All I can say is, it's been an interesting week! First of all can I send all our Rhino well wishes to those poorly at home. Hope you all feel better soon.

In school this week, we have looked at fractions and subtraction in Maths. I've popped some MyMaths activities on related to these as some of us were still struggling a bit with these. As I said to the class, the key to fractions is knowing your Times Tables inside out! TTRS can help but also there are lots of fun and silly videos on YouTube that will also help you. Only 5 minutes several times a week will make a massive difference!

In English, we have been writing character descriptions of Macbeth at the beginning of the play, when he is a brave general and at the end when he has gone mad with power and bloodshed. I've been so impressed with the class's writing this week. The vocabulary has been amazing!

Also this week, in topic we have been designing Anglo Saxon jewellery. Next week we will make it, so please don't worry if you weren't in!

Date for you diary: TTRS dress up day 4th February. Come as you avat-are! 

Spellings for next week:

decency

independent

dependency

innocence 

violence

absence

equivalency

competency

government

equipment

PE is on Wednesday and Friday.

Well, it feels like we've never been away. Everyone has slotted back into routine so well - it's been brilliant.

This week in Maths we've been looking at shape both 2D and 3D and recapping the basics after two interrupted years. I've been really impressed with how the children have picked this up so quickly. I will add some MyMaths activities linked to this.

In English, we have been getting to grips with Macbeth. We've watched a BBC animation, read a novelisation and even analysed the Dagger speech from the original play. Next week we will be writing character descriptions on Macbeth at the start and end of the play to compare how his character develops.

In Topic we have started our Anglo Saxon topic and will be looking at where they came from and how they lived. In PE we have been exploring Rock N Roll dancing from the 1950s. This week we had a go at the Hand Jive. We had a great time dancing to The Hand Jive song from Grease and Rock around the Clock!

Spellings this week:

deactivate

deformed

demystify

deconstruct

decontaminate

decode

dehydrate

detoxify

stomach

environment

PE is Wednesday and Friday. 

Welcome back! Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

Term 3 has started and we are all adjusting to getting back in to class again. This week we have mainly been recapping on the basics for Maths and English. Next week, in English we will be starting our new text - Macbeth. We will be looking at a novelisation and the original text to help the children understand this famous play.

Just a quick message from our reading assistant: please can children have their reading record and book in school. I know it is easy to forget but it makes it tricky when they need to read with the reading assistants.

Spellings will go out today and are as follows:

disagree

disregard

disobey

disrupt

disable

disadvantage

disappear

disappointing

temperature

interrupt

PE will now take place on Wednesday and Friday. Apologies for the last minute change.

Homework is expected and is really beneficial. We don't ask a lot and it can really help your children improve in class:

Reading x 5 each week

MyMaths 2 sessions per week

TTRS - 25 minutes a week.

Spellings.

And we made it! Christmas is finally here!

What a brilliant week we've had with our trip to Ashton Gate, Christmas parties and activities.

Please all enjoy a well deserved break and have a wonderful Christmas and a happy 2022!

Us teachers are off now to put our feet up with a mince pie and a cup of coffee!!!

See you next year.

Mrs Popel and Miss Coyne

Happy Friday Everyone! It's December so of course things have become very busy in Year 5!

Last week was test week and both of us would like to say how pleased we are with the children's progress. All of them gave it their best shot and their results are fantastic. I also spent this week assessing writing and again was really pleased at the progress and the quality. It is testament to the children's hard work and dedication.

Yesterday saw us join up with 100 other schools via Zoom for a South Glos Science Day. The aim was to create a pulley system to help Santa lift his sack of toys - we all know he's getting on a bit. The class worked in teams to create pulleys, measure using a force metre and to explain what they found. There was lots of brilliant scientific investigation going on.

This week in Maths we have been looking at square, cube and prime numbers and revisiting division. There should be plenty on MyMaths to have a look at. If your child ever wants to revisit an area they are unsure about they can do some of the old activities again. 

In English, we are writing diary entries and this week we ate edible bugs to find out what it would be like to eat one! Obviously, the children in the Explorer didn't eat Peri-Peri crickets but it gave them an idea of texture. The resulting writing was brilliant and I think some children found their new favourite snack! One to put on the list for the Christmas Big Shop!!

Don't forget

14th December - trip to Ashton Gate Stadium

16th December - last day of term

This week's spellings:

Observant

vacancy

hesitancy

tolerance

importance

brilliance

elegant

finance

nuisance

hindrance

It has been non-stop this week but we wouldn't have it any other way!

First of all on Tuesday, the children enjoyed a lovely trip to the Vue Cinema to see Abominable. Apparently, they had the cinema to themselves - just like a private screening! All the children seemed to really enjoy this and it was lovely that we can do this sort of visit again.

Yesterday we were very lucky to have a troupe of actors from Old Vic come in and perform a Nativity for us. I was so impressed with how Rhino class engaged and joined in, even though it was quite a long production. 

And finally, today is Children in Need and our basketball wellbeing session.

In amongst all of this, we have managed to produce some amazing school work too! 

