YEAR 3

This half term, year 3 have been immersed in the captivating world of 'Akimbo and the Elephants' by Alexander McCall Smith. This wonderful story sparked a real curiosity about these magnificent creatures, and to further our learning, we embarked on a journey to become elephant experts! The children transformed into researchers, delving into books, exploring websites, and even watching documentaries to uncover fascinating facts about elephants. Focusing on their appearance, diet, and habitats, they diligently gathered information and learnt how to present their findings in detailed non-chronological reports. We were so impressed by their dedication to becoming independent learners and the enthusiasm they showed throughout the project. From discovering the crucial role of an elephant's trunk to understanding the complex social structures of their herds, the children produced some truly fabulous reports. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and the amazing knowledge they have gained about these gentle giants. Be sure to ask them about their learning - they'd love to share their newfound expertise with you!

Get ready to be impressed! Year 3 have become true addition and subtraction superstars this half term. We've journeyed through number bonds, explored different strategies for adding and subtracting, and even tackled tricky missing number problems. To put our skills to the test, we finished our learning with a focus on solving word problems. This involved some real detective work! The children have been learning how to carefully read word problems, hunt for those key numbers and words, and decide what the question is really asking them to do. It's been fantastic to see them apply their knowledge and choose the best method to solve each problem, whether it's using a number line, drawing a bar model, or working out the answer mentally. From calculating how many apples were left after sharing with friends to figuring out the total number of goals scored in a football match, the children have tackled a wide range of challenges with confidence and enthusiasm. We're so proud of their progress and how they've embraced the challenge of applying their maths skills in different contexts!

Year 3 have been getting creative in art this half term, exploring the exciting possibilities of charcoal! We've delved into the world of artist Laura McKendry, whose beautiful work captures the natural world with expressive lines and textures. Inspired by her techniques, the children have been experimenting with different ways to use charcoal, discovering how to create a range of effects through rubbing, smudging, and varying the pressure they apply. It's been wonderful to see them embrace the slightly messy nature of charcoal and confidently explore its versatility. They've produced some fantastic sketches and drawings, showcasing their growing understanding of light, shadow, and texture. But the artistic adventure doesn't stop there! Next week, we're taking our charcoal skills to a whole new level. Get ready for some large-scale creativity as we use our bodies to generate shapes and movements, transforming the classroom into a living canvas! We can't wait to see the amazing artwork that emerges from this exciting exploration.

In our ever-increasing digital world, online safety is an essential skill for everyone, and Year 3 have been taking it very seriously in their Computing lessons this term! With Chromebooks readily available, we've been focusing on how to navigate the online world safely and responsibly. This week, we turned our attention to creating strong, secure passwords that are difficult to crack. The children participated in an engaging activity where they put their password-creating skills to the test. They learned about the importance of using a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to make their passwords extra strong. We also discussed the importance of keeping passwords private and not sharing them with anyone, even friends. It was fantastic to see the children's enthusiasm for online safety and their eagerness to learn how to protect themselves online. They now understand that a strong password is like a superhero shield for their online accounts, helping to keep their personal information safe from those pesky hackers!

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.