Year 5

Central Idea: 'The Earth is Part of a Vast and Complex Universe, Much of Which is Still Unknown'

Line of inquiry 1: An Exploration of the Complexities of Ecosystems.

Our first line of inquiry was focused around biomes and ecosystems of the world. We narrowed this down so once children could identify biomes and climates of the world, they could then focus on the ecosystems of the U.K. The children spent time researching the New forest ecosystem before focusing on the Nature reserve on the estate. Children carried out their own geographical study, collecting data before analysing it and presenting it in different ways. We looked at food webs and discussed how every living thing within a habitat relies on each other and discussed scenarios where a specific animal or plant was removed and the impact that this would have on the ecosystem. 

Line of Inquiry 2: An Exploration of our Solar System and the Universe 

During this line of inquiry, the children have looked at the solar system that we are apart of. To begin, pupils researched the planets in the solar system having generated their own questions they wanted to find out. They used this information to produce their own presentation of the solar system. 

Through the lens of DT, children designed and created (using paper mache) a planet and worked collaboratively to make a model. From this we looked at different orbits of the planets and children were surprised to know that Neptune takes 165 Earth years to orbit the sun, meaning that they would never have a birthday. 

Children wrote Clerihew poems about significant space explorers, and a short explanation of how the moon affects life on Earth. 

Line of Inquiry 3: Our Daily Lives and the Solar System are Interconnected

During this line, Year 5 children began to consider how the Earth and the solar system are connected. Children knew that we relied on the sun for light, warmth and food. Children identified how, due to the Earth's rotation and movement around the sun, it creates day and night. 

As part of this we conducted a science investigation, investigating how the length of a shadow changes throughout the day. 

Disciplinary Subjects: 

Maths: Area, perimeter, statistics shape (to be continued in module 6)

Science: Earth and Space

Geography: Biomes 

Computing: Block coding (conditions and outcomes), and digital art

French: Months of the Year

Art: Sean Charmatz

Music: Ukuleles

PE:         Tennis