Welcome to the Lions’ Class
Welcome to the Lions’ webpage! We are a fabulous class of Years 5 & 6 children, with Mrs Taylor as our Class Teacher and Miss Willis as our Teaching Assistant. We have a bright, spacious classroom, which opens onto our playground and we are all looking forward to the year ahead.
Our Curriculum
Year 5 6 Curriculum Overview Spring 2023
Our work in English is centred around an in-depth study of the classic novel ‘The Secret Garden’ by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Within each unit covered this term, we will focus upon exploring characters and structure through drama, storytelling, writing and analysis of the text. Skills will be developed in comprehension, composition, vocabulary, grammar, punctuation and spelling.
Mathematics this term will further develop understanding and skills in place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication & division, fractions, decimals and geometry.
We have prepared a booklet detailing the end of year expectations for children in Year 5 and in Year 6 in mathematics and English for information and reference. This provides families with a thorough overview of the topics their children will be covering across the year. It includes the Word Lists that ‘children in Years 5 & 6’ are expected to be able to spell by the end of the year. We do of course appreciate that all children work at different levels and that some may not yet have mastered the Year 3 & 4 Word List (which can also be provided) but practising these key words on a regular basis is highly recommended.
Our Science topics are Properties of Materials and Changes of Materials, whilst in History, our focus is upon The Golden Age of Islam. Later in the term, this will be replaced by Geography, in which we will complete a study of North and South America focusing upon the question ‘What is so special about the U.S.A.?’.
French is our ‘modern foreign language’ and we are learning about hobbies and pastimes, as well as customs, history and culture of France and countries and communities where French is spoken.
Full details of the Lions’ curriculum can be found on our Curriculum Overview, updated termly.
Reading
We do quiet reading every day and read with a member of staff as many times as possible throughout the week. We encourage children in the Lions’ class to read for pleasure. We expect them to read out of school at least 3 times a week. Additional reading is rewarded with House Points – 1 for 4 reads, 2 for 5 reads etc.
We ask families, where possible, to take some time during the week to listen to their child read, to read to them and to sign their yellow reading records. Comments on their reading will be read by teaching staff and are appreciated.
Children’s reading is assessed by a programme we use called Accelerated Reader. This programme gives the children a ZPD level which they have written in the front of their reading records. This is the same ZPD level used at Carlisle Library.
Handwriting
Handwriting practice will take place regularly in school. Children will be expected to write in a neat, cursive style, with regular letter heights and ascenders and descenders clearly defined. They will be taught correct joining of letters and from time to time, extra handwriting practice may be sent home. Pen licences will be awarded for consistently neat handwriting!
P.E.
Our P.E. days are Monday and Tuesday. Please ensure that your child has a P.E. bag with plain t-shirt, shorts and trainers every Monday. This can be taken home on Tuesday each week.
Homework
The children have been given a homework diary, which they are taking home each day. Any homework set will be recorded in here Families are invited to use this book for any communication – we understand that it is not always convenient to come into school and we will read any notes sent in this way.
Maths Whizz and Times Table Rock Stars are also part of the home learning for pupils. We expect them to complete 60 minutes on Maths-Whizz per week, in 3 x 20 minute sessions. Every child in the Lions class has a login for both. Awards for achievements on Maths Whizz and TTRS are celebrated every Friday during our school celebration assembly. We regularly check how much work has been done by individuals, and progress made is rewarded. We do however appreciate that not all families have internet access available and will endeavour to offer opportunities during the school day for those children.
Labelling Uniform
We cannot stress enough how important is it to write your child’s name on their belongings. We cannot look after or track it without a name on. Please label everything.
Communication
Parents/ Carers, in addition to using the homework diary as a means of communication, please feel free to catch either me or Miss Willis at drop off or pick up times with any queries. Equally, we can both be emailed.
Should you wish to have a longer chat about anything to do with your child’s education, or any concerns you may have, we can make an appointment to do so at a mutually convenient time.
Key Websites