Welcome to Year Five
Friday 27th January 2023
What an amazing week of fun learning we've had! At the beginning of the week we celebrated Chinese New Year and were very lucky to have a member of the class bring in Red Pockets as a gift of good luck and hope. It was a special moment and really brought the learning to life!
This week in Science, we learnt about a magnetic field and conducted an experiment to test which types of metals (and other materials) are magnetic or not. We also created a compass by magnetizing a paper clip and placing it on a leaf floating in a bowl of water.
In Art and History, we painted our Anglo-Saxon Crosses and learnt about how and why the Anglo-Saxons invaded Britain. We discovered that some of the places in England we know today are from the time of the Anglo-Saxons - like Kent!
Home Learning
Maths: Page 52 only - Metric Units (I have attached a measurement conversion table that we used in class this week)
English (SPaG): Pages 9 and 10 - Adverbs
Spellings x 8 : Recap of Y4 suffixes; words ending in -ous and -ious
dangerous / enormous / famous / poisonous
curious / obvious / serious / various
Reading: Please continue to read and sign your record at least 5 times.
I have noticed a wonderful improvement in spellings across the class, as they are beginning to embed the vocabulary in their writing! Thank you for supporting them at home.
Next week:
PE will be on Monday and Thursday.
In Maths, we begun converting units of measure, which we will continue next week.
In English, we read the book 'The Water Tower' and identified the features of mystery and suspense writing. Next week, we will start reading 'Boy in the Tower' by Polly Ho-Yen.
If you have a copy of 'Boy in the Tower' at home, please bring it in to school. At the moment, I have enough for one book per table plus some photocopies. We will be using this book all the way up until half-term.
Have a great weekend!
Miss Bhanderi
Friday 20th January 2023
This week, we started our History topic (Anglo-Saxon Invasion). We were very lucky to meet an author, Robin Price, who delivered an online creative writing workshop today. Robin Price is the author of the 'Beowuff' book series, that tells similar Viking stories to the book 'Beowulf', which is one of our passport reads! We also started designing and creating our Anglo-Saxon crosses in Art - we will paint them next week.
I am incredibly impressed with the children's written poetry work in English over the last couple of weeks. We have been using powerful adjectives, exaggeration and metaphors, to bring our work to life.
Pencil case reminder:
Please may you check that you have the following items for school - blue writing pen, green writing pen (for editing), pencil, ruler and eraser.
Home learning due Wednesday:
Maths book - page 36 only. (Multiplying fractions - I will attach some guidance)
Comprehension book - pages 2 and 3 (Portrait of a Dragon)
Spellings x 6 - Please learn the spellings with the suffixes -ably and -ibly
reasonably / understandably / comfortably
possibly / terribly / horribly
Reading - Please continue to read 5 times a week and sign your record, to earn your stamps.
Next week:
Have a lovely weekend,
Miss Bhanderi
Friday 13th January 2023
We started off the week with an Epiphany service at church. 'Epiphany' became our word of the week! We began all of our topic lessons - from testing the properties of materials in Science to researching Anglo-Saxon tools in Art/History. The children have shown a wonderful attitude to learning and are off to a great start!
We were invited to watch a dress rehearsal at Rickmansworth School, along with Year 6. We couldn't believe how amazing all the singers, actors and dancers were - and the stage and lighting crew (all roles taken up by the students themselves!). On the morning of that day, in English, we discussed performance techniques when reading poetry, so it was rather interesting to see those techniques being brought to life.
Thank you to those parents that came along! As always, myself and all the staff at St Mary's really appreciate you making these trips possible.
Home Learning
Maths - Problem Solving. Your child(ren) should have taken home a sheet today, which reflects the learning we have done this week. Try having a go at the Challenge X question if you can!
English (SPaG) - Pages 82 and 83.
Spellings - Please learn the spellings. Words ending with -able and -ible are adjectives used to describe something.
Reading - A massive well done to the children who have earnt their Silver Reading Badge this week! Please remember to keep reading and signing at least five times a week. You can change your reading book on any day - just let me know!
Next week:
In Maths, we will be multiplying fractions by whole numbers.
