Happy New Year! Hope you have had a relaxing Christmas (and better than mine)! Your child should now be prepared for a busy time at school. First of all some reminders: If your child is off for any reason or unable to participate in swimming or PE please notify me in writing. It is however very important that children attend all these sessions. Tuesday - Swimming Thursday - Library Friday - P.E. Homework Although homework is completed regularly by most children and is given in on time, some children are still not completing their work and are forgetting to hand their work in on the correct day. Please ensure your child hands their homework in on time. A letter is now being given out children who do not bring their homework in. If your child is struggling please try to help them, if this is not possible please write me a note, informing me that it has been attempted. I will then spend some time with your child going through the homework. Children are given homework every Friday, usually Maths and English, to be handed in on the following Monday. Additional Maths homework will be given every Wednesday; this will usually be their mental arithmetic books. This needs to be handed in the following day. Spellings are given out on Tuesday, the test is on Friday. Also some children still do not have a firm grasp of their times tables and will need to keep practising these at home as well as at school. Reading Tests I would also like to say how pleased I am with your child's progress in reading. When tested in December the majority of the children in the class have a reading age well above their chronological age. Nevertheless, it is important that all children carry on reading at home on a regular basis. Please can you sign their reading record each time they read. This term: Here is a brief outline of what else the children will be learning during the second term: Literacy Children will be studying a range of texts including: myths and legends and poetry. In addition, children will develop their understanding of spelling rules, punctuation and grammar. Numeracy Each week we will be focusing on learning division facts relating to our times tables, starting this week with division facts relating to the two times table. Also we will be developing our knowledge and understanding of; - Addition and subtraction - Number sequences - Place Value - Multiplication - Division - Money - Calculator work - Fractions and decimals - Problem Solving I have ordered some excellent maths dictionaries, if you still wish to buy a copy they are £2.95. It is recommended that all children have a copy of this. Religion During this term we will be studying the theme of worship. In particular looking at the key events in the liturgical year. Science In Science will are looking at solids, liquids and gases. Later on we will study life cycles ICT On the computers the children will look at databases, preparing their own databases and spreadsheets and producing graphs. History We will be finishing off our work on Tudors in particular we will be learning about Elizabeth I's reign, Tudor exploration and the Spanish Armada. We will also be performing our Tudor play – Henry VIII and his six wives. In February, Year 5 will be attending a special Tudor music and dance workshop at Denton Festival Hall. Geography Children will be looking at pollution and waste. This will include a visit to Ash Road recycling centre later in the Spring. Our School Website We have been updating the school website. If you would like to view some of the children's work and read the latest news, then visit www.ourlady.co.uk. Finally... If you have any concerns or if your child is having problems with their work please do not hesitate to come and see me or Mrs Ashton, preferably after school or please make an appointment for a more suitable time. As you may be aware, I had a 'freak' accident just before Christmas. I have badly damaged my hand (laceration of the artery, tendon and nerve damage). Unfortunately it does mean I will be off school for a few weeks. However, I will be in from time to time to make sure all is well and that the children are making good progress. Thank you for your co-operation. Mr. M Woolley Year 5 class teacher

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