YEAR 3

Year 3 have been delving deep into the world of "Akimbo and the Elephants," exploring the complex themes of poaching and conservation. This week, they stepped into Akimbo's shoes and wrote diary entries recounting his daring encounter with the poachers. Imagine the scene: Akimbo, filled with a mix of fear and determination, venturing into the African bush alongside those who threaten the majestic elephants he loves. Our young writers skilfully captured Akimbo's perspective, using vivid language and powerful emotions to bring his story to life. Not only did the children demonstrate a remarkable understanding of diary writing conventions, using the past tense, first-person narration, and chronological order, but they also showcased their empathy and compassion for Akimbo. This activity allowed them to connect with the character on a deeper level, fostering a sense of responsibility for protecting wildlife and our planet.

Our Year 3 mathematicians have been busy solidifying their addition skills and embarking on a new adventure in the world of subtraction! Having mastered column addition with renaming, they can now confidently tackle complex calculations and even explain the process with impressive clarity. It's been wonderful to witness their growing understanding and enthusiasm for numbers. Building on this strong foundation, we've recently turned our attention to subtraction. To ensure a deep and comprehensive understanding, the children have explored various subtraction methods, with column subtraction emerging as a firm favourite. They've also been utilising dienes blocks to visualise the concept of subtraction and develop a concrete understanding ready for renaming.

History has come alive in Year 3 as we journeyed back in time to the fascinating Bronze Age! Like true archaeologists, our young historians have been meticulously examining various sources of evidence, from ancient tools and pottery fragments to intricate cave paintings, to uncover the secrets of this prehistoric period. This week, we delved deeper into the Bronze Age by comparing and contrasting it with the preceding Stone Age, focusing specifically on farming practices. The children discovered how the development of bronze tools revolutionised agriculture, enabling early farmers to cultivate land more efficiently and boost food production.

Year 3 has embarked on a fascinating exploration of food and nutrition, delving into the vital role it plays in our survival and well-being. We've gone beyond simply identifying healthy foods and discovered how individual needs influence dietary choices. Our young scientists engaged in insightful discussions about how factors such as age, activity level, muscle mass, allergies, intolerance's, and even religious beliefs can impact a person's dietary requirements. They grasped the concept that a balanced diet isn't a "one-size-fits-all" approach but a personalised plan that caters to individual needs. To further enhance their understanding, we embarked on a nutritional investigation, turning our classroom into a mini-laboratory! Armed with magnifying glasses and a keen eye for detail, the children analysed food packaging, deciphering nutritional labels and classifying foods based on their protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamin, and mineral content. This hands-on activity transformed them into savvy consumers, empowering them to make informed food choices that support their health and growth.

What will next week bring we wonder... 

Children are expected to complete the following: 

• At least 5 reads in their reading diary each week 

• Century is here! A piece of maths and English homework will be set every Thursday with a due date of the following Monday. The homework will appear at the bottom under 'assignments'. The pathway at the top is suggested additional work that can be worked through as and when but is not an expectation to be completed. 

• Times table rock stars does not have to be completed daily, but it is encouraged to practise as much as possible.

Children are not expected to do Century and Times Table Rockstars every evening at home, but little and often is ideal! Thank you for your support :)

Please note, the inside of the reading diaries have changed. There are dates on each page and a 'homework' section on the left hand side but please ignore these. Please see the image below of how to insert the reads into the new reading diaries.