverbs for probability and frequency in greater depth. The children learned how these adverbs can show how likely something is to happen or how often something occurs. They looked at examples, discussed the differences in meaning, and then practised using them accurately in sentences. Many students challenged themselves to create longer, more descriptive examples to show their understanding.
We also continued our persuasive writing unit, linking back to the work we did last week on modal verbs. The class began a new writing task with a creative twist. They were asked to write a formal letter to the government from the perspective of the tiger who was shot. Their job was to persuade the government either to remove the farmer from their land or to let them keep it, depending on the argument they chose to follow.
To do this effectively, the children had to think carefully about voice, emotion, and viewpoint. They drew on their knowledge of modal verbs to strengthen their arguments and used adverbs of probability and frequency to add detail and precision. We spent time planning persuasive points, discussing what the tiger might want to say, and thinking about how to structure a convincing letter.
The students showed excellent creativity and empathy throughout the task, and it was great to see them applying new grammar skills in meaningful ways.
IPC
This week our students brought their debate work to a brilliant finish. Each group presented their arguments with clarity and confidence, and they showed a fantastic level of respect while listening to one another. I was especially proud of their research skills. Many students came prepared with strong facts, relevant examples and convincing evidence, showing that they are beginning to understand that the strength of an argument lies in the quality and quantity of the research behind it.
As a class, we discussed what made certain arguments more persuasive and how evidence can completely change the way an audience responds. Their ability to challenge ideas politely and respond thoughtfully showed real maturity and growth.
After completing the debates, we moved on to our new focus: Ancient Rome. Each student has been assigned one of four key roles within Roman society — Legionary (soldier), Gladiator, Senator or Merchant/Trader. They began researching what daily life looked like for their assigned role, including responsibilities, status, challenges and how each contributed to Roman society. Students will continue this research and present their findings to the class next week as we build our understanding of Roman life and culture.
Useful Information
- Please note that even though the weather is getting colder, we will continue to have PE lessons outside unless conditions become too cold or unsafe. Being outdoors gives us far more space, which means the students can enjoy a wider range of activities, including football and other team games.
To help your child stay comfortable during PE, please make sure they come to school in appropriate clothing on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The school hoodie is ideal for outdoor sessions as it is warm enough for the cooler weather but easy to remove if they get too hot once they start running around.
Have a lovely weekend ☺️
Apologies for the lack of photos this week. There will be a lot of photos from the Kindness Carnival coming soon I promise!
