Welcome to the Year 3 page for Constable, Turner and Riley classes!

Our learning -  Summer Term

English

This term, we will be writing a non-chronological report based on an animal, focusing on applying taught punctuation and grammatical features. As story writers, we will build on our learning from last term by writing our own adventure stories, with an emphasis on precise language and the further development of characters’ thoughts and feelings. Later in the term, we will explore informative letter writing and persuasive texts, taking into consideration both audience and purpose.

In spelling, we will continue to learn a range of prefixes and suffixes, increasing our confidence in applying these accurately.

In reading, we will study a range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry, developing our retrieval, inference and summarising skills, as well as exploring authors’ use of language.

Mathematics

This term, we will continue to explore mathematical concepts such as fractions, alongside new areas including money, time, shape and statistics. We will also develop greater fluency in our times tables, focusing on the 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8 times tables.

Science

As scientists, we will ask and answer questions about the human body, skeleton and nutrition. Children will learn that animals, including humans, need the right nutrients from the food they eat. Children will investigate different foods, design a balanced meal and explore nutritional values using food packaging. As scientists, we will make predictions, investigate cause and effect and present data using tables and charts. Children will also learn about the different bones, joints and muscles in the human body.

Geography

At the beginning of the term, we will learn about the tundra biome. We will locate it on a map, discuss its features, explore how people live there and understand why it is important to the world. Later, our focus will shift to France. We will describe key human and physical features and explore how these are connected. As geographers, we will analyse maps, atlases and digital tools to identify patterns and answer geographical questions. We will also interpret charts and graphs to deepen our understanding of the world.

Computing

As digital learners, the children will use their skills to present information in the form of a magazine article using text and images, thinking carefully about content, design, layout and purpose.

Later in the term, children will use the program Scratch to explore more precise movements of a sprite within a game they have created. The children will design, make, test and modify code to improve their games so they are effective and work as intended. Children will also continue to revisit how to stay safe on online and why this is important.

Art

In Art this term, children will develop their painting skills by studying the artist Georgia O’Keeffe, known for her close-up flower paintings. They will explore using colour to create contrast, practise blending from light to dark, and learn how to layer paint. Later in the term, children will create collage and mixed media artwork. They will experiment with different materials, textures and techniques, learning how layering and combining materials can create interesting effects. Children will also be encouraged to adapt and improve their work as they develop their creative skills.

Design and Technology

As designers, children will learn about food and nutrition by designing and making a healthy seasonal dish. They will explore where food comes from and choose ingredients based on taste, texture, appearance and seasonality. Children will develop practical cooking skills, including cutting, peeling and grating, and will use a simple cooking method such as boiling. They will also learn how to work safely and hygienically. After making their dish, they will evaluate it, explaining what they liked and how it could be improved.

Religious Education

In Religious Education, we will explore places of worship and sacred spaces, such as churches, mosques and mandirs. We will discuss why these places are important to many people and how they connect to beliefs about God.

Later, we will learn about inspirational figures from the past, such as Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (PBUH), and ask and answer questions about their lives and influence.

RESPECT

In our RESPECT lessons, we will focus on Health and Wellbeing. Children will learn how to make healthy everyday choices by eating well, staying active and getting enough sleep, while understanding that habits affect both physical and mental health.

We will also explore identity, including recognising strengths, building self-worth and developing strategies to overcome challenges and setbacks. In circle time, children will explore allyship, how to care for our community spaces and stay safe in busy environments.

Music

This term, children will continue learning to play the ukulele. They will listen to a variety of musical styles, keep the beat, and play songs together using a growing understanding of chords and notation. They will also begin to create simple compositions using melody and rhythm.

Physical Education

In the first half term, our focus will be on rounders and fitness, with an emphasis on developing skills, techniques, teamwork and coordination. Children will also build their understanding of rules, fair play and respect in sport. Later in the term, we will move on to athletics and outdoor/adventurous activities, where children will develop endurance, problem-solving skills and resilience.

French

In French, children will develop their understanding of pronunciation, particularly common graphemes. They will learn to recognise, name and spell common animals, before learning action verbs and using these to build longer and more complex sentences, including conjunctions.

Our learning -  Spring Term

English

This term, we will be exploring a range of narratives, including a warning story where we will focus on dialogue, characters and settings. We will develop writing skills through description, suspense and characterisation. During the term, we will write our own adventure stories based on the Egyptians. We will also learn how to write a non-fiction text focused on the discovery of Tutankhamun, using a wide range of punctuation and grammar devices across all learning. 

Mathematics

This term, we will continue to learn strategies for multiplication and division to deepen our understanding from the previous term. The children will then begin to explore other mathematical concepts such as length, perimeter, fractions, mass and capacity.

Science

As scientists, we will be asking scientific questions about light and shadows. The children will learn that we need light to see and that light is reflected from a surface. We will understand that shadows are formed when a light source is blocked by a solid object and we will find patterns in how the size of shadows changes. Later in the term, we will learn about the functions of plant parts and the life cycle of flowering plants. Through our scientific work, we will predict and draw conclusions based on our investigations.

