Autumn 2 

In our English lessons this half term, we have continued to use the talk for writing scheme. We began by exploring a range of wishing tales that included a character flaw. Before learning the story 'King Midas', we explored the features and then focused on developing a character toolkit to develop our writing skills. The children learnt how to use a variety of sentence openers, express how a character is feeling through their actions and to use a five-part story structure. The children then learnt a discussion text. They learnt a text, which discussed the pros and cons of wearing school uniform. They then wrote their own discussion based on whether playtimes should be banned. This proved to be a stimulating discussion as the children became immersed, following a very convincing hook for writing where they thought that this might actually happen.  

In maths this half term, the children completed further work on addition and subtraction.  Deepening their understanding of the key skills of formal addition and subtraction through place value, checking strategies and mental methods. Children used their growing understanding to explore calculations, which do or do not require exchange, developing fluency, accuracy and confidence in their ability to perform these calculations. They then applied checking strategies to decide for themselves whether their answer was reasonable or likely to be an error. Following on from this, the children worked on multiplication and division. This learning built on recognising equal groups. Three lessons were spent exploring in depth each of the times-tables that children need to know in Year 3, encouraging rapid recall. Children were reminded of the difference between equal sharing and equal grouping and then moved on to look at when division problems may have a remainder.  

In science, children learnt that a force is a push or a pull. They then had the opportunity to explore magnets.  They handled different magnets and carried out activities with them. They found out that a magnet attracts magnetic material and investigated materials to decide if they were magnetic or not.  They found out that the strongest parts of a magnet are the poles. Children also learnt that magnets have two poles – a north pole and a south pole and if two like poles, e.g. two north poles, are brought together, they will push away from each other – repel. If two unlike poles, e.g. a north and south, are brought together they will pull together – attract.  

During our geography unit, children learnt that near to the equator, there are two imaginary lines called the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Additionally, the children found out that between these lines the places have a tropical climate. They then compared the tropics to the climate in the UK. Children also enjoyed using maps and globes to locate countries within this area. They also found out about another line called the Prime Meridian and the importance of this and that latitude and longitude are a system of lines used to describe the location of any place on Earth. 

In P.E, the children enjoyed developing their balance and agility when jumping and landing. During these sessions, the children developed social skills. They had the opportunity to share roles and responsibilities fairly, cooperate with others and share positive feedback. In dance, the children practised their disco moves before using these to learn a dance to music.  

To end the term, the children performed Christmas carols for parents and some children performed at the Minster. They enjoyed the end of term Christmas fair and all had a lovely time at the Christmas party! After a wonderful start to the school year, we are looking forward to what the next term brings. 

Autumn 1 

In our English lessons this half term, we have used the talk for writing scheme. We began by exploring a range of portal stories before learning the story 'Elf Road'. We explored the features and then focused on a settings toolkit to develop our writing skills. The children learnt how to use commas in a list and how to use appropriate adjectives to bring a setting to life. The children helped to create a list of ideas for their own story and then had the opportunity to write their own independent story creating their own settings and characters. We ended the term learning how to write a persuasive text. The children enjoyed eating haribo, before having a go at writing a persuasive leaflet. They learnt how to use rhetorical questions as a hook for the reader and generated word banks of boastful and emotive vocabulary.

In math's, the children continued to build on their knowledge of place value from year 2.  They extended their understanding of the models and images that they have used previously. Children began with learning how to count in 100s. They learnt that a 3-digit number is made up of some 100s, 10s and 1s and were able to represent this in many ways. They extended the number line to 1,000 and began to explore where different numbers lie. Additionally, they compared and ordered 3-digit numbers as well as counted in 50s. 

In our Science lessons, the children learnt all about animals and humans. They have identified that animals, including humans, need the right types and amount of nutrition, and that they cannot make their own food – they get nutrition from what they eat. In addition to this they learnt that humans and some other animals have skeletons and muscles for support, protection and movement.  

In our art this term, we started with a key question, 'Who were the first artisits?' We began by exploring cave painting cave paintings from around the world and then identified similarities and differences.  Next,  the children looked at how Stone Age people made paint and how this was applied using a variety of tools. Following our Stone Age visitor workshops the children then used some of these techniques to complete their own cave paintings. Finally, the children used sketching pencils to create different shapes and lines and then created their own drawing of Stonehenge.

In History, the children have enjoyed learning about the Stone Age. They have learnt that there are three different time periods and they have explored how life during these times changed. They have completed drama activities to help them understand what early humans needed for survival. They became hunter gatherers and collected food that early humans ate. In addition to this they have learnt a range of new vocabulary and can recall a number of fingertip facts about this period in history.