Ms Temple - 2025/26

Hello everyone,

What a soggy end to the week! Thankfully, Chuseok is here to bring us all a chance to rest and recharge. Have a fantastic holiday with your families, wherever it takes you.

Here is what Year 5/6 have been up to this week:

Maths

Year 5

Aut.2 – Addition and subtraction	Aut.2.7 – Compare calculations
Aut.2 – Addition and subtraction	Aut.2.8 – Find missing numbers
Aut.2 – Addition and subtraction	End of unit assessment
Aut.3 – Multiplication and division A	Aut.3.1 -Multiples

Year 6

Aut.1 – Place value	Aut.2.15 – Order of operations
Aut.2 – Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division	Aut.2.16 – Mental calculations and estimation
Aut.2 – Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division	Aut.2.17 – Reason from known facts
Aut.2 – Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division	End of uni assessment

Literacy 

In Literacy this week, the students have been strengthening both their grammar knowledge and their ability to write with purpose and effect. At the start of the week, they became journalists and wrote their own newspaper reports linked to the events in Star of Fear, Star of Hope. As part of this, they practised using both active and passive sentences. The active voice helped them to write with clarity and urgency, making it easy for the reader to see exactly who was doing what. The passive voice, on the other hand, allowed them to shift the focus onto the event itself rather than the person responsible, which is particularly useful in news writing when the doer is unknown or less important than the action. Through this, the children gained a deeper understanding of how different sentence structures can change the way information is presented.

Later in the week, we turned our attention to expanded noun phrases, exploring how writers use them to add richness and detail. The children experimented with building longer, more descriptive sentences, and then applied these skills to a creative task. Imagining Lydia’s perspective, they wrote as if she had been captured and was recording her thoughts and feelings from the train. This gave them an opportunity not only to practise their grammar skills but also to step into the shoes of a character and bring her experience to life with empathy and detail. It was a powerful way to combine technical writing skills with imaginative storytelling, and the children rose to the challenge beautifully.

IPC

In IPC this week, the students have been busy both presenting and investigating. We began by working on our digital backpacks. Each group took responsibility for a different backpack and created their own presentation explaining why it is so useful. After presenting individually, we brought all the clips together to form one full class presentation, which we filmed. Over the Chuseok break, I will be editing the footage into a final video that will be shared on my teaching Instagram page — keep an eye out for it!

Later in the week, we switched gears and explored the question of whether animals can feel emotions. Students worked in pairs to research and create fact files on different animals, using both scientific evidence and anecdotal examples to support their ideas. For instance, we asked whether cats purr simply because they are happy, or if there is a deeper reason. Research shows that cats purr primarily when they feel content and safe, though they may also purr in other situations such as when injured or seeking comfort — so it’s not always a straightforward sign of happiness. The children found it fascinating to explore how animal behaviour can be interpreted, and they worked hard to balance scientific research with real-world observations. These fact files will soon be displayed outside our classroom for everyone to enjoy.

Important Information

• Our first class trip of the year is just around the corner! On October 16th, we will be visiting Yangdong Culture Village in Gyeongju.
• If you have not yet done so, please complete and return the permission form. We also ask that you send the payment in cash, placed in an envelope clearly labelled with your child’s name.
• Here is the Google Form

Have a wonderful Chuseok everyone! 😀

Hello everyone,

It was so lovely to see those of you who were able to attend our Chuseok celebrations on Wednesday. The children had a great time and I hope you did, too. 

Here is what we have been up to this week: 

Maths

Year 5

Aut.2 – Addition and subtraction	Aut.2.3 – Subtract whole numbers with more than four digits
Aut.2 – Addition and subtraction	Aut.2.4 – Round to check answers
Aut.2 – Addition and subtraction	Aut.2.5 – Inverse operations (addition and subtraction)
Aut.2 – Addition and subtraction	Aut.2.6 – Multi-step addition and subtraction problems
Aut.2 – Addition and subtraction	Aut.2.6 – Multi-step addition and subtraction problems

Year 6

Aut.1 – Place value	Aut.2.10 – Division using factors
Aut.2 – Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division	Aut.2.11 – Introduction to long division
Aut.2 – Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division	Aut.2.12 – Long division with remainders
Aut.2 – Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division	Aut.2.13 – Solve problems with division
Aut.2 – Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division	Aut.2.14 – Solve multi-problems

Both Year 5 and Year 6 will have end of unit assessments next week, so everyone has a little more Maths homework than usual. I would highly recommend that they do a couple of pages each day, so it’s not too overwhelming. Year 5 will have their assessment on Wednesday and Year 6 will have theirs on Thursday.  

