WITHYMOOR SCHOOL

WHAT WILL MY CHILD LEARN IN YEAR 5 & 6 ?

Welcome to Year 5 & 6 :

During this academic year your child will study a wide range of subjects and topics. He/she will learn a variety of new skills and ideas. He/she will learn to read and write more fluently and become more confident with numbers. All of this will be much easier with your support.

As a parent or carer, you have a very important role to play in helping your child learn. Some parents are afraid of doing the wrong thing. The most important things you can do are:

•	Take an interest in what your child is learning at school;
•	Praise them when they have done well.
•	Reading

The most important way in which you can support your child is with regular reading times.

Between the ages of four and seven, most children learn to read. But even when they can read, you should still try to hear them read or read to them as often as possible. Sharing stories with a grown-up will teach them new words and will encourage them to become better readers.

Above all, enjoy your reading time together.

Finally…

Primary school is where foundations are laid. Make no mistake, there’ll be worries, and anxious times, perhaps some disappointments. But it’s also going to be exciting for your child.

Want to find out more? There’s lots of information for parents available at :

•

parentcentre.gov.uk

•

dfes.gov.uk/parents

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Set out in this booklet are the programmes of study that we have planned for your child. The work planned takes full account of the National Curriculum although it should be realised that the school offers many additional activities that are necessary to create a full and balanced primary education for your child.

The following programme of study explains the planned work according to subject areas. There is a structured approach to all subjects taught.

PROGRAMME OF STUDY FOR YEAR 5 & 6 CHILDREN

ENGLISH / LITERACY ::

This remains the key to all aspects of the children’s learning. The format consists of five ‘Literacy Hours’ with a sixth hour devoted to improving children’s extended writing skills. The children will be taught in ability groups to assist planning and to meet the needs of each child.

Autumn Term:

Fiction and Poetry	classic fiction, poetry and drama by long established authors
Non-Fiction	autobiographies, diaries, journals, letters, journalistic writing, non chronological reports

Year 5

Literacy- Voyage of The Dawn Treader

Instructions

Novels and Stories by Significant Children’s Authors

Poetry - Unit 1

Spring Term:

Fiction and Poetry	mystery humour, science fiction, poetry (nonsense forms)
Non-Fiction	discussion texts, different points of view formal writing

Summer Term:

Fiction and Poetry	well known author’s treatment of the same theme
Non-Fiction	explanation linked to other subjects, reference texts, ICT Speaking, listening, reading , writing, spelling, grammar, punctuation and listening skills are all included.

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MATHEMATICS ::

The programme is divided into units of knowledge which relate to number, shape, space and measurement, data handling and mental arithmetic. The children will be taught in ability groups.

The Numeracy Strategy places considerable emphasis on developing your child's ability to work with numbers mentally and to develop fast recall of a variety of number facts.

The children are taught Mathematics in ability sets made up exclusively of children in their own Year group, using the "Numeracy Hour" approach. The work incorporates using and applying Mathematics, Number Work, Algebra, Measurement, Shape and Space and Data Handling.

SCIENCE ::

Year 6 topics will include:

•	Interdependence and Adaptation	•	Reversible and irreversible changes
•	Micro organisms	•	Forces in action
•	Dissolving materials	•	How we see things
•	Charging circuits	•	Environmental enquiry

Year 5 topics will include:

•	Exploration of Science	•	Healthy living
•	Life cycles	•	Gases
•	Charging of state	•	Sound
•	Earth, sun and moon

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HISTORY :: Year 5 Explorers

The voyages of exploration 1450-1550

Exploration – Aztecs, Encounters – Spanish and Aztecs.

These topics will provide experience of a variety of skills and techniques including:

•	Knowledge of history
•	Interpretations of history
•	The use of historical sources
•	The ability to place these events in a historical perspective.

GEOGRAPHY :: Year 5

Topics include:

•	Traffic- Changes for Merry Hill/ Brierley Hill
•	Mexico
•	Coastlines

These subjects will be taught with reference to the following:-

•	Skills eg map work, field work using secondary sources.
•	Physical occurrences eg weather landforms animals.
•	Human influences eg economic settlement communications.
•	Environmental factors eg use of resources protecting and managing the environment.
•	Knowledge and understanding of places.

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

The Dudley Grid for Learning has provided the school with up to date computer equipment including computer, internet access, email connection for all students and teachers and new learning software. It includes learning system software to support pupil development in English and Maths; video conferencing; and the possibility of access from home. The computers at Withymoor are arranged in a computer suite, where each class has timetabled access during the week, and in clusters around the school for more flexible use during normal lesson time.

Schemes of work are based on the latest government guidelines. Included are such areas as:

•	Data Handling	•	Control technology
•	Word processing	•	Modelling
•	E-mail and Internet

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DESIGN TECHNOLOGY ::

Your child will be given the opportunity to develop their design and technology skills through a number of projects including the design of biscuits, musical instruments and toys which include cams.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (RE) :

The school follows the Dudley Agreed Syllabus for R.E. The work will have a underlying Christian approach. The children will also look at Islamic Worship, Christian Worship and the study of the Bible.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION :

Your child will have the opportunity to develop their skills in the following areas:- athletic activities, dance, games, gymnastic activities. Suitable clothing to be worn (see school handbook). No jewellery, please.

Children will need their PE kit on:

12B Wednesday and Friday
13H Monday and Friday

MUSIC

Year 5 and 6 will be studying cyclic patterns, exploring rounds and exploring sound sources.

The children will also follow the Curriculum 2000 scheme and use a number of resources such as Music Express

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ART

Your child will be given the opportunity to develop their artistic skills using a variety of media, e.g. paint, collage, papier-mache and use of I.C.T and sculptures.

The art work will be related to the topic work that your child is covering which includes still life drawings and paintings, collage and textiles in telling a story through art and 3D forms – Aztec pottery.

PERSONAL, SOCIAL, HEALTH EDUCATION AND CITIZENSHIP (PSHE)

SEX AND RELATIONSHIP EDUCATION (YEAR 6)

Sex education lessons will be given during the Autumn term, as part of their on-going Personal, Social and Health education programme. Parents will be informed when and have an opportunity to view the materials used.

YEAR 6 STATUTORY ASSESSMENTS (SATS)

Year 6 will sit their KS2 SATS in May 2007 before transferring into the secondary sector the following Autumn. Please try to avoid absences during this period.

VISITS

Over the course of the year it is proposed that your child will carry out project work in the immediate vicinity of the school, day trips relevant to the curriculum and residential trip.

[Reception] [Year1] [Year2] [Year3] [Year4] [Year5 & 6]

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