Next week is test week, the results are purely for our assessment of where children are in the curriculum and to see where to go next with our planning. We try and make these as low-stress as possible but also give children a little bit of an idea about what SATs will be like next year. 

Remember, next week is our Geography trip to Ashford Treatment Centre near Bridgewater too!

Spellings:

through

borough

dough

furlough

thorough

doughy

apparent

language

sincerely

accommodate

PE is Thursday and Friday.

12/11/2021

Another brilliant week in Rhino Class!

On Thursday, we remembered those who lost their lives during conflict. The children all observed the 2 minute silence incredibly respectfully and had thoughtful things to say when we discussed why we observe it each year.

We have created some amazing writing this week all linked to the novel The Explorer. I am so impressed with the way the children challenge themselves to improve their vocabulary in their writing.

In Maths, we have been looking at fractions. All of the class did really well in this area and have a great foundation of knowledge to move forward. If your child would like some practise, there are a number of activities on MyMaths. Remember we ask that children complete two MyMaths tasks per week. Studies have shown that by returning to a topic little and often, children are more likely to retain the information for later.

Once again, this week we welcomed representatives from The Bristol Flyers for a health and wellbeing workshop and Basketball coaching. This week we were learning all about why are brains are so important and how healthy eating and exercise can improve brain function and health - ask your child what they can remember.

Don't forget next week is the cinema trip and on 26th we are visiting Wessex Water and doing some field work skills.

05/11/2021

Term 2 is here and what an action packed term it is going to be.

This week already we had an African dance and drumming workshop. Rhino class were amazing and really did us all proud by performing in front of the school at the end of the day - even the teachers got up and performed!! All of them said what fun they had.

We are so lucky to have a number of fun experiences and workshops for the children throughout the term. Starting from this week we have a Basketball coach and wellbeing mentor coming in to work with both classes on a Friday. I think this will be so beneficial for all and lots of fun!

In addition to this, we have 2 trips coming up. One to the cinema and another to the Wessex Water plant in Bridgewater for a River field work study. We also have the PE in coaches on a Thursday now too.

Parents' Evening will take place on 16th and 18th November from 3:30 to 6pm in 10 minutes slots. This is a brilliant opportunity to discuss your child's learning. A dojo message and good old fashioned paper sign will go out on Friday after school. All meetings will be done by Zoom this year.

Remember, homework expectations are as follows:

2 MyMaths activities per week

25 mins of TTRS

Spellings

5 x reading per week.

It really impacts positively on your child's progress when they consolidate their knowledge at home.

PE is now Thursday and Friday. Please send your child in kit for games.

Spellings are as follows:

ridiculous

serious

cautious

conscious

marvellous

jealous

famous

spacious

classify

justify

22/10/2021

And just like that Term 1 has been and gone! 

What a brilliant start to Y5 we've had! There have been lots of highlights to this term and Miss Coyne and Mrs Popel have been really impressed at how well the class have settled into new (old) routines and managed the many changes from last year.

All the children have challenged themselves in their work and had a go at things they find tricky or weren't sure about. It has been lovely to see their confidence grow throughout the term. 

Next term, we have lots of plans for various activities to bring their learning alive! Our class book will be The Explorer and we will be basing all of our English around this brilliant text. All the children have been loving it.

Also next term is parent's evening. We always love to see you to share the brilliant work that your children do. However, we know that the timings do not always suit so if you would like to see us at a different time, just email and we can see what we can do.

Have a wonderful and restful half term break.

15/10/2021

It's nearly the end of T1 and Rhino's first term in Y5 - can you believe it?

This week we have had another fab week of work completed by the whole class. We are coming to the end of our River Stories work and will be creating a non-chronological report all about the Amazon River next week. The children have loved learning about this and tying it in with their class text The Explorer by Katherine Rundell. Next term we will be basing all our English work around the book and we may even have a few surprises in store!

In Maths, we have looked at division. Some of the children did find this a challenge but still managed to progress in this area of Maths. As the four operations are so important we will revisit these again and again. There should be plenty of activities on MyMaths to help support your child at home.

In Topic, we looked at Waterfalls this week and how they are formed. I have been so impressed with the children's geographical understanding and how well they have drawn diagrams, made decisions about flood management and their general concern for the planet. We definitely have a class full of budding Geographers!

Next week is the last week of term and the school disco. Tickets are being sold by the Friends of Barley Close.

Spellings:

treasure

measure

pressure

picture

mixture

structure

feature

secure

increase

strange

PE is Tuesday and Friday, as usual!

08/10/2021

Happy Friday everyone!

It has been another action packed week in Rhino Class. We have so much to fit in the days are just whizzing by!

In Maths, we have been looking at multiplication including multiples and factors. You can support your child at home by encouraging them to use MyMaths twice a week and 25 minutes of Timetables Rockstars every week. Learning your multiplication tables opens up and make easier so many different areas of maths, so it is really important that children know these and the related multiplication facts.

