This week in the classroom

15.1.26

The year 5/6 children have worked their socks off this week!

In English, we have continued our writing unit based on Oliver Twist by learning more about the characters of Fagin and Oliver. We have also analysed the model text, picking out key features and discussing how the author has chosen particular vocabulary for a purpose. 

In reading, we have started the book The Sleeper and the Spindle. The children have made some excellent observations and predictions about what they think will happen. We have used visualisation to describe a setting and we have picked out key vocabulary for clarification. 

In maths, we have reviewed multiplying and dividing by 10 and 100. We have also learned more about fractions, looking at equivalent fractions and decimal equivalents. We now also have a 6 week trial of Dreambox Maths. This is similar to Reading Plus in that children can log on and complete maths challenges at their level. We would encourage all the children to engage with this as much as they can at home to make the most of it. The login for this is the same as for their Reading Plus and can be found at the back of their reading diaries. 

In history, we learned more about seafaring Vikings and the different places that they explored and settled. We were all surprised by how far they travelled!

We finished off the week with music and PE. 

Well done Year 5/6!

8.1.26

We have had a busy start to 2026! Following the excitement of the snow, we got back to work, welcoming Mrs Dean to the Year 5/6 team!

In English this week, we started our new unit of writing based on Oliver Twist. We have been exploring what life was like for street children during the Victorian era. We finished off the week by writing a short setting description based on the Berlie Doherty book, Street Child. 

In reading, we have begun to explore our new class book, The Sleeper and the Spindle. The children have been making predictions about the book based on clues given and we are excited to start reading new week. 

In maths, we have been ordering fractions with different denominators. We have been converting fractions so that they have a common denominator, using the < > and = signs to compare. We have also looked at how we can determine whether fractions are bigger or smaller than one half by comparing the numerator to the denominator. 

In history, we started our new unit on the Viking explorers. We learned about the early raid on Lindisfarne Priory, looking at why the Vikings chose this location and what they were looking for. 

In science this week, we will be learning about how organisms are classified using the Linnaean system.

A super start back. Well done Year 5/6!