Prep 5 Curriculum Brief

English

English

Spellings will continue in the same way as the Autumn Term and be based on the children’s own targets – focusing on Year 5/6 spelling rules. Spelling tests will continue to be held on Thursdays and new spellings (10 in total) will be given each week.

Grammar – within our grammar work this term, we will look at using devices to build cohesion within a paragraph and think about how we link ideas across paragraphs using adverbials of time and place or tense choices. We will also, link ideas across paragraphs by using a wider range of cohesive devices: repetition of a word or phrase and grammatical connections. In our non-fiction topics, we will revise using variety of descriptive devices but also focus on layout devices (e.g. headings, subheadings, columns, bullets, or tables to structure text). In our poetry topic, we will recap poetic devices (rhyming, personification, onomatopoeia, similes/metaphors etc) whilst using expanded noun phrases to convey complicated information concisely and using commas to clarify meaning or avoid ambiguity in writing.

Punctuation – we will again revise key punctuation learnt in lower KS2 and KS1 whilst mastering our ability to use brackets, dashes or commas to indicate parenthesis.

Reading/ Comprehension – in our reading this term we will continue to read our own target books but also read a variety of genres and gain a deeper understanding of different writing styles and widen our vocabulary. We will continue to answer comprehension questions that get us to support answers with evidence from the text and be able to identify key literary devices in our model texts.

Creative Writing – During this term, we will write our own tension write based on the book ‘A Word in Your Ear’ by Tony Ross. We will also write a class book about different species of animals – focusing on ‘Animalium’ by Jenny Broom and Katie Scott as our model text. After this, we will read ‘The Sea’ by James Reeves and use this model text to create our own extended metaphor poem.

Mathematics    

Mathematics    

During the spring term, Prep 5 will continue to have weekly times tables tests and a mental maths session. The children will be challenged to be problem solvers throughout the topics covered.

Fractions: Finding fractions equivalent to unit fractions and non-unit fractions; recognise equivalent fractions; convert improper fractions to mixed numbers and vise versa; compare and order fractions less than 1; compare and order fractions greater than 1; add and subtract fractions with the same denominator; add fractions within 1; multiplying fractions; calculating fractions of amounts.

Multiplication and Division: Multiplying up to a 4-digit number by a 1-digit number; multiplying a 4-digit number by a 2-digit number; short division with remainders; solving problems with multiplication and division.

Decimals and Percentages: Equivalent fractions and decimals; ordering and comparing decimals;  rounding to the nearest whole number; rounding to 1 decimal place; percentages as decimals and fractions; equivalent fractions, decimals and percentages.

Perimeter and Area: The perimeter of rectangles, rectilinear shapes and polygons; The area of rectangles and compound shapes; estimating area.

Statistics: Drawing, reading and interpreting line graphs; reading and interpreting tables and timetables.

Science

Science

For the first half term Prep 5 will be learning about properties and changes of materials. This will include exploring the uses of material, changes of state, reversible and irreversible changes and reactions.

After half term Prep 5 will be learning about Earth and Space. This will include exploring the Solar System, the Earth and Sun and the Moon. They will describe the movement of the Earth and other planets relative to the sun in the solar system, describe the movement of the moon relative to the Earth, describe the sun, Earth and moon as approximately spherical bodies and use the idea of the Earth’s rotation to explain day and night and the apparent movement of the sun across the sky.

Geography   

Geography   

Continuing our work on OS maps this term, we will be finding locations from six-figure coordinates and give six-figure coordinates for a location. We will also be looking at contour lines and the different scales of OS maps. How can these scales help us to choose a map for the correct purpose? Also, by comparing maps of the same place, including digital maps, we can compare differences and discuss how and why a place such as Staverton may have changed over time.

History

History

This term Prep 5 will be completing their studies of the Tudors, learning about the leisure activities which rich and poor Elizabethans enjoyed and discussing the achievements of Queen Elizabeth during her reign.

Prep 5 will then be learning about the Benin Kingdom. They will learn about where the ancient Kingdom of Benin was located and how it came to thrive, what the people there believed in and how they showed this in their artwork. They will also explore western attitudes towards African civilisations, comparing the achievements, oral tales and artefacts of ancient Benin to those in Europe at the same time. The children will also learn about the story of Eweka and finally discover how European invaders threatened the civilisation of ancient Benin.

French

French

This term we will be looking in detail at the days of the week and how to tell the time. This will help us to discuss our favourite school days, which lesson we do on which day, what time lessons start and also what time we eat different meals. We will be learning new songs about time and singing old favourites to consolidate our learning.