Literacy 

In Literacy this week, the children wrote thoughtful letters from Helen to Lydia, imagining what Helen might have said after realising Lydia’s apartment was empty. The letters included heartfelt apologies, updates on what was happening in her life, and wishes that Lydia was safe. This task encouraged the children to step into the characters’ shoes, developing empathy while also practising how to organise and express their ideas clearly in letter form.

Following this, our focus shifted to grammar, where we explored the difference between active and passive voice. The children learned how the subject and object in a sentence can be switched around, and how the passive voice is often used in formal writing, such as newspaper reports. They practised converting sentences together on the board and then worked independently. This new skill will be put to use next week when they begin writing newspaper reports about Jewish people being rounded up and taken away, linking directly to the historical context of our class text.

We also finished reading Star of Fear, Star of Hope. Although the ending was sad and thought-provoking, it really helped the children to reflect on the importance of kindness and empathy. We discussed how there is no such thing as “luck” in war; it is caused by unkind decisions made by people. Spreading love and kindness is one of the most important ways to create a better world. The class have shown such respect and sensitivity when asking questions about this story, and it has been wonderful to see how engaged they have been with the book from start to finish.

IPC

In IPC this week, the children have been exploring different ways to recognise and respond to emotions. We began with role play performances where each group acted out a scenario showing either comfortable or uncomfortable feelings. Every group worked so well together, and it was wonderful to see the creativity, teamwork, and confidence they brought to their performances.

Following this, the children took on the role of “Agony Aunts,” writing advice for people who were experiencing uncomfortable emotions. This activity encouraged them to think carefully about empathy, kindness, and problem-solving, as well as how their words can make a positive difference to someone else.

We then moved on to a very important discussion about bullying and why it is so important to speak up if you see it happening. The children created thoughtful and eye-catching posters to teach others in the school what to do if they witness bullying. These posters are now proudly displayed outside our classroom so that they can help spread the message of standing up for others and keeping our school community safe and kind.

To finish the week, we explored our “digital backpacks,” a tool that helps us regulate our emotions by reminding us of strategies we can use when we’re experiencing strong feelings. Next week, the children will be making a presentation to show other schools how to use the digital backpacks and explain why they are such a useful resource. Keep an eye on my teaching Instagram page, where I’ll be sharing their presentations soon!

Important Information

• I’d like to remind you about the Google Form I sent a few weeks ago regarding my teaching Instagram page. The form asks for your permission to share photos or short videos of your child taking part in classroom activities. This is, of course, completely optional, and I will only ever post content where the children look positive, engaged, and proud of their work. I’ll include the link again in this update in case you haven’t had the chance to complete it yet. Thank you so much for your continued support. (I have had 11 replies to this so far. Thank you so much! If you have not yet responded please do let me know at your convenience.) Here is the form and here is my teaching page.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone! 😀

Hello everyone,

I hope you are all enjoying the cooler weather! It has been such a welcome change. The children are definitely noticing it too, as they come in from breaktime looking much fresher and less sweaty than before.

Here is what Year 5/6 have been up to in week 4:

Maths

Year 5

Aut.1 – Place value	Aut.1.14 – Round within 1,000,000
Aut.1 – Place value	Assessment A
Aut.1 – Place value	Assessment B
Aut.2 – Addition and subtraction	Aut.2.1 – Mental strategies
Aut.2 – Addition and subtraction	Aut.2.2 – Add whole numbers with more than four digits

Year 5 completed their first assessment of the year on Wednesday. Moving up from Year 4 to Year 5 is always a big leap, so it was no surprise that many of the children found it tough at first. On Thursday, we took some time to talk about smart test strategies, like slowing down, checking answers, and making sure every question is read carefully. The hard work paid off! After the Version B re-test, everyone did much better. Well done, Year 5!

