Summer 1
We have had another busy term in Year 3!
Our class text this half term was ‘Varjak Paw’ by S.F Said. This book was full of adventure and mystery, which kept us on the edge of our seats. This excellent book also provided us with plenty of opportunities to look closely at characterisation and action.
In our English lessons, we have continued to develop our story writing. The fiction model text we learnt was a ‘finding tale’ called ‘Ben and the stolen diamond’. Our toolkit focused on action and the children completed short burst writing activities to explore different ways to add action. Additionally, we also explored non-chronological reports as part of our non-fiction learning. Children learnt a report text before applying features from the toolkit within short burst writing activities. Children now have a better understanding of layout and are able to organise their ideas into related paragraphs. They have used the TiDE model to pack out their paragraphs.
During spelling time this term, the children have consolidated spelling rules and have continued to learn to confidently spell words from the Year 3 / 4 spelling list. We introduced further homophones, -sion ending words, -que and -gue endings and revised challenge words. Spellingframe has been an important part of the sessions as children learn their words in a fun and interactive way.
In mathematics this half term, children have completed further work on fractions. In this unit, children learnt to recognise and show (using diagrams) equivalent fractions with small denominators. They explored a fraction wall and used it to find equivalent fractions. Children also ordered fractions on a number line and compared two fractions using bar models and the comparison signs < > or =. In addition to this, they learnt to add and subtract two or more fractions with the same denominator, answer questions in more than one way and compare the efficiency of each method. They developed their understanding of solving fraction problems and learnt to find fractions of measures. Following on from this unit, children have explored mass and capacity. The children enjoyed hands-on lessons to secure their understanding of these units of measure. Children were also introduced to the money unit and can recognise notes and coins. Children have learnt how to add and subtract money and can find change from a given amount.
In science, the children learnt that we see objects because our eyes can sense light and understood that dark is the absence of light. Children explored different sources of light and that some surfaces reflect light and that objects are easier to see when there is less light if they are reflective. Furthermore, the children developed their understanding of how shadows are formed and how different types of materials created different shadows. Finally, children learnt that the light from the sun can damage our eyes and thought of ways to protect them.
In history this half term, the children have focused on the key question ‘Who were the Romans?’ and have explored the impact which they had on Great Britain. This built on prior learning, as children were able to discuss how people lived before the Romans invaded and learnt about a famous Celt called Boudicca who rebelled against the Romans. Children enjoyed finding out about the Roman army and explored the ways in which they trained, used weapons and wore protective armour. Children had the opportunity to explore primary and secondary sources along with artefacts, which gave clues about Roman life.
In music, the children have been learning to play the glockenspiel. We presented our talent at the Big Blast. We have also been learning songs in preparation for One Voice which is to be held at Magna.
This half term has been a very positive one. The staff are proud of the children for working hard and trying their best.
Spring 2
The Spring term has been jampacked with so much learning. Over the term, we have seen the children mature and become more resilient when they are faced with challenges. We have taken part in fun events such as World Book Day and Poetry Slam.
Over the course of the term, the children have enjoyed developing their writing skills and have produced more exciting stories which include speech. The children have explored another non-fiction genre which has taught them more about instructional texts. We are certainly experts on how to trap a variety of weird and wonderful things now.
In Numeracy, the children continue to develop their understanding of fractions. The children have a good understanding of key vocabulary related to fractions. We have been working on arithmetic and many children are trying hard to beat their past scores. We are certainly seeing improvements in the formal assessments.
The children have been developing their skills across the foundation subjects. In Geography, the children have been learning about Europe. They can identify the five primary rivers and describe the journey which a river goes on from source to sea. At the start of the term, the children visited Crowden. The weather was kind to us and the children got a lot from being in the great outdoors. The children enjoyed getting into the river and carried out a number of fieldwork tasks.
At Redscope, the Spring term always has a big focus on Science. We watched a video from the staff at Winterhill which created awe and wonder. We then went on to further develop our understanding of plants during the national Science week, working alongside Phil who gave us a demonstration about how plants create oxygen. We conducted our own investigations and tried to change the colour of the teacher’s favourite flowers.
Our music lessons have started with Mrs Dyson and we are learning how to play the glockenspiel. We have learnt lots of fun warm up songs and can and play different rhythms. This will continue into the summer term. The children have also began learning songs in preparation for this year’s One Voice event at Magna. Tickets will be on sale shortly.
In computing, we have been learning how to use route planners, databases and spreadsheets. Internet safety is at the heart of everything we do. Children understand the importance of keeping passwords safe. The children have access to Purple Mash at home and at school. Activities will continue to be set on the ‘to do’ list.