In English, we will continue on our learning journey, Poetry. We will be using illustration and research to make our writing meaningful. Every line counts!
We are currently enjoying reading 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' by C.S Lewis, in Guided Reading.
Have a superb weekend,
Miss Bhanderi
Friday 6th January 2023
Happy New Year! Welcome back to school, for Spring Term. Please continue to read, sign your reading record and bring this in on Wednesday. There will be no other home learning for this week, as we settle back into class routines and begin learning new topics.
Please bring in cardboard for our Art topic, if you have any (deadline 20th January). It must be easy to cut and no smaller than an average sized cereal box. I have managed to collect some over Christmas, but I would love for the children to have enough material to make their own Art project. I appreciate your support as always! :)
Spring Term 1 Topics: Invasion!
Science - Properties and Changes of Materials
History - Anglo-Saxons and Vikings
Art - Collage (making Anglo-Saxon crosses and jewellery)
RE - How is faith expressed in Islam?
Computing - Creating and editing videos
Music - South and West Africa
PSHE - Keeping Myself Safe
PE days will be on Monday and Thursday.
Home Learning and Reading Records will be due on Wednesdays.
Next Week
We will meet at Church for the opening service on Monday morning.
Also on Monday, Year 2 and Year 5 will have a Muslim visitor, who is coming to talk to us about the first pillar of Islam and the Qur'an. I have asked the children to come prepared with any questions they might like to ask her.
On Wednesday, we will attend Rickmansworth School to watch a performance. (Please see the letter from Mrs Palmer)
Take care,
Miss Bhanderi
Wednesday 21st December 2022
Christmas break has arrived! This week, we finished our Discussion Text writing unit and practiced adding and subtracting fractions in context. We completed our Science: Space learning journey, by looking at the phases of the moon. We discovered that the moon doesn't change shape; it only appears to because of the Earth's shadow. We also made Christmas cards and crafts, sang songs and took part in fun games!
Thank you for your generous cards, gifts and kind words! I feel very blessed to know such a wonderful group of children and families. I shall pass on a huge thank you from Mrs Mcleod too! We are both looking forward to seeing you all in the new year.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Miss Bhanderi :)
Friday 16th December 2022
What a fantastic last full week of Autumn Term! This week has been packed with all sorts of exciting festivities. On Tuesday, we watched the pantomime at Watersmeet Theatre and on Wednesday, we had Christmas Jumper Day/ Christmas Lunch. My favourite part of the week was the Carol Service, which was led amazingly by Year Five. I am so proud of the children's efforts and beautiful singing. Thank you for coming and thank you to the parents who assisted us with our chilly walk back to school!
Home Learning
Please continue to read and record your reading. Over the Christmas holidays, I would like you to rest and have a well-deserved break. Eat lovely food and spend time with your loved ones. I look forward to hearing how you have shown compassion this Christmas. If you would like to practise some spellings, I will upload the spelling list next week. I will also update you with our topics for Spring Term.
Next week
PE will be on Monday.
In English, we will finish writing our discussion texts and in Maths, we will finish our unit on adding and subtracting fractions. We will also finish our Science topic on Space. Whilst I am sad that such a brilliant topic is already coming to an end, I am excited for what's to come in the New Year - watch this 'space'...!
On Wednesday, we will break up for Christmas at 1:10pm.
Have a nice weekend and enjoy the rest of the snow!
See you on Monday,
Miss Bhanderi
Friday 9th December 2022
This week, we had our DT Cooking Day. We were very grateful for Mrs Mcleod and Mrs Allen’s help throughout the day. The children showed amazing listening and resilience when learning new chopping and cooking skills. They learnt the importance of hygiene when preparing food, how to make pizza dough, and how to chop different shaped vegetables, from peppers to mushrooms. I’m sure the pizzas were as tasty as they looked!
Home learning due Wednesday:
officially / especially / partially / essentially / potentially
Next week:
In English, we will start reading ‘The Boy at the Back of the Class’.
In Maths, we will revise converting improper fractions to and from mixed numbers.