Year 6

Aut.1 – Place value	Aut.2.5 – Primes to 100
Aut.2 – Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division	Aut.2.6 – Square and cube numbers
Aut.2 – Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division	Aut.2.7 – Multiply up to a 4-digit number by a 2-digit number
Aut.2 – Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division	Aut.2.8 – Solve problems with multiplication
Aut.2 – Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division	Aut.2.9 – Short division

Literacy 

This week we continued with our focus text Star of Fear, Star of Hope. The children began by writing a diary entry from Helen’s perspective. This task gave them the chance to practise writing in the first person, while also encouraging them to think carefully about Helen’s emotions and experiences during this difficult time in history. Later in the week, the children made predictions about what might happen next in the story. They were challenged to use expanded noun phrases so that their ideas were not only imaginative but also descriptive and detailed.

The class are really enjoying this book. In fact, they groan in disappointment whenever we have to stop reading, which is wonderful to see. Their excitement is fuelling some excellent discussion and thoughtful writing. I am also impressed by how the children have shown great maturity during our discussions. They ask thoughtful questions with respect and sensitivity, showing that they understand the importance of handling such topics with care.

All of these shorter tasks are helping the children to build the skills they will need for their longer independent writing outcomes later in the unit. By practising empathy, descriptive language, and prediction, they are steadily developing the tools to produce extended, well-crafted pieces of writing with both detail and emotion.

IPC

In IPC this week, we brought our Brainwave unit to a close with an engaging exit point. The students were divided into groups, each responsible for researching and presenting information about a different part of the brain. They showed excellent teamwork and delivered their presentations with confidence, demonstrating how much they have learned about how our brains work and how this helps us to learn more effectively.

We then began our brand-new unit, Express Yourself, which is all about exploring feelings and emotions. Before the unit started, the children were challenged to complete five acts of kindness. In our first lesson, they wrote about what they had done and reflected on how those acts made them feel inside. It was a lovely way to begin the unit and encouraged everyone to think about how our choices can influence our emotions as well as the feelings of others.

As we moved forward, we discussed the different types of feelings people can experience. The students compared physical feelings (such as feeling hot, cold, hungry, or tired) with emotional feelings (such as feeling happy, sad, worried, or excited). This helped them to see how emotions are connected to our bodies and can affect the way we act and respond.

One of our most important conversations was about how emotions should not be labelled as “good” or “bad.” Instead, we looked at how they can be described as comfortable or uncomfortable. This language helps children to recognise that all feelings are natural and temporary, and it reduces the guilt or shame that can sometimes come from experiencing emotions like anger or sadness. The class showed real maturity in talking about this, and it was wonderful to see them reflect so openly.

To finish the week, the students worked in groups to plan and rehearse short role-play scenarios. Each group was given both a comfortable and an uncomfortable feeling to act out. Next week, they will perform their role plays for the rest of the class, who will then try to guess which emotions are being portrayed. This will give the children a chance to practise recognising emotions in others, an important step in developing empathy and emotional awareness.

Important Information

• In last week’s homework, I included a guide to help the children check their own Maths work. Many of them did this brilliantly, though a few forgot. If you could gently remind your child to mark their work straight after completing it, that would be wonderful. It really helps them to celebrate what they’ve done well and notice where they might need a little more practice.
• I’d also like to remind you about the Google Form I sent a few weeks ago regarding my teaching Instagram page. The form asks for your permission to share photos or short videos of your child taking part in classroom activities. This is, of course, completely optional, and I will only ever post content where the children look positive, engaged, and proud of their work. I’ll include the link again in this update in case you haven’t had the chance to complete it yet. Thank you so much for your continued support. Here is the form 🙂

Have a refreshing weekend everyone! 😀

Hello everyone,

I can sense a change in the weather on the way. Hopefully, the temperatures will keep dropping and we’ll soon be able to enjoy our PE lessons outside again.

