Welcome to our Year 3 Class Page

Welcome to our Year 3 class page! Here you will find information about what we are learning this year across all subjects, along with ideas and tips for how parents can support learning at home. You will also find important information about our class routines, upcoming events, and ways to help your child make the most of their time in Year 3. This page is designed to keep you up to date and involved in your child’s learning journey.

Class Information

Our school day begins at 8:45am and ends at 3:15pm. 

The school gates open at 8:40, our classroom door opens at 8:45 and home time is 3:15pm. Children are to be dropped off and collected at the Year 3 Classroom door where you will be greeted by a staff member of Year 3. Please ensure your child arrives to school on time and is collected on time.

Your Year 3 Teacher is Miss Leech who is supported by Mrs Goodwin on Mondays to Thursdays, Mrs Ingham on Mondays and Mrs Chapman on Fridays.

Our learning: Autumn Term

English

In English this term, we will be exploring our creativity through a range of exciting writing projects. We will begin with a character description of an imperfect pet, using imaginative vocabulary to bring our unique creatures to life. Then we will move on to a free verse poem inspired by The Magic Box, where we will let our ideas flow freely and express our emotions through powerful imagery. After that, we will write a humorous set of instructions on How to Wash Your Woolly Mammoth, focusing on clear, precise language and entertaining detail. Finally, we will be creating a narrative based on The Tin Forest, exploring themes of hope and transformation.

Throughout all of this, we will be developing our understanding of key writing skills from the national curriculum which includes; using a range of tenses, adding a comma after a fronted adverbial, and showing possession with apostrophes for singular and plural nouns. We will also be extending our sentences with conjunctions such as when, if, because and although, and learning how to express time, place and cause effectively. We will make thoughtful choices about nouns and pronouns to ensure clarity and cohesion in our writing. It promises to be a creative and inspiring term full of imagination, skill-building and fun!

Maths

In Maths this term, we will be building our confidence and understanding by exploring a range of important number concepts. We will begin with place value, using number lines, partitioning and comparing numbers to deepen our understanding of how numbers are structured and related. Once we are confident with place value, we will move on to addition and subtraction, starting with concrete resources to help us clearly see and understand what happens when we combine or take away numbers. From there, we will progress to using the formal written methods to develop accuracy and fluency. Later in the term, we will move on to multiplication and division, beginning with multiples of 2, 5 and 10, then learning to multiply by 3, and finally tackling our 4s and 8s. We will continue to use practical resources to explore these concepts before moving on to the written methods to support our mental calculations. It promises to be a hands-on and exciting term as we strengthen our mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills!

We asked the children to explain why we use concrete resources and they said:

‘’We use concrete resources in Maths to help us understand new ideas by seeing and touching them. Using real objects helps us picture what’s happening in a problem, making it much easier to understand. It’s a fun way to learn before we move on to the written methods.’’

Science

In Autumn One, we will be learning all about movement and feeding. We will find out that animals, including humans, need the right types and amounts of nutrition to stay healthy, and that they get their food from what they eat because they can’t make it themselves. We will also explore how skeletons and muscles work together to help us move, stay supported and stay protected. Throughout our investigations, we will be asking questions, setting up simple tests and making careful observations to help us find answers. We will record and present our results in different ways and use what we discover to draw conclusions and make predictions. It’s going to be an exciting term of exploring how our bodies work and learning to think like real scientists!

In Autumn Two, we will be learning all about light and shadows. We will discover that we need light to see things and that darkness is the absence of light. We will explore how light is reflected from different surfaces and learn that shadows are formed when light is blocked by a solid object. We’ll also find out how the sun’s light can be dangerous and why it’s important to protect our eyes. Through our investigations, we will look for patterns in how the size of shadows change and carry out simple tests to find answers to our questions. We will make careful observations, record and present our results in different ways, and use what we find out to draw conclusions and make predictions. It will be a bright and fascinating topic full of discovery and hands-on experiments!

History

In History this term, we will be exploring the question: How did the lives of Ancient Britons change during the Stone Age? We will learn how early humans lived as hunter-gatherers, moving from place to place to find food, and how life began to change when people started farming, keeping animals and building homes. We’ll also find out how archaeologists use artefacts to discover what life was like in prehistoric Britain, before anything was written down.

Geography

In Geography this term, we will be exploring the question: Why do some earthquakes cause more damage than others? We will learn what causes earthquakes and where in the world they are most likely to happen, by finding out about the movement of the Earth’s tectonic plates. We’ll begin by studying a real earthquake in New Zealand and then look at other places around the world to spot patterns. We will also explore how people are affected by earthquakes and how factors like technology, preparation and quality of life can make a big difference to how much damage is caused.

PSHE

In PSHE for Autumn one, we will be learning about Online Safety. We will explore how the internet can be both positive and negative, and why it’s important to keep personal information private. We’ll think about how people behave online, how to stay safe, and where to go for help or advice if we’re worried. We’ll also learn about online friendships, setting boundaries, and using the internet responsibly.

In Autumn two, we will be learning about Celebrating Achievements and Being Resilient. We will think about why it’s important to set goals and be proud of our achievements, big or small. We’ll learn how to recognise and talk about our emotions, and explore ways to look after our mental well-being. We will also find out how exercise, self-care and support from family and friends can help us stay healthy and positive, even when things feel challenging.

