Welcome to Year 3

Miss Fowler, Ms Carlin, Mrs Milbourne and Miss Fallon

Autumn 2

Geography

Our driver theme this term is Geography, with a focus on map skills. Our enquiry question is: ‘How do I use a map in our local woodland?” The children will learn how to read maps, identify different map symbols and use a compass. They will explore an OS map of our local area and develop their understanding of the eight points of the compass, learning how to use these to navigate their way around the school field/woods. They will also take part in lots of exciting practical activities on the school field and in the woods, putting their new skills into practice.

English

In English, we will be focusing on descriptive and narrative writing, using our two main class texts as inspiration. Our first book is Journey by Aaron Becker, a beautifully illustrated picture book. We will explore each picture carefully, using them to tell the story and develop our descriptive writing, with a particular focus on describing the different settings. Later in the half term, we will also begin reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Reading, as always, will be a crucial part of the children’s learning. The children will have a variety of reading lessons this year, whole class comprehension lessons, reading groups, AR quizzes, as well as one to one reading.  

Maths

In Maths this half term, we will be focusing on addition and subtraction strategies, working with three-digit numbers. The children will develop their understanding of different methods, including column addition and subtraction. Our next unit will focus on length and perimeter. The children will learn how to use a ruler accurately to measure in centimetres and millimetres, before moving on to metres. They will also learn how to calculate the perimeter of different shapes.

Science

This half term, we will be learning about the power of forces. In our first few lessons, the children will investigate what forces make objects move. We will then explore magnets, discovering which materials are magnetic and how magnets work. This unit will also link nicely with our Geography work on map skills, as we learn how compasses use magnets to help us navigate. 

RE

In RE, we will be exploring the enquiry question: ‘Has Christmas lost its true meaning?’ We will begin by thinking about how we celebrate Christmas with our own families before learning about the Christmas story. The children will explore why Christmas is such an important celebration for Christians.

Design and Technology

In D&T this half term, the children will be designing and making their own Christmas decorations. We will begin by exploring a variety of Christmas decorations and looking at the different designs and techniques used. The children will then learn how to sew two pieces of felt together using different stitches. They will use these new skills to design and make their own Christmas decoration before evaluating their finished product. These lovely creations will be brought home at the end of term!

 

PE

In PE this half term, the children will be developing their volleyball skills on Mondays. They will learn the skills needed to compete in a game situation, including reacting quickly, watching the ball carefully and sending it accurately to others. On Fridays, the children will enjoy gymnastics sessions with our Onside coaches, developing their balance, coordination and movement skills.

Computing

Our first unit in computing will be based around online safety.  The children will learn how to create safe passwords, understand age ratings and have reminders of how to stay safe whenever we are online. 

PSHE

In PSHE this half term, we will be exploring our topic ‘Celebrating Difference’. The children will learn about how every family is different and important and how disagreements can sometimes happen within families. We will also explore bullying, thinking about what it means to be a witness and how our actions can help or make a situation worse. The children will discuss how words can affect other people’s feelings and the importance of choosing kind and respectful language.

Important information

• PE this half term is timetabled for Mondays and Fridays. Children should come to school wearing a white T shirt, black shorts/joggers, school sweatshirt or cardigan and trainers on these days (please put their name in all of their belongings).

• The children will need to bring in their reading books and reading records every day. They will be able to quiz on their AR books during the school day.

• Homework will be sent home every Friday. The tasks will be outlined in the weekly email sent to parents/carers and explained in class. There will be an English task and a Maths task linked to the learning covered that week. Children will also need to read to an adult three times per week and record this in their reading records. They can also use Times Tables Rock Stars to help them secure their multiplication and division facts.

• Spellings will be sent home each week in the children’s yellow spelling books. These words will be a focus during our spelling lessons throughout the week. Please return the yellow spelling books on Friday so that we can stick in the next set of words.

  
  

Useful links:

English:

Oxford Owl- provides access to free e-books (you have to create a free account to view them).

Your child has an individual log-in for this website. They can play spelling games based on lists of words. Please email Miss Sharma if you need reminding of your logins.

Use these links to find an interesting image. What do you think is happening? Can you describe what is happening in your exercise book? Can you write a story about it?

On the Pobble 365 website, there is a different image everyday for you to use. If you click on ‘Pick a Day’ in the right hand corner of the Pobble 365 website you can select an image from any day.

This website gives you access to thousands of free audio books, suitable for children to listen to once you sign up for free.

Audible also has a large variety of free audiobooks for you to listen to.

Spotify have recently introduced thousands of audiobooks to listen to if you have a subscription with them.

BBC Bitesize has lots of games and activities to revise spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPAG).

The School Reading List provides a variety of suggested texts that are appropriate for your children.

Maths:

This website has LOTS of age appropriate maths resources and they have produced home learning packs for each year group with helpful videos and activities for each day of home learning.

This website has lots of fun maths games.

Look out for updates on inter-class battles!

BBC Supermovers : Select KS2 Mathematics to find all of our times tables dances and routines!

3 Times Table song

4 Times Table song

6 Times Table song

7 Times Table song

8 Times Table song

Other subjects:

Lots of free videos, games and presentations about different topics and themes, see what takes your fancy!

Once clicking this link, choose ‘Espresso’ from the drop down log-in menu in the top right hand corner. You have been given, in the front of your exercise books, a username and password for this website.

Free resources to help learn more about Science, History and Geography topics.

With this link you can take a virtual tour around the British Museum, London.

This website has lots of activities you can do in the garden, as well a lots of information about animals and plants for research tasks.

These games are the first steps of computer programming, they are very engaging for children.

 

This is a typing game for children to become confident in typing on a keyboard. 

This website has fun movement videos for children.

We work with a company called SEND Supported at school and they are releasing newsletters each week offering support and guidance to parents of children who many have additional needs in school. Please find below a link to these newsletters: