Year 5 & 6 Curriculum Overview
Year 5/6 Autumn 2023
​
-
In English, the text ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’ by the acclaimed author Michael Morpurgo is taught, which is a story of an eleven-year-old boy (Michael) who gets washed up on an island on the eve of his 12th birthday and meets an old man by the name of Kensuke who has lived alone on the island for 40+ years. Pupils will compose a letter from Michael’s perspective and will also write a guide about desert island survival. We also link our reading lessons to the text, where we use our DERRIC model to decode, explain word meaning, retrieve information to answer questions, interpret characters feelings and thoughts, review sections of the text and discuss why authors have used certain techniques in our choice lessons. A video-based story called ‘Little Freak’ is then studied through the Literacy Shed, enabling pupils to see an emotional and thought-provoking genre. Pupils focus on writing a narrative of the story, including dialogue and a flashforward to the future. They also write a letter of persuasion from Little Freak’s perspective, including persuasive techniques. Handwriting development carries on from previous years, focusing on legible, cursive writing at speed. Finally, SPaG is a key focus with the revision and introduction of all verb forms (including perfect, progressive and passive) as well as the full programme of punctuation, including semi-colons and colons to demarcate clauses being introduced.
​
-
For Numeracy lessons, we split into year groups. In Year 6 Maths, pupils work with numbers up to and beyond 10,000,000, including powers of 10, using number lines, comparing, ordering, rounding and reasoning from known facts. Negative numbers are also introduced contextually including addition and subtraction of them. All four operations are then developed in Year 6 with factors, multiples, primes, squares and cubes being a focus as well as both mental and formal written methods, all building on prior knowledge, including the introduction of the long method for division by 2-digit numbers. Finally, understanding of fractions is developed through equivalences, comparisons but also all four operations with fractions, including improper fractions and mixed numbers.
-
In Year 5 Maths, Roman numerals to1,000 are developed with place value focusing on numbers to 1,000,000. Powers of 10 are explored, encouraging pupils’ deeper understanding and manipulation of number as well as further comparisons, ordering and rounding of numbers. Addition and subtraction of numbers with more than four digits is developed with both mental and written strategies as well as multiple methods for checking accuracy. Multiples, factors, prime numbers, squares and cubes are introduced as well as multiplying and dividing by 10, 100 and 1000 to develop deeper understanding of the connections between digits. Finally, fractions are explored further in Autumn term in Year 5, focusing on equivalences, converting between improper fractions and mixed numbers and adding and subtracting fractions.
​
-
In Science, two units are studied this term: ‘The Earth and Space’ plus ‘Humans’ focusing on different systems of the body. Furthermore, pupils explore through practical investigations, making predictions, selecting materials, recording results and drawing conclusions for themselves based on their enquiries.
​
-
Our Irresistible Learning topic this term is entitled, ‘Eurovision’ and encompasses our historical and geographical learning. In History, pupils learn all about Ancient Greece and their influence on the Western World. In Geography, pupils look at our continent, Europe, in a lot of detail. A specific case study focuses on the human and physical features of Iceland.
​
-
In PE this term, pupils will be exploring hockey, basketball, football and yoga, with some of the lessons being taught by our Soccer 2000 coaches and some being taught by our school staff. This term, Y5/6LG pupils will be attending swimming lessons.
​
-
In Art, we will be looking at collage and printing as well as undertaking a unit all about how to draw considering perspective.
​
-
Computing focuses on Computer Systems and Networks, learning about inputs, processes and outputs, and Vector Drawings, where pupils create images in a drawing program by layering and grouping objects.
​
-
In Jigsaw, we are covering the topic “Being Me in My World” where pupils have the opportunity to reflect on their journey so far and their final year ahead in primary school before comparing this to children globally. We then move on to “Celebrating Differences” where pupils consider normality in a diverse world and power struggles. We use the Project Evolve program to deliver lessons on online safety, focusing this term on units entitled, ‘self-image and identity’, ‘managing online information’ and ‘online bullying’.
​
-
DT this term focusses upon textiles and pupils will be making a waistcoat. DT covers the whole design-plan-make-evaluate process.
​
-
In Music, learning focuses on the song ‘Living on a Prayer’ by Bon Jovi and a subsequent unit called ‘Classroom Jazz’. Pupils will be given the opportunity to listen to and appraise the songs, considering their own likes and preferences as well as comparing to other, similar songs with a focus on not only the melody and instruments but also the lyrics. Pupils will learn to sing songs and play instruments including the glockenspiels.
​
-
In French, key learning includes phonics and sounds, dates and vocabulary linked to the topic of school.
​
-
In RE, we will be exploring the Five Pillars of Islam and considering the key question, ‘How and when do Christians pray?’
​
-
Reading a variety of genres regularly at home, as well as keeping up-to-date with homework (which will provide opportunities to share and practise what has been taught in class) will support pupils’ development. Furthermore, all pupils have access to a Times Tables Rock Stars account, which they can access from home to help them learn and recall their times tables. We thank you for your support with this.
