Year 3

Year 3

Year 3 marks the beginning of Key Stage 2, an exciting time in their school journey. In this year, the children will embark on an exciting journey of learning and exploration. If you would like to contact your child's class teacher, you are welcome to talk to them at drop off and pick up times or contact them at the school email address. 

General Information

What do I need to bring to school? 

Book Bag:

All children require a book bag which they will need to bring every day. 

Water bottle:

All children to bring a clear plastic, medium sized, bottle of water. Please can we ask for no metal bottles. 

Fruit & Snack:

Fruit is not provided in Year 3. The children should only be bringing pieces of fruit (grapes, strawberry, mango etc in a plastic pot are fine) in to have as their snack at break time. On Fridays, we are happy for this to be a fruit based snack (yoghurt covered raisins etc) as an end of week treat.

Milk

If you would like your child to have a carton of milk at snack time, please order this through www.coolmilk.com. 

Important information

PE Days: Thursday and Friday

Reading:

In school, we complete a range of reading activities throughout the week, including having a class book/s ongoing and daily whole class reading sessions. The focus for these are continually extending the children’s sight vocabulary, developing reading fluency and comprehension of texts read. We are passionate about children developing a love of reading; we ask that families read with, hear their children read or encourage their child to read independently for the equivalent of approx. 1 and ½ hours weekly. We also value parent/ carer comments and parents signing their child’s reading diary. Children who read 3 times a week will receive a golden ticket which means they will receive 10 extra minutes of playtime.  

In KS2 the children should be regularly reflecting on the books they read in their reading diary.

In Year 3/4, the children can independently to change their reading book regularly, filling in their reading diary and having a member of staff check it.

Phonics is still provided to those children who require it. Phonics is taught weekly in 30 minutes slots 3 x a week.

‍Maths

We follow the White Rose Maths scheme to give every child a strong foundation in number, reasoning and problem solving. In our mixed Year 3/4 classes, we weave the objectives together, so children are both supported and challenged at the right level.

Over the year, pupils will:

• Build Place Value Confidence – working with numbers up to 1,000 and beyond, rounding, comparing and exploring Roman numerals.

• Develop Calculation Strategies – mastering addition, subtraction, multiplication and division using both mental and written methods, and building fluency in times tables up to 12 × 12.

• Explore Fractions & Decimals – recognising and comparing fractions, finding equivalent fractions, and stepping into tenths and hundredths to connect fractions and decimals.

• Apply Maths to Real Life – measuring length, perimeter, area, mass, capacity and money; reading and converting time in both 12- and 24-hour formats.

• Investigate Shape & Space – learning about properties of 2D and 3D shapes, angles, symmetry, position and direction.

• Work with Statistics – collecting, representing and interpreting data using tables, charts and graphs.

Throughout, children are encouraged to talk about their maths, explain their reasoning, and apply their learning in practical and meaningful contexts. By the end of Year 4, pupils are well on their way to being confident, curious and resilient mathematicians who can tackle challenges with a growth mindset.  

Timetables:

In Year 3 and 4, the children are expected to develop and strengthen their knowledge of their times tables. The children practice their times tables daily using Claire Christie booklets. All children complete the same booklet and score our tracked. At the end of each booklet there will be a 10-question quiz to see how well children have retained the times table.

The children are given regular opportunities to access Times Table Rockstars, which allows them to practise and explore a range of times tables. The children are provided a log in and password, which is stuck in the front of their reading diaries. The class teacher is responsible for assigning children the correct times table they are learning this will be informed by children’s heatmaps. It is recommended for the multiplication check to practice for 21 minutes a week!  

Home learning: 

Following parent and carers feedback, we now send home a Homework Grid three times a year (Autumn, Spring and Summer terms). The grid includes Weekly spelling, Reading advice and Maths activities. Alongside this, we share an overview of cross-curricular activities for the term. These give children the opportunity to choose which tasks they would like to complete. We set dates for when any completed work should be returned, and children are then given the chance to showcase their learning.  

Online Resources: 

You will find your login details for the following site at the front of your reading diary. 

Times Tables Rockstars: www.ttrockstars.com

NumBots: www.numbots.com

Language Angels: www.languageangels.com

Curriculum- Yearly overview of topics

Topics Covered Throughout the Year:

Autumn Term

Mathematics

This term, we will develop our understanding of place value, addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, and area. Children will build confidence with number facts, mathematical reasoning and problem-solving, applying their skills to a range of practical and real-life contexts.

English

Our writing will be inspired by a variety of engaging texts including A Good Weekend, The Day the Crayons Quit, How to Live Like a Stone Age Hunter and Lord of the Forest. Children will develop their skills in narrative writing, explanation texts, persuasive writing and descriptive language while continuing to build reading fluency and comprehension skills.

Science

Children will investigate the question, "How does light allow us to see things?" They will explore sources of light, darkness, reflection, eye safety and the formation of shadows, carrying out investigations to identify patterns in shadow size and position.

We will also explore solids, liquids and gases, learning about their properties and how materials change when heated or cooled. Children will investigate melting and freezing and learn about the work of scientist Dmitri Mendeleev.

History

Our history learning will focus on Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age. Children will investigate how people lived, what archaeological evidence can tell us about the past, and how settlements, farming and trade developed over time. We will study Skara Brae, hill forts and consider how this period shaped modern Britain.

Geography

In Geography, we will explore the enquiry question, "What is the Sunshine State really like?" Children will investigate Florida's physical and human features, learn why it attracts millions of tourists each year and explore the impact of hurricanes on people and places.

Art

Inspired by Pablo Picasso, children will create self-portraits using Cubist techniques. They will study The Weeping Woman, explore colour and shape to express emotion, practise hatching and cross-hatching techniques, and create a final self-portrait inspired by Picasso's style.

