Welcome to Herons Class

Autumn Term 2017

Welcome back everyone and I hope you all enjoyed the summer break. I am very excited to be working with the year 5 and 6 children this year!

Curriculum:

This term our topic is ‘Winged things” and we will be looking at all manner of things that fly in science, in literature and in terms of geography and history.

In geography, we will be looking at the location of the WWII airfields at Mepal and Witchford and will also be looking at the location of the first hover train test track at Sutton.

In history, we will look at the history of the aircraft stationed in Mepal, early balloon flights in Norfolk and at the history of the hover train, which was tested at Earith and is the forerunner of the Japanese bullet trains.

Science will focus on adaptations birds have made in order to fly as well as on forces and different types of propulsion.

In literacy this term we will be reading Skellig by David Almand and will write a variety of different factual and recount texts to reflect our learning in science and humanities as well as in literacy. We will be focusing particularly on spelling and grammar this term before concentrating on writing style later in the year.

In maths we will be consolidating our knowledge of place value and the four operations including using traditional algorithms before applying these skills to fractions and decimals.

ICT lessons will continue with Mr Moore and PE will continue to be taught by Premier sports. Madame Bending will be teaching modern foreign languages and music this year.

Things to note:

Our first trip will be for the Year 5’s to the fire safety event at Ely fire station. This will be held on 16th October from 12.30pm until 2.45pm - a letter with more details will be issued shortly.

Homework will be given out on Mondays and will be due in on the Friday of that week.

All year 5/6 children are expected to read for 15 minutes every day. I would be grateful if parents could sign the reading record to show that the children have done this - it is not necessary for you to listen to your children’s reading every day but progress in reading is accelerated when children have access to help with new or difficult words.

In addition to reading and set homework, children can enhance their learning using our grammar and times tables packages available on the internet. Your children are aware of this and have logins for Spag.com and Timetables Rockstars, both of which may be accessed via the school website or directly on the Internet.

If you have any questions about this terms activities or how you can further support your child in their studies please speak to me or email me via the school office office@mepalwitcham.cambs.sch.uk

Thank you

Mrs Francis