Spellings: short i sound spelt with a y
– Usually the short ‘i’ vowel sound is made with the letter i. However a few words use a y instead. Most of these words have Greek origins.
– Example words: pyramid, myth, Egypt, hymn, gym, crystal, system, symbol, syrup, crypt.
– Challenge words for Y5: rhythm, physical, sympathetic, oxygen, anonymous .
– There are online activities to practise this here or you can access the word bank on letterjoin.
Arithmetic: What do you need to practise?
– For the last few weeks of term you are going to choose which calculation types you need to practise. Each week I will provide an arithmetic test – have a go and choose one of the questions you got wrong to practise all week.
– A printable version of the arithmetic text is provided in the downloads below, or you can see the questions in the photos.
Mexico Theme: Arts & Crafts
Research Suggestions
– Find out about Mexican worry dolls and what they are used for. You could even try and make a set of your own.
– Research one of these famous Mexican artists: Frida Kahlo, Leonora Carrington or the sculpter Sebastian (sometimes known as the Mexican Banksy). Can you produce a piece of artwork in their style?
– Research Mexican Folk Art. A lot of it is made from paper so it is easy for you to create your own, but can you also find out what other materials are used?
Things to do:
– Look at the examples of Mexican Folk Art. Can you see any similarities between this and the Aboriginal art we looked at when we were learning about Australia? Can you have a go at producing your own art in this style. You can try collage with different coloured pieces of paper, using felt pens or painting.
– You can download some instructions below (written by our friends in Pod 5) for making Mexican pinch pots out of clay. If you don’t have clay, you could use any form of modelling material.
– Make your own set of Maracas. One way is to stick together two paper or plastic cups with something inside to make a rattle.
– Stone Cactus. I know that lots of you have been painting pebbles with positive messages and hiding them. Did you know you can collect some large stones from the garden and paint them to make a cactus? (see photo for idea)
– You can find some easy ideas for making paper flowers and plants here.
– Design and make a Mexican mask. There is an example you could try and copy in the photos or you can follow the instructions here.
English: Narrative
We will be continuing our work from last week based on the Hero Twins myth. If you did last week’s work based on a different story that you have read, then you can use that instead.
Monday Reading: Revisiting the myth of the Hero Twins
– Myths are stories from long ago which have been passed down through the generations by people telling them. Small details in the stories often get changed over time so we end up with many different versions of the same myth. Today I would like you to read some different versions of the Hero Twins myth.
– The first version can be found online here and also has a quiz to check your understanding at the end. Another version can be read here. All of these can also be downloaded and printed from the links below.
– How are the stories similar? Can you spot any small details that are different between them?
Tuesday: Planning our own myth
– Today we are going to use the ‘boxing-up’ technique to create our own version of the Hero Twins myth. The table below shows the main points of the original story. For each can you follow the same pattern but change a few details to create your own version (e.g. change the reason they angered the gods, create different tasks for them to overcome).
– You can download a copy of the table below if you want to print it or just make your own notes on each part of your story.
Wednesday: Using conjunctions and fronted adverbials to tell your story
– Can you tell the story you have planned to someone?
– You could just practise telling it or you could act it out.
– When you are telling the story, try to use the fronted adverbials and conjunctions we have been practising over the last few weeks to link your ideas.
Thursday & Friday: Write your story.
– Can you write your own version of the story?
– Make sure you remember to organise it into paragraphs (Tuesday’s boxing up plan will help).
– You should try and use some of the description of the Underworld that you wrote last week within your story. Can you also use a range of fronted adverbials?
– If any of the characters in your story are speaking, you will need to punctuate this with inverted commas (speech marks) with a capital letter and punctuation inside the speech marks.
Maths: Algebraic Thinking
This week we are looking at solving puzzles that will develop the skills you need to understand algebra. Algebra doesn’t just mean equations and letters like, but is all about skill of working out something that is unknown from clues.
Monday: Working Backwards
– When we work backwards we use the inverse operations to ‘undo’ a calculation. This skill helps you to solve algebra problems when you get older.
– What is the inverse of: a) halving? b) adding? c) dividing?
(Answer for parents: a) doubling b) subtracting c) multiplying)
– Play a I’m thinking of a number game with someone: I’m thinking of a number. I double it, then subtract 5. My answer was 135. What was my number?
– Solve these empty box calculations by working backwards: □ + 578 = 2309 □ x 9 = 270 □ ÷ 4 = 92 □ – £5.99 = £8.76
Tuesday: Super Shapes
– This problem will require you to use your working backwards skills from yesterday.
– Can you work out the value of the red shape in each calculation?
– Hint: First substitute in the values you know for the green triangle and yellow rectangle. Then you will need to use your working backwards skills (inverse operations) to find out what they red shape must be worth. Once you have an answer, check it into the calculation and seeing if it works.
– If you prefer, you can download and print a version of this below. There is also a more advanced challenge that Year 5 & 6 might like to try!
Wednesday: Triangle Investigation
– You can explore today’s puzzle using matchsticks, cocktails sticks, felt pens or anything else similar you have at home. You can also simply draw the lines.
– If you get struck, try a table like this to record your results: 
Thursday: Using algebra for area & perimeter.
– Last Friday you learnt about area & perimeter. The area of a rectangle can be worked out using an algebraic formula: area = length x width. The perimeter of a rectangle can also be worked out: perimeter = (2 x length) + (2 x width)
– Using this knowledge you can work out missing dimensions on rectangles. Similar to the work on Monday & Tuesday, you will need to substitute what you know into the formula and then work backwards to find the missing information.
– If a rectangle has an area of 36 cm2 and the rectangle is 4cm wide, what is its length?
– If a rectangular field has a perimeter of 40 metres and one of the sides is 10m long, how long is the other side?
Friday: Can you use the skills you have learnt this week to solve these problems?
Downloads
The Hero Twins Version 3
The Hero Twins Version 2
Super Shapes Challenge
Super Shapes Advanced Challenge
Printable Maths Problems
Hero Twins
Boxing Up Story Plan
Arithmetic Test Y4
Arithmetic Test Y5
Mexican Pinch Pot Instructions
Useful Websites
National Geographic for Kids
DK History Aztecs
Letterjoin