Design and Technology

Children will investigate Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age settlements, including the use of wattle and daub. They will research, design, build and evaluate their own model settlement, applying their understanding of structures and construction techniques.

Religious Education

Children will explore the Christian concept of the Trinity, learning about God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit and why this belief is important to Christians.

They will also investigate what it means to be a Hindu in Britain today, including how Hindus practise their faith and celebrate Diwali.

Computing

We will learn about digital devices and networks, exploring how computers work, how devices connect to one another and how information travels across the internet. Children will also learn how to stay safe online and recognise trustworthy sources of information.

Music

Through our Stone Age music unit, children will learn to read, write and perform rhythmic notation. They will compose rhythms, perform as part of an ensemble and develop their ability to listen, evaluate and improve musical performances.

Physical Education

Children will develop ball skills and participate in invasion games, learning attacking and defending strategies, teamwork and tactical awareness. They will also create and perform dance sequences, developing rhythm, timing and expression.

French

Using the Language Angels programme, children will study Phonics Units 1 and 2, developing accurate pronunciation and confidence when speaking French aloud.

Spring Term

Mathematics

Children will continue to develop their multiplication and division skills before moving on to length and perimeter, fractions, mass and capacity. Learning will focus on fluency, reasoning and solving increasingly complex mathematical problems.

English

Our learning will be inspired by Beachcomber, The Lucky Dip, A Walk in London and Cinderella of the Nile. These texts will support creative writing, non-fiction writing and opportunities to develop grammar and vocabulary skills.

Science

Children will investigate evaporation and condensation and discover how these processes drive the water cycle. Through practical investigations, they will deepen their understanding of how water changes state.

They will also learn about rocks, fossils and soils, exploring how rocks are formed, how fossils provide evidence of the past and how soils support life. We will study the work of Mary Anning and what fossils can tell us about Earth's history.

History

Our focus will be Ancient Egypt. Children will explore the achievements, beliefs and daily life of Ancient Egyptians, investigate the significance of pyramids and mummification, and learn about Howard Carter's discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb. Comparisons will also be made with other ancient civilisations.

Geography

Through our enquiry question "How has the River Tamar impacted Plymouth?", children will learn about river features, river processes and the role rivers play in supporting communities. Fieldwork opportunities will allow children to collect and analyse geographical data.

Art

Children will study artists who have captured water in their work. They will experiment with colour, tone, texture and brushstrokes before planning and creating their own paintings of moving water.

Design and Technology

Children will investigate cam mechanisms and how movement can be created. Using this knowledge, they will design, make and evaluate Egyptian-themed shadow puppet automatons.

Religious Education

Children will explore how festivals and family life help Jewish people express their faith and values. They will learn about key Jewish celebrations and traditions.

In Christianity, children will examine the significance of Good Friday and why Christians refer to the day Jesus died as "Good".

Computing

Children will develop their programming skills through Scratch. They will learn how to create sequences, use repetition and loops, design shapes through coding and create programs involving sound and interaction.

Music

Inspired by rivers, children will explore melody and pitch. They will compose and perform music using graphic and traditional notation and create songs in the style of a barcarolle.

Physical Education

Children will continue to develop game skills through invasion games, refining teamwork, marking and tactical awareness. They will also participate in gymnastics, creating and refining sequences using balances, rolls and changes in speed, direction and level.

French

Through the Language Angels unit "I Am Learning French", children will build vocabulary and confidence in speaking, listening, reading and writing French.

Summer Term

Mathematics

Children will learn about time, decimals, money, shape, position and direction, and statistics. They will continue developing confidence when applying mathematical skills to everyday situations.

English

Our writing will be inspired by Mimi and the Mountain Dragon, Rainforest Rough Guide, Firebird and Until I Met Dudley. These texts will support imaginative writing, information texts and opportunities for creative storytelling.

Science

Children will investigate "How can we group living things to understand them better?" They will learn how scientists classify organisms, use classification keys and explore biodiversity in local and wider environments. They will also consider how environmental change can affect living things.

History

Children will study significant explorers and adventurers who have expanded our understanding of the world, including Mae Jemison, Amelia Earhart, Ellen MacArthur, Antony Jinman and Sir David Attenborough. They will consider why exploration continues to be important today.

Geography

Our enquiry question will be "Why are jungles so wet and deserts so dry?" Children will compare climates around the world, use climate graphs and investigate how climate influences biomes, landscapes and the living things that inhabit them.

Art

Children will develop their sculpture skills by creating Egyptian-inspired canopic jars. They will investigate Egyptian artwork and artefacts and use clay-building techniques, including coiling, to create three-dimensional forms.

Design and Technology

Children will explore nutrition, flavours and food preparation while designing and making their own sweet or savoury scones. They will evaluate existing products, investigate complementary flavours and assess their final products.

Religious Education

Children will learn about Pentecost and investigate its significance for Christians today. They will explore how the disciples were changed by the events of Pentecost and the role of the Holy Spirit.

They will also investigate how people from different faiths and cultures mark significant life events and consider what these celebrations reveal about people's beliefs and values.

Computing

Children will create stop-frame animations, learning how still images create the illusion of movement and how to plan, film and evaluate a short animation.

They will also develop photo-editing skills, exploring recolouring, cloning, image manipulation and digital design.

Music

Through learning about Samba music, children will explore rhythm, call and response, ensemble performance and improvisation. They will work together to create and perform a carnival-style Samba piece.

Physical Education

Children will continue developing teamwork, tactical awareness and game skills through a variety of sports and physical activities, building resilience, confidence and cooperation.

French

Using the Language Angels unit "Presenting Myself", children will learn how to introduce themselves, share personal information and communicate with increasing confidence in French.