Year 3
Dahl Class & Zephaniah Class
Year 3 Team
Useful Information
PE
Academy lunches
Please see our Academy Lunches page for more information.
Letters
Please see the Letters Home page for copies of important letters that have been sent home.
Academy Curriculum Overviews
What Year 3 have been up to this term...
Term 4 Update 2022/23
A big hello to all Year 3 Parents from the Year 3 Team! The children have worked extremely hard this term, despite the very rainy and gloomy weather, with all work focusing on the Theme of the Global Goals. Year 3s Global Goal was Life Under Water and we have been exploring how to support and protect marine life. Please do explore their Thematic work to find out more1
We would like to remind you that much of our work is stored online through the Showbie app, your child will be able to share their work with you at home so please do have a look as we are sure they will be keen to share their achievements. Similarly if you wish to support learning at home, do look at the topics we are covering on Showbie as this will help you to plan support at home.
A reminder to all parents that children should be reading their Accelerated Reader book daily, quizzing on this once they have completed the book. It is also important that children are practicing their times tables regularly as this is a skill that supports all we do in Maths.
English
The children have been studying The Secret of Black Rock this term. This is a fantastic book that explores friendship, fear of the unknown and supporting marine life. We have looked at the structure of the story and continued to develop children’s vocabulary to use when writing their own stories. We have also been looking at grammatical devices such as fronted adverbials and inverted commas. The children finished the term by telling the story from the Black Rock’s perspective.
Maths
Maths lessons have been focused on measurements and fractions. The children have been exploring equivalent measurements such as how many centimetres are in a metre and how many millimetres are in a centimetre. We have discussed the importance of measuring accurately and using the correct unit of measurement for what we are measuring.
The children have also been investigating fractions, predominately halves, quarters, and thirds, looking at equivalent fractions and adding fractions. We have explored the meaning of the denominator and the numerator when writing fractions and how this is linked to division.
It is vital that children continue to practice their times tables as this supports their progression within KS2. Please use the apps available on the iPads (TTRS, Sumdog, Numbots etc) as well as other resources such as writing out times tables regularly, websites such as Hit the Button and chants and songs to support this development.
Theme for the Term
This term’s theme is ‘Global Goals’. During this theme, Year 3 have been discussing climate change and the affects this has on all of us living on planet Earth! We have been focusing on the Global Goal 14: Life Under Water, which includes aims such as reducing pollution in our oceans, stopping overfishing and illegal fishing, and protecting ocean ecosystems.
The children held an enterprise event (A school wide Toy Sale) to raise money for two fantastic charities – The Marine Conservation Society and City to the Sea. We are extremely proud of their efforts, raising over £70 for these charities.
Science
The children have loved studying forces and magnets this term, looking at friction, push and pull forces and what makes materials magnetic and how a magnetic field works. We have carried out many experiments including testing materials and the act of friction on a toy car, sourcing magnetic materials in the classroom and even protecting an egg on our STEM Engineering Science day with UWE Bristol Students!
Art
Children have continued to explore different ways of creating art by exploring art made from recycled materials and natural and built textures in block printing. We created impressive plastic fish, a bottle top mosaic and a Global Goals logo block print.
Additional Information
Reading at Home: The expectation is that children read for 10-15 minutes every night (at least 5 times a week). This should be the same book so that they can complete the associated AR quiz when they have finished it, which really helps us as teachers monitor their progress with reading more closely. Your child will already know their AR level that was reassessed this term..
Reading at Home: Please try to practice times tables at home to increase children’s Maths fluency.
PE Day: Year 3s PE day will be Thursday next term.
We would like to thank you for your continued support this year. If you have any questions or want to talk to us then please feel free to catch us in the MUGA on Thursday or via the office email.
Miss Brooks, Miss Sloan and Mrs Rixon 😊
Term 3 Update 2022/23
A big returning hello to all Year 3 Parents from the Year 3 Team! The children continue to surprise us with their determination and ‘give it a go’ attitude. We hope this continues into the latter part of the year!
