Swingate Primary School
Year 5 Newsletter ~ Term 4
Welcome back! We hope you had a wonderful half term and are ready for the term ahead. Our Tudor
Day was such a fantastic success – thank you for your incredible support! 
Our Topic this term is about Coasts, which will include a focus on rivers, how they
change over time, and their relationship with the sea; the demographics and history of
coastal areas. We will also look at the relationship of rivers with coasts.
English ~ English learning will focus on a variety of genres, including suspense and mystery stories,
instruction writing and poetry. This term we are excited to announce there will also be a World Book
Day focus for English in line with World Book Day which is on Thursday 2nd March 2017. Children can
come in to school dressed as their favourite book character on this day if they wish. If they do not
want to dress up then they should wear their school uniform. There is no charge.
Please help your child by remembering to read on a regular basis. This is SO important as it not only
gives you quality time together but it gives your child the chance to practise a key skill in life. Please
make a note in our reading contact books for your child’s chance to earn a reward!
Maths ~ This term we will focus on place value, as this is such a vital aspect to
children’s learning. We will also be extending our learning in written multiplication and
division and measures.
To help improve children's instant recall of number facts, each year group has KIRFs (key instant
recall facts) that they will practice and learn at school each term. We will be practicing these each
week but it would be helpful if you could support your child in learning these at home. This term’s
KIRF is to identify prime numbers up to 20. Please find more information on this term’s KIRFs on the
back.
Science ~ This term we will be investigating how to be a survivor. The children will
be learning about useful materials to build shelters, sails for a boat. They will have
the opportunity to learn how to separate salt from water, to make it drinkable, etc.
PE ~ We will be focussing on tag rugby and tennis skills this term. Please ensure your child has a full
PE kit in school and that all pieces are named. You may like to include a pair of tracksuit bottoms
for the colder weather! Earrings are not to be worn whilst taking part in a PE lesson. PE will usually be
on Wednesday mornings but this may change later in the term.
Useful information:
Home learning: The home learning for this term will be available online, but please ask your child’s
teacher if you require a paper copy.
Water bottles: Children are allowed to replenish these during the day. Please make sure that they
are named and have a non-spill top.
Reading records: Please make sure you are writing in reading records if your child is reading at home,
it is great to see their reading journey!
Thank you for your continuing support.
Mrs Hannah, Mrs Wright, Miss Wood, Mrs Patel, Mrs Matthews, Mrs Green and Mr Phillips
Year 5 team
Key Instant Recall Facts
Year 5 – Spring 2
I can identify prime numbers up to 20.
A prime number is a number with no factors other
than itself and one.
Key Vocabulary
The following numbers are prime numbers:
prime number
2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19
A composite number is divisible by a number other
than 1 or itself.
composite number
The following numbers are composite numbers:
multiple
factor
4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20
Children should be able to explain how they know that a number is composite.
E.g. 15 is composite because it is a multiple of 3 and 5.
Top Tips
The secret to success is practising little and often. Use time wisely. Can you practise these
KIRFs while walking to school or during a car journey? You don’t need to practise them all
at once: perhaps you could have a fact of the day. If you would like more ideas, please
speak to your child’s teacher.
It’s really important that your child uses mathematical vocabulary accurately. Choose a
number between 2 and 20. How many correct statements can your child make about this
number using the vocabulary above?
Make a set of cards for the numbers from 2 to 20. How quickly can your child sort these
into prime and composite numbers? How many even prime numbers can they find? How
many odd composite numbers?