Primary 5 – Term 4

Welcome back to our final term in Primary 5! I hope you all had a restful break. This term promises to be a memorable one, filled with exciting opportunities for learning, performing, and reflecting on how far we’ve come. As always, I am proud of the enthusiasm and determination this class continues to show. Here’s a look at what’s coming up in Term 4.

Literacy

In writing, we’ll begin the term focusing on non-chronological reports, allowing pupils to develop their informative writing skills. Later, we’ll transition into recount writing in the form of newspaper reports, where students will learn how to report events with structure and clarity. These genres will give pupils the opportunity to apply grammar and punctuation skills in meaningful contexts.

For reading, we will enjoy our class novel Wilderness War while continuing to develop comprehension strategies through Bug Club texts. Spelling and grammar work will include focus on phonemes, pronouns, alphabetical order to the third letter, similes, alliteration, onomatopoeia, and compound words.

Listening and talking skills will be developed through preparations for our Summer Show, where pupils will have the chance to build confidence, teamwork, and expressive communication.

Numeracy

Number

We will begin the term with a focus on fractions, exploring both unit and non-unit fractions, as well as developing understanding of equivalent fractions. Pupils will engage in practical, hands-on activities to help them apply their knowledge in real-world contexts and build confidence in using fractions in a variety of situations.

Beyond Number
Later in the term, we will move on to patterns and relationships, where pupils will be encouraged to think logically and solve problems. This area supports the development of reasoning skills and a deeper understanding of how numbers and operations relate to one another

HWB

In PE, our focus will be on tennis and bowling throughout April and May, followed by outdoor games and physical challenges as we move into June. We’re especially looking forward to visiting the local bowling club, where pupils will have the chance to apply their skills in a new and exciting environment.

Pupils will also be setting personal fitness goals and working collaboratively through a variety of physical activities. Later in the term, we’ll cover important topics such as emergency situations and sexual health education, delivered in a sensitive and age-appropriate way.

R.E

In May, our focus will be on Mary, Mother of God. Pupils will learn about Mary’s life and her importance within the Catholic faith, exploring key moments such as the Annunciation and the Visitation. We’ll reflect on her qualities such as faith, courage, and compassion and how her example can inspire us in our own lives.

Through stories, discussion, art, and prayer, pupils will develop a deeper understanding of Mary’s role in the Church and in the lives of believers around the world. P5 will also look at how different cultures celebrate Mary and the ways in which she is honoured, especially during the month of May. This unit will support pupils in thinking about the values they admire and how they can show kindness, respect, and faith in their own actions.

Expressive Arts

Preparations are already underway for our Summer Show! Pupils will work together to rehearse, perform, and support the production using a variety of expressive skills. Pupils will also be working within show groups demonstrating skills such as, technical, creative, communication and problem solving.

IDL

This term, our IDL topic will be Local Politics and Community Involvement. Pupils will explore how local government functions, including the roles of councillors, the responsibilities of the local council, and how decisions are made that impact our daily lives.

We’ll look at real-life issues and case studies to help pupils understand the importance of civic engagement. Pupils will learn how their voices can contribute to change, and how to express opinions respectfully and effectively. Activities will include group discussions, debates, and creating a mock council meeting to practise decision-making and public speaking skills. The class will also explore how laws are made, the importance of voting, and the rights and responsibilities we all share as members of a community.

Technology

This term we’ll focus on creating digital presentations using PowerPoint and Sway. Pupils will build skills in layout, text formatting, and multimedia use, as well as how to share their work with others.

UNCRC

This term in Primary 5, we are focusing on some key UNCRC articles that highlight important rights for children. We’ll be learning about Article 24, which is all about the right to good health and healthcare, and linking it to Mental Health Awareness Week in May. In June, we’ll observe World Day Against Child Labour (Articles 32 and 35), and talk about the importance of protecting children from harmful work. We’ll also mark World Refugee Day (Articles 10 and 22), exploring the rights of refugee children and the importance of family reunification. Through insightful discussions and activities, children will understand why these rights are so important, not just here, but for children all over the world. It’s a great opportunity for P5 to reflect on the rights they have, and how they can be advocates for others too!

