Morpurgo Class Year 5
Term 5
Welcome to term five! We hope everybody had a wonderful break and are ready for a great term ahead. In English we're exploring a new text called 'Goodnight Mister Tom' by Michelle Magorian, which is a novel set in World War 2. The children are also studying this topic in History which helps bridge their learning between the two subjects.
We began unpacking this novel by focusing on the life experiences of an evacuee child during the War. As a result, we also did role-play which was an opportunity for the children to put themselves in their shoes and understand what each child would have gone through during that time. We learnt about the identity tags that they used to carry with them and how they had to pack their belongings in a small suitcase or a pillowcase if they were poor.
During the week, we took these experiences and transformed them into a diary entry written in the role of an evacuee child. The challenge was also to use expanded noun phrases in this piece of writing. Take a look at some of the examples of year 5's work:
Easter Bonnets
Trip to the London Eye
Welcome back to term 2
Our topic this term is 'Antarctica'. We have begun our learning by looking at a focus text based on The Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition between 1914-1917 where Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew attempted to make the first land crossing of the Antarctic continent.
We are learning this alongside some other interesting topics in RE, art, science and computing, please see the medium term plans attached for more information.
I am setting a class challenge to make their own icebergs at home. If you fancy a fun challenge, please click the link below and try out the iceberg experiment. If you can, please feel free to take photographs and send them in for the class to see on our learning wall.
https://onlypassionatecuriosity.com/instant-ice-science-experiment-for-kids/
Some reminders:
- PE is on a Monday afternoon. As the weather is colder, please send in appropriate trousers and jumpers (inc trainers)
- Children must attend school in the correct school uniform.
- Children should read 5 times a week for 20 minutes each time and record this in the reading record books.
- Homework is given on a Friday and due back the following Thursday.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to talk to me at the end of the school day. There is a member of staff to relay messages at the door in the mornings.
Thank you,
Mrs Hill and Mrs Thurlow
Term 2 Medium Term Plans
Term 1/week 8- Stars of the week
Congratulations to:
- Bella (Golden Star) for being ready to learn and giving 100% into her learning. She has been a good example to her classmates with regards to manners, managing her behaviour and completing her tasks.
- Giovanni (Reading Star) for reading 5 times this week, which is fantastic!
- Tiffany (Scientist of the week) for her amazing answers to questions regarding changes of state, reversible and irreversible materials.
To end a great term, Year 5 had an amazing, informative experience at Horton Kirby's Victorian Day.
The day began with learning and experiencing what Victorian children did for fun. Far different from toys and games today, Victorian children would play simple games such as marbles, skipping, yo-yos, skittles, diabolo, cup and ball and so on. We found these games fun and thought that they could still be enjoyed today.
We ventured into Horton Kirby village and found many interesting facts about the landmarks and how they were dedicated to the head masters of the school, the architect and founders of the school as well as the church priest. We enjoyed completing this venture with a fun game of pooh sticks.
Back at the school, we found out more information about the school and the children and teachers that attended there. We were given real names of the children who went to Horton Kirby school in the Victorian era and dove into some role play. The role play involved a school classroom with a really strict teacher. Children had to complete writing, drawing, reading and reciting tasks which were met with disapproval from the teacher. It was really interesting to learn about how mathematics was taught when adding currency of the time. Using column method to add money and convert from pennies to shillings and pounds proved tricky for both children and the teachers. Some children got the raw end of the deal and received punishments of caning or wearing a 'dunce' hat! We are very pleased that this doesn't happen in schools today.
Finally, we had a chance to explore some Victorian artefacts which included a vast range of kitchen equipment, clothing, board games and profiles of real people from the school.
It is fair to say that we have all had an incredible, unforgettable day and learned about so much from the Victoria era. A great way to end a great term. Well done year 5, you were beautifully behaved and respectful throughout.
Victorian Day at Horton Kirby
Well done to Ollie for making a Victorian house. He used a cardboard box and some creative magic to bring a Victorian home to life.
We have been looking at William De Morgan as our Victorian artist of the term. He reinvented the tile, making them newer and better. His tiles tended to portray nature, in flora and fauna and animal images. We used this theme to create our own nature design which we then added texture and shade to. We also explored rotation and flipping in a clockwise direction using tracing paper to recreate our image. Towards the end of our art day, we created our own design on a tile using acrylic porcelain paint pens. 
Great job year 5!
Art and Design- William De Morgan
Brain-builder Homework
Welcome to year 5- Morpurgo Class
Hello and welcome to a new academic year. The children have returned to school bringing a lot of excitement and enthusiasm with them- a fantastic start to the year!
You can visit our class page to dive in to year 5's learning each term. You can also find out about weekly homework and other key pieces of information.
Key information:
- PE is on Monday- Please ensure that your child brings in their PE kits (shorts and t-shirt or tracksuit when it is cold and trainers). For health and safety reasons, please ensure that earrings are removed (if possible) and long hair tied back.
- Reading books should be bought into school each day. Children are expected to read five times a week. Books are changed every Friday.
- Homework will be sent home each Friday and should be returned the following Thursday.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to come and talk to us. We will be happy to help.
We are looking forward to an exciting year together!
Mrs Hill and Mrs Thurlow