Year 5 Curriculum

Autumn 1 & Autumn 2

Materials

• Exploring and using different forms of artists’ materials.

Spring 1 & Spring 2

Colour

• What is colour?
• Blending colours using pastels.
• Harmonising and complementary colour.
• Project: Hybrid dinosaurs

Summer 1 & Summer 2

Believable Space

• Believable space in picture making.
• How do artists create the illusion of depth?
• Overlap drawings.

Autumn 1

The Computer

• Word processing.
• Internet research & communication.

e-Safety: Strong passwords

Autumn 2

We are Game Developers

• Scratch: developing games.

e-Safety: Digital Citizenship Pledge

Spring 1

We are Artists

• 3D Modelling using Sketch Up.

e-Safety: You’ve Won a Prize!

Spring 2

Controlling Devices

• Controlling devices using Flowol.

e-Safety: How to Cite a Site

Summer 1

We are Web Developers

• Internet research and web design.

e-Safety: Picture Perfect

Summer 2

Amazing Bedrooms

• Using and applying skills.

e-Safety: Picture Perfect

Autumn Term

Aztec Wind Chime

• Introduction to tools and equipment in the workshop.
• Developing confidence in making skills.

Spring Term

• Chinese inventions – kite making
• Funky Furnishings

Summer Term

Landmark Structure Project

• Developing a model for a new landmark building in Hexham.
• Crafting skills: working with paper, card and board.
• Cross-curricular links with Geography (interpreting aerial photographs).

Building Bridges

• Outdoor structures challenge
• Cross-curricular links for Science/Explore.

Visual overview of the texts studied across Years 5-8 (click image for larger view)

Autumn Term

Modern Fiction

Holes by Louis Sachar

• Persuasive writing – persuasive leaflet
• Narrative – persuasive letter
• Reading comprehension

Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPaG): Adjectives, synonyms, homophones, nouns, noun phrases, complex sentence structures, idioms, palindromes, commands, verbs.

Spring Term

Narrative Poetry

The Highwayman 

• Figurative language
• Writing verse
• Rhyme schemes
• Reading comprehension

SPaG: Spelling patterns, syllables, figurative language.

Illustrated Texts

The Journey (fiction) and Shackleton’s Journey (non-fiction)

• Writing a diary entry
• Writing a letter in role
• Creating a CV
• Recounting events in order

SPaG: Speech punctuation, clauses, use of colons, semi-colons and pronouns.

Summer Term

The Railway Children

Pupils will study this popular example of classic fiction, by the acclaimed author E Nesbit, in the Summer Term in order to build on their existing comprehension skills and to provide many more exciting opportunities for extended writing and cross-curricular links with other subjects.

Tasks include: Writing a letter in character, a detailed character analysis, research and presentation on life during the Victorian times, appreciation of a variety of poetry related to the storyline and writing a biography of an author.

Autumn Term

Introduction to Geography and Map Skills

• Mexico (Aztecs)
• UK Case Studies

Spring Term

The Shang Dynasty of Ancient China

What is China like?

Summer Term

Vindolanda/Latin

• One lesson per week is History/Geography and one lesson is Latin.
• Minimus Project
• Trip to Vindolanda

Children in the Victorian Era

• Cross-curricular link with English: The Railway Children

Autumn Term

• Greetings and introductions
• Weather forecasts

Spring Term

• All about me
• Shape poetry

Summer Term

• Food and drink – French Café

Mathematics at Hexham Middle School

• Hexham Partnership Maths Calculation Policy: Reception to Year 6 (PDF)

At Hexham Middle, it is our goal to ensure that pupils are confident, resilient and fluent mathematicians. Our curriculum is built upon the core principles of developing fluent pupils who can articulate their thought processes and reason mathematically and approach problem solving with a systematic attitude. In all year groups, pupils progress through blocks of learning which are linked throughout the year to ensure that memory and retention of key concepts and skills is developed. Pupils spend longer learning one block now and this is to ensure they have time to make links to their prior learning, develop depth of understanding and remember their learning.