We would like to remind you that much of our work is stored online through the Showbie app, your child will be able to share their work with you at home so please do have a look as we are sure they will be keen to share their achievements. Similarly if you wish to support learning at home, do look at the topics we are covering on Showbie as this will help you to plan support at home.
A reminder to all parents that children should be reading their Accelerated Reader book daily, quizzing on this once they have completed the book. It is also important that children are practicing their times tables regularly as this is a skill that supports all we do in Maths.
English
The children have been studying Leon and the Place Between this term. This is a fantastic book that explores magic, the circus, and various performers. We have looked at the structure of the story and continued to develop their vocabulary to use when writing their own stories. We have also been looking at literary devices such as Alliteration. The children finished the term by using the structure of Leon and the Place Between to create an independent story.
Maths
Maths lessons have been focused on multiplication and division, with our final unit covering money. We have explored most times tables up to the 12 times table. It is really important for children to be fluent in their times tables as this supports their progression within KS2. Please use the apps available on the iPads (TTRS, Sumdog, Numbots etc) as well as other resources such as writing out times tables regularly, websites such as Hit the Button and chants and songs to support this development.
Our money unit explored adding and subtracting units of money as well as identifying coins and notes in order to exchange sums of money for less coins (10 lots of 10p is the same as 1 pound for example). If possible, give children the chance to discuss amounts of money in purses or wallets at home, or even a task of calculating the total of a small shopping list!
Theme for the Term
This term’s theme is ‘Heritage and Culture’. During this theme, Year 3 have been exploring how cultures have changed and developed in different ways through different topical lenses (such as History, Art and Geography). This also included Safeguarding Week and developing a culture for safety, including recognising risks and what to do in particular emergencies.
Science
The children have loved exploring 5 different Scientists this term and how they have impacted the world. These included, African American Astronaut Mae-Jemison, Marine Biologist Rachel Carson, James Watson and Francis Crick and their understanding of DNA, Mah-Hussain Gambles and her contributions to medicine and Tim Berners-Lee and the development of the World Wide Web.
Geography and History
Within Geography we have been continuing to develop our understanding of weather comparison through completing weekly weather diaries on the UK and Uganda. We have also been exploring map skills, grid coordinates, using globes and digital maps.
Within History we have been exploring the development of cultures through our understanding of the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age. We were also lucky enough to venture on a School trip to Bristol Museum, completing an Egyptian Workshop exploring artefacts and passages from Amelia Edwards.
Art and D&T
Children have continued to explore different ways of creating art by exploring the work of Andy Goldsworthy. We collected natural materials and created radial patterns, allowing the elements to blow our artwork away like that of Andy’s famous pieces. Within D&T we have explored natural dyes - experimenting with pieces of cotton and a variety of fruit and vegetables to see what colour dyes we could create.
Additional Information
Reading at Home: The expectation is that children read for 10-15 minutes every night (at least 5 times a week). This should be the same book so that they can complete the associated AR quiz when they have finished it, which really helps us as teachers monitor their progress with reading more closely. Your child will already know their AR level that was reassessed this term..
We would like to thank you for your continued support this year. If you have any questions or want to talk to us then please feel free to catch us in the MUGA on Thursday or via the office email.
Miss Brooks, Miss Sloan and Mrs Rixon 😊
Term 1 Update 2022/23
A big hello and welcome to all Year 3 Parents from the Year 3 Team! We have got off to a super start and are embracing the new challenges of the Year 3 curriculum. As much of our work is stored online through the Showbie app, your child will be able to share their work with you at home so please do have a look as we are sure they will be keen to share their achievements. Similarly if you wish to support learning at home, do look at the topics we are covering on Showbie as this will help you to plan support at home. However, we ask that this is a view only activity and that no changes are made to their work when viewing at home.
Year 3 will be dismissed from the MUGA on Thursdays, giving you the opportunity to have a chat with us or ask any questions. Alternatively, if you need a longer or more private discussion then please do not hesitate to contact us via the office e-mail (info@marksburyroad.org) and we will make arrangements for this.
English
The children have been studying Jemmy Button this term. They have looked at the structure of the story and built up a wide bank of vocabulary to use when writing their own stories. The children finished the term by using the structure of Jemmy Button to create an independent story. We are very proud of how much they have achieved.