On Thursday, Year 5 will be leading the Christmas Carol Service reading - 9am at St Mary's Church. Our song is ‘Silent Night’. It is sounding beautiful - please continue to practise the lyrics at home.
I look forward to seeing you all on Monday,
Miss Bhanderi
Friday 2nd December 2022
We have started our Advent time of the year! Each morning of December, we reveal part of the Nativity story, unwrap a wooden character from it, and open our chocolate advent calendar. Year 5 have been very lucky this year, as they have been visited by two Christmas elves - Eddie and Elfie. The elves have already managed to leave glitter everywhere and take a s-elf-ie on my laptop! (I wonder what else they are going to get up to...)
This week, we have continued our learning on Fractions in Maths. Before moving on to ordering, and adding and subtracting fractions, I would like us to become more confident with using our division skills in order to simplify fractions. Therefore, I have uploaded different Maths homework for this week, rather than the CGP book. Today, we used multilink cubes to practise sharing numbers into equal parts. We focussed on multiplication facts. If you know "3 x 4 = 12" then 12 divided by 3 must be 4, and so on.
In English, we planned and started writing a persuasive speech, answering the question: Should Shackleton go on another journey to Antarctica? We have worked really hard on making effective vocabulary choices to make our writing even more convincing. Keep up the amazing work, Year 5!
I noticed some children accidentally left their English homework book behind. If you are going to the Christmas Market tomorrow, you may pick it up from the school office. (I have also attached a photocopy)
Home learning:
official / crucial / special / artificial / essential / partial / potential / torrential
Next Week:
Have a fantastic weekend,
Miss Bhanderi
Friday 25th November 2022
I would like to start off by saying how proud I am of Year 5 for taking part and trying their best in the Fun Run! The way they conducted themselves and cheered everybody on, was superb. And thank you to all the parents and Coach Jack for supporting this.
Parents Evening Feedback
Thank you for coming - it was so lovely to meet with you face to face!
Home Learning due Wednesday
No spellings
Whatever you multiply or divide the numerator by, you must do the same to the denominator.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zsxhfg8/articles/zhbxxbk
Next Week
In Maths, we will continue learning about fractions – comparing and ordering fractions.
In English, we will be writing persuasive speeches, using the writing skills we have built up over the week.
Have a great weekend,
Miss Bhanderi
Friday 18th November 2022
This week was Anti-Bullying Week. We discussed what bullying looks like, acted out some scenarios and suggested ways that we could help if we see bullying happening; for example, telling a trusted adult. On Monday, the children worked together in their school family groups; I was very impressed by how they showed compassion and worked well as a team when taking part in the activities.
In English, we started a new book called ‘Shackleton’s Journey’, by William Grill. Our writing focus over the next couple of weeks will be on persuasive language. Some of the writing techniques include using facts to give evidence, fascinating the reader/ listener with interesting points, using short sentences for emphasis, and using the power of three words.
In Music, we have started learning our song for the Christmas Carol Service. It sounded so beautiful that I wanted to cry (with happy tears)! We also had a “jam session”, where we discussed listening skills and rhythm, and then took the instruments outside and performed in small groups.
Home Learning due Wednesday
There was a significant increase in children handing in their home learning on time – thank you so much!
middle, little, travel, tinsel, pencil, fossil, metal, spherical
Next Week
Children will need to wear PE kit on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
On Thursday, we are going to take part in a Fun Run. Please wear suitable trainers for running in and bring plenty of water.
In Maths, we will be starting a new unit on fractions – how to identify equivalent fractions, improper and mixed number fractions.
I have now spent a week living in my new home. The children were asking me lots of questions - I certainly missed them last Friday! I look forward to seeing you all at parents evening next week.
Have a delightful weekend,
Miss Bhanderi
Friday 11th November 2022
In Geography, we used Atlases to study a detailed map of Europe. We discussed the difference between human and physical features and found real-life examples on St Mary's grounds. We created our own map of Europe, by each cutting out a country and working as a team to piece it all together.
I was exceptionally impressed with the children's editing in Writing this week! They worked very well in pairs to read their cinquain poetry to each other, and then edit them together.
