Summer 2

In our English lessons this half term, we have continued to develop our story writing. The fiction model text that we learnt was a ‘defeating the monster tale’. We explored the story ‘Than Manor House’ and our toolkit focused on suspense. The children enjoyed short burst writing activities where they had the opportunity to develop a wide range of language features, including personification and similes.

In mathematics the children have learnt about angles and properties of shapes. Following on from this the children explored mass and capacity. First, children learnt how to measure and read a scale, focusing upon unmarked intervals. Next, different masses and capacities were compared and ordered. Following this, children learnt how to add and subtract different amounts, using a range of strategies. Finally, they applied their knowledge to real-life problems – an important skill for children to learn in order to work towards mastery.

In science, children learnt all about rocks. They learnt that rock is a naturally occurring material as well as the different types, their properties and uses. In addition to this, the children found out about different types of soil and how to recognise these. As part of this unit the children also studied fossils and how these were formed millions of years ago.

One of the highlights of the term has been our D and T learning. The children have learnt how to build structures. This was linked to the coast and children designed their own beach hut. They developed and used knowledge of nets of cubes and cuboids. They then built a prototype using straws and blue tack. Following this, they used square section, where children used tools safely to build a wooden frame. Children looked at ways to strengthen their structures using card triangles and strengthening strips before painting these with their own design.

In PE the children have worked on the Imoves Athletics scheme as well as developing a range of ball and fielding skills in rounders. Furthermore, children enjoyed sports day where they had the opportunity to take part in a range of competitive and non-competitive activities.

In music this half term, the children learnt songs in preparation for the One Voice event and performed these at Magna. They had an amazing day and many of our parents supported us at this event.

Geography has been a key focus during this final half term. Children learnt about coastal erosion. The found out that coasts are where the edges of the higher land meet the oceans or sea. They developed their knowledge about some of the geographic features that are found there. Such as beaches, cliffs, arches, stacks, headlands and bays. We linked our prior learning by identifying coastlines around Europe and found out about the coastline in Norway which has the longest one in Europe.

This has been a fabulous half term of learning, creativity and fun. The children are excited about their move to year 4. They have worked really hard this year and we wish them success for the future!

Summer 1

We have had another busy term in year 3!

Our class text this half term was ‘Varjack Paw’ by S.F Said. This book was full of adventure and mystery, which kept us on the edge of our seats. This excellent book also provided us with plenty of opportunities to look closely at characterisation.

In our English lessons, we have continued to develop our story writing. The fiction model text we learnt was a ‘finding tale’ called ‘Ben and the stolen diamond’. Our toolkit focused on action and the children completed short burst writing activities to explore different ways to add action. Additionally, we also explored non-chronological reports as part of our non-fiction learning. Children learnt a report text before applying features from the toolkit within short burst writing activities. Children now have a better understanding of layout and are able to organise their ideas into related paragraphs.

During spelling time this term, the children have consolidated spelling rules and have continued to learn to confidently spell words from the Year 3 / 4 spelling list. We introduced the /u/ sound spelled ‘ou’, words with /ei/ sound spelt ei, eigh or ey.  Additionally, we continued building up our vocabulary using Vocabulary Ninja and continued to learn the shinobi words, which the children are encouraged to use within their writing. 

In mathematics this half term, children have completed further work on fractions. In this unit, children learnt to recognise and show (using diagrams) equivalent fractions with small denominators. They explored a fraction wall and used it to find equivalent fractions. Children also ordered fractions on a number line and compared two fractions using bar models and the comparison signs < > or =. In addition to this, they learnt to add and subtract two or more fractions with the same denominator, answer questions in more than one way and compare the efficiency of each method. They developed their understanding of solving fraction problems and learnt to find fractions of measures. Following on from the fraction unit, children worked on Unit 11, which was all about time.  This unit developed children’s understanding of the length of a day, and their awareness of times of day of which they may have had little real-life experience.

In science, children learnt all about light and dark. They learnt that we see objects because our eyes can sense light and understood that dark is the absence of light. Children explored different sources of light and that some surfaces reflect light and that objects are easier to see when there is less light if they are reflective. Furthermore, the children developed their understanding of how shadows are formed and investigated how the size of the shadow depends on the position of the source, object and surface. Finally, children learnt that the light from the sun can damage our eyes and thought of ways to protect them.

In history this half term, the children have focused on the key question ‘Who were the Romans?’ and have explored the impact which they had on Great Britain. This built on prior learning, as children were able to discuss how people lived before the Romans invaded and learnt about a famous Celt called Boudicca who rebelled against the Romans. Children enjoyed finding out about the Roman army and explored the ways in which they trained, used weapons and wore protective armour. Children had the opportunity to explore primary and secondary sources along with artefacts, which gave clues about Roman life. To consolidate all of our learning, we ended the term with a trip to Clifton Park where the children discovered how and why the Roman fort at Templeborough was built. They will also got to investigate and describe archaeological finds. Following on from this, the children learnt about the life of a Roman soldier.