Maths
Maths sessions have been focused on securing our understanding of place value, up to 1000, and revisiting addition and subtraction skills. We have been identifying the value of each digit in a number, comparing and ordering numbers and estimating and counting using number lines. We have also been practicing using mental and written methods to add and subtract, particularly focusing on number bonds, adding or subtracting 10s and 100s and using calculations that need us to cross 10s and 100s.
Theme for the Term
This term’s theme is ‘Who am I and who am I becoming?’ During this theme, Year 3 have been exploring themselves as individuals and how we belong, as well as the importance of embracing and celebrating difference.
Science
The children have loved learning about the human body including the names of the 3 skeletons, the names of the joints and what they do, and the 3 types of muscles. They have learnt about why we need a skeleton and the importance of our joints and muscles for our bodies to function.
Geography and History
Within Geography we have been learning about the Uk and comparing it to Uganda. We have been identifying human and physical features of both, and recapping on the 4 countries of the UK, capital cities and continents. We have had a big focus on the physical and human features of Bristol. History has also been linked to Bristol and we have used historical sources to consider how Bristol has changed over time. We focused on the Industrial Revolution and why the Harbourside and Cranes are so important to Bristol’s Trade History.
Art
Children have been developing their discreet Art skills this term through hatching, cross hatching and considering depth of an image or scene through shading. We have been so impressed with their patience and perseverance as these skills are tricky and time consuming! Please do look at the still life drawings the children have completed on their Showbie App, we have included some on the website too.
Heritage Week
During the Heritage Week, we have been celebrating the Black History month by learning about two extraordinary heroes. The children are hugely inspired by Katherine Johnson and Sir Lewis Hamilton as they have shown incredible determination and perseverance in pursuing their goals.
Additional Information
Homework: The expectation is that children read for 10-15 minutes every night (at least 5 times a week). This should be the same book so that they can complete the associated AR quiz when they have finished it, which really helps us as teachers monitor their progress with reading more closely. Your child will already know their AR level that was assessed at the beginning of this academic year. This was given to them on a sticker on their iPad and the children have been shown when and how to change their books after quizzing accordingly.
Spellings: From Term 2, spellings will be given weekly and are posted on Showbie in the class discussion and within the Homework Folder (this shows the weekly spellings for the term). These will follow the spelling rule being focused on in the SPAG lesson for the week. These will be uploaded and tested on Fridays. Spelling Shed tasks are also set for each set of spellings so should be completed weekly on the App. There are usually 3 games lasting about 5 minutes each.
Maths: In Year 3, the expectation is that children will know some of their times tables but will need to continue to practice to build knowledge, pace and accuracy. Therefore alongside their spellings, they will be tested on a times table weekly. Again from Term 2, these will be given weekly and are posted on Showbie in the class discussion and within the Homework Folder (this shows the weekly times table that will be tested that week for the term).
Upcoming Events
Wednesday 9th November 2022 – KS2 cinema trip (more details to follow).
Polite Reminders and Additional Information
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Please can we remind you that your child should bring their iPad in charged to 100% every day as they often need to fully utilise this to access their learning throughout the day.
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Children can bring a healthy snack for break times.
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PE (PPA) day for Year 3 is a Wednesday. Please make sure that your child comes to school in their school PE kit on these days.
We would like to thank you for your support so far this year and look forward to a great year ahead. If you have any questions or want to talk to us then please feel free to catch us in the MUGA on Thursday or via the office email.
Miss Brooks, Miss Sloan and Miss Foster 😊
Homework
Times Tables
Times tables are essential mathematical skills and we teach them in some form every day. With a sound understanding, children are able to progress their numeracy skills and become more confident with numbers.
When it comes to times tables, speed AND accuracy are important. We would like to ask you to help your son/daughter with some times tables practise for 5 minutes a day. There are many websites specifically set up to help children make rapid progress and build their confidence. Here are three that you can use:
Sumdog
Any time you can spend supporting your child to improve their times table will make a big difference.