Unfortunately, there have been a number of children not bringing their homework in on time, which means they are missing out on consolidating their learning when we go through it in the classroom. Please talk to me if there are any issues surrounding the homework, and I will be more than happy to support you.
Wednesdays - hand in your home learning:
Have a lovely weekend,
Miss Bhanderi
Friday 4th November 2022
Our first week back after half-term is already complete! We have made a fantastic start to our new topics this week. In Science, we sang about the order of the planets, based on their distance from the sun. We used Chromebooks to research the planets in more detail. I was amazed by the number of curious questions by the children and their eagerness to learn more - they certainly kept my brain ticking! In Maths, we worked on written methods for addition and subtraction, which involved reasoning and problem solving skills.
Wednesdays: please hand in homework and your reading record
Home learning:
Next week:
PE will continue to be on Mondays and Thursdays.
In English, we will be writing cinquain poems, linking to Remembrance Day.
In Maths, we will look at written methods for multiplication.
I look forward to seeing some of you on Sunday for St Mary's Firework night! :)
Take care,
Miss Bhanderi
Autumn 2 Topics: Explorers
Science: Earth and Space
Geography: Maps (Exploring Europe)
RE: Incarnation
DT: UK Seasonal Food
Music: Composition and Notation
PSHE: Valuing Difference
Friday 21st October 2022
I can't believe we have already finished our first half-term in Year 5! This week, the whole school presented their learning about different women of Black History in assemblies. Year 5 have been learning about Alice Ball, a chemist who created a cure for leprosy. We conducted thorough research and presented our work to the school in the form of a narrated role play. I was so impressed by their enthusiasm and ideas, and what they managed to achieve in a short space of time!
There will not be any home learning or spellings set this week. You have all earned a well-deserved break!
After half-term changes:
From now on, homework books and reading records will be due in on a Wednesday.
Have a restful half-term,
from Miss Bhanderi :)
Friday 14th October 2022
Wow - what a fantastic week! First of all, I would like to say how wonderful the children were on the Legoland Trip. They were very engaged in the Science Workshop and showed great listening throughout the day. Thank you all for giving them the opportunity to go. (Photos pending!)
This week, at school, we undertook a science experiment called 'How does the shape of a boat affect the water resistance acting on it?' We made boats out of tin foil and compared a canoe shape to a rectangle shape. We found, as predicted, that streamlined boats move more easily through water. They have a similar shape to most sharks, planes and professional front crawl swimmers. However, the rectangle boat could hold more mass and would stay afloat longer, meaning it was more resistant to the water underneath it. The children wrote a prediction, method and conclusion; they also recorded their results in a table.
Home Learning – Please bring in on THURSDAY
Reading – Please continue to read 5 times and bring in the signed reading record on THURSDAY. I will double-stamp the ones that were missed this week.
Next week:
See you next week,
Miss Bhanderi
Friday 7th October 2022
As we came to the end of studying 'Monsterology Handbook' in English, Year Five wrote a non-chronological report about their own mythical and magical creature. We are working really hard to use the tools around us (thesaurus, dictionary, word bank...) to up-level our vocabulary - editing is a powerful skill to have and makes us great learners!
Thank you for all the recycled materials you brought in for DT. Our all-terrain vehicles are complete and filled with imagination and creativity!
Home Learning – Please bring in on WEDNESDAY (so they can be marked and go home on Thursday) *
Reading – Please continue to read 5 times and bring in the reading record on THURSDAY.
* Please find attached copies of the homework. I believe some books have been left in the classroom.
Next Week:
Have a wonderful weekend,
Miss Bhanderi
Friday, 30th September 2022
This week has flown by! Year 5 have been up to lots of incredible learning - Bikeability, research projects and DT modelling (and that’s just to name a few of the things!). Thank you for bringing in recycled materials. Please continue to do so, as we will carry on with this next Friday. So far, we have created linkages and levers out of coloured card and split pins; we made windscreen wipers (moving in a parallel motion) and snow shovels (moving in a perpendicular motion).
Home Learning – Please bring in on Thursday
Maths – Page 7. (Place Value in Big Numbers)
English – Page 15 (Clauses)
Spellings – Consonant Letter Suffixes (-ment/ -ness):
(happy -> happiness / lazy -> laziness)
Please continue to read 5 times and bring in the reading record on Friday.