In RE, we have concluded our learning of the Hindu faith. The children have enjoyed learning about worship in the home and in the Mandir. We explored the festival of Diwali and made our own Rangoli patterns.
The Summer term is fast approaching. We can’t wait to see what the children achieve next.
Spring 1
In our English lessons, we continued to develop our story writing. The fiction model text that we learnt was a story from another culture, ‘How the Tortoise Got His Shell’. We explored the story structure where one character meets another and wishes for something they don’t have. We then explored similar texts and their features. The children learnt how to develop their writing of opening and endings. They were encouraged to make them link by opening with a question to hook the reader in and closing with the explanation to round the story off. The children have developed consistency in writing by using a range of sentence types, which included questions and exclamations.
We also explored recount texts. Children learnt a model text, which recounted key events and modelled the structure. The children used the same characters from the fiction unit so that they had something to hook onto. Children learnt the features of a diary and practised using different elements through the innovation stage. The children have shown they are able to link paragraphs effectively using a range of connectives. Children are growing in confidence when identifying verbs. They recognise how some verbs can be irregular. This has helped them to write in the past tense.
Our class text for the term was ‘Mr Stink’ by David Walliams. This text gave us the opportunity to discuss key themes around homelessness and the kindness of others. The children enjoyed listening to this story and as a reading reward were given the chance to watch the BBC adaptation. Children made comparisons between the book and the tv program.
In mathematics, our focus for this half term has been further work on multiplication and division. This unit has developed the children’s multiplicative and divisive reasoning by linking their prior knowledge to 2-digit calculations which involve the expanded method and partitioning to divide. They have developed their understanding of multiplication facts to link this knowledge to related multiplication and division calculations. Children have also been given two additional sessions per week to be able to log on to TT Rockstars. The children who are accessing this regularly are beginning to see the benefit that this can have.
This half term, our history focus was the Bronze Age and Iron Age. We explored how life changed for early humans during this time and made links back to our previous topic, The Stone Age. Children learnt that the Bronze Age is the period immediately after the Stone Age and is the time when metals like bronze started to be commonly used. The children have learnt about the way that people lived in this time period and have looked at a range of sources from the past to look for clues to support this. We have made links to art within this unit of learning. Children have designed their own Bronze age pots and used clay to make their own.
In PE, the children developed balance and agility with a focus on balancing on a line. The children have also learnt cheerleading positions which encourage balance. Towards the end of the unit, children worked in pairs to counterbalance and create different shapes with their body. Year 3 have been working with experienced gymnasts, using professional equipment. A highlight in PE this term has been how their confidence has grown in gym using the apparatus to perform a number of jumps and balances.
In RE, children have explored how the Hindu religion is practiced. The children have had opportunities to explore how religious artefacts and texts can be a source for learning and for beliefs. They also got a chance to explore ways in which the five senses play a part in our everyday lives, and in particular, how they make Hindu worship an important time for many Hindus, where worship is linked to the whole of life, not simply to some brief ritual actions.
In computing the children have enjoyed learning about online safety and sharing their increasing knowledge of how to keep themselves safe. The children have also been using the ‘2Go’ app on purple mash and have successfully created simple commands to move the turtle along a route.
The children have worked really hard this half term and this is reflected in their growing confidence and the progress they are making across all areas of the curriculum.
Autumn 2
In our English lessons this half term, we have continued to use the talk for writing scheme. We began by exploring a range of wishing tales that included a character flaw. Before learning the story ‘King Midas’, we explored the features and then focused on developing a character toolkit to develop our writing skills. The children learnt how to use a variety of sentence openers, express how a character is feeling through their actions and to use a five-part story structure. The children then learnt a discussion text. They learnt a text, which discussed the pros and cons of wearing school uniform. They then wrote their own discussion based on whether playtimes should be banned. This proved to be a stimulating discussion as the children became immersed, following a very convincing hook for writing where they thought that this might actually happen.
In maths this half term, the children completed further work on addition and subtraction. Deepening their understanding of the key skills of formal addition and subtraction through place value, checking strategies and mental methods. Children used their growing understanding to explore calculations, which do or do not require exchange, developing fluency, accuracy and confidence in their ability to perform these calculations. They then applied checking strategies to decide for themselves whether their answer was reasonable or likely to be an error. Following on from this, the children worked on multiplication and division. This learning built on recognising equal groups. Three lessons were spent exploring in depth each of the times-tables that children need to know in Year 3, encouraging rapid recall. Children were reminded of the difference between equal sharing and equal grouping and then moved on to look at when division problems may have a remainder.
