St Margaret Clitherow Catholic Primary School
We act with love, build our faith and grow as people
Year 5
Newsletter 18.10.24
Year 5 were inspired by author Sufiya Ahmed during her visit to our school, where she shared her experiences and journey as a writer. We feel very fortunate to have had her visit!
Additionally, the students participated in a ‘Code and Build’ workshop, where they had the exciting opportunity to code a vehicle and various mechanisms, then use Lego to bring their designs to life. Our Year 5 students showed so much creativity!
We are concluding our RE ‘Creation’ unit, where we have explored who proclaims the Gospel and the important role of Deacons, including the qualities they embody. The children thoughtfully reflected on their own Beatitudes and discussed how we can live fulfilling and joyful lives.
In Literacy, we have started our non-chronological unit and kicked off with an engaging ‘Experience Day’ focused on discovering fascinating facts about emperor penguins. We explored how penguins use blubber to stay warm, and the children enjoyed a hands-on experiment using butter insulation to compare the effects of dipping their hands in water with and without insulation.
In Maths, we have been analysing inverse operations in addition and subtraction, learning how to compare and identify similarities and differences in equations. This will help to develop and apply effective mental maths strategies.
I am incredibly proud of the hard work the children have shown this half term, and I am sure they are all looking forward to a much-deserved break.
Newsletter 27.09.24
Welcome to the new school year! It has been wonderful to be back with Year 5, and we are off to a fantastic start. The students have returned with great enthusiasm, and we are already diving into some exciting learning units this term.
In Maths, we have been focusing on place value, identifying the hundredths and thousandths columns, as well as understanding tenths and the power of 10. The children have worked hard using place value mats and counters to support their learning.
Our English lessons have focused on punctuation and grammar, working together to identify the subject and verbs in each sentence. The children have become quite skilled at distinguishing between proper and improper nouns and are now able to confidently construct single-clause sentences. We have also been working hard on handwriting, ensuring that the children are using cursive letters and practicing correct letter formation. They are improving every day, and we can’t wait for you to see the transformation in their handwriting!
In RE, we have been reflecting on our school mission and exploring the significance of St. Margaret Clitherow to our school community. We’ve also begun our Creation unit, where we are learning about what it means to be co-creators. The children have shown great faith and thoughtfulness in their ideas about how they can contribute as co-creators, demonstrating a deep understanding of their role in caring for the world around them.
In ICT, we have been exploring coding by creating our own games. The children have been learning to use decomposition and abstraction to break down real-life situations, which has been an exciting and engaging way to develop their problem-solving skills.
During our Geography lessons, we have been learning about mountains and how they are formed. The children have explored the Seven Summits and enjoyed hearing some wonderful stories about mountains that family members have climbed! We would love for you to send us any pictures you may have, as the children are eager to share these experiences. The children also worked in groups to present the different types of mountain formations, and their teamwork and creativity have been impressive!
As part of our Music, we have been channelling our inner blues, exploring the chords that are commonly used in blues music to create some fantastic musical pieces. The children have even taken it a step further by writing their own songs based on the blues, showcasing their creativity and growing musical knowledge!
We are looking forward to a productive and fun-filled year ahead, where we will continue to nurture curiosity, foster creativity, and build essential skills together. Thank you for your continued support, and here’s to a successful and engaging Year 5!
Year 5 Long Term Planning Map
Meet the Teacher Presentation
Recommended reading list for Year 5: 
Recommended Reads
Lit in Colour
Recommended book list of books by authors of colour
Penguin Books and Lit in Colour state that:
Books create belonging. They help us see each other and understand one another. They shine a light on the world.
It’s vital that the books we read in our formative years reflect the rich diversity of the society we live in.
Here at St. Margaret Clitherow, we have a diverse school community - 55.7% of our school children are from a minority ethnic background. We therefore think it is important that children have access to books that reflect who they are. Attached is a list of recommended reads put together by Penguin Books. You can read the research behind the inclusion of books by authors of colour here:https:// https://www.penguin.co.uk/lit-in-colour/parents-and-supporters
2023 KS2 Lit in Colour Book List