The Curriculum - D forms (Year 5)

During Key Stage 2 pupils learn to change the way they speak and write to suit different purposes and audiences. They read a range of texts and respond to different layers of meaning in them. They explore the use of language in literary and non-literary texts and learn how language works. Work in speaking and listening, reading and writing is integrated. Pupils in the D form follow the National Curriculum and National Literacy Strategy for Year 5.

 

The Senter handwriting scheme continues. Children who do not have a fluent joined-up handwriting style will be taught the Senter style.

 

The Miskin approach to phonics is used as the basis for our spelling programme. This follows on from the phonics approach at the Pre-Prep. Words arising from the children's own work are also addressed using a variety of strategies. A variety of dictionaries and thesauruses is used. Each pupil should have his or her own dictionary. We do not recommend a particular dictionary but suggest the one chosen is light enough to be carried around.

 

Reading is supported by class libraries and the School Library. A range of genres is covered including:

• Novels
• Stories and poems by significant children’s writers
• Playscripts
• Concrete poetry
• Traditional stories
• Myths, legends and fables from a range of cultures and traditions
• Choral and performance poetry
• Recounts of events, activities and visits
• Observational records
• News reports
• Instructional texts, rules, recipes, directions
• A selection of newspapers from different places with different agendas
• Non-chronological reports (i.e. to describe and class)
• Explanations (processes, systems, operations)
• Persuasive writing to put or argue a point of view
• Letters, commentaries, leaflets to persuade, criticise, protest, support, object, complain
• A selection of letters from newspapers