Year 3

Mrs Clarke and Miss Richardson

Autumn 2 Term - How do I use a map in our local woodland?

Our Theme

Our driver theme this term is based around Geography and map skills. Our enquiry question is: ‘How do I use a map in our local woodland?’. The children will learn how to read a map and use a compass. They will look at the different map symbols and will look closely at an OS map of our local area. Using the eight points of the compass will be another skill they will learn and how to navigate the woods using a compass. They will take part in lots of lovely practical activities on the school field and in the woods using their new skills.

English

In English, we are focusing on descriptive and narrative writing. We will be using our two main class texts as a stimulus for our writing. Our first book is a picture book and we are looking very carefully at each picture and telling the story. We will be working hard on describing the settings used in the book. We will then be reading Charlie and The Chocolate Factory in this half term too!

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, Little Wandle reading groups, AR quizzes, as well as one to one reading.

Maths

In maths this half term, we will be learning about addition and subtraction strategies. The children will be adding and subtracting using three digit numbers. We will be learning how to use column addition and subtraction too. Our next unit will be about length and perimeter. The children will learn how to use a ruler accurately and measure in cm and mm and later will be using m. They will also be learning how to calculate the perimeter of a shape.

Science

This half term we will be learning about the power of forces. We will investigate what force is making an object move in our first few lessons. We will then find out what materials are magnetic and how magnets work. This unit will link to our work about using a compass too.

In RE, we will be exploring a focussed enquiry question: Has Christmas lost its true meaning? We start by thinking how we celebrate Christmas with our families. We will be reading the Christmas story and will think about why it is an important celebration for Christians. Towards the end of the unit we will be making two Christmas decorations – one for a Christian and one for non-Christian.

In DT this term the children will designing and making their own Christmas decoration. We will start by looking at the variety of Christmas decorations available and look at the designs used. We will then learn how to sew two pieces of felt together using different stitches. We will then design our own Christmas decoration and will spend time making it. Finally, we will evaluate our decoration. These decorations will come home at the end of term.

This half term the children will be learning skills to support them to play volleyball. We will be learning skills to help us compete against others in a game situation. The children will need to react quickly, watch the ball as it travels and send the ball accurately.

Computing

In computing this half term we will be revisiting online safety and think how we can keep ourselves safe when online. We will then learn how to use some spreadsheet skills such as creating pie charts and bar graphs. They will use the advanced mode of 2calculate on Purple Mash.

PSHE

In PSHE this half term the children will consider many aspects linked to the unit ‘Celebrating Differences’. We will be thinking about how our families are different and important. We will look at bullying and what to do to help if someone is being bullied.

Important information

PE this half term is timetabled for Monday and Wednesday. Children should come to school wearing a white T shirt, black shorts/joggers and trainers/plimsolls.

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 every week. The tasks are outlined in the weekly email sent to parents and are explained in class. There will be an English task and a maths task that links to the lessons we have been doing during the week. There is an optional activity on Learning With Parents. Children will also need to read to an adult 3 times per week and record this in their reading records. They can also use Timestable Rockstar to help them secure their multiplication and division facts.

Spellings will be sent home weekly in their yellow spelling books. These will be a focus during our spelling lesson during the week. It would be great to learn any tricky words at home. Please bring in the yellow spelling books on Friday so you can have the next set of words. Many thanks.

How you can help at home

Children can access Purple Mash at home to do some extra games with the spellings for the week. They can also access the computing lessons for this half term.

Support your child in learning multiplication and division facts.

Listen to your child read at least 3 times per week and have discussions about the text (record the reading sessions in their reading records).

If you have any queries or questions about this information or any other concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Many thanks,

Mrs Clarke.

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:

There are also lots of other resources and information available on their website. The 'Things to do Issue 2 - Resources' file has some lovely activities for all children regardless of whether they have additional needs or not. There are lots of great visual puzzles and games for children to play so please have a look if you can. There are also resources available now to support with developing children's memory skills in 'Thing to do Issue 3 - Resources.'

Useful links:

English: