A guide to your child’s learning this half term.

 

Invaded Island!

 

Spring 1 – Year 5 and 6

 

Class 3 – Elder

 

Mr Beahan, Mr Heynes and Mrs Callard

 

 

Topic

The main focus this term relates to the Viking invasion of England.  This will link to as many of our lessons as possible, including instructions (How to carry out a Viking raid!) and a non-chronological report (about their very own dragon!) in English, observational drawing in art and designing and building a model of a Viking raid.

 

In reading and writing, we will be looking at:

• Instructional writing based on a range of stimuli relating to our topic.
• Non chronological reports based on the ‘Dracopedia Field Guide’ by William O’Connor.
• Continued comprehension style questions whilst studying the book ‘The Star Outside My Window’ by Onjali Q. Raúf.

 

Grammar and punctuation work includes:

• Consolidating the KS2 range of punctuation including basic sentence structure.
• Organising work into paragraphs and consolidating using cohesive devices.
• Using formal language.
• Use of the passive/active voice.

 

Spelling:

• A range of Y5 and Y6 spelling words from the National Curriculum. These will be taught with a range of different spelling games each day and sent home to learn each Monday.

 

You can help your child at home by:

• Make sure your child reads for at least 20 minutes daily, recording this in their reading record and writing at least one detailed comment
• Ask your child to talk about the book they are reading and talk around the story (using skills of inference and deduction)

 

Help your child to practise and learn their spellings from the Year 5 and 6 list by asking them to:

 

Look at the word. Say the word. Cover the word. Write the word. Check the word.  Ask your child to think of a strategy to help them learn this spelling. E.g. hidden words, saying the word phonetically, breaking them down into syllables etc.

 

Maths

• Measures- including calculating the area and perimeter of composite rectilinear shapes using standard units, square centimetres (cm2) and square metres (m2), estimating the area of irregular shapes, volume and capacity. We will also recognise when it is possible to use formulae for area and volume of shapes and calculate the area of parallelograms and triangles.
• Multiplication and Division, including multiplying numbers up to 4 digits by a one- or two-digit number using a formal written method, including long multiplication for two-digit numbers; dividing numbers up to 4 digits by a one-digit number using the formal written method of short division and interpret remainders appropriately for the context. We will also begin to look at fractions, decimals and percentages towards the end of the half term.

 

 

Other Subjects…

 

Science – Properties and changes of materials.

 

French – Growing things – in this unit children will learn the names of some garden vegetables and how to say which they like and dislike. They learn how to describe the life cycle of a plant in French and work on the story of ‘Jack and the beanstalk’.

 

PSHE – Exploring emotions.

 

Computing – to explore online safety networks and the internet.

 

RE – How do people express their faith through the arts?

 

Music – Aspects of the music curriculum will be taught whist your child learns the songs for the Young Voices concert in January 2020.

 

Design and Technology – Designing and building a model of the Lindisfarne raid in 793AD by the Vikings.

 

PE – Invasion Games (Netball/Hockey) and swimming.

 

 

 

Useful Websites:

 

http://www.purplemash.com

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/daily10

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/ztyr9j6

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/interactive/games/viking_quest/index_embed.shtml – A Viking Game!

http://www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/vikings.html

http://www.topmarks.co.uk/english-games/7-11-years/spelling-and-grammar

https://www.spellzone.com/word_lists/listen_test.cfm?wordlist=2255

 

For online safety:

 

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

 

Home Learning

 

Children will be given one piece of English and Maths homework that will either develop, consolidate (or even extend!) our learning in class. They should spend at least 20-30 minutes on each piece, completing it to the best of their ability.  Children will also receive weekly spellings to learn.

 

Mr Heynes will hand out English homework and spellings on a Monday, to be completed and tested by the following Monday.  In a separate book, Mr Beahan will hand out Maths homework every Thursday, to be handed in by the following Thursday.

 

As well as weekly homework connected with the week’s objectives, children will also be asked to complete a termly project.  Please see the separate sheet with further information. This needs to be completed by the week beginning the 10 February at the latest.

 

 

• Named PE kit needs to be in school every Friday. Please make sure your child has appropriate clothing and shoes for outdoor PE.
• Swimming kits are needed every Tuesday from 21 January and for the following 10 weeks. Please provide a swimming hat, wherever possible.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact staff at school if you have any questions regarding your child’s learning.  Thank you for your continued support.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact staff at school if you have any questions regarding your child’s learning.  Thank you for your support.

 

 

For parents/carers of children in year 6. 

 

Dear Parents/Carers

 

Your child will be taking their end of key stage SATs in May 2020.  We hope the information below will help you understand your child’s SATs tests in a little more detail.

 

What are SAT’s?

 

SATs (Standard Attainment Tests) take place at the end of year 6 and are designed to test pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the key stage 2 programme of study. All year 6 children across the country are tested in English and Maths and this gives the government a clear picture of what standards look like. It also helps parents compare their child’s progress with children of the same age nationally. This is the third year that a year 6 cohort has been tested on the new curriculum that was introduced in September 2014. Consequently, the testing process has been changed to previous years to account for this.

 

What will my child have to do?

 

English grammar, punctuation and spelling test (SPAG)

Paper 1 – short answers (45 minutes)

Paper 2 – spelling (15 minutes)

 

Reading test (60 minutes)

 

 

Maths tests

Paper 1 – arithmetic (30 minutes)

Paper 2 – reasoning (40 minutes)

 

Maths tests

Paper 3 – reasoning (40 minutes)

 

 

What happens to the tests?

 

Tests are sent for external marking. Schools usually receive the results in July. Parents will be given a copy of their child’s test results and teacher assessments. The results of the school are used to inform school ‘performance tables’.

 

What do the results mean?

 

It is important to understand that children cannot ‘fail’ SATs. The information is used as a snapshot of where children across the country are currently working. Since the removal of the ‘old’ levels, the government has had to think of a new way of measuring attainment. From 2016 onwards, the raw score from each test will be converted into a scaled score and each child will receive an overall result indicating whether or not they have achieved the required standard on the test.

 

What is meant by ‘scaled scores’?

 

It is planned that 100 will represent the ‘national standard’. Each pupil’s raw test score will therefore be converted into a score on the scale, either at, above or below 100. The scale will have a lower end point somewhere below 100 and an upper end point above 100. A child who achieves the ‘national standard’ will be judged to have demonstrated sufficient knowledge in the areas assessed by the tests.

In July 2020 for publication of test results, each pupil will receive:

• A raw score (number of raw marks awarded).
• A scaled score in each tested subject.
• Confirmation of whether or not they attained the national standard.  In year 6, it is only natural that your child might feel a little nervous or apprehensive about what the week will hold – so there are a few things that you can do to help them at home.

     

How can I help them at home?

• Support your child in helping prepare them for the tests – but don’t overdo it.
• Explain that SATs are a way of showing off what they can do – and they cannot fail.      
• Make any learning as fun as possible.
• Give your child the opportunity to talk about any concerns.
• Help them with any revision homework in the run up to SATs.
• Encourage them to be confident in their ability – they have been working hard in school.
• Do something fun the weekend before the SATs tests to take their mind off them. Don’t overdo the revision or practice this weekend – it is important your child feels fresh and ready to tackle the tests on Monday morning.
• Make sure your child has a good night’s sleep before each test.
• Make sure your child has a healthy breakfast each morning.
• Send your child to school with some healthy snacks to have in between or after the tests.
• In the evenings of SATs week, keep any work you do at home short.
• Make sure your child is in school every day of SATs week. If they are feeling unwell it is important that they still come to school and try to do the test. If you are concerned that your child is feeling unwell during this week, please contact school as early as possible.
• Make sure your child is in school on time every day – the tests start first thing in the morning.

 

In school, we feel that we will support the children for them to achieve the very best results that they can.   We have every confidence in them!

 

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Mr Beahan and Mr Heynes