Year 3
This term in Y3 English...
This term, we are writing a 'Journey' story inspired by 'Two Bad Ants'. In this plot, characters embark on a journey, encountering multiple problems and resolutions before learning a lesson or returning home safely. Examples include Hansel and Gretel, Harry Potter, and Where the Wild Things Are.
Please see below a version of the story text. Can you read along and do the actions? There is a game to practice the Magpie Words we have learnt, as well as online activities to practice some of the story features, we have used in English such as adverbs, adjectives and past simple.
Two Bad Ants
An adventurous scout returned to BIS with something amazing that he had found - a beautiful, sparkling sugar crystal which he gave to Ms. Mimi.
“Oh, it is the most delicious thing I have ever tasted. I want even more!” shouted the queen. The brave ants decided to go on a journey to find more sugar crystals. It would be a long and dangerous journey.
As the sun went down, the ants marched in one line following a twisted path through a dark forest. At the edge of the forest, stood an enormous wall. They climbed up, higher and higher. “Oh my goodness I cannot see the sky,” yelled the ant in front.
“The stars have disappeared!” said his friend with fear in his eyes. They found themselves in a strange new world with tasty smells and sounds. They crawled along a smooth surface and climbed down carefully to reach the sparkling crystals. Quickly they each chose a crystal, then turned to start the journey home.
Two greedy ants decided not to go back with the others. “Let’s stay and eat crystals forever!” said one of the bad ants.
“That’s a wonderful idea,” agreed the second ant. They ate quickly until they fell asleep. When they woke up all the other ants had gone and a giant silver spoon hovered over them. It shovelled up the ants and the crystals. Suddenly the giant spoon dropped them and the terrified ants fell into boiling brown water. It lifted up and they were pulled towards a cave. The water swirled dangerously. Suddenly the cave disappeared and the water was calm again.
At the edge of the water was a smooth, white wall. They carefully climbed down and looked for safety.
“Thank goodness we escaped!" screamed the ants.
Exhausted, they crawled into a dark corner and fell asleep. Night came and they heard a sound - the footsteps of their friends returning for more sugar crystals. Quietly, they joined the end of the line, slid down the smooth wall and stood in the sugar bowl. This time they chose a single crystal and followed their friends home. As they reached the edge of the ant nest, they knew they were home.
Is it regular or irregular past simple verb?
Is it an adverb or an adjective?
International Animal Poetry
One long trunk
Four thick legs
Two sharp tusks
Thumping, plodding, crashing
Wrinkled and strong
Like a giant bulldozer
Old man of Africa
Talk for Writing: The Grinch
This half term, in the run up to Christmas, we are learning to write a 'Rags to Riches' story, based on the classic 1956 story by Dr. Seuss, 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas'.
In a ‘Rags to Riches’ plot, at beginning of the story, the character is unhappy. Through the events of the story, the character goes through a change and achieves wealth or happiness by the end. Examples of this story type include: Aladdin; Cinderella; The Ugly Duckling; The Selfish Giant.
Please see below a visual version of the story text and click on the green box to listen to it. Can you read along and do the actions? There is also a game to practice the Magpie Words we have learnt. Why not check out a movie version, too? Merry Christmas!
The Grinch Story Map.pdfGreedy Kassim and the Dangerous Dragon Story Map
Can you retell the story of Kassim and the Dangerous Dragon?
The Great Kapok Tree: A Wishing Tale
This term we are learning about rain forests, and we have been learning the book called The Great Kapok tree. Here is a shorter version to read and listen to. You can play a game to match the animals with their rainforest layer.
WIDGET Tier 1 Kapok Tree Text.pdfTalk for Writing: The Iron Man
This term we are learning how to write a 'defeating the baddie' story, based on the classic English novel, The Iron Man, by Ted Hughes. Published in 1968, this science fiction tale tells the story of a mysterious metal giant who arrives on day in a small town and befriends a young boy called Hogarth. Together they must save the world from a terrible fate
Tip: Not to be confused with the Marvel character, Iron Man (Tony Stark).
Below is a graded version of the whole text for children to enjoy at home and to support their learning.
The-Iron-Man-Graded-for-Year-3 2021.pdfYou can play this vocabulary game to learn the new magpie words from our new text:
Frayer Model Magpie Vocab sheet.docxYou can use this sheet to record any new words that you find in the text.
Story Advent Calendar 2022-23.pdfDid you know?
The Grinch is based on an older Christmas story called 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens, about a miser (mean old man) called Ebeneezer Scrooge.
