Welcome to Jupiter

Year Five and Six

 Class Teachers

Mrs Louise Oaten - Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Mr Tim Jones - Thursday and Friday.

Class TAs- Mrs Ellen Frampton and Mrs Ritchie.

Our new dance unit is proving that the "old moves are the best moves", the children have been busy dancing to music from the 1960's and 1970's.

Skellig

In English, we are now reading the book 'Skellig' by David Almond, which is a fantastic, mysterious and at times scary book about an unusual find in a garage. David Almond is a brilliant author who has written many superb books for children - we were lucky enough to be given a few of them by our wonderful PTA for Christmas! Skellig is inspiring some excellent writing, and this will continue in the Spring term...

The Unforgotten Coat

Another of our texts this term is "The Unforgotten Coat " by Frank Cottrell Boyce.  This book tells a story of friendship in the midst of adversity. Winner of the 2012 Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, this magical and poignant book is enriched by stunning and atmospheric Polaroid photos.

Two refugee brothers from Mongolia are determined to fit in with their Liverpool schoolmates, but bring so much of Mongolia to Bootle that their new friend and guide, Julie, is hard-pressed to know truth from fantasy. Told with the humour, warmth and brilliance of detail which characterizes Frank Cottrell Boyce's writing, readers will be transported from the streets of Liverpool to the steppe of Mongolia.

Journey Back to Freedom

Our Guided Reading book this term, is A Journey back to  Freedom by Catherine Johnson.  From the horrors of the slave trade to a book that changed the world, Catherine Johnson celebrates the incredible life of Olaudah Equiano in this gripping true story. Journey Back to Freedom focuses on Equiano’s early life, demonstrating the resilience of the human spirit and one man’s determination to be free.

Maafa

These two texts link into our History topic of Maafa.  This project teaches children about Africa past and present, with a particular focus on Benin. It traces the development of the slave trade and explores Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade, the causes and consequences of the European colonisation of Africa and the worldwide communities that make up the African diaspora.

Science

In science year 6 have moved on to look at the circulatory system, what its function is and how to keep it healthy. It is really important to keep things as practical as possible and so in the new year we will be dissecting lamb hearts - this is something the children are often a little nervous about beforehand but is a really valuable learning opportunity.

Year 5 will be looking at materials and their properties, and reversible and irreversible changes - get your sieves and filter paper out! They will work methodically and determinedly to identify, compare, classify and research.

Art

Jupiter class have taken their art to the next level in recent weeks, with some beautiful, well considered self portraits based on the work of Frida Kahlo, an artist from Mexico known for her rich use of symbolism throughout her career. We are really pleased with how they have come out - please come and have a look in the classroom after school one day! We are going to move on to look at how artists consider colour in their work in the new year...

Computing

The children worked hard on their websites, and I was especially impressed with those who took the time outside of school to continue that work - they produced some genuinely professional-looking results and should be really proud of them. We are now going to be looking at databases and how to create and use these efficiently.

P.E.

In PE, we will be dancing our way through the decades.

PE - is on a Tuesday afternoon. Please remember to wear black shorts, red PE t-shirt, trainers and red hooded top, if needed.

Spellings - will be given out on a Thursday and tested on the subsequent Thursday. Please ensure the blue spelling book is returned each week on  Thursday.  

Reading - as much as possible at home, at least four times a week. Please record reading in Reading Record.

Homework - will be given out on a Thursday and returned on a Wednesday.

Mock Trial 2024

On Tuesday 12th November,  Year 6 attended the "Mock Trial" competition.  The children were given a "mock" case to defend. Year 6 prepared their case, after a visit from a serving magistrate who gave them an insight into the workings of the justice system.  They worked hard using the witness statements  as a basis for their case, whilst preparing a set of questions designed to probe the witnesses and provide evidence for the defence.  Our defence solicitors were Thias and Harry, who were excellent in their questioning and listening in the courtroom. Our defendant, Ayanda, was great on the stand as were our witnesses, Henry and Evie.  Poppy was a very stern usher to the court and our magistrates, Georgia and Joseph, provided wise counsel  in deciding the verdict.  Matilda and Emmie submitted a report to the court of the events of the trial.

We were placed 2nd overall in the competition, with Harry receiving an award for his outstanding role as a defence solicitor and Sofia was awarded joint 1st for her artist impression of the court room.  The children were all brilliant and conducted themselves with the gravatis which the situation required.