Otter Class

Class teacher’s welcome

Welcome to the ‘Otterly’ Outstanding Yr5 Otter class!

We are very excited to share with you events that happen throughout the school year. In Otter, the children are provided with the skills and knowledge required to become aspirational, curious and enthusiastic lifelong learners.

This page has now been updated for Spring 1. YAY! 🙂

Please see the new Knowledge organisers, overview of this term’s learning, home learning project suggestions, weekly spelling patterns and new images of our written methods in maths.

Miss Hetherton

Curriculum news

At a glance – Spring 1

Maths – Multiplication and Division; Fractions
English – Fiction: The Arrival a wordless graphic novel that follows a man who leaves his homeland—where war and mysterious threats loom—to seek a safe and prosperous future for his family in a foreign city. This text lends to our school value of compassion and respect for others, as well as the perseverance of the main protagonist as he searches for a better life.
Science – Earth and Space
RE – Should we forgive others? This topic promotes our school value of compassion.
History – Anglo-Saxons and Scots. This work will encourage the pupils’ understanding of respect, appreciating how the past has shaped our home.
PSHE – Keeping Myself Safe.
Art – Anglo-Saxon art
Music – Let’s Play: Tuned percussion
French – Module 3: Districts in Paris, time phrases, number. This encourages the understanding and respect for other cultures and languages.
Computing – Programming

Home Learning

How These Activities Show the School Value of Service: Even though these tasks are completed at home, each one offers opportunities for children to serve others—their classmates, families, and wider school community—by sharing learning, contributing ideas, and helping to build a richer learning environment.

English Activities

1. Recommend good reads

Service link:

By recommending books, children help classmates discover new stories they might enjoy.
Reviews support others in choosing texts that match their interests or reading level, serving the whole class community.
Sharing reading enthusiasm encourages a positive reading culture, benefiting everyone.

2. Create Your Own “Arrival” Creature

Service link:

Designing a creature that helps newcomers mirrors the idea of serving others by offering help, kindness and support.
Sharing their creature with the class can spark ideas and inspire peers in their own creative tasks.
Children may choose to model how their creature supports someone new, reinforcing the value of service through storytelling.

3. Visual Storytelling (Wordless Comic Strip)

Service link:

A clear, expressive comic strip can help peers understand how stories can be told visually—serving others by supporting shared learning.
Children can use their comic to reassure others about new experiences, such as journeys or meeting new people, offering service through empathy and creativity.
Displaying their work contributes to the class’s appreciation of different artistic approaches.

History Activities

1. Design a Runic Message

Service link:

Sharing runic messages helps others learn about Anglo-Saxon writing.
Creating a message for someone shows thoughtful service to friends or family.
Contributions can support school displays, helping younger pupils engage with history.

2. Make an Anglo-Saxon Brooch or Jewellery

Service link:

Children serve the school community by creating something that helps others understand Anglo-Saxon culture.
Offering their creation as a gift shows kindness and service at home or in school.
Helping peers with techniques demonstrates service through collaboration.

Science – Earth and Space Activities

1. Make a Model of the Solar System

Service link:

Models can be used as learning resources, helping classmates visualise the planets.
Clearly labelled models serve others by making complex information easier to understand.
Teaching peers about the Solar System shows service through shared knowledge.

2. Night Sky Observation Log

Service link:

Sharing observations helps classmates recognise patterns in the night sky.
Logs can contribute to class discussions or displays, serving the group with useful data.
Helping family members spot stars or Moon phases shows service at home.

These projects are designed to run alongside the learning for the half-term and should be handed in on or before Monday 9th February 2026

Please continue to:

Read with your child on a regular basis
Encourage positive routines
Support with home learning projects
Develop independence and organisation for each day
Help to expand your child’s vocabulary within everyday conversation
Exposure to a variety of text types

Links to support learning

Reading

Please encourage your child to read daily for a minimum of 20 minutes. At least 3 reading sessions per week should be recorded in the school Reading Record. Children should all have a school reading book (that can be changed regularly) but should be encouraged to read other material as well.

Read more about English in Y5 in the National Curriculum Programmes of Study

Maths

Times Table Rock Stars (please ask if you need a reminder of your child’s login details) – all children are expected to be fluent in their tables up to 12 x 12 so regular practice is very helpful!

Written methods for addition, subtraction, short multiplication, long multiplication and short division are taught as in the pictures below.