You can listen to Mr. John and Ms. Mandy reading this story in window 21 of the BIS Story Advent Calendar 2022.
Talk for Writing: Journey Stories
In our current unit, we are learning to write an exciting, descriptive journey story about creepy crawlies, based on our Talk 4 Writing text, 'Two Bad Ants' by Chris Van Alsberg. You can practice some of the Magpie Words (key vocabulary) with this Wordwall game.
Talk for Writing: Warning Stories
Little Red Riding Hood
Watch this video of the story of Little Red Riding Hood. It is a very good example of a warning story. What is the warning? Who gave the warning?
Play this Magpie Word Matching Game from our story Kassim and the Greedy Dragon!
Adjectives are a very important part of making our writing interesting. We need to use them in all of our sentences.
What adjectives can you think of to describe the wolf?
What adjectives can you think of to describe this place?
Biographies
This term we have been learning to write biographies. A biography is a person's life story, written by someone else. There are biographies about many well-known people with many to choose from in our school library. Here are some of the special features of a biography:
The author must find out many facts about the person they are writing about.
The biography contains key dates and events in the persons's life.
The biography is written in third person.
It is mostly written in past tense.
It is written in time order or ‘chronological order’.
It may contain quotes from the person or others that knew them.
It’s a kind of ‘non-fiction’.
Below you can read our class text - a biography of Amelia Earhart.
Can you spot the key features?
What do you think of Amelia Earhart's story?
Who would you like to research and write a biography of?
You can read more biographies at this website.
ABOVE: The famous woman aviator, Amilia Earhart.
BELOW: A selection of biographies in our library.
A Biography of Emelia Earhart.pdfT4W Text: The Iron Man's Challenge
You can print this worksheet to use with any new vocabulary that you discover at any time!
Frayer Model Magpie Vocab sheet.docxChristmas Vocabulary
Can you match the pairs of Christmas words?
A Christmas Carol
This term, the children have learned the famous story of A Christmas Carol. Watch a short movie here:
Compound sentences - using conjunctions 'and', 'but' and 'so'
Can you choose the correct conjunction to complete the compound sentences?
Subject-verb agreement
This term, the children have done a lot of work on subject-verb agreement. It can be a very challenging thing to learn for some children, so it is important to know the rules.
Watch the video
The video opposite will teach you more about the rules for subject-verb agreement. Enjoy!
Subject-verb agreement exercise
Choose the correct subject to complete the sentences
Example
The girl/girls is studying maths.
The girl is studying maths.
A dog/dogs was playing in the water.
Tomorrow we/I are going shopping.
The pigs/pig were playing in the mud.
The children/child is getting on the bus.
That dolls/doll is mine.
My aunts/aunt is coming to visit.
The boys/Sam are having two hamburgers.
The cat/cats is sitting on the chair.
If you click the link below, you can find a list of useful websites where you can help your child over the summer break!
Writing a diary entry
This term, our students have been learning how to write a diary entry using important features.
Diary Features Checklist for Year 3 2021.pdfDiary Entries
Please use the diary writing checklist on the left to write a diary entry during the holiday.
Tips for Reading with Your Child
Ask what they remember about the story from class
Ask them to read one page a day to you
Ask questions about the text, especially those with How and Why
Ask your children to summarise what they have read in their own words, either in English or your home language
Ask your child what they liked / didn't like about the story and why
Instructional texts
In the first half of Term 2, students have been learning how to write instructions using time connectives and imperative verbs.
Time connectives and imperative verbs
An instruction text may include some time connectives and imperative verbs.
Time connectives are words or phrases which are used to tell a reader WHEN something is happening.
Imperative verbs are sometimes known as bossy verbs. They are verbs which tell you what to do. They are often seen at the beginning of a sentence and create a command. Examples
First pick up the knife.
Next cut some cheese and place on the bread.
Play the games below to practice time connectives and imperative verbs.
Rags to riches fairy tales
This term, Year 3 are studying the fairy tale 'Cinderella'. There are a lot of exciting new adjectives in the story.
Magpie Words
Review the magpie words we have learnt in class by clicking on the picture to play the Wordsearch.
If you would like to look at another rags to riches fairy tale, please click on the link below. You will learn the famous British story 'Dick Whittington'. There is a video, game and worksheet activities.
The Deadly Tyrannosaurus Rex
This half term, Year 3 have been studying a non chronological report about the Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Magpie Words
There is a lot of exciting vocabulary that students can use in their writing. Review the words by playing the Match Up game opposite.
The Stegosaurus
Year 3 have also been learning about the incredible Stegosaurus. Look at the fact file on the right to learn more.