​
Year 5/6 Spring 2024
-
In English, the text and accompanying film, ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by William Shakespeare is taught, which explores this classic tragedy using modern-day, simplified language. Pupils will compose a diary entry from Juliet’s point of view as well as a newspaper report about the consequences of Romeo and Juliet’s families feuding. We also link our reading lessons to the text, where we use our DERRIC skills to decode, explain word meaning, retrieve information, interpret characters feelings and thoughts, review sections of the text and discuss why authors have used certain techniques as part of choice lessons. A short novel by Michael Morpurgo called ‘The Giant’s Necklace’ is then our focus for reading and writing. Pupils complete a unit of writing on a narrative based on the mysterious tale. Handwriting development progresses on from previous years, focusing on a legible, cursive script written at speed. Finally, SPaG is a key focus with the revision of all verb forms (including perfect, progressive and passive tenses) as well as a full programme of punctuation, including semi-colons and colons to demarcate clauses.
-
For Numeracy lessons, we will still be splitting into year groups. In Year 6 Maths, pupils will start off by converting units of both metric and imperial units of measure and will then move onto Algebra and Ratio, which explores problems using unknowns and number sequences as well as proportions and enlargements. We will then move onto looking at Properties of Shape, Position and Direction as well as measurement, including the perimeter, area and volume of shapes. Finally, before focusing on revision of key skills in the Summer Term, our last unit will look at statistics, including the use of graphs and charts.
-
In Year 5 Maths, we initially focus on formal methods of multiplication and division – both short methods (by 1-digit) and long methods (by 2-digits), including remainders; rapid recall of multiplication tables and facts are imperative this term. In the second half of the term, we move onto fractions, beginning with finding equivalences as well as converting between improper fractions and mixed numbers. We will also be comparing and ordering fractions as well as calculating with fractions.
-
In Science, we have moved onto a new scheme of learning from “White Rose”. Pupils will be studying the units of materials, animals and humans and life cycles this term.
-
In Irresistible Learning, we study the topic ‘Jungle Fever’ where we undertake historical and geographical learning. In Geography, South America is the focus, learning about the Amazon Rainforest and its physical and human features. In history, we learn about the ancient tribe: The Mayans.
-
In PE this term, pupils will be doing dodgeball and volleyball with our Soccer 2000 coaches, and pupils will be doing dance and badminton with their class teachers.
-
In Art, we will be exploring drawing techniques within a project called ‘Make My Voice Heard’. We do some experimental mark-making, taking inspiration from Mayan art, and we look at symbolic imagery and link it to modern day street art. Our second project is based on the work of Romero Britto where we look at compositions using bold colours and geometric patterns.
-
Computing centres around programming and data/information this term. In the programming topic, we use crumble boards and microbits to consider selection within physical computing, and in the data and information unit, we look at flat file databases.
-
In Jigsaw, we are covering the topic “Dreams and Goals” where pupils have the opportunity to reflect on their journey so far and their final year ahead, setting their own personal goals and thinking about their long-term dreams. We will then move on to “Healthy Me” where we will explore how substances affect the body as well as considering mental health and how to manage stress. For Online Safety, we use Safer Internet Day as a starting point for discussions on how to be safe and responsible when gaming, messaging and searching, and we use our Project Evolve lessons to consider privacy and security, health, wellbeing and lifestyle.
-
DT this term has a focus upon Food Technology through the theme of, “Healthy Cooking and Nutrition.” We will consider healthy ingredients, adapt recipes and make a healthy Bolognese!
-
In Music, learning focuses around ‘Make You Feel My Love’ by Adele, then ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ as well as exploring other pieces with similar themes and titles. Pupils will be given the opportunity to listen to and appraise songs, considering their own likes and preferences as well as comparing other, similar songs with a focus on the music, instruments and lyrics. Pupils will learn to sing songs and play instruments, including the recorders.
-
In French, key vocabulary from previous years will be revisited and then time will be dedicated to building on this word knowledge through the topics of ‘My Home’ and ‘At The Weekend’.
-
In RE, we will be exploring the key question, ‘Hindu, Sikh, Jewish and Islamic prayer: what difference does it make?’
-
Reading a variety of genres regularly at home, as well as keeping up-to-date with homework (which will provide opportunities to share and practise what has been taught in class) will support pupils’ development. Furthermore, all pupils have access to a Times Tables Rock Stars account, which they can access from home to help them to learn and recall times tables facts.
