Year 5
Thursday 7th March 2024 - World Book Day
Wednesday 5th March 2024
Year 5 visited the Westcliff mosque.
When we arrived, we had to remove our shoes and leave them on the shelves outside. We were incredibly lucky to be able to watch some Muslim people carrying out their afternoon prayers. Whilst the prayers were happening, all of the children remained respectfully silent.
Once the Imam had lead the worshippers in their prayer, he then came to talk to us about some of the beliefs of the Muslim community. We identified some of the features in the mosque that we had previously learned about and we also went into the washing area to see where the men perform Wudu before they pray.
This visit concluded our unit of work studying the question: What does it mean to be a Muslim in Britain today?
You could try to identify the items in the pictures and discuss some of the features we didn’t’ see. Words to help are: Imam, prayer mats, rak'ah, Qur'an, mihrab (in the wall), minbar (steps), Wudu, minarets, dome, symbol of Islam.
Tuesday 19th December 2023
Class 12 completed a challenge to build a wall that had to be strong enough to stay standing after blocks are removed. The teams were given 15 minutes to build their wall. Part way through, different rules were given, for example, they had to build it tall and it had to withstand the table being shaken.
The message behind this activity was linked to our big question: What does it mean to be a Muslim in Britain today? The children learned that the idea of building strong walls relates to building strong lives.
There was stiff competition, but in the end the victorious team were Evan, Mason, Austin, Isabelle, Chris, Grace and Leo S. Well done, guys!
You could ask your children: What is the purpose of the 5 Pillars of Islam? (For Muslims to lead a good and responsible life.) What words are spoken for the Shahadah? (There is nothing worth worshipping but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger.) Salah requires prayer how many times a day? (5.) What are the first and last times of prayer during the day? (First – just before sunrise. Last – between sunset and midnight.) What is Zakat – the third pillar? (Charitable deeds, giving to those in need.) What does it mean ‘to fast’? (Not eating or drinking during the day during the holy month of Ramadan.) What is Hajj – the fifth pillar? (The pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca.)
Tuesday 12th December 2023
Continuing the theme related to our big question: What does it mean to be a Muslim in Britain today?, Year 5 used the immersive program Now>Press>Play to consolidate and support their learning of The Five Pillars of Islam.
They became an alien landing on Earth to help a practicing Muslim, called Maany, reach his ultimate goal of going to Mecca for Hajj. Along the journey, the aliens find out about the Five Pillars and managed to reach the Kaaba with Maany.
You could ask your child questions such as: What are the Five Pillars of Islam? (Shahadah – a declaration of faith; Salah – pray 5 times a day; Zakat – giving to charity; Sawm – fasting during Ramadan and Hajj – a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to Mecca.) You could also ask: What shape is the Kaaba? (Cube.) Why is getting to Mecca so important for Muslims? (It is believed that the Prophet Muhammad was born there and the Kaaba contains the black stone which is believed to have fallen from heaven. It is the place all Muslims face towards when they are praying.)
Monday 31st October 2023
This term, in Year 5, we are working towards answering the question: What does it mean to be a Muslim in Britain today?
We compared the way Christians and Muslims pray and the artefacts they might use when worshipping.
What similarities and differences can you see between the artefacts and the way the different religions pray in the photographs?
Can you think of any other similarities and differences between Muslim prayer and the artefacts they use and Christian prayer and the artefacts they use?
More information about what is taught in RE can be found by clicking HERE.
Friday 20th October 2023
This half term, Year 5 have been studying 'The Highwayman' in our English lessons and The Georgians in History. Many of our other subjects have supported our class text and this week, the children were able to design and create a variety of products based on their learning.
Children planned for making and sewing cravats with second hand material, felt and jewels.
They designed and decorated elaborate masks suitable for a Georgian ball.
During some History and Computing lessons this term, children have researched facts, and then produced PowerPoints on Highwaymen of the past.
This week, they made a WANTED poster based on their learning.
