Merlin

Merlin Class - w/b 14th October 2019

We're already over half way through this half term and so much learning has been happening in Merlin Class. Our trip to Winchester Science Centre was a great success. You will find some photos of our day at the bottom of the class page. 

Here is a summary of what we have been learning recently...

Maths: 

We have now completed our Place Value unit. Over the course of the last few weeks, we have learnt to compare and order, round up and down to the nearest 10, 100, 1000, 10 000 and 100 000, count backwards into negative numbers and count forwards in powers of 10. Next, we will be learning how to add and subtract large numbers using formal column methods. On Fridays, we are continuing to learn about data and statistics. 

English:

The children's writing about 'Moon Seeds' was fantastic! They really did consider how to convey a sense of awe and wonder, just like H G Wells did in his story 'The First Men in the Moon'. You can find a link to all the children's writing at the top of the page. 

Currently, we are focusing on non-fiction writing. The children have been writing a non-chronological report about a moon called 'Pandora'. We have designed our own 'alien insects' and described them in a factual, formal style. 

Guided Reading:

We are currently reading 'FArTHER' by Grahame Baker-Smith. This is an emotive picture book with themes of flight, war and 'chasing dreams'. The children have really enjoyed studying the beautiful illustrations and making inferences about what might be happening. They have written a diary entry as the boy and a letter from Father to Son. 

Music:

Our brass lessons with Mr Baker have continued. The children have now started pressing down different combinations of valves to create different pitches. We are beginning to play combinations of notes to create a simple tune! 

Science:

Our trip to the Planetarium was very informative and helped the children learn even more about the planets in the Solar System and other galaxies. We are now discussing why we have day & night, seasons and different phases of the moon. We used Oreo biscuits to illustrate the 8 different phases of the moon...it was a really fun lesson, especially because we were allowed to eat them afterwards! 

Topic:

In our Florida topic, we have been learning about hurricanes and how they affect the people of Florida. The children are creating information leaflets for the residents of Florida, giving them instructions on what to do before, during and after a hurricane. 

Computing:

Our e-safety topic is almost complete. The children have learnt about age-appropriate content, setting safe and strong passwords, using emojis appropriately and staying safe with online profiles. The children will now use everything they have learnt to make an e-safety poster for younger pupils. Remember to look on the 'e-safety' page on our school website - you will find a link to the 'thinkuknow' website where you can play 'Band Runner' (a great game which teaches children how to stay safe online). 

PE:

We are learning to incorporate leaps and gallops into a range of 'space dances'. So far, we have created dances based on Holst's Planet Suites, 'Mars - the Bringer of War'& 'Jupiter - the Bringer of Jollity', the theme from 'E.T' and Elton John's classic, 'Rocketman'. 

DT:

In DT this term, we are learning about food and nutrition. So far, we have learned how to have a balanced diet and found out where different foods come from. On Tuesday 22nd October, Merlins will be walking to Tesco at The Meadows to take part in a cookery workshop. We will be designing and making our own burgers and side sauces! 

In PSHE, our unit of learning is called 'Being Me in my World'. In RE we are learning about Christianity and in Spanish we have learned how to say numbers from 1-31 and some basic greetings.  

Please visit our class page regularly to keep informed and find out what is happening in Year 5. I will also continue to post photographs, examples of work and reminders about diary dates etc. 

If you have any queries, questions, concerns or celebrations, please don't hesitate to come and speak to me at drop off or pick up times. 

Useful Reminders

• PE is every Wednesday but please ensure your child has a PE kit in school all week. 
• Homework books need to be returned every Friday so we can give you your spelling homework. Please aim to do a task a week from your homework grid and keep practising times tables and reading at home. 
• Merlins' Cookery Workshop at Tesco - Tuesday 22nd October, leaving at 9 O'Clock. We will be back at school by 12 O'Clock. If you are able to accompany us on the walk there and back, please let me or the school office know. Thanks, in advance 
• Please ensure all children bring a water bottle into school so they can stay hydrated. Please also make sure your child wears a coat to school as the weather will be getting chilly over the coming weeks. 

Thanks so much for your continued support for your children's learning. I am really enjoying being their class teacher and look forward to many more weeks of learning and discovery with them over the forthcoming term. 

Best wishes 

Mr Peaple