Year 5
Welcome to the Year 5 blog.
The standard PE days for Year 5 children are Tuesdays & Thursdays. On PE days, children should come to school in their PE kit and wear this all day. They do not get changed in school.
Autumn 1
19.9.25
What an exciting few weeks it has been in Year 5!
Our highlight has undoubtedly been 5Fest, which was a fantastic success. The children loved every moment – from raft building and team games to rowing and, of course, the unforgettable moment when Mr Nixon and Mrs Curry ended up being pushed into the water! The children showed excellent teamwork, enthusiasm and kindness throughout, and were brilliant ambassadors for our school. Camping overnight on the school field was a real adventure, and the fun carried on the next day with soup cooked over the fire, clay medal and trinket making, and a thrilling treasure hunt.
Back in the classroom, our learning has been just as engaging. In writing, the children have been enjoying our key text Kensuke’s Kingdom. They have been working hard to develop their writing skills, exploring figurative language such as metaphors, similes and effective adjectives. They have also been practising the important skill of ‘show not tell’ in their writing, as well as using co-ordinating conjunctions to extend their sentences.
In Maths, we have been focusing on place value, working with numbers up to a million, and in Science, we have started an exciting new topic on Earth and Space. The children are already full of fascinating questions about our solar system! In History, we have been exploring the Mayans – asking questions such as Who were the Mayans? and Where did they live?
3.10.25
What another brilliant week of learning we have had in Year 5.
In our writing lessons, the children thoroughly enjoyed exploring the text of Kensuke's Kingdom. Through this captivating story, they took on the roles of both Michael and Kensuke, delving into the emotional landscapes of each character. Role-play exercises allowed them to think carefully about how Michael felt during his moments of loneliness and how Kensuke coped with his past. The depth of understanding they achieved was remarkable! Furthermore, we introduced adverbials into their writing, helping them add extra detail and precision. Additionally, they practised their questioning techniques by writing question sentences that provoked further thought and inquiry.
In maths, our focus shifted towards mastering addition and subtraction with numbers exceeding four digits. We explored a variety of mental strategies and efficient methods, including the use of number lines, partitioning, and rounding. The children not only improved their numerical skills but also developed a deeper understanding of the relationships between numbers. It was wonderful to see them becoming more confident in tackling complex calculations!
Meanwhile, in science, Year 5 engaged in an exciting exploration of planetary shapes. They learned why planets are spherical and the evidence supporting this concept. The discussions around gravity and the forces at play sparked a lot of curiosity, leading to further inquiry into our solar system.
In history, we transported ourselves back to the 1840s to discover how the ancient cities of the Maya were rediscovered. The children were fascinated by the stories of explorers and archaeologists who uncovered the secrets of this incredible civilisation.
As a friendly reminder, I wanted to mention that next Friday is our Robo Rock Day! Please see communications via your app messages for more information.
17.10.25
What a fantastic two weeks it’s been in Year 5.
In design and technology, the children have truly embraced the changing seasons by diving into the art of making their own seasonal soup. Not only did they enjoy chopping up a rainbow of vegetables, but they also had the chance to reflect on healthier eating choices. We discussed the importance of a balanced diet, and the children were eager to share their own favourite healthy foods. The children really enjoyed designing their soup and adding their toppings to the base recipe.
In Writing, the children have completed their fantastic 'Kensuke's Kingdom' stories, and they were an absolute joy to read. Every child thoughtfully considered their vocabulary and explored how to build tension in their narratives. Each child brought their own unique twist to the story, showcasing their creativity and imagination. We're looking forward to diving into a new text next term.
Maths has been a hit this week, with the children learning about prime numbers, square numbers, and cubed numbers. Their enthusiasm for these mathematical concepts was infectious, and it was delightful to watch them connect with these ideas. They were very confident applying their times table knowledge which is a testament to their hard work in Y4!
In RE, the children have created beautiful stained glass windows, linking their artwork to our learning about Christian beliefs. The children used a variety of images, colours and materials to express their understanding of the themes we’ve discussed. Keep an eye on the Y5 windows for the big reveal...
Lastly, Science has been an adventure, with the children exploring the fascinating concepts of night and day. Through engaging experiments and discussions, we navigated the wonders of our planet’s rotation and its effects on our daily lives. The excitement in the room was palpable as they asked questions and shared their observations. It’s delightful to witness their curiosity in action.
Autumn 2
7.11.25
What a brilliant start to the new term we've had in Year 5. Each classroom has been buzzing with excitement as we embarked on a new writing adventure with the text Floodland. The children have shown tremendous enthusiasm for this evocative story, which raises vital issues surrounding rising sea levels. It's been heartening to see them engage with the narrative and develop their opinions about the diverse characters introduced so far. We have taken the time to closely examine the setting of Floodland and compare it to Exeter. This comparison not only sparks their imagination but also connects beautifully with our new Geography lessons on climate change. This week, we've delved into the substantial impacts of drought in Gambia, discussing how it affects the lives of individuals and communities there. The children have been incredibly empathetic in their reflections on this important issue.
In Maths, we have started our journey through the world of fractions, starting with equivalent fractions. It’s been great to see the children skillfully use their Year 4 learn to further develop their understanding of new concepts and various problems.
Finally, in RE, the children have kicked off a fascinating new unit titled “What does it mean to be a Muslim in Britain today?” The children focused on how many people practise the religion of Islam around the world, in the UK and in Exeter. We're very lucky at St Leonard's to benefit from a diverse community where our pupils can share their personal experiences and learn more from their friends and our school families.
21.11.25
In art, the children have been diving into the world of colour mixing and matching, inspired by the incredible work of our key artist Tan Zi Xi. With watercolours in hand, they explored a spectrum of colours, tones, and shades, discovering how to create depth and emotion in their artwork based on oceans. Additionally, they experimented with shading pencils, learning how to use light and dark to enhance their pieces.
Our science lessons have been equally exciting as the children engaged in hands-on activities to create paper auto gyros. They were fascinated to see how varying the size of the propellers affected air resistance and the time it took for their creations to fall to the ground. This practical exploration not only sparked their interest in physics but also encouraged problem-solving skills.
In geography, we turned our focus to the pressing issue of climate change, specifically its impact on Greenland and the melting ice caps. The children explored two different perspectives from individuals living in Greenland, discussing how climate change affects their daily lives and the environment. This discussion and comparison of perspectives has helped them develop empathy and a deeper understanding of global challenges.
Lastly, in maths, the children have been busy comparing fractions less than 1. They have been mastering the skill of finding common denominators, which has allowed them to make accurate comparisons. It’s wonderful to see their confidence grow as they tackle these mathematical concepts!
Weekly spellings for the children to practise are uploaded weekly to SpellingFrame. Children will have weekly access to this during school time but it would also be great if they could continue their spelling learning at home at least once a week using SpellingFrame.
Times Table Rockstars - it would be great if children were accessing TTRS 4 x weekly for around 5-10 minutes.
Reading - reading is so important to your child's education. Please read with your child daily for 5 - 10 minutes. This can include them reading aloud to you and you reading aloud to them.