Our topic for the Autumn term is RAIDERS, TRADERS OR INVADERS?

In English we will be travelling through Space and writing our own flashback stories, based on a real life monkey (Ham) who was sent to Space in 1961. This will be followed by using persuasive writing techniques to discuss the age old issue: 'Should animals be sent into Space?' During Autumn 2, we will be exploring Anglo-Saxon myths and legends. Throughout the term we will be learning to use dialogue to convey character and build cohesion between paragraphs.

In Maths we will be looking at place value, expanding on our learning from Year 4. We will be ordering, comparing and rounding numbers up to 1,000,000. We will also be looking at addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, using a range of materials and methods to support us. During the second half of the Autumn term, we will develop our knowledge of fractions; learning how to add and subtract fractions with different denominators.

As Geographers we will be answering the question; 'Did the Anglo-Saxons visit Cheadle Hulme?' Using atlases, maps and digital maps (Digimaps), we will be looking at the human and physical geography of Cheadle Hulme over the past 1000 years and how it has changed over time. We will be learning the eight points on a compass, as well as reading four and six-figure grid references before creating our own maps of the local area. In order to do this, we will conduct some fieldwork outside of the school grounds and in the local area.

As Historians we will be learning all about the Anglo-Saxons, from their arrival in Britain in 410AD until the time of the Viking arrival in 793AD. We will be using a range of primary and secondary sources to help us find out about their settlement in Britain. By the end of the term we will use everything we have learned to help us answer the question, 'Were the Anglo-Saxons raiders, traders or invaders?'

As Scientists we will be learning about Space in Autumn 1. We will explore the Solar System and learn about why we have day and night, the stages of the moon and look for patterns in the movement of the Earth compared to other planets. To start the topic we are very fortunate to have the local planetarium come and visit us! In Autumn 2, we will be learning all about Forces. We will develop our investigate skills to help us to identify the effects of air resistance, water resistance and friction.

As Computer specialists (in Computing) we will become cryptographers and learn early coding systems to help us decrypt and encrypt messages. We will use this to understand why encryption is important online and how we can create secure passwords to keep ourselves safe. In the second half of the term we will create our own web pages of how to stay safe online, which we will be sharing with other year groups in the school.

As Artists we will be creating collages through the mediums of drawing, painting and printing. We will be finding out about the work of Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol and Wassily Kandinsky; using their work as inspiration for our own.

In RE we will be exploring the question; 'Why do some people believe God exists?' We will look at the Christian belief as to how the world began and their response to evil and suffering. We will then explore the beliefs of atheists and agnostics in relation to this.

As Engineers (in DT) we will be building our own mechanical structure using pulleys, levers or gears. This will link with our Science work on forces.

Here are some websites that you might find useful:
 

MyMaths - log in provided by class teacher

Topmarks - Maths games
 

KS2 Bitesize - Learn more about our class topics and play interactive quizzes

Times Tables Rock Stars - log in provided by class teacher