In English, we have concluded our writing on the River Nile with some beautiful descriptions of the river from Source to Mouth. Next week we will be looking at the Amazon and learning all about this mighty river. Please continue to support your children by hearing them or encouraging them to read 5 times per week. Good readers make good writers so thank you to all those who do this - it really makes a difference.

Spellings:

environment

government

parliament

development

science

conscience

convenience

existence

excellent 

especially

PE is swimming on Tuesday and Indoor PE on Friday. Please ensure children come in with suitable kit.

If you would like to have a chat with Miss Coyne or Miss Popel about anything, please do not hesitate to contact us by email, phone or catch us at the door. We are always happy to talk!

01/10/2021

Welcome to October!

This week in Rhino Class we have been busy beavering away consolidating our understanding of addition and subtraction and also reminding ourselves about multiplication. By now everyone should have a MyMaths login and our expectation is two activities a week. If you don't have one for your child, please come and see us or drop us an email and we can sort this out for you. 

In English, we have been reading the beautifully illustrated River Stories. It details the history, geography and legends of the world's most famous rivers. This week we have been looking at the River Nile. Did you know the Nile is nearly 7000km and it's source is all the way in Rwanda? Ask your child what they can remember about the Nile. Next week we will be describing the Nile all the way from Source to Mouth, using expanded noun phrases. 

Linked to this, our geography this week has looked at flooding and how, although it is natural, humans are making the problem worse. Also our models are now nearly all painted and looking amazing. I'm so proud of the children's work. These will hopefully be displayed soon in the corridor.

Just a reminder that we are still trying to provide good ventilation in Rhino class so we will still have windows and the door open at times, even when the weather is cold. If your child feels the cold, please ensure they have layers on to keep warm!

PE is Tuesday and Friday. Please have swimming kit and PE kit appropriate for indoor activities.

Homework:

5 x reading per week

25 mins of TTRS - 5 mins per night

2 x MyMaths activities

Spellings.

None of this should be onerous and really a little and often approach is better that one giant homework session!

Spellings:

obsession

persuasion

explosion

extension

discussion

permission

confession

profession

24/09/2021

Wow week 3 is over already! Where is September going? Rhino class are now in full swing and getting stuck in with all Year 5 has to offer!

This week, we have been looking at Addition and Subtraction in Maths in a formal written method. We have popped some activities on MyMaths to support this learning at home. If you wish to support your child have a look at the tasks with them and maybe work through them together. At the moment we are asking children to complete 2 MyMaths activities per week but there is more on there if they would like to do more.

In English, we have been looking at the book How to Live Forever and have been writing persuasive texts on whether or not Peter should read the book and live forever. The children have been practising this very important skill of persuasive writing and have done really well. Next week we are moving on to a new book called River Stories.

In our topic we have been busy creating 3D models of a river's journey from Source to Mouth. 

Reading Eggs passwords are coming home tonight. These are to be used to support your child to read at home in addition to their scheme book. We ask that you try to read with your child 5 times per week. This can be on Reading eggs or an actual book.

Spellings this week are:

musician

magician

politician

technician

invention

detention

caption

creation

imagine

important

PE is Tuesday (swimming) and Friday (indoor).

Have a great weekend.

10/9/2021

Happy Friday everyone!

Well we've done our first week in Y5 Rhino! It has been lovely getting to know all the children and getting back into school routines.

This term our topic is a geography topic on Rivers and next week we will be building models. We would be really grateful if you could send in some paper/newspaper and any cereal boxes or packages you have lying around. 

In English we are reading The Explorer. We will study this in Term 2 but reading this term in order for us to understand the story. So far the class are loving it!

In Maths, we are looking at place value for the next two weeks. We start here as it is the building blocks of maths and a secure knowledge in this area will help with other areas of maths.

Spellings for next week are:

misbehave

mistype

mistaken

misplace

disappear

disappoint

disobey

discontinue

believe 

breath

There will also be homework on MyMaths linked to work in school and TTRS to practise too.

Please continue to read with your child at home as any reading really helps them in school with both reading and writing.

PE is Tuesday (swimming) and Friday. Please have appropriate kit for these sessions - this is very important for health and safety.

Have a lovely weekend!

Welcome to Rhino Class:

Welcome back. 

By now you will have met Miss Coyne and Mrs Popel and we have really enjoyed meeting you all.

Miss Coyne joined us last year to cover Mrs Hyde, who went on Maternity Leave. She will be working Monday, Tuesday and every other Wednesday.

Mrs Popel has been teaching in Barley Close since 2016. Her son was a little toddler when she started and is now a full of beans 8 year old and now has a 3 year old  daughter to deal with too . Mrs Popel has taught in Year 5 for a few years now and really enjoys all the topics but especially The Mayans as she loves that part of the world and spent some time travelling there, many moons ago. She will be working every other Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

PE will be Swimming on Tuesday and Indoor PE on Friday.

Spellings will go out every Friday.

Reading records to be in on Monday.

Remember, to try and read with your child 5 times a week. A reading book should be coming home with them this week.

Any questions, you can find at at the door or feel free to email.