Here is what Year 5/6 have been up to in week 3:

Maths

Year 5

Aut.1 – Place value	Aut.1.9 – Number line to 1,000,000
Aut.1 – Place value	Aut.1.10 – Compare and order numbers to 100,000
Aut.1 – Place value	Aut.1.11 – Compare and order numbers to 1,000,000
Aut.1 – Place value	Aut.1.12 – Round to the nearest 10, 100 or 1,000
Aut.1 – Place value	Aut.1.13 – Round within 100,000

Year 5 will have their end-of-unit assessment on Tuesday 16th, so this week’s Maths homework may look a little heavier than usual. I would recommend that the children spread the work out and complete it over the weekend, as this will give them plenty of practice and help them feel more confident going into the test.

Year 6

Aut.1 – Place value	Assessment
Aut.2 – Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division	Aut.2.1 – Add and subtract integers
Aut.2 – Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division	Aut.2.2 – Common factors
Aut.2 – Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division	Aut.2.3 – Common multiples
Aut.2 – Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division	Aut.2.4 – Rules of divisibility

Literacy 

This week we began reading our new focus text Star of Fear, Star of Hope. In the opening pages, we learned that Helen’s parents worked in a bar, which gave us a glimpse into what life might have been like in the 1940s. Together, we imagined the lively atmosphere of a bar at that time, describing the different sights and sounds that people may have experienced. The children then turned their attention to writing techniques, focusing on the use of a “speech sandwich” — a way of combining dialogue with description to build a richer picture of a scene. This is an important skill for engaging readers, and the students had the chance to practise writing their own examples, weaving setting details into their dialogue.

IPC

In IPC this week, we continued to explore how our brains work and how we can become better learners. The children examined the idea of growth mindset versus fixed mindset by looking at inspiring examples of famous people who overcame great challenges to succeed. We also learned about the amygdala, which we compared to a shark — it can protect us by keeping us alert, but it sometimes confuses real danger with moments that simply make us feel a little nervous. The class then explored the difference between skills, knowledge and understanding, recognising that learning takes many different forms. We also discovered the role of the prefrontal cortex, which we likened to an octopus because it helps us make thoughtful decisions. To finish, the children proudly presented their posters on different memory techniques, teaching each other strategies to use in their own learning.

Important Information

• In this week’s homework, I have included a guide on how students can check their own Maths work as soon as they have completed it. This will not only help them to spot and learn from their mistakes straight away, but it will also show them the areas where they are doing well. Recognising both of these is an important part of learning and will help to build their confidence in Maths.
• Please also ensure that your child completes all of the tasks set before handing in their homework. If they need a little extra time to finish before the deadline, that is absolutely fine. What matters most is giving them that valuable practice, rather than rushing to meet the hand-in date.

Have a lovely weekend everyone! 😀

Hello everyone,

Thank you to everyone who attended the Curriculum Meeting on Wednesday. It was lovely to have you here. If you were not able to attend, you should be able to find the full presentation on my class page. 

Here is what Year 5/6 have been up to in week 2:

Maths

Year 5

Aut.1 – Place value	Aut.1.4 – Numbers to 1,000,000
Aut.1 – Place value	Aut.1.5 – Read and write numbers to 1,000,000
Aut.1 – Place value	Aut.1.6 – Powers of 10
Aut.1 – Place value	Aut.1.7 – 10/100/1,000/10,000/100,000 more or less
Aut.1 – Place value	Aut.1.8 – Partition numbers to 1,000,000

Year 6

Aut.1 – Place value	Aut.1.4 – Powers of 10
Aut.1 – Place value	Aut.1.5 – Number line to 10,000,000
Aut.1 – Place value	Aut.1.6 – Compare and order any integers
Aut.1 – Place value	Aut.1.7 – Round any integer
Aut.1 – Place value	Aut.1.8 – Negative numbers

Literacy 

In Literacy this week, we explored the significance of the Star of David and learned how Jewish people were forced to wear it during Nazi Germany. The children also watched a powerful video about Lydia Tischler, who was taken to a concentration camp as a child, which helped them reflect on the real human impact of these events. We carried out a thought-provoking activity where students arranged words along a line between the ideas of “conflict” and “peace,” sparking meaningful discussion. Building on this theme, the children planned stories about a main character being separated from a loved one. Year 5 students focused on writing either the beginning or the end of their story, while Year 6 students tackled both. We also made predictions about our new focus text, looking closely at the front cover and a picture from the story. The class are now very eager to begin reading it next week and discover what unfolds.

