I look forward to another half term with year 3 and know we will continue to have lots of fun learning together. This half term we will be looking at the following topics:
English
We will continue with the fictional text called 'Storm'. The children listen to the story and predict what may happen at various points. They focus on character, setting and mood, asking questions as the story progresses and locating evidence in the text to answer specific questions. They understand why descriptive sentences are important and how setting affects mood. They revise and develop punctuating direct speech and then work on nouns, adjectives and expanded noun phrases. The writing tasks involve planning and writing a description of setting, and planning and writing a conversation using direct speech and correct punctuation.
After we will be doing a live unit called: All about Me. Children will create an autobiography that they will then present as a video or to a live audience. As a class, they will read an autobiographical blog post from Little Red Riding Hood, responding to and asking questions about the text to develop their comprehension skills. They look at the use of language and gather success criteria for what makes a good autobiography. They then see the same text in the form of a PowerPoint presentation, and analyse the differences between the two types of text. After some teacher modelling, they practise storyboarding the main events from Little Red Riding Hood’s story to create PowerPoint slides. The children build on this experience to storyboard and then create their own autobiographical presentations. Time is given at the end of the unit for the children to practise performing their presentations, and for evaluating and feeding back on these performances. They then present to an audience.
Maths We will be continuing to follow the 'Power Maths' scheme and this half term we will be learning: addition and subtraction of 3-digit numbers and then multiplication and division focusing on 2s, 5s and 10s and then moving onto 3s, 4s and 8s.
Keep practising times tables at home (children should already know 10s, 5s and 2s) as this will really help your maths in year 3!
PE days and PE kit We have 2 hours of PE each week with Mr Wolfe, on a Monday and a Thursday. Children will continue to come to school in their PE kit on PE days, please make sure the PE kit is: a white or navy polo top or t-shirt, black or navy jogging bottoms/shorts, a Booth Wood fleece and trainers. No branded sports kit should be worn. Science Our unit this half term is 'Movement and Feeding.' In this unit children will learn that animals including humans need the right types and amounts of nutrition to thrive and grow, and that eating the wrong types and amounts can lead to health problems. They will identify that we cannot make our own food and that we need to eat a varied diet including meat and fish, beans and lentils, fats, starchy foods, fruit and vegetables. They will construct a balanced food plate and describe what happens if we don’t eat a balanced diet. Children will identify that animals have different dietary requirements and some foods that humans eat may be poisonous to animals. They will also explain the role of the muscles and skeleton and describe what would happen if we didn’t have a skeleton.
History Our unit this half term is 'Local History'. In this unit, children will take a look at the history of the local area focusing on: the early history of the area, buildings and sites that have historical importance, significant individuals from the local community and history of events in the local area.
D and T
This half term we will be doing design and technology and looking at ‘Battery Operated Lights’ This unit gives children opportunities to enhance their knowledge and understanding of electrical systems. They will develop understanding about series and parallel circuits and different types of switches. They will then be given the chance to apply their knowledge about electric circuits in a purposeful way by designing and making a battery operated light which will be controlled by a homemade switch. Children will decide upon the design criteria for the light by considering who will use it, where it will be used and what for. Finally, children will complete a detailed evaluation of their final product.
Music
This half term, year 3 will focusing on learning songs for their Christmas performance (More info to follow). They will focus on clear diction, accurate pitch-matching and using and following performance instructions. We know you will enjoy watching it!
Homework and spellings Homework is given our weekly in KS2 and helps to keep you informed of your child's progress and the current topics in the classroom and also helps revise what we have learnt in school. Spellings will be set weekly and your child will receive a paper copy as well as the spellings being available on spelling shed and the website. Homework and new spellings will be set every Friday and will be expected to be completed by the following Friday. Children will have logins to TT rockstars and Spelling Shed and should be encouraged to do this at home where possible. Please continue to encourage your child to read at home regularly, some children may now happily read on their own , which is brilliant. But reading out loud to an adult at home a few times a week is still great practise. Things your child needs
A bottle of water (no juice please in case of sticky spillages).
A healthy snack for break.
Fridays are 'treat' days, so your child can bring a treat for their snack. Alternatively, your child can bring money for our school tuck shop, which will allow them to buy a sausage roll/drink (50p each).
Book bag/rucksack with reading book and reading record.
Wear PE Kit to school on PE days (Monday and Thursday).
Contacting the Staff The year 3 team is always here for your child and you. If you just need a quick word then you may be able to catch one of us in the morning or after school. However, if it is something that requires a longer conversation then please email rbeech@boothwood.leics.sch.uk or phone the office to book an appt. The Year 3 Team