Art

In Autumn one, we will be exploring the work of Hans Holbein, focusing on his detailed portrait paintings. We will study his famous portrait of Henry VIII to learn what it tells us about both the artist and the sitter. Using Holbein’s style as inspiration, we will sketch and paint our own portraits — practising how to draw faces in proportion and express emotion through our work. We will experiment with different pencil techniques, mix colours to create realistic skin tones, and use a variety of brushes and textures to bring our paintings to life.

Design and Technology

In Autumn two, we will be using our creativity and practical skills to design, make and evaluate different products. We will start by designing and testing packaging that can hold different weights and objects, thinking carefully about materials and purpose. Later, we will bake our own bread rolls sandwiches as our final product. Throughout our projects, we will research ideas, develop design criteria, use a range of tools and materials, and evaluate our work — learning how to improve our designs and explain the choices we make

Computing

In Autumn one, we will be developing our coding skills by learning how to design, create and test our own computer programs. We will start by exploring flowcharts to understand how they are used in programming and then use them to plan our own codes. We’ll learn to use timers and the repeat command to make things happen in our programs and solve problems in different ways. Later, we will use all our knowledge to design, make and debug an interactive scene, making several things happen at once. Throughout, we will test and improve our work, just like real programmers!

In Autumn two, we will be learning about email and online communication. We will explore different ways to communicate and think about the strengths and weaknesses of each. We will practise composing and responding to emails, using an address book and finding classmates safely. We will also learn how to use email safely, create rules to keep ourselves and others protected, and even design a quiz to test our understanding of email safety.

Physical Education

In Autumn one, we will be taking part in a range of exciting activities with specialist coaches. In Autumn One, we will enjoy Dance with our dance coach, learning to move creatively and express ourselves through choreography. We will also work with the Man City coach to develop our Fundamental Skills, improving our coordination, balance, agility and control. In Autumn Two, we will continue to develop our Fundamental Skills, while working with the Man City coach to learn Net and Wall Tennis, practising striking, aiming and teamwork. Both terms will help us stay active, build confidence, and enjoy working together.

Religious Education

In RE this term, we will be exploring the question: Why do we celebrate Harvest? We will learn about the meaning of Harvest Festival, reflect on what we are giving thanks for, and think about our own experiences of Harvest celebrations. We will also discover how people around the world celebrate Harvest, including traditions like Sukkot, and learn about the content of Harvest Festival church services. Through this, we will explore the importance of thankfulness and understand the different ways communities give thanks for the food and resources they have.

P4C (Philosophy for Children)

In P4C this term, we will take part in regular classroom enquiries where we share a stimulus, explore ideas and ask questions about things that interest us. We will think about big concepts like equality, identity, truth and beauty, and listen to the perspectives of others to help us understand different points of view. With the support of our teacher, we will reflect on our thinking and develop skills such as critical, creative, caring and collaborative thinking. This half term, our enquiries will focus on topics including celebrating achievements and being resilient, Black History Month, Pollution, Remembrance Day and Anti-Bullying Week.

How you can help at home.

Year 3 is the first year of Key Stage Two, and we will be giving your child plenty of opportunities to become more independent, take ownership of their learning, and ensure they gain experience in organising themselves during the day.

Reading books and bags

Your child has been given a new book bag, reading record, and book from our school library. Please read with your child as often as possible, each night would be great! Any time they have read to you, please sign the reading record. Reading with your child frequently will make a huge difference to your child’s progress and will promote a love of reading. Please ensure that your child brings in their reading book and reading record as we read every morning.

Spelling

Children are given a list of new spellings every Friday which will be kept in their reading record, and will have a spelling quiz the following Friday on those spellings. These spellings are from the Year 3 and 4 expected spelling list. Please practice these spellings with your child as often as possible as this will benefit them across all subjects, particularly Literacy. The children practice their spellings every morning as soon as they arrive.

Online programmes

In your child’s school diary, they have the log in details for online resources which they can access at home using a phone, tablet or laptop.

The can access:

Bug Club

An interactive reading programme that helps children develop their reading and comprehension skills.

TT Rock Stars

A fun and engaging way for children to learn their timetables by taking part in challenges and games.

Purple Mash

A computer programme that provides a wide range of creative tools and activities across the curriculum which includes printable worksheets to balance on-screen time.

Important Information

PE

Autumn One: Our PE days are Monday and Wednesday.

Autumn Two: Our PE days are Wednesday and Thursday.

Please ensure children come into school in their PE kits, with school jumper/cardigan over the top.  PE kits are plain t-shirts, black/grey tracksuit bottoms/leggings/shorts and pumps/trainers. No football kits, vest tops, or anything embellished. Please remember that children are completing physical activities in these clothes, so expensive, branded clothes aren’t recommended and are worn at your own choice.

Fruit

Children are allowed to bring in their own fruit to eat during break time.

Water Bottles

Children are to bring in their own water bottle from home. The children are asked to take their water bottle home each night and we ask that it is washed each day and sterilised each week. Your child’s water bottle should be filled with fresh water daily.

A message from Miss Leech: ''Thank you for staying curious and involved in your child’s learning journey. I really value your support and interest, and if you ever have any questions, concerns, or just want to have a chat about your child, my door is always open every morning or after school. I’m always happy to talk and work together to help your child succeed.''