 Upcoming Visit

We’re also excited about our upcoming trip to the Maritime Museum in May. This will be a fantastic opportunity to enhance our learning in a hands-on, engaging setting, and we’re looking forward to exploring the exhibits and discovering more about our maritime heritage.

As we approach the end of the year, I’d like to thank you for your continued support. It’s been a privilege to see how far this class has come, and I’m excited to finish the year strong with lots of opportunities for celebration and reflection. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Take care,

Miss Dorby

Primary 5 – Term 2 Update 

Hello everyone, 

Welcome to the P5 update for Term 2. 

Interdisciplinary Learning (IDL) 

This term, our interdisciplinary topic will be ‘The Victorians in Scotland’. We will be exploring the life of Queen Victoria and the many accomplishments during her reign that had a significant impact on the people and children of Scotland. Additionally, the class will be learning about influential groups, as well as notable scientists and artists from this period whose visions helped shape the modern world. The children will be able to act out a day in the life of a Victorian school pupil and take part in a Victorian P.E. lesson. 

Literacy 

We have almost finished last term’s class novel, The Butterfly Lion and will be deepening our knowledge of comprehension strategies and questioning this term with our new class novel, Rivet Boy by Barbara Henderson. 

In writing, we have started work on narrative stories and after this, will then move onto response pieces. The class will continue to edit and redraft their work to improve clarity and detail.  

For talking and listening, there will be a health and wellbeing focus on friendships and what makes a good friend. We will also be improving our listening skills and the importance of listening to others. 

Numeracy 

Our focus for Numeracy in Term 2 will be Addition and then Subtraction. Groups will expand on their prior learning and add and subtract with 2, 3 and 4 digits, carrying and exchanging, what this looks like using practical materials and then spending some time exploring negative numbers and their real-world contexts. 

On Thursdays, Mrs Terras will be teaching the children about money and then moving on to measuring area. 

Health and Wellbeing 

Our P.E. sessions are scheduled for Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings. Please ensure that your child brings in their P.E. kit on the correct day.  

The key areas for this term will be Gymnastics with myself and Football with Mrs Terras.  

Within our P.A.T.H.S lessons children will be looking at ‘The Control Signals’ (Stop, Make a Plan and Go) that help us calm down when we are faced with a problem. This will also link in with our friendship focus in Health and Wellbeing.  

We are broadening our studies in Health and Wellbeing to look at why groups of people may avoid certain food groups, viewing some of the statistics surrounding obesity in Scotland and how adverts we see on various platforms contribute to this. 

R.E.  

In term 2, we will be looking at many different topics such as Remembrance, how we honour our departed and the promise of eternal life through the month of November. December will be a month for learning about Advent as well as composing our own prayers. In both months, we will be researching some of the many Saints, how they were the models of Christian life and how they can help us through prayer. Mrs Terras will concentrate on the life of St Vincent de Paul on a Thursday. 

Expressive Arts 

Our expressive arts will be interwoven through our learning of our new class topic. We will experience techniques such as printing, allowing the children to create their own stamps and prints using everyday materials.  

Mrs Terras will be focussing on drama this term with the class using drama games, creating and evaluating group performances. 

Technologies 

We have been working on getting groups of pupils onto the school Glow network, resetting passwords and accessing educational resources as well as their pupil emails. I will be sending reminders of children’s glow log ins and Bug Club passwords home with them in the coming weeks, please keep an eye out for this.   

Our ICT time will also be used for word processing our narrative and response writing pieces, learning how to save those files and retrieve them.  

1+2 Languages 

Primary 5 will be learning some Spanish phrases to say hello, goodbye, introduce themselves as well as ask someone else’s name. In French, Mrs Terras will be looking at classroom vocabulary as well as the use of ‘le’, ‘la’ and ‘les’ before nouns. 

Thanks as always for your continued support

Miss Carr & Mrs Terras