Geography

This term, we will be learning all about the United Kingdom and the four nations. We will explore the climate of the UK as well as its physical features. We will compare cities and villages in the county of Nottinghamshire and examine how the environment and people are connected. As geographers, we will analyse maps and atlases to explore patterns and answer geographical questions.

History

Our History topic this term will take us back in time to the Ancient Egyptians. We will study the River Nile, wars, Gods and Goddesses, Pharaohs and mummification. The Partake Theatre Company will visit the school to provide a hands-on learning experience to enrich our learning. We will also make canopic jars using clay, led by a local artist. As historians, the children will use both primary and secondary sources to deepen their knowledge and explore cause and effect as well as similarities and differences.

Art

In Art this term, the children will develop their painting skills. They will focus on the artist Georgia O’Keeffe, an American painter known for her close-up paintings of flowers. They will use complementary colours to create strong contrast, explore gradients from light to dark, learn how to layer paint using thin washes and paint from observation.

Design and Technology (Computing)

In Design and Technology this term, there will be a computing focus. The children will explore different computer games on Scratch to design, make and evaluate their own computer game. They will learn about input and output devices as well as loops and conditions. We will also learn that digital systems can be tested and adjusted to ensure they work effectively. Our computing work will continue to focus on online safety and learning how to use technology responsibly and respectfully.

Religious Education

We will be learning about how and why Christians celebrate important rituals and festivals. This term, our focus will be on prayer and Easter.

RESPECT

In our RESPECT lessons, we will be discussing Living in the Wider World. This will include understanding rules, laws and human rights. We will continue to develop our knowledge of online safety and learn about different jobs and careers. The children will explore how to keep safe and learn about road, rail, fire and water safety. Later in the term, we will develop our understanding of British Values.

Music

This year, the children will begin learning to play the ukulele. They will listen to a variety of musical styles, keep the beat, learn songs and begin to create their own simple compositions.

Physical Education

Our focus for the first half term will be on gymnastics and hockey, with an emphasis on developing skills and teamwork. Later in the half term, we will move on to dodgeball and tennis.

French

In French, we are excited to begin our new scheme called Language Angels. We will learn more about French pronunciation of common graphemes and the alphabet. We will work on improving pronunciation and develop our understanding of silent letters used in French. We will recap our learning from the previous term and introduce new learning about colours.

Our Learning - Autumn Term 

English

This half term, we will be exploring some wonderful stories, including Stone Age Boy by Satoshi Kitamura and Terry Deary’s Stone Age Tales. The children will create their own characters and write an exciting Stone Age adventure. We will focus on developing writing skills through description, suspense and characterisation. Later in the term, we will move on to non-fiction, studying texts and writing informative pieces about Skara Brae and the Amesbury Archer.

Mathematics

This term, we will be developing our confidence with numbers through problem-solving and games. We will learn about place value up to 1,000, as well as explore both mental and written methods for addition and subtraction. To strengthen recall, we will also begin practising times tables, with a focus on the 2, 5, 10 and then 3 times table.

Science

In Science, we will be investigating rocks and soils. The children will ask questions, make predictions and carry out experiments to classify rocks and identify their properties. We will also explore forces, including magnets and friction.

History

Our History topic takes us back to the Stone Age. We will study the three stages within this period, developing our chronological understanding and exploring what life was like at that time. A Stone Age Workshop in school will provide a hands-on learning experience to enrich our learning. Later in the term, we will learn about the Bronze Age and Iron Age, comparing changes, similarities and differences across the periods. As historians, the children will use both primary and secondary sources to deepen their knowledge.

Art

In Art, the children will develop their drawing and painting skills. These will be used to create Stone Age-inspired cave paintings.

Design & Technology

The children will design, make and evaluate their own structures, exploring a range of materials and techniques.

Computing

Our Computing work will focus on online safety and learning how to use technology responsibly and respectfully. The children will also be introduced to email, learning how to compose, send and receive messages safely.

Religious Education

We will be learning about how and why Christians celebrate important festivals. This term, our focus will be on Harvest and Christmas.

RESPECT

In our RESPECT lessons, we will be discussing families and friendships, learning how to keep safe and exploring ways to care for ourselves and others. The children will continue to build their understanding of the Zones of Regulation by recognising triggers, body signals and emotions as well as practising effective strategies to help them feel calm, happy and focused.

Music

This year, the children will begin learning to play the ukulele. They will listen to a variety of musical styles, keep the beat, learn songs and start to create their own simple compositions.

Physical Education

Our focus this term will be on fitness and Tag Rugby, with an emphasis on developing skills and teamwork. Later in the term, we will move on to Dance and Netball.

French

In French, the children will begin by learning numbers to 10 and simple greetings. They will also practise asking and answering questions about their names and ages.