Year 5

Central Idea: 'Evidence of Past Civilisations Can Be Used to Make Connections to Present Day Societies'

Line of inquiry 1: Form - An inquiry into the forms and structures of past civilisations 

In our first Line of Inquiry, Year 5 began by considering what is needed to be classed as a civilisation. We explored some of these elements using Ancient Greece. We looked at how they structured their governments, by analysing two contrasting city states Athens and Sparta researching their type of government, role of the army and everyday life of people. Students researched the past and then considered which city state would have been best to live in. They considered both sides of the argument drawing on their knowledge before providing their own opinion. 

Line of inquiry 2: Perspective - An inquiry into how historical evidence is gathered, interpreted and validated. 

During our second line of inquiry into how historical evidence is gathered. The initial focus began with analysis of primary and secondary sources using their inference skills of what they thought the object was and what it was used for. This then transitioned into an exploration of Greek pottery. Students examined a range of images showing everyday life, Olympic sports, and mythological scenes. Children read a range of myths including Perseus and minotaur and the Trojan Horse. Children used their sourcework knowledge to then write their own version of the Trojan horse myth before combining this with recreating their own Greek vase designs, connecting their understanding of ancient myths.

Line of inquiry3: Connection - An inquiry into enduing legacies of past civilisations on present  day societies. 

For our final line of inquiry, we learnt about the impact the Ancient Greek civilisation has had on our own society. We found out about Greek Architecture and investigated significant buildings like the Parthenon and their design features. We considered the purpose of these structured and their link to the Greek Gods. We also looked at how the Greeks used pulleys and levers to help them construct some of these monuments. A key focus for use was learning about the legacies we still have today focusing on democracy, the Olympics and language using a range of secondary sources. 

Maths - multiplication and division Fractions

Recall multiplication and division facts for multiplication tables up to 12 × 12 

Recognise and use factors, square numbers, cube numbers and multiply and divide by 10, 100 and 1000.

Fractions - adding and subtracting fractions where the denominators are different, converting fractions to improper fractions and mixed numbers and adding and subtracting mixed numbers.  

Please continue to encourage your child to use TTRS at home as this further supports your child's fluency when learning times tables.

Science - Forces

Through scientific investigations, Year 5 have learnt about air resistance, pulleys and levers. 

Religious Education

Our big question:

If God is everywhere, why go to a place of worship?

The children learnt about why different people from religious communities go to places of worship.

Interfaith week

This was an exciting week whereby the children welcomed a variety of visitors into our classroom to discuss different religions within our community.