As the sun shines bright and we reach the final term of the year, we will journey to Benin from 900 to 1300 AD! The children will explore Africa’s past, discovering key events in Benin’s history, the significance of the Benin bronzes, and examining the decline of this remarkable kingdom, including the impact of colonialism. In addition, we’ll link to geography by exploring Benin’s location in relation to the Equator and the Tropics, while considering trade links and the distribution of vital natural resources.

In English, we will embark on a thrilling exploration of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, delving into its dark themes and complex characters. Alongside this, we will discover the humorous, heartfelt, and profoundly moving narrative of Wonder by R.J. Palacio. These texts will not only expand our literary horizons but will also provide excellent writing and reading opportunities. Prepare to engage in discussions that inspire and provoke thought, allowing us to truly get our teeth into these extraordinary works!

Our class book Children of the Benin Kingdom is fast paced adventure story, set in one of Africa’s most fascinating civilisations, the Edo Kingdom of Benin. Written by British Nigerian author Dinah Orji, the book appeals to any child that likes to be transported to another world and is about friendship, loyalty and the bonds of family. The story is rich in historical detail and the cultural traditions of West Africa and as accurate historical fiction it is also perfect for celebrating Black history.

Arithmetic and Times Tables

Year 5 will continue to practice essential maths skills weekly through a variety of engaging arithmetic questions. Mental arithmetic—adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing in your head—along with problem-solving using method and logic, are vital foundations for maths. Remember that all the children have access to Times Tables Rockstars; rapid recall of times tables is fundamental to much of their maths learning. Building confidence in maths early on will truly pay dividends later.

Spelling

Spelling skills are taught in school twice weekly following the Spelling Shed scheme. We use this opportunity to investigate and collect a wide and rich vocabulary too.

Please encourage children to login and practice their weekly words. There will be a half-termly test of twenty words taken at random from the previous six weeks’ lists. The children will be encouraged to revise the previous term spellings and to focus on high frequency words that are being misspelled.

Reading at Home

The children will continue to have the opportunity to change their reading books as necessary. We will regularly check that the selected books are appropriately challenging and cover a variety of genres. Please continue the fantastic effort by reading to your child and listening to them read as much as possible. Don’t forget to fill in the Reading

Record – it is very important! Re-reading passages, discussing the text, and engaging in conversations about the material are all incredibly valuable activities.

Homework

Each week, a spelling activity will be available on Ed Shed, and we encourage reading at home at least three times weekly—please record this in your child’s Reading Records, which will be checked every Thursday. A maths task will be set on Fridays and is due the following Thursday. Furthermore, twice a term, we will have a Learning Log activity. It is important for all children to complete their homework, so please do reach out via email if any challenges arise. Happy learning!

PE

PE is timetabled for Wednesday’s and Thursdays, but this is subject to change due to weather conditions. To ensure your child is fully prepared for every session, please send in their PE kit every Monday, and it will return home on Friday. It’s vital that the kit fits comfortably and is appropriate for daily use. Included in the kit should be a jumper, jogging bottoms, shorts, t-shirt, trainers, and spare socks. Having the correct kit ensures that your child can participate actively and enjoyably in their PE lessons. Thank you for your cooperation.

Please make sure your child brings in a named water bottle daily.

Trips and Shows

We are absolutely thrilled about our upcoming trip to the theatre to see Wicked – on Wednesday 18th June. This fantastic opportunity will truly open the children’s eyes to the magic of theatre. Building on this experience, we will be staging The Wizard of Oz production at the end of the summer term to WOW and delight everyone. Expect an unforgettable show filled with singing, dancing, and captivating storytelling! Let the adventure begin!

Thank you for your continued support.

Mrs Thomas