Year 5
English Summer
Workbook
2026
Contents:
Page 1: Handwriting and writing
Page 2-3: Grammar and spelling
Page 4: Reading activities
Page 5-8: Reading comprehension
Handwriting & writing:
1. Write the name of a
song, band or musical artist beginning with each
letter of the alphabet using cursive handwriting.
2.
3. Write a different type of poem each week (Kenning, Haiku, free
verse) The theme is up to you!
4. Write an informal letter (to a friend or family member). Then
write a formal letter (for example, to a company to thank
them for a positive experience). How did the language
change? Did your choice of punctuation change?
Grammar & spelling:
1. Above, are the Year 5 and 6 spelling words. Practise as many as
you can by writing them as part of a sentence.
2. Each week, write 3 sentences a week with a relative clause that
starts with a relative pronoun (who, which, that, where, when).
3. Write a list of homophones and use a dictionary to write a definition of the meaning of each (affect/ effect,
practice/ practise etc).
4. Look at the script on the next page, convert it to a
paragraph of direct speech.
Grammar & spelling:
Reading:
1. Read one non– fiction book a week and write a fact file
about what you have learnt.
2. Write a book review for each fiction book you read in no
more than 50 words. Could you send them to friends too?
3. Compare a book and film version of a story. Where there
certain parts missing? Which did you prefer? Why?
4. Read 3 poems and create a picture that you think of as you
read.
5. Read 2 stories by the same author. Can you summarise their
style? Are there notable similarities or differences?
6. Read these books:
7. Complete the comprehension questions…
Comprehension questions:
1. In the first paragraph it says, ‘it was so powerful, it could turn evil
men good and tame even the most wild of beasts.’ How do these comparisons help the reader to understand the powers the lyre had?
2. Find a word or phrase that describes Orpheus’ feelings after the
death of Eurydice. Explain your choices.
3. ‘ I will allow Eurydice to follow you out of the underworld on one condition. Whatever obstacles you may encounter on your journey, you must
not look back at your wife. If you do, then she will remain here with me
eternally.’ Why do you think Hades set this as a challenge for Orpheus?
4. Give 2 examples of how the appearance/ atmosphere of the second room
is described.
5. How does Orpheus’ mood change throughout the beginning, middle and
end of the story? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
6. Based on what you have read, what does the last paragraph suggest
might happen at the end of the story? Use evidence from the story to
support your prediction.