Year 5/6 Summer 2024
​
-
In English, the text, ‘The Boy at the Back of the Class’ by Onjali Q. Raúf is taught. Unable to speak English and seated at the back of the class, Ahmet 'the refugee kid' becomes the target for bullies and rumours. But Ahmet has also captured the attention and empathy of a fellow classmate, who will do anything to help him to find his family During the second half term, we complete a video unit called ‘Pandora’ from the Literacy Shed. This is based on the award-winning film Avatar. In terms of writing genres, pupils write a diary entry from the refugees perspective in the first half term, as well as writing a discussion text centred around the question, ‘ Should refugees be allowed to seek sanctuary?’ In the second half term, pupils write a setting description and a playscript based on the short film. We also link our reading lessons to our class texts, where we use our DERRIC model to decode, explain word meaning, retrieve information to answer questions, interpret characters feelings and thoughts, review sections of the text and discuss why authors have used certain techniques in our choice lessons. For handwriting lessons, Year 5 and 6 practise their joins. Spelling Punctuation and Grammar is a key focus within English lessons. By now, our non-negotiable expectations within writing are spelling most Year 5 and 6 common exception words correctly, using knowledge of homophones to support spellings, ensuring the consistent and correct use of tense throughout all pieces of writing and using correct sentence demarcation, plus the majority of KS2 punctuation forms, especially commas consistently to clarify meaning or to avoid ambiguity. In terms of genre-specific expectations, we expect pupils to consistently produce sustained and accurate writing from different narrative and non-fiction genres with appropriate structure, organisation and layout devices for a range of audiences and purposes. Pupils should describe settings, characters and atmosphere with carefully- chosen vocabulary to enhance mood, clarify meaning and should consistently link ideas across paragraphs using a variety of techniques including fronted adverbials, a variety of clauses and shifting to the passive voice or perfect form. Our Year 5 and 6 proof-reading expectations involve being able to propose changes to vocabulary, grammar and punctuation to enhance effects and clarify meaning.
​
-
For Numeracy lessons, we will still be splitting into year groups. For Year 6, the summer term is about consolidating learning ahead of SATs tests and making sure that knowledge stays fresh in our minds through a variety of post-SATs investigations, ensuring that pupils are well-prepared for Year 7 maths learning. In Year 5 Maths, the units of study are shape, position and direction, decimals, negative numbers, converting units and measuring/calculating volume. The learning around shape involves angles and using degrees to measure angles, calculating angles around a point, or on a straight line, using given facts, learning about regular and irregular polygons and learning about a wider variety of 3d shapes. In the unit surrounding position and direction, pupils should be able to plot co-ordinates to form shapes on grids and should be able to translate and reflect these shapes. Within the decimals unit, pupils learn how to add and subtract decimals, learn decimal sequences, and learn how to multiply or divide by 10, 100 and 1000. When learning about negative numbers, pupils count in multiples through negative numbers, compare and order negative numbers and find the difference between two negative numbers, or a negative and a positive number. In the converting units block, we use kilograms, grams, kilometres, metres, millimetres and millilitres and learn how to also convert units of time and use timetables. Finally, in the volume unit, pupils estimate and compare volumes and capacities.
​
-
In Science, Year 5 and 6 learn about plant reproduction, life cycles and reversible and irreversible changes. We also complete a mini-project based around sustainability, focussing on the huge impact of plastic pollution.
​
-
In Geography, mapping is the focus of our learning, where we study maps of the world and the features we would see on these maps, and then we study local level maps using OS symbols and grid references, as well as using digital imagery maps to create our own sketch maps and aerial views.
​
-
In history, we complete a unit called ‘Raid, Invade, Stayed’ where we learn about the Scots, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings and their invasions on Britain.
​
-
In PE this term, pupils will be doing outdoor adventurous activities and cricket with the support of Soccer 2000 and will be completing units based around athletics and tennis with their class teachers.
​
-
In Art, we will be focussing on drawing techniques by sketching a Viking Warrior. We will also complete some 3d art in a unit called, ‘Relief Sculptures’.
​
-
Computing focuses on a unit called ‘3D modelling’ where we will be planning, developing, and evaluating 3D computer models of physical objects. A second unit called ‘Variables in Games’ centres around exploring variables when designing and coding a game. In terms of online safety, pupils will use our Project Evolve scheme to learn about online relationships and their online reputation.
​
-
In Jigsaw, we are covering the topic ‘Relationships’ where pupils learn about mental health and self-esteem, love and loss, managing feelings, assertiveness and taking responsibility with technology use. In the topic ‘Changing Me’, pupils learn about self-image, puberty and feelings, physical attraction and respect and consent. The school nurses come in to talk to Year 5 pupils about the changes boys and girls face in puberty and they also talk to Year 6 about how babies are conceived.
​
-
Design Technology this term is based around electrical systems. We will be researching, designing, planning and making our very own ‘Steady Hand Game’.
​
-
In Music, learning focuses around ‘Dancing in the Street’ then ‘Reflect, Rewind and Replay’. Pupils will be given the opportunity to listen to and appraise songs, considering their own likes and preferences as well as comparing similar songs with a focus on not only the music and instruments but also the lyrics. Pupils will learn to sing songs and play instruments including the recorders.
​
-
In French, key learning will revolve around ‘The Planets’ and ‘The Vikings’.
​
-
In Religious Education, we will be exploring the key question, ‘What can we learn from religion about temptation?’
​
-
Reading a variety of genres regularly at home as well as keeping up-to-date with homework (which will provide opportunities to share and practise what has been taught in class) will support pupils’ development. Furthermore, all pupils have access to a Times Tables Rock Stars account, which they can access from home to help them learn and recall their times tables facts.
​
​