In our Year 5 science unit, we explore how different forces make things move, change direction, or stop. We learn about gravity and how it pulls objects towards the Earth, as well as how an object’s mass can affect this force. We also investigate air resistance and water resistance to see how the shape and surface area of an object influence how it moves through air or water. As part of our learning, we explore friction and find out how different surfaces can slow things down. We also look at simple machines like levers, pulleys, and gears to understand how they make work easier. Through lots of practical investigations, we collect and analyse data to draw our own conclusions. This exciting and hands-on unit helps us understand how forces affect the world around us while building our scientific enquiry skills.
Squirrel Class (Year 5) 2025 - 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to the class page for Squirrel Class.
Class Staff
Teacher: Miss Hought
Teaching Assistants: Mrs Bebbington and Mrs Healey
Here you will find all of the exciting and wonderful things that your child will be learning during their time in Year 5. If you have any questions, please use Class Dojo or speak to a member of our team at drop off/ pick up.
Thank you.
Miss Hought, Mrs Healey and Mrs Bebbington
Autumn 2
Our English text for Autumn 2 is FArTHER by Grahame Baker-Smith.
FArTHER by Grahame Baker-Smith is a beautifully illustrated picture book that inspires both young readers and adults alike. The story follows a young boy whose father is a passionate inventor, obsessed with the idea of flying. As his father’s dreams take him to unimaginable heights, the boy is left to navigate life without him, while holding onto the memories of his father's love and the lessons he imparted. With stunning, detailed artwork and a gentle narrative, FArTHER explores themes of ambition, perseverance, and the bond between parent and child. This heartwarming book encourages children to dream big and to believe in the power of family support, while also allowing space for reflection on loss and the passage of time.
In reading, we will be exploring a mix of different genres, such as stories, poems, and facts, so children can explore all kinds of writing. By reading a range of texts, children not only improve their reading but also start to enjoy different types of books. This scheme helps them become more confident readers while learning about new ideas and topics.
We will be using our different VIPERS skills: Vocabulary, Infer, Predict, Explain, Retrieve and Summarise to
improve our understanding of what we read.
'Reading for Pleasure' has great amounts of benefits for your child. In Year 5, we ensure your child has time to read for pleasure and we set time aside to read our class book.
Benefits of 'reading for pleasure':
Inspires imagination and creativity.
Enrinches cultural awareness and understanding.
Increases empathy and improves relationships with others.
Lifts well-being levels and improves mood.
Improves progress in vocabulary, spelllings and even maths.
Encourages children to take a screen break.
Read with your child every day even if it is just 2 minutes- this can make all the difference.
Record in their reading diaries to ensure that your child is receiving their stamp for their book from the vending machine, or reading buddy.
You could ask your child about what they think might happen next in the story, how do they think the character is feeling, who is the author and what do they do.
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During Autumn 2, we will be focusing on the following: Fractions, Place Value, Addition and Subtraction, Multiplication and Division.
We would like children to continue using Times Tables Rock Starts. Times Tables knowledge is so important! It is used in all areas of maths. If your child can rapidly recall them, this will support them when solving challenging maths fluency and problem solving questions.
Children will have ongoing access to their TT Rockstars logins at home.Please ensure that your child is practising them at home as it is very beneficial for their learning.
If you have misplaced your child's login, please drop me a message on Class Dojo and I will resend for you.
This half term in Science, we will be learning about Forces.
We will be completely a scientist study on Sir Isaac Newton.
In our Year 5 history unit, Were the Vikings raiders, traders or something else? we explore the fascinating story of the Vikings and how they shaped Britain. We begin by discovering where the Vikings came from, why they travelled to Britain and how their longboats enabled them to sail across seas. We then investigate whether the Vikings were simply raiders or if they were also traders and settlers, using historical sources and evidence to build our understanding. We look at their trade routes, what goods they exchanged and how they settled in places such as the Danelaw. We also examine their impact on communities—how their raids, settlements and achievements changed life in Britain. Along the way we learn to ask questions, compare different viewpoints, recognise bias in historical sources and build our skills as historians. It’s an exciting journey through time that helps us understand how the Vikings were many things—not just fearsome warriors!
Your child will have a music lesson each week where they will learn to explore their musical abilities.
During Autumn 2, the children will be continuing to have Ukulele lessons with Mr Lambert. .
Your child will have 2 P.E lessons each week. Please see the uniform timetable below for the days where PE kit or Forest School kit will be needed. This half term we will be playing Hockey and learning about elements of Dance.
FAMILY MATHS CHALLENGE: Every week there is a new challenge to complete in the Family Maths Challenge Booklets. Each challenge will earn a star on the reward wheel. If children help their siblings or other family members with their homework, they can receive an extra star for that too! It's a great opportunity to get involved with your child's Maths learning.
Every day- Your child should read as often as possible when not in school and this should be logged in Reading Records.
Other useful links:
Please see below links to useful websites for your child to use when they are at home. I will be adding to the list throughout the course of the year so please make sure you check for updated links.
Oxford Owl - Linked to our phonics Read, Write Inc programme https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/reading/free-ebooks/
Story Nory - A range of stories by classic authors as well as poems musicals and fairytales. https://www.storynory.com/archives/classic-authors
Story Berries- Read along with audio clips. https://www.storyberries.com
Monkey Pen- Free downloadable children’s books in PDF format. https://monkeypen.com/pages/free-childrens-books
Free Children’s Stories- https://www.freechildrenstories.com
Keeping Safe Online- www.esafety.gov.au/kids
Topmarks- A great way for children to practise many of their maths skills https://www.topmarks.co.uk/Search.aspx?Subject=16&AgeGroup=3
Newsround is a very good outlet for your child to watch each day to gain a wider understanding of what is happening not only in our country, but the rest of the world. We will be watching newsround every afternoon in class.
Squirrel Class (Year 5): Calendar items
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