IPC

In IPC this week, the students created striking neuron pictures by blowing paint through straws. This helped them visualise how neurons branch out and connect with other neurons to send signals around the brain. Next week, we will label these artworks to build a fabulous classroom display. We also explored different memory techniques, including using storytelling to recall a sequence, mnemonics to help remember lists, and action associations to learn something new, such as counting to five in Japanese with Haruomi’s help. The children were excited to try out these strategies and see which ones worked best for them. Next week, we will be examining the parts of the brain involved in storing memory and discussing what it means to have either a fixed mindset or a growth mindset.

Important Information

The children have library time every Friday.

• Please make sure your child brings their library books to school every Friday.
• Please make sure they bring their books to school even if they do not need to be changed, as we want to enjoy some quiet reading time together at school.
• All students are expected to borrow books from the library.

Have a lovely weekend everyone! 😀

Hello everyone,

It is so nice to be back at school after such a long summer. Everyone seems to have settled into Year 5/6 nicely and I hope your children have enjoyed their first week back also. Here is what we have been up to this week:

Maths

Year 5

Aut.1 – Place value	Aut.1.1 – Roman numerals to 1,000
Aut.1 – Place value	Aut.1.2 – Numbers to 10,000
Aut.1 – Place value	Aut.1.3 – Numbers to 100,000

Year 6

Aut.1 – Place value	Aut.1.1 – Numbers to 1,000,000
Aut.1 – Place value	Aut.1.2 – Numbers to 10,000,000
Aut.1 – Place value	Aut.1.3 – Read and write numbers to 10,000,000

Literacy

In Literacy this week, we started our brand new unit with the book Star of Fear, Star of Hope by Jo Hoestlandt. This powerful story is set during World War II and explores themes of friendship, courage, and the impact of conflict. For our introductory lesson, the children explored a range of real photographs from World War II. Working in groups, they came up with their own ways of sorting the pictures, some organised them by when they were taken, while others focused on the emotions the people in the photos might have been feeling. Their ideas were thoughtful and imaginative, leading to some great discussions about similarities, differences, and the theme of conflict. 

Earlier in the week, the children were given writing prompts to create their own short stories, which I will be reading over the weekend to get a sense of their current writing levels and how I can best support them as the unit continues.

IPC

This week we began our brand new IPC unit Brainwave with our Entry Point. Working in groups, the students chose a topic to research, practised it themselves, and then planned how they could teach it to others.

The results were brilliant! One group taught us a fun hand clapping game, another led an aboriginal mindfulness activity, while others showed us how to draw a Goober, tested us with brain-training tongue twisters, and even introduced traditional children’s games from around the world.

The children worked very well together and showed great creativity, teamwork, and independence. It was a wonderful introduction to our unit, which is all about understanding how the brain works and how we learn best.It was also valuable for the students to step into the role of a teacher, giving them a taste of just how challenging it can be to plan lessons that are both fun and engaging. 😀

Important Information

Please know that PE is always the last lesson on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which means that students will need to wear shoes that they feel comfortable running around in. As it is still hot outside we will have PE indoors until the weather improves. 

Here are the details for my Class Orientation Meeting on Wednesday:

• Ms Temple’s Class Orientation Meeting – Week 2 – Wednesday 3rd September – 2:30pm-3:30pm

It would be lovely to see you all there if you are able to attend. 🙂

Hello to all our new students and parents, and a warm welcome back to those returning. I hope you have all enjoyed a happy and relaxing summer, filled with time to rest, recharge, and make wonderful memories. Now that the new school year is here, I am really looking forward to the year ahead and to all the learning, growing, and fun we will have together.

I would like to warmly invite all parents to our Class Information Meeting on Wednesday 3rd September. This will be a chance for new parents to find out more about our class and what lies ahead this year, as well as an opportunity for returning parents to hear about the updates and changes for the year to come.

If you look at the top of my class page, you should be able to see our class timetable. Please note that PE will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so it’s a good idea for your child to come to school wearing clothes they would feel comfortable running around in.

Please don’t hesitate to email me if you have any questions at emmatemple@hyundaiforeignschool.com

I’m looking forward to seeing you all soon,

Kind regards,

Ms Temple

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