Curriculum q for yr 5

[ohdearwhatdoidonow]

Ok so been to parents evening tonight.

Had a look through my sons books before seeing the teacher and was surprised to see they have not done any RE, Art, History since January or science since Feb.

Academically he's doing well in numeracy and literacy and recent tests pitch him at 4a.

BUT

At this age a rounded education isn't just about league table results is it?

Should I be concerned?

Didn't get chance to discuss with teacher as we needed to discuss CAHMS referral.

I teach Y5 and with our curriculum the year is a bit 'lumpy'. Eg we have done lots of history, but hardly any science. However, next term (warmer weather, stuff to see outside etc) will be v science heavy. That said, doing NONE of the subjects you mention does sound a bit narrow. Does he go out to lots of intervention groups? Some schools time them during all the non maths/English time and so children do end up missing out on lots of things.

are they doing IPC - in which case you will no longer see traditional subjects in the work books

If they are doing IPC I don't know what it is.

I asked DS about history(it's his favourite subject) and they haven't done it since the deputy head left.

Not many outside trips.

I dont want to be whinging Mum as his class teacher is very good and supportive.

The head teacher is a bit nutty though.

It may be that they cover the other parts of the curriculum next term I'd just hate to think that important elements of education are being neglected or ignored for focus on league table criteria.

International Primary Curriculum

personally I loathed it but both my DCs got straight 5s in their SATs so it turned out OK

If your dcs got L5s in their SATs it'll have been nothing to do with IPC. It's the biggest pile of shite I've ever had the misfortune to teach. IMO.

LOL
pretty much my thoughts at the time
effing "Mission to Mars" and all that .....

How will I know if it's IPC or standard?

Any clues?

Do they do Topics with names like "Mission to Mars" "Making new materials" "the holiday show" each of which lasts about half a term to the exclusion of all else?

It would certainly explain why you've seen no evidence of any science though. There will, however, have been numerous sessions of "independent research" using recommended websites better suited to post-graduates at NASA.

y5 DC has lots of art, science & history with "volcano" topic this term. Not sure about RE.

It's very likely he's done all that stuff and doesn't know it.

My kids only study one subject in the afternoon - 'topic' :)

And they do everything in that.

Ask him what he does in the afternoons.

Well I asked him - this afternoon they are doing Mountain Ranges, which they do apparently every Thursday afternoon.

The topic for next term (well one of them) is Myths and Legends, so I suppose that covers English and Ancient History;)

I would think Myths-Legends touches on ethics/RE, too. And potentially plenty of science+geography in mountains topic.

Ds yr3 does a topic each half term and all the subjects with the exception of Maths and RE are taught within that topic. It seems to work well.

My DCs school uses a topic based approach wi a new topic each term. There can be an awful lot of all kids of sub.jects in each topic. So Romans has lots of history but also DT and Science in making catapults etc.

Myths and Legends will cover everything.

History, Geography, Science, Art, Cooking, D&T, PE......

The teacher will base all of them some way round 'myths and legends'