Latin     

Latin     

We will continue to learn Latin using Minimus, a Latin course for children, based on the lives of a real Roman family living at Vindolanda. We will be looking at noun and adjective agreement and also learn the vocabulary for animals and appropriate adjectives to describe them.  Roman banquets and food will also be discussed and how the family would have prepared to entertain an important visitor – Marcellus the Governor.  We will begin to find out about what it was like to be a slave for a Roman family and how the ending of a Latin verb tells us who is doing the action.

RS  

RS  

During this Spring Term, we will look at how Christians believe that Jesus is always listening and always available to everyone. The children will learn about the miracles that Jesus performed and how they showed that he was being helped by God.  Prep 5 will read through a selection of Parables and see if they can find the meanings in them. During our ‘Faith Week’ we will be learning about the traditions of Judaism. After our half-term break, we will then focus on Lent. We will develop our understanding of this time for Christians and at the end of term the children will learn how Christians celebrate Easter.

Art

Art

Futurism and figures will be the inspiration for prep 5 art lesson’s this term. Futurist artists such us Boccioni and Balla will support the cubist and dynamic painting effects we will try and recreate. We will look at body proportion, figure sequencing and techniques to enrich the artwork with action and movement.  The final pieces will be filled with figures leaping across the painting with energy and colour.

Music   

Music   

This term, Prep 5 will begin learning the Ukulele. The children will expand their knowledge of music by learning about simple chord progressions and alternative ways of writing music using chord symbols and tablature. Once they have grasped the basics, they will use the ukulele’s to accompany themselves singing and to write their own songs as well.

DT

DT

Due to the exploratory and ‘spontaneous’ approach in this subject, we will often go off in different directions depending on the ideas and interest of the children. And so the formal lesson plans are often deviated from to preserve a flexibility and originality of approach.  New projects often ‘evolve’ from the children’s ideas in the sessions and it is an important part of the approach and style in this subject  to maintain this flexibility and spontaneity.  This generates a feeling with the children that they are going on a ‘journey’ in this subject each term. The formal lesson plans are only intended to be used as a basis and guide to the type of work and projects that are covered and are not intended to be rigidly adhered to.

 

Weeks 1, 2 and 3  – Fairground Ride designs designs using plywood and card bases, PVC tubing, ball bearings, blockwood, laser plywood, modelling card and high density modelling foam. This project involves designing and making miniature versions of different fairground rides, involving different types of movement, artwork and ideas.

Weeks 4 and 5 – Board Game designs starting with roll a dice. Card or plywood base, design and make players/pieces and incorporation of instructions.

Weeks 6 and 7 – Designs involving experimenting with fixed and moving pivots to create different types of movements with chosen models.  Materials include modelling card, styrofoam, laser ply, blockwood and dowelling.

Weeks 8 and 9 Miniature torch/light designs involving simple circuits with switch, bulb and battery connected in series.

Weeks 10 – Three dimensional models using the term ‘structure sculpture’. This involves designing and making a three dimensional model using a variety of different materials to create an aesthetic model/sculpture.

ICT

ICT

This term pupils will complete a scratch project to code for a pedestrian crossing.  They will create tables in word and excel and be able to format and presentation of data.  Prepare a presentation using powerpoint on the Solar System gathering data and pictures from the internet.

PE/Games

PE/Games

P.E: Basketball. Handling, dribbling, movement into space and passing skills will be developed, especially in small game situations.

Handball. Learning the fundamentals and rules of the game. Passing and moving into space, attacking and defending and developing these skills into game situations.

Games: Cross Country, Football and Netball. Skills will be developed through various drills and activities, with game situations. Pupils will be asked to think about team and positional play.

Drama

Drama

This term the pupils In their drama lessons will learn to create dramatic narratives and evaluate their performances.  This will mostly be done using improvisation, we will also use mime and text.  Children will continue to work on improving presentation skills, vocal strength, and diction.

PSHE

PSHE

This term Prep 5 will be learning about how people make decisions about spending and saving money and what influences them.  They will also be disucssing how to keep track of money so people know how much they have to spend or save, and how people make choices about ways of paying for things they want and need.  We will explore how to recognise what makes something ‘value for money’ and what this means to them.  That there are risks associated with money (it can be won, lost or stolen) and how money can affect people’s feelings and emotions.

In the second half of term they will learn how to carry out basic first aid including for burns, scalds, cuts, bleeds, choking, asthma attacks or allergic reaction.  They will learn that if someone has experienced a head injury, they should not be moved, and when it is appropriate to use first aid and the importance of seeking adult help.  We will discuss the importance of remaining calm in an emergency and providing clear information about what has happened to an adult or the emergency services.