Flight Week

Thursday 8th July

Today we practised our skills of identifying and classifying, thinking of as many ways as we could to group different flying objects! Here are some examples:

Flight Week

Tuesday 6th July

Today Year 5 considered flight and the four forces acting on a plane in the air. Using different paper aeroplane designs, we constructed and adjusted planes to explore the question 'which paper aeroplane will travel the furthest distance?' We experimented with planes made from different sizes of paper and found that longer wings and thinner bodies allowed the plane to generate more lift and travel over 5metres! 

Flight Week 

Monday 5th July 

Today Erika from 'Nite Owls' joined us with her eagle owl Monty using 'Zoom'. We learnt lots of interesting facts about owls, including that they could live up to 15 years in captivity! Each class were also able to ask questions to learn more about this fascinating species of birds.

Following Erika's presentation, Year 5 used clay tools to accurately represent one of Erika's owls. Adding texture to mimic the feathers was particularly fun!

Amazing life cycles

In science we have begun to look at the life cycles of birds, mammals, amphibians and insects. Here are some fantastic examples!

Our next step is to make comparisons between these cycles, considering what is the same and what is different. 

Battle of Britain Trip to Shuttleworth Tuesday 15th June 2021

In History, Year 5 have considered the importance of The Battle of Britain, which took place 81 years ago. To support their learning, today they visited Shuttleworth in Bedfordshire to take part in practical activities linked to this historic event. 

With the help and expert guidance of Matthew and his team, Willow class learnt how to use radar and locate enemy planes, looked at the amazing Hurricanes and Spitfires and sent Morse code messages with lights to guide spies into occupied France!

Additionally, we all received our Bofors Gunners stickers and worked in teams of three to understand how to operate an anti-aircraft gun! We were amazed at how heavy the ammunition was and the speed with which teams had to reload. 

Our activities ended with an open-top bus ride around the collection of aircraft and hangars, and we enjoyed waving to the very friendly public! 

We relaxed in the amazing adventure playground before returning to school.

Thank you to Mrs Garbutt and Mr Jones for accompanying us and making the day so memorable!

Spirituality Week 24th - 27th May 2021

This week Willow class joined the whole school in exploring spirituality. We began by thinking about the definition and what spirituality meant to us. Leon said he thought it meant somebody's religion, while Maddox said that some people see their ancestors in spirit form.

We then reflected on Alan and Tracy's definition that spirituality is 'something we feel inside ourselves and is being aware of something bigger than ourselves'. Here are some responses:

I am amazed by imagination - Leon 

I am inspired by nature because without it we wouldn't be here - Harrison

For me spirituality is chakras - Coby

I am amazed by how animals make their habitats - Olivia 

On Tuesday, we listened to Alan and Tracy's assembly about the key school values of forgiveness, trust, resilience, love and courage. They illustrated these values through the story of Noah's ark. Back in the classroom, we focused on resilience, creating prayers or wishes to help us 'bounce back' when things leave us feeling defeated. After writing these, we played with springy aliens to demonstrate this! Miss Perry then helped Willow class to show resilience, as they learnt the tricky skill of weaving 'God's Eyes' in the afternoon.

On Wednesday, we decorated bricks to build a wall of strength and confidence to encourage us to keep trying and not to give up when things are difficult.

Finally, on Thursday, we ended our spirituality activities with a workshop of dances from around the world. We all particularly liked the 'can-can' from France!

Outdoor Learning Day Thursday 20th May 2021

Willow class celebrated learning in the school grounds with a range of practical activities. 

Making links to their history topic, they created their own 1940s inspired scarecrow, constructing these from tights filled with straw on a wooden frame! As you can see, they had great fun dressing these figures and giving them their own unique personalities. 

In maths, the children searched the playground for improper fractions and mixed numbers, comparing the size of these.

Finally, in the afternoon, accuracy skills were developed through target golf and boccia traffic lights.

Exploring rations

Year 5 used pasta to represent the different quantities of food an adult was provided with for a week's ration during the Second World War. They enjoyed using the different types of scales to ensure that their measurements were accurate!

A virtual visit from Baroness Floella Benjamin!

On 11th May,  Year 5 joined the children's author and campaigner Floella Benjamin in a virtual meeting, where we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the publication of her autobiography 'Coming to England'. Floella was inspiring to listen to, and taught us the importance of consideration, contentment, confidence and courage.

We created kennings to celebrate her amazing contributions to literature and children's rights. 

Underground shelters 

Linking their history learning and art, Year 5 have been exploring the wax-resist images of people sleeping in the underground. These were created by the war artist Henry Moore. Here are some of our examples!

Hertfordshire Primary Maths Challenge 

On Tuesday 27th April Ellis, Yunus, Ayda and Isabelle took part in the Year 5 Maths Challenge. Competing against 64 other schools in their heat, they answered timed questions in rounds of  memory, visual estimation and general maths questions. They worked incredibly well as a team, helping each other and submitting an answer for every question.  Well done!

Phases of the Moon books

We have combined our science knowledge and cutting and decorating skills in art to create books to show the eight phases of the Moon. Here are a few examples: 

The Easter Story

Year 5 were joined by Reverend Alan and Tracy who shared key events and values from the Easter story through role play and resources. This also helped us to reflect on our 'Incarnation' unit for RE, considering Jesus and his role as the messiah for Christians. 

The Traveller's Guide to the Solar System!

We have been learning about persuasive features in English. After researching a planet in our Solar System, Year 5 wrote persuasive travel leaflets encouraging tourists to visit.

Here are some examples: 

Freestyle Football Skills Workshop

On Friday 19th March Year 5 were joined by Jamie Knight, who presented his amazing football skills to the children.

This opportunity allowed Willow class to demonstrate perseverance and resilience, as they practised 'blind heel' and 'around the world' skills in their breaktime and lunchtime to prepare for their afternoon workshop.

As you can see from the photographs, they were brilliant! Thank you Jamie! 

Orbit investigations

Year 5 investigated orbits, looking to see if there was a pattern between the planet's distance from the Sun and the time it takes for it to complete an orbit.

We attached air balls to string and marked the string at different lengths. We then spun the ball 10 times to see how long it took to complete an orbit.

Here is Maddox's fantastic conclusion to tell you what we discovered:

Fruit Solar System!

We have learnt about the size and distance of the planets in the Solar System by making a model using fruit!

Mercury was represented by a peppercorn, Venus and Earth by cherry tomatoes and Mars a blueberry. Well done to Harrison who classed the first four planets as terrestrial!

The next four planets are gas giants, with Jupiter represented by a watermelon, Saturn by a grapefruit, Uranus by an apple and finally Neptune by an orange.

We are now going to write persuasive leaflets, encouraging tourists to visit these fascinating locations! 

World Book Day Thursday 11th March 2021

Year 5 began by reading Chapter 2 of ‘The Demon Headmaster’ and defining new vocabulary. Next, they made predictions about what would happen in the following chapter.

        The cover of the book was then discussed against a description of the Headmaster and, as a class, Year 5 agreed that the seventh cover was the most effective, while the fourth cover was too “creepy” and “scary” and made them feel “claustrophobic”.

In the afternoon, Willow class created board games inspired by different books or new covers for ‘The Demon Headmaster’ based on the class success criteria.

        Additionally, we enjoyed listening to MC Grammar’s ‘World Book Day’ song and identified rhymes, similes, metaphors and alliteration we liked!

Christmas Tree Decorations:

Year 5 in D&T had a fun afternoon sewing Christmas tree decorations and decorated them with buttons, sequins and ribbon. These will be entered into the Christmas tree competition.  

Anti-Bullying Week 2020

Year 5 acknowledged Anti-Bullying Week this year by wearing odd socks to celebrate difference. In class we completed an anti-bullying quiz, before decorating a jigsaw piece to explain the part we will play in stopping bullying and promoting kindness and respect for all. 

BMX Experience

On Friday 23rd October Year 5 were excited to take part in a special BMX workshop to promote our school values of courage and resilience.

Mike Mullen (6x BMX Halfpipe Champion) taught Year 5 the importance of thinking 'I can', and with this in mind they were able to perform some amazing tricks and stunts on their bikes.

Congratulations to Jayden, Summer and Alfie who then represented Year 5 in the closing trick display.

Remember to keep trying and think positively when you face a challenge!

"The day has taught me I can do it we just have to try" - Summer

"The day taught me to be resilient so now when I face a challenge I won't give up" - Coby

Trip to the River Lee

On Thursday 17th September Year 5 walked to Hartham Common to follow the River Lee. We began at Thornton Street Weir and counted the different types of birds we could spot (there were lots of Mallard ducks!)

We then continued along by the water and allotments, sketching the canal boats. We finished our walk on the bridge over Hertford Basin.

We are now creating 3D maps of this route to share in school. 

What is colour like?

Year 5 have been developing their descriptive language skills by describing colours.

Here are some of their fantastic ideas!

What is the colour red like?

Lava bursting out of the volcano with a lovely crimson red like a shiny ruby - Alfie

It makes me see in my imagination like a massive fire at Paris - Yunus

It smells like the sweetness of a strawberry and the steam of a campfire - Harrison

It sounds like a crimson ruby so bright it can blind you with delight - Maddox

If you eat something spicy your mouth will feel like you are going to breathe out fire - Summer

It tastes like a vermilion strawberry exploding into pieces - Ellis

It looks like a volcano erupting angrily - Lennon

It looks like fire crying and blowing - Jayden

What is the colour purple like?

It looks like loads of amethysts with glitter all over them - Olivia

What is the colour pink like?

Pink smells like a million roses swaying in the wind - Abigail

What is the colour green like?

It looks like a gigantic green tree swaying from side to side in the raging storm - Coby

What is the colour blue like?

It looks like neon blue lights flashing at a midnight disco party - Isabelle 

Aquamarine blue sounds like a calm sea with waves that are peacefully crashing onto the sand - Ayda

It reminds me of a sapphire blue sea - Noah

At night you can see a comet like a diamond falling in a blue shiny ocean - Leon 

'I am the greatest!'

Year 5 have been reviewing their knowledge of place value with the game 'I am the greatest!' Using playing cards, they made a 4-digit number to compare with their partner. A point was then awarded to the person with the largest number.