YEAR 3

What an incredibly busy and engaging beginning to the term it has been for our Year 3 students! 

In English, the children have embarked on an exciting literary journey, exploring the captivating text "First to the Top." This narrative has transported them to the majestic heights of Mount Everest, where they have stepped into the boots of the legendary Sir Edmund Hillary. Our Year 3 writers have crafted compelling diary entries, capturing the essence of Hillary's historic achievement. They have included a range of descriptive language, vivid imagery, and emotive vocabulary to convey the challenges, triumphs, and awe-inspiring beauty of the mountain. From the biting cold and treacherous terrain to the overwhelming sense of accomplishment, their diary entries have painted a vivid picture of this remarkable feat. It has been wonderful to witness their empathy and imaginative skills as they brought this historical moment to life. Their writing has been filled with thoughtful reflections, demonstrating a growing understanding of character and setting.

Moving from the peaks of Everest to the precise measurements of volume, our mathematicians have been diligently working on a new and engaging topic. They have been learning to read and interpret volume scales, a crucial skill that will serve them well in many areas of life. The challenge of understanding scales with unknown values has been met with enthusiasm and a determination to solve the puzzles presented. They have honed their ability to accurately read increments, estimate values, and apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios. Through hands-on activities and practical exercises, they have grasped the concept of volume and developed their problem-solving skills. The children have enjoyed the practical element of this topic, using measuring jugs and other containers to explore how much space different liquids take up. This has helped them to visualise and understand the abstract concept of volume.

Our budding geographers have embarked on a fascinating exploration of the world's diverse biomes and climates. They have journeyed through tropical rainforests, scorching deserts, and icy tundras, learning about the unique characteristics of each environment. The children have been particularly engaged in discussions about the importance of conservation. They have learned about the delicate balance of nature and the impact of human activities on the environment. This exploration has fostered a deeper understanding of our planet and the importance of protecting its diverse ecosystems.

Finally, in science, our young investigators have delved into the captivating world of light and shadow. They have begun by identifying and exploring the concept of a light source, understanding that light is essential for vision. The children have then worked collaboratively to group items as luminous or non-luminous, demonstrating their understanding of the properties of light. They have also conducted investigations to determine whether everyday objects are reflective, using mirrors and other reflective surfaces to explore the behaviour of light. This hands-on approach has allowed them to observe and understand the fundamental principles of light and shadow. The children have been fascinated by the way light interacts with different materials, and their experiments have sparked numerous questions and discussions. They have been especially engaged with creating shadow puppets and using torches to explore how shadows are formed and changed.

Throughout all these subjects, our Year 3 students have demonstrated a remarkable eagerness to learn and a willingness to embrace new challenges. They have shown resilience, creativity, and a growing understanding of the world around them. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to continuing to support their learning journey.

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.