What we are learning about this term in Year 3 with Miss Tiernan!

English

To start the term, we will begin with a poetry focus where children will be using a range of figurative language in their writing. In Reading lessons, pupils will study a range of poems and focus on the language used, the effect on the reader and the mood being created.
Every Wednesday, we will have an Extended Writing lesson where we will start with an extended poetry, setting description followed by a character description later in the term. Pupils will be given the opportunity to include a range of vocabulary and varying sentence types to develop their writing to create images for their readers.
Spellings will be given out each week. These should be practised at home as well as in school, in preparation for the spelling test on Fridays. Some of the spellings will be given over two weeks, allowing plenty of time for pupils to practise these.

Mathematics

Maths will begin with a focus on Mental Mathematic skills. Pupils will learn to develop their understanding of place value to solve some challenging problems. They will also develop an understanding of mental and written addition as well as mental and written subtraction. Pupils will also continue to practise times tables daily, beginning with doubles and halves, followed by the threes. A times tables test will be given every Friday, so it is encouraged that these are also practised at home.

Science

In Science, the children will begin by studying plants. Children will identify and describe the functions of different parts of a flowering plant, explore the requirements of plant life and growth and investigate the life cycle of a plant. 
Pupils will then move onto studying light. Children will learn how light travels and how shadows are formed. Children will investigate what happens to light when different materials are placed in front of it. Children will build on their investigative skills and their ability to predict and draw conclusions from these investigations.

Wider Curriculum – History and Geography

Our focus for the first term will be "What is pre-historic Britain and how did this period end?". The children will be exploring what our planet looked like during pre-historic Britain, and identify and explore the similarities and differences between the stone age, bronze age and iron age.

In Geograhy, we will focusing on what the UK looks like. We will be looking at a compass and identifying the 8 points, whilst understanding that the UK is split into different regions. We will then move on to looking at how the land is used in the UK and identify different map symbols. 

Wider Curriculum – Physical Education

In PE we will begin with lessons taught by Craig. The children will learn a multitude of skills, including throwing and catching and honing in on specific skills to help during games. 

During Autumn 2 the children will then be focusing on gymnastics and their ability to balance and roll. Children will learn how to create a routine and perform this to their peers. Children will continue to work with specialist for this term to build their understanding and engagement with PE.

Wider Curriculum – Art & Design Technology

In art lessons, children will have a focus on drawing, where we will explore the artwork created by artist Sarah Holt and how she creates art pieces based on the natural world. The children will practice their shading using different medias. 

In DT lessons, children will be planning and designing a DT Christmas exhibition piece, which will be made available for parents to buy. 

Wider Curriculum – Music

Mrs Shakspeare will teach music on a Friday. Pupils will enjoy rhythm lessons and learning new music as well as playing many musical instruments, these lessons will coincide with music lessons taught in the classroom with their class teacher on a Monday afternoon. Children will be able to expand their knowledge of music and utilise this in their Friday lessons. 

Wider Curriculum – PSHE

PSHE lessons will continue to be taught through assemblies and class discussions. The children will be focusing on building relationships and learning about the values for our school, which are: Aim high, Believe in yourself and others and Care for everyone and the environment. 

Wider Curriculum – RE

During RE lessons this term, children will be studying Christianity, focusing on God. The key question that we will be answering in this topic is "Who should we follow?", throughout the 4 lessons the children will understand how, and why, some people have served God and through this explore the Christian religion. 

The children will then move on to learning about Christianity again but with a focus on The Church, in which children will be answering the question "What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus?". 

Wider Curriculum – Computing

During Computing lessons, children will learn about keeping themselves safe online and the importance of this in the day and age they live in. Children will then learn how digital devices work and explore input and output devices. 

Wider Curriculum – Spanish

During Spanish lessons, children will continue to broaden their knowledge of Spanish vocabulary including asking questions about numbers, days of the week, months of the year and basic phrases. Children will build both speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.

General Class Reminders

• Full school P.E. kit is needed on Wednesday for (PE lessons). 

• READING BOOKS need to be brought into school Children will change their books as and when it is needed.

• HOMEWORK will be set every Friday and will be due back in school the following Wednesday. Pupils will also be given spellings to learn. These will be tested on the following Friday.

Throughout the term work completed by the children will be put on to our blog.

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Your child’s attendance in school is extremely important.  Time missed is learning that can’t always be made up.

Please ensure your child attends school for 8:40 each day unless there is a very good reason for them to be absent.

If you have any concerns or issues, please do not hesitate to speak to me. Thank you, Miss Tiernan.