Parents

The highlight of this week was definitely our visit on Wednesday.  Thank you for supporting the trip.

Islam, Christianity and Sikhism are the three main faiths that we study in Year Five, so the trip fitted in well.

After removing our shoes in the vestibule, we were shown into a large space just outside the main worship area.  Our host, Zia, explained some of the features of the building (the minaret, the dome, and the fact that it was aligned towards the south-east).  There was some discussion and a chance for questions.

We then entered the main hall, with blue and red carpeting (again aligned towards Mecca to our south east) and lots of geometric patterning.  We were shown the prayer schedule (on an electronic clock), and where the Imam leads the services from.  A passage from the Qu’ran was read to us, and we were shown how members of the Muslim community conduct their wudu and then their prayers.

Afterwards there was a short quiz and some more discussion, followed by a Penguin each for the children, and gift books for each adult.

The children were superbly attentive throughout the morning, and there was a genuine sense of calm and serenity inside the building.

We were home in time for lunch.  Many thanks to the parents who came with us.

Literacy this week has continued with the story of Luke and Ramona.  You will remember that Luke is that heroic figure who fights all manner of obstacles to reach the top of the mountain to rescue Ramona, who then rejects his efforts and decides to stay put.  Nice.  So we thought it might be interesting to write a sequel, where Ramona finally decides that enough is enough and she will make a bid for freedom.  Your children have thought up alternative obstacles for her to face, and they have been left to make the difficult decision as to whether it all ends happily ever after.  One person’s ending already has her proposing to him (as is traditional on Leap Year Day) and him deciding that she isn’t his type after all.  Thanks but no thanks.  There aren’t that many happy endings.

Full write up is on Monday and Tuesday.

Maths has seen us going through the vital topic of decimals (at least to hundredths).  We are trying to impress upon them the importance of calculating these correctly – think money!  We are also looking at thousandths, and trying to think of when you might use them.  Engineering and design?  F1 lap times?  Other sports scores – baseball and cricket perhaps?  Answers on a postcard please.

Next week is about rounding decimal numbers.

The PSHE module this term focuses on friendship, particularly in the context of online safety and online friends.  Today they discussed what sorts of information they might be prepared to share with a friend, an acquaintance, and someone they had ‘met’ online.  This would be worth some follow-up – it becomes a very grey area.  We often hear stories (disturbing to adult ears) of ‘friends’ met whilst gaming online, and we frequently encounter issues in Year Six when some children get phones, sometimes without too much discussion about how (and how not) to use them.

Science this week started on aspects of the human body, and changes as we grow.  The main sessions on puberty (to boys and girls) are next week.

We have finished the Ancient Greeks module, learning about the story of the Trojan Horse (including making models of the horse).  We move onto the Mayans next week.

Finally tennis today saw the sun come out (albeit briefly) long enough to practise some forehand shots and returns.  Not bad at all and great to be in the fresh air.

Have a good one – see you all on Monday.

The Y5 Team.