Next Week:
In Maths, we will multiply and divide numbers by 10,100 and 1000.
In English, we will plan and draft non-chronological reports based on our own mythical creatures, inspired by the ‘Monsterology Handbook’. Even though our creatures are made up, we will be writing in a non-fiction style, so we will aim to include facts, detailed information and multi-clause sentences in our writing.
I hope you have a brilliant weekend,
Miss Bhanderi
Friday 23rd September 2022
Another excellent week in Year 5! In DT, we designed all-terrain vehicles, which we will be making out of recycled materials next Friday. It would be a massive help, if you’d kindly bring in any cardboard boxes (no bigger than a cereal box), cardboard tubes, and bottle tops. No plastic bottles, please!
We created information leaflets/ survival guides in Geography, which were so brilliant that I’ve displayed all of them in the Key Stage 2 corridor for the rest of the school to enjoy reading! We used Chromebooks to conduct research on famous mountain expeditions and explorers. I was very impressed with the range of conjunctions the children were using in their Topic writing.
Home Learning – Please bring in on Thursday
CGP books have been handed out today: 1 Maths and 1 SPAG. I have their Reading Comprehension books at school, which will alternate with SPAG each week. Home learning will always correspond with the learning we are doing in school.
Reading – Please continue to read 5 times and bring in the reading record on Friday.
Next Week:
Have a restful weekend,
Miss Bhanderi
Friday 16th September 2022
Hello everyone,
First of all, I would like to say how blown away I am by the exceptional level of work produced across the curriculum this week - what a fantastic start to the year! We have enjoyed researching temperature differences, mountains and extreme terrains, and have written short stories based on the book 'The Wolves in the Walls'. It was also my pleasure to teach the children how to play a chord (2 or more notes at a time) on a xylophone, as we begin to study the 'Blues' in Music.
Thank you for being patient with me on Zoom in our meeting yesterday! It was lovely to meet more of you. I have uploaded the “Meet the Teacher” slides, for anyone who wasn’t able to make it. I am also available after school if you ever have any questions. Your child/ children will have gone home with at least one reading book that they picked today. Some of them have chosen to keep the same book as last week. They are welcome to change a book at any time during the week or read a book from home.
Home learning:
Please complete and return this by Thursday, so it can be marked in school with the children. We are waiting for the CGP books to arrive. In the meantime, I have photocopied some work. Please find it attached. Spelling tests will take place on Fridays. I have underlined the tricky parts of the spellings.
Over the next couple of weeks:
In Maths, we will compare, order and round decimal numbers. In English, we will start studying a book called ‘The Monsterology Handbook’ by Ernest Dr. Drake. The spelling focus will be ‘plurals’.
Have an excellent weekend,
Miss Bhanderi :)
Friday 9th September
Welcome to Year 5! We have already had such a fun-packed week and it is only week one! They have settled in wonderfully this week and are already demonstrating such fantastic attitudes towards their learning. At our Start of Term Service at Church on Tuesday, the children thoroughly enjoyed walking back to school with Year 2 and were exceptional role models. Thank you to all the parent helpers that joined us; it was lovely to meet you.
We have begun learning about our new topics, such as Forces (Science) and Mountains (Geography). The children took home their reading books and reading records today. Please may they read at least 5 times per week and bring in their record every Friday, so they can be praised accordingly. More details about the Year 5 curriculum and reading books will be covered in our Meet the Teacher Meeting on Thursday 15th September.
Next week
In Maths, we will be learning to calculate with negative numbers and to interpret data on graphs involving negative numbers. We will be carrying out a mathematical investigation on the average temperatures of mountain climates around the world.
In English, we will be writing a report, with a focus on including co-ordinating conjunctions.
PE will be on Mondays and Thursdays – please come to school in P.E kit.
Home learning
If your child is interested in becoming part of the School Council, Ethos Council, Sports Council or Eco Council, they can either write a letter to myself, design a poster, create a presentation or make a video.
I hope you all have a restful weekend.
Miss Bhanderi