In science, children learnt that a force is a push or a pull. They then had the opportunity to explore magnets. They handled different magnets and carried out activities with them. They found out that a magnet attracts magnetic material and investigated materials to decide if they were magnetic or not. They found out that the strongest parts of a magnet are the poles. Children also learnt that magnets have two poles – a north pole and a south pole and if two like poles, e.g. two north poles, are brought together, they will push away from each other – repel. If two unlike poles, e.g. a north and south, are brought together they will pull together – attract. The children enjoyed the visit to Magna and deepened their understanding of magnets in the workshop.
During our geography unit, children learnt that near to the equator, there are two imaginary lines called the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Additionally, the children found out that between these lines the places have a tropical climate. They then compared the tropics to the climate in the UK. Children also enjoyed using maps and globes to locate countries within this area. They also found out about another line called the Prime Meridian and the importance of this and that latitude and longitude are a system of lines used to describe the location of any place on Earth.
In P.E, the children enjoyed developing their balance and agility when jumping and landing. During these sessions, the children developed social skills. They had the opportunity to share roles and responsibilities fairly, cooperate with others and share positive feedback. In dance, the children practised their disco moves before using these to learn a dance to music.
To end the term, the children performed Christmas songs from Children of the World for parents. They also enjoyed the Pantomime at Rotherham Civic Theatre. Children enjoyed the end of term Christmas fair and had a lovely time at the Christmas party! After a wonderful start to the school year, we are looking forward to what the next term brings.
Autumn 1
In our English lessons this half term, we have used the talk for writing scheme.
We began by exploring a range of portal stories and then went to on learn the story ‘Elf Road’. We explored the features and then focused on a settings toolkit to develop our writing skills. The children learnt how to use commas in a list and how to use appropriate adjectives to bring a setting to life. The children helped to create a list of ideas for their own story and then had the opportunity to write an independent piece, creating their own settings and characters. As a hook for writing, children had to select an item from a mystery basket and consider how this would take them to a new world.
We ended the half term learning how to write a persuasive text. The children enjoyed promoting Redscope to other children, before having a go at writing a persuasive leaflet. They learnt how to use rhetorical questions as a hook for the reader and generated word banks of boastful and emotive vocabulary. During one drama session, the children had to pretend they were selling random classroom objects to an audience. They had to make them sound really exciting so that they stood out. The children used the persuasive toolkit to do this. As a final hook for writing, the children had to write a persuasive leaflet for Just Eat. They were set a task by a Just Eat representative to try and boost sales in our area. The children rose to the challenge and produced excellent writing outcomes.
In maths, the children continued to build on their knowledge of place value from year 2. They extended their understanding of the models and images that they have used previously. Children began with learning how to count in 100s. They learnt that a 3-digit number is made up of some 100s, 10s and 1s and were able to represent this in many ways. They extended the number line to 1,000 and began to explore where different numbers lie. Additionally, they compared and ordered 3-digit numbers as well as counted in 50s. The children are trying hard to learn their multiplication facts and have become more familiar with TT Rockstars. The children are collecting their times table minutes each week as part of their homework. The class enjoyed celebrating TT Rockstar day and participated in interschool battles.
In our Science lessons, the children learnt all about rocks and soils. Children learnt that rock is a naturally occurring material. They explored different types of rock and their properties. The children enjoyed working with Phil to find out about soils and what these are made up of. As part of our rewilding project, the children had to dig holes in the soil to plant their daffodil bulbs. We can’t wait to see them grow in the spring.
In our art unit this term, we started with a key question, ‘Who were the first artists?’ We began by exploring cave paintings from around the world and then identified similarities and differences. Next, the children looked at how Stone Age people made paint and how this was applied using a variety of tools. Finally, the children used sketching pencils to create different shapes and lines and then created their own drawing of Stonehenge.
In History, the children have enjoyed learning about the Stone Age. They have learnt that there are three different time periods and they have explored how life during these times changed. They became hunter gatherers and collected food that early humans ate. In addition to this, they have learnt new vocabulary and can recall a number of fingertip facts about this period in history. As part of this learning sequence, we turned the classroom into a Stone Age cave and took part in a number of activities to extend their understanding of this period in history.
The children have been working hard with Mrs Brown and Miss Rollinson in computing. Children have learnt how to access various pieces of software and can email each other. They have learnt how to be resilient in these sessions and have developed their problem-solving skills. Children have also explored Spellingframe and PurpleMash.
In PE, the children have worked with Rotherham United to do orienteering. The children demonstrated excellent map reading skills. PE will move to Fridays after the half term. We have also worked on the fundamental skills of running, jumping and throwing.
The children have made a positive start in Year 3 and we look forward to seeing the progress they will make next term.
