Kestrel Class - for Year 5 and 6

Children in Kestrel Class are expected to complete the following each week:

• 1 Doodle Maths activity
• 1 Doodle English activity
• 10 minutes of reading each day (or this can be done in longer sessions over the weekend)
• Weekly spellings, handed out on Fridays, to be practised in preparation for a test on Tuesdays

A world of adventure awaits Kestrel Class this term! From mysterious emporiums to Viking voyages, we have an exciting programme of learning ahead. In Maths, we will be building confidence and fluency by securing our understanding of place value and the four operations. Our English lessons will transport us into the enchanting worlds of Wolf Wilder and The Nowhere Emporium, inspiring us to strengthen our grammar skills and craft our own suspense-filled mystery narratives. Tucked beneath twinkling fairy lights and curled up on our new sofa, we will enjoy reading together during story time, while our weekly Chapter Friday sessions in the library will introduce us to a treasure trove of new books and authors.

Meanwhile, our classroom will become a hub of discovery and investigation. Through exciting experiments and hands-on challenges, we will explore the topic of Forces in Science and uncover how different pushes and pulls affect the world around us. In RE, we will delve into the fascinating question of how the world began, comparing Christian beliefs about Creation with scientific explanations. Our History lessons will take us back to the age of the Vikings, where we will uncover tales of fearless explorers, longships and legendary warriors, while Music will see us stepping into the world of film music to discover how composers create mood and emotion. Alongside these topics, we will be enjoying a range of other exciting learning opportunities across the curriculum

Beyond the classroom, there is even more to look forward to. One of the biggest highlights of the term will be our much-anticipated residential trip, offering opportunities for adventure, teamwork and unforgettable memories. With captivating books, magical stories, exciting investigations and special experiences around every corner, Term 1 promises to be a fantastic start to the year for Kestrel Class. 

What a busy couple of weeks it has been in Kestrels!

During Week 3, we focused on embedding our classroom routines and settling into learning for the term ahead. We have also been thoroughly enjoying our Nowhere Emporium writing unit. The children have worked incredibly hard on their descriptive writing and were very proud to share their work with Mrs Shillito.

For one day during Week 3, our Year 6 children were visiting Sarum Academy, which meant that Year 5 became the oldest children in the school! They rose to the challenge brilliantly, reading stories to Reception children in the library and demonstrating excellent leadership and responsibility.

In science, we investigated air resistance by designing and testing parachutes. The children enjoyed making predictions, carrying out fair tests and discussing how different parachute designs affected the speed of descent.

Week 4 has been all about our residential adventure! The children have thrown themselves into every activity with enthusiasm, courage and determination. From trying new challenges to supporting one another, they have made us incredibly proud. There have been lots of fun, laughter and memorable moments along the way.

There is so much to share from the residential that we have been posting regular updates and photos on the class page. Please take a look to see some of the fantastic experiences the children have been enjoying.