Find out what your child can expect from Year 5 and how Cluey Learning can help them excel at Maths and English.
What to expect in Year 5
In the second to last year of primary school, students become more independent and are expected to get serious about their learning. Find out how your child can excel in Year 5.
There are some variations between the different states, but most children in Australia start Year 5 when they are between ten and eleven years old. When they reach double digits, kids become even more connected with their peers and the world around them, and they’ll further develop their own unique identities.
At this age, it’ll be expected that your child takes more responsibility for their learning and makes more independent decisions. Although it's not often acknowledged by the child, guidance and support from parents is still hugely important for them to do well at school. For pre-teens, the changes come in leaps and bounds.
The workload in Year 5 becomes more intense, and the time spent on homework is likely to be longer than in previous school years. Students will also sit their second round of NAPLAN testing in Year 5. Although this can be stressful for parents and students, they are intended as a ‘snapshot’.
As children become more self-sufficient, it can be hard for parents to know which situations call for involvement and which call for a more behind-the-scenes approach. Many parents wonder what they can do to help their child succeed in school, and it can be a tricky balance. Too much help can easily result in you taking over or doing the work for them, while too little can leave them struggling, or feel frustrated and overwhelmed.
What does your child learn in Year 5?
The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) outlines what children will learn each year. The national curriculum has eight specific learning areas and is designed to help young Australians become successful learners and confident, creative individuals. It sets the goal for what all students should learn as they progress through their school life – wherever or not they live in Australia and whatever school they attend.
The areas of learning in the Australian Curriculum are:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Health & Physical Education
- Humanities & Social Sciences
- The Arts
- Technologies
- Languages
The content descriptions of each learning area specify what students will learn, and achievement standards describe the depth of understanding, knowledge and skills that are expected of them by the end of each school year. Read a full description of the content descriptions of the Australian Curriculum in Year 5 can be found here.
Year 5 students expand their knowledge of the key areas of mathematics, especially of fractions and decimals. They increasingly use models, symbols and pictures to represent and communicate mathematical concepts. Understanding, fluency, problem-solving and reasoning are an integral part of mathematics content across the three content strands:
- number and algebra
- measurement and geometry
- statistics and probability
At this year level:
- Understanding includes making connections between representations of numbers, using fractions to represent probabilities, comparing and ordering fractions and decimals and representing them in various ways, describing transformations and identifying line and rotational symmetry
- Fluency includes choosing appropriate units of measurement for calculation of perimeter and area, using estimation to check the reasonableness of answers to calculations and using instruments to measure angles
- Problem-solving includes formulating and solving authentic problems using whole numbers and measurements and creating financial plans
- Reasoning includes investigating strategies to perform calculations efficiently, continuing patterns involving fractions and decimals, interpreting results of chance experiments, posing appropriate questions for data investigations and interpreting data sets.
(source: www.australiancurriculum.edu.au)
Year 5 students will be expected to read and compare complex texts, and to express their thoughts and opinions about what they have read. Your child will encounter a wide range of text types, written and multimodal, and learn how to evaluate their meaning. It includes various types of media texts including newspapers, film and digital texts, junior and early adolescent novels, poetry, non-fiction, and dramatic performances.
They will be expected to write a wide variety of correctly structured texts such as reviews, reports and narratives. Their handwriting style should become legible, fluent and automatic, and students will transfer the literacy skills they’ve developed in English to other school subjects.
English in Year 5 also provides opportunities for students to strengthen their understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their living cultures. They will be further introduced to storytelling traditions (oral narrative) as well as contemporary literature of Australia’s indigenous people.
Things you can do to help your child with schoolwork
As children get older, more responsibility is placed on them to complete their homework and stay on top of their assignments. While some students have the motivation to complete their schoolwork on time, others battle to even get started.
To help your child with motivation you can:
- Set positive expectations
If you want your pre-teen to embrace learning or try new things, make sure your own attitude towards it is positive and upbeat, too. Your enthusiasm may be all they need to take on a challenge. Setting realistic and positive expectations is one of the best ways to help build your child’s self-esteem and passion for learning, saving yourself a few headaches along the way.
- Encourage healthy habits
Good nutrition, plenty of sleep, it all helps with focus. Children are more likely to learn if they're not tired. Enjoy meals together when you can, and spend that time at the table on sharing ideas with each other. Structure your schedule so your child can sleep well and for at least 10 hours each night. If your child wakes up before the alarm (even if you wish they didn’t), it’s a good sign he or she is getting adequate sleep.
- Establish a homework routine
Educators recommend developing a homework schedule, with input from your child. Set aside a specific time each day for homework and make sure the schedule is realistic. Allow for some free time when they come home from school if that's what they need to unwind. When you include your child in the decision-making process, you’ll get more buy-in from them because they know that their concerns are being heard.
- Let them make mistakes
It’s not always easy, but it’s good to let your child make their own choices at this age and to let them deal with the consequences. They will learn how to handle negative emotions, build self-control, apologise, and many other important interpersonal skills. Let them understand that trying is what matters and that there’s no such thing as failure. Each new experience, both positive and negative, will teach them something.
- Keep communicating openly
Try not to argue with your child about (their lack of) motivation as it won’t solve the problem. Using effective consequences calmy and consistently, and perhaps a reward system, is the easiest way to get your child motivated. Always be open to a conversation and offer encouragement and support. If you notice your child is trying harder, acknowledge it. Just be patient and persistent, and they’ll learn the problem-solving skills they need.
How to help your child stay organised
Organisational skills are not always taught in school, which is why pre-teens can benefit from parents helping with organising their assignments and managing time. You can team them how to use a calendar or personal planner to schedule study times and stay organised. Encourage your child to set small, achievable study goals based on what needs to be done.
Instead of focusing mostly on grades, celebrate their milestones related to learning—both big and small. This could be when they successfully solve a tricky math problem, or when he or she finishes writing the first draft of an essay. Encouraging your child to find motivation in a positive way is important for building habits that last.
When you notice overwhelm or if your child is falling behind, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Teachers are often available for extra help, or you can use resources such as Cluey Learning. Our primary school tutors know exactly how to help your child with their studies in Year 5.
How Cluey's tutoring can help your child succeed
In a fun and unhurried way, we work directly with students and their families to strengthen children’s education, supporting them in their academic development in a way that meets their individual needs and circumstances. From catching up, building confidence and excelling in school - parents and students alike agree that Cluey works.
We’ve helped thousands of families throughout Australia with schoolwork support, thanks to our personalised learning programs in both English and Maths. Our tutors are all experienced and qualified teachers who enjoy nothing more than supporting children to stay on track and engage their minds.
All Cluey Learning programs are flexible to suit your busy schedule. With a tailored tutoring plan, all your child's learning goals are covered. All Year 5 programs from Cluey Learning include an optional NAPLAN module and practice test.
Find out more about our primary school support and tutoring
And discover what parents all across Australian are saying about Cluey - read our Google reviews