In every year group, pupils’ progress is assessed daily by teachers through varied means of formative assessment such as a quizzes and questioning. It is this assessment that powerfully informs planning so that all pupils progress through the curriculum content. Pupils complete topic assessments to identify gaps in learning and are supported to bridge any areas which require more focus. Regular arithmetic and fluency sessions ensure that pupils (across the school) are confident and fluent in mathematical recall and methods. They are also encouraged to reason (verbally and written) to demonstrate their thought-processes when explaining their understanding and problem solving. Pupils complete termly summative assessments and some external assessments to track their progress.

Autumn Term

• Place value to 1,000,000 (including ordering and rounding)
• Addition and Subtraction
• Graphs and Tables (Statistics)
• Multiplication and Division
• Measurement: Area and Perimeter

Spring Term

• Multiplication and Division
• Fractions
• Decimals and Percentages

Summer Term 

• Decimals
• Properties of Shapes
• Position and Direction
• Measurement: Converting Units
• Volume

Autumn 1

The Percussion Family

• Composing music for effect
• Group composition and performance
• Music theory
• Listening tests

Autumn 2

 Instruments of the Orchestra 

Spring 1

Carnival of the Animals (Saint Saens)

• Composition and performance
• Music theory

Spring 2

Rhythm, Pitch, and Dynamics

• Music theory relating to music notation including dynamic markings

Summer 1

Music Notation

• Writing music using western musical notation
• Composing melodies in the treble clef
• Composing music for effect
• Group composition and performance

Summer 2

Performing Melodies

• Using keyboards or tuned percussion instruments

Autumn 1

• Central Net Games:
  • Tennis
• Team Invasion Games 1
• Swimming Rotation 1

Autumn 2

• Athletics:
  • Run 4 Fun
• Indoor Activity:
  • Gymnastics
  • Dance
• Swimming Rotation 2

Spring 1

• Indoor Activity:
  • Gymnastics
  • Partner Work
• Dance
• Swimming Rotation 3

Spring 2

• Invasion Games 2:
  • Hockey
  • Rugby
• Swimming Rotation 4

Summer 1

• Athletics:
  • Quadkids
• Orienteering
• Top-Up Swimming

Summer 2

• Striking and Fielding:
  • Cricket
  • Rounders
• Target Games:
  • Golf
• Top-Up Swimming

Autumn 1

Being in my World 

This covers understanding rights and responsibilities as a British citizen.

Autumn 2

Celebrating Difference

This covers racism, cultural difference and bullying.

Spring 1

Dreams and Goals

This covers jobs and careers as well as future aspirations.

Spring 2

Healthy Me

This covers the topics of smoking, alcohol, first aid and body image as well as a healthy lifestyle.

Summer 1

Relationships

This covers getting on and falling out, relationships and technology.

Summer 2

Changing Me

This covers self-image and puberty.

Autumn Term

• Jewish Worship and Community
• Christmas Activities
• Research: how Muslims celebrate and worship throughout the year.

Spring Term

• Where does the Bible come from?
• Research: where does the Qu’ran come from?

Summer Term

• Belief in our Community
• Research: a charitable organisation case study

Autumn 1 & Autumn 2

Materials World

• Properties of a broad range of materials.
• Reversible changes including evaporating, filtering, sieving, melting and dissolving.
• The processes of melting and dissolving.

Spring 1

Growing Up and Growing Old

• Stages in the growth and development of humans.
• Changes experienced in puberty.

Spring 2

Out Of This World

• The sun, Earth and planets.

Summer 1

Let’s Get Moving

• Forces and air resistance

Summer 2

Circle of Life

• Life cycles of mammals, amphibians, insects and birds.
• Life process of reproduction in some plants and animals.
• The school environment.