Parents Information Sheet
Class 5P Spring Term – Second Half
Welcome back after the half term! Our new topic is called ‘Darwin’s Daring
Discoveries’.
Darwin’s Daring Discoveries
The main focus of this topic is Science, but we will also be studying Design and Technology,
ICT, and R.E.
Science: Children will learn about Darwin’s theories of evolution and inheritance. They will
learn about how different plants and animals are adapted to their environment, and will carry
out an investigation into how animals are adapted to their environment. They will also invent an
animal which is suited to live in a particular habitat and design a model of their animal and its
habitat.
R.E.: In R.E. this half term the children will be contrasting the religious view of creation with
Darwin’s theory of evolution. They will also explore the concept of life as a journey, and devise
a ‘suitcase’ of things to take on the journey.
Design and Technology: Children will be designing, making and evaluating a pair of slippers in
Design and Technology this half term.
ICT: The children will be using Microsoft Powerpoint to create a presentation. They will be
using an app called Telegami on the iPads to present information that they have learnt about
our topic.
PE KIT
Pupils need trainers, navy shorts, tracksuit trousers, jacket and a white T-shirt for all
PE lessons.
Our PE sessions are on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Children need to bring their indoor and outdoor PE kit to both lessons.
Please bring PE kit in on Monday. Children will be allowed to take their kit home on
Wednesday as it will not be needed for the rest of the week.
HOMEWORK
This year children will be bringing home a Homework Book every Monday to be returned
to school, with work completed, on Friday. Spelling and Times table homework will be
sent on a weekly basis, plus English and Maths on alternate weeks. There will also be
activities from ‘The Tree of Knowledge’ to be completed when children have finished
their reading book (only when they are asked to do so).
READING BOOKS
Children are expected to read part of their school reading book most nights of the week
as part of their homework. Please listen to your child read at least twice a week and sign
their Reading Record to indicate that they have been heard. Children are ideally
expected to finish one book per week if possible, unless they are reading very thick
books.
TIMES TABLES
We are continuing our push on times tables this year. To make sure children are learning
them, we have a times table ladder for children to work their way up in the classroom.
Children will be tasked with learning a set times table (sent home in the Homework Book)
and will be tested individually on this times table the next week. If they can recite it
confidently and answer questions, they will move up the ladder on to the next times
table. If not, they will be expected to continue learning it until they can recite it and
answer questions. Any support you can give them at home would be greatly appreciated.
Library
Our library day is Friday. Please make sure your child brings their library book to school
for changing on this day. They may keep a library book for no more than 2 weeks.
Thank you for your support.
Miss R Dwyer.