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This half term, Chinook Class will be exploring our exciting topic, ‘Back in Benson’, where we will discover how our local area has changed over time and how its past continues to shape life today. Through a rich and engaging curriculum, we will develop their skills across all subjects.

English
This term, we will develop their writing skills through a range of engaging units. We will begin by learning how to write clear and informative news recounts, focusing on reporting events accurately using formal language, eye-catching headlines and key facts.

Later in the term, we will explore playscripts, where we will learn how to write effective dialogue, include stage directions and show character interaction. They will develop their understanding of how stories can be brought to life through performance.

These skills will build towards our BIG production, where we will rehearse, perform and bring their scripts to life for an audience – YOU!   Through this process, they will gain confidence in both their writing and performance abilities.

Maths

Year 5 will be preparing for Year 6 by:

• Securing understanding of place value
• Developing fluency in the four operations
• Strengthening knowledge of fractions, decimals and percentages
• Exploring measurement and negative numbers

Year 6 children will take on the role of bakers running their own bakery. We will apply Year 6 maths skills to plan, produce, cost, and sell baked goods while solving real-life problems involving money, measures, ratio, and data.

Across the phase, there will be a strong emphasis on reasoning, problem-solving and applying mathematical knowledge in a range of contexts.

Wider Curriculum

History & Geography
As part of our ‘Back in Benson’ topic, we will explore how our local area has changed over time by thinking like historians and geographers. We will learn about why people first settled in Benson, considering important features such as location, natural resources and transport links. We will also discover how significant events, including the opening of RAF Benson, have shaped the village we see today.
Through fieldwork, pupils will observe their surroundings, use maps and record their findings. We will present what they have learnt using maps, charts and written explanations, developing their enquiry skills and understanding of how places change over time.

Science
In Science, we will learn about forces and how they affect movement. We will explore gravity and investigate how air resistance, water resistance and friction can slow objects down or change how they move. Through practical experiments, we will observe and measure these effects.
We will also learn about simple mechanisms, such as levers, pulleys and gears and how these can make work easier by allowing a smaller force to have a bigger effect.

Religious Education (RE)
This term in RE, children will learn about Hinduism (Sanatan Dharma) and explore the question: How can Brahman be everywhere and in everything? We will learn about the Hindu belief in one ultimate reality (Brahman) and how it can be represented in different forms, including various gods and goddesses.
We will explore stories, symbols and teachings, and consider how these beliefs influence people’s lives. We will also be encouraged to ask thoughtful questions and reflect on similarities and differences between different beliefs.

Physical Education (PE)
In PE, Year 6 pupils will build on their skills in rounders, with a focus on teamwork, communication and developing more advanced tactics. We will practise and refine their batting, bowling and fielding techniques, applying these in competitive game situations.

All children will also take part in athletics, where they will work on improving their performance in events such as sprinting, relay races, jumping and throwing. Emphasis will be placed on technique, stamina and personal bests, encouraging children to challenge themselves and support one another ready for sports day.

Art
In Art, we will explore the work of Nerissa Cargill-Thompson, a contemporary artist known for her textile and mixed-media sculptures. They will study her unique style and sources of inspiration, using this understanding to create their own artist fact files. Building on this, we will design and create their own clay sculptures, experimenting with techniques to develop texture, shape and form. This unit encourages creativity, independence and thoughtful evaluation of their work.

Music
In Music, we will continue developing our brass instrument skills. We will focus on improving breath control, posture and embouchure to produce a strong, clear sound. We will learn to read and follow simple musical notation, perform as part of an ensemble and maintain steady timing. This unit will help build confidence, teamwork and performance skills.

Computing
In Computing, we will enhance their word processing skills by learning how to organise and present information effectively. We will practise formatting text, inserting and editing images and adjusting layouts to improve presentation. We will also learn how to use tables to structure information clearly, bringing these skills together to produce a well-organised and professional fact file.

This half term will provide a wide range of engaging learning experiences, supporting children in becoming more confident, creative and independent learners across the curriculum.