Welcome to Year 3

Miss Millar - Class Teacher

Mrs Ellis – Class LSA

Miss Mathias – LSA Apprentice

Our class is made up of enthusiastic and creative Year 3 children.  At the beginning of September we discussed the Golden Rules and used these to create our own Code of Conduct.  We all try hard to always have a positive growth mindset - we may not be able to do something straight away but we will do!

Our classroom is a fun, engaging and welcoming space where every class member feels valued, safe and listened to.  Have a look at our photo gallery to see some of the things that we do.

Connected Curriculum

As well as having regular English and Maths lessons, we have a brilliant and rich Connected Curriculum where we make links between all subjects, where possible.

This term our focus is Geography! 

The Connected Curriculum follows three key stages: Stage 1 is where the teacher teaches a skill, Stage 2 is when the children have the opportunity to practise the new skill and Stage 3 is when the children apply this skill, independently. 

English

Writing:

We use the Talk for Writing process, where we follow three stages: imitation, innovation and invention. 

This term our main focus is on geography and being 'Global Geographers'.  We will be writing diary entries, newspaper reports, poems and non-chronological reports.  Keep checking back here to see how we get on! 

In the Autumn term we used the fantastic story 'The Iron Man' as a vehicle for teaching PSHE and through exploring the story we learned about the characters feelings and emotions, the importance of feeling part of a community and having a sense of belonging.  During our imitation stage we learnt the story, we then innovated it by changing just a few features and then re-invented the story using our own characters and story ideas.   

In the Spring Term we used to book, The Stone Age Boy by Satoshi Kitamura as our stimulus.  Even though a lot of the term was spent in lockdown, we were still able to work together to imitate and innovate the story, then invent our own version. 

Reading:

We love and value reading in Year 3.  All children read every morning as soon as they come into class and then once they have finished their book, they quiz it.  If the children get 100% on their quiz they are given a raffle ticket.  This raffle ticket is then entered into a half-termly prize draw! So the more they read, the more chances they have of winning! 

Every child in the class is heard read at least twice a week, with a short discussion about what they have read.  The children read individually as well as in guided reading sessions.  During these sessions we explore a text in greater detail and practice/apply their reading skills, now known as VIPERS.  The children have all drawn the symbols into their reading diaries so have a look and ask them to explain what they mean.  Please listen to your child read at home as much as possible – note it in their diaries so that they can get a marble in the jar! J

Maths

Following a long period of lockdowns and remote learning, we have created an intensive but fun recovery curriculum.  We will be consolidating key mathematical concepts and ensuring that the children are engaged and enthused throughout the lessons.  We try to incorporate as much outdoor learning as we can including having weekly 'Snappy Maths' sessions.  These are sessions which are fun, practical, outdoor Maths lessons full of interactive games.  The children always enjoy being outside and having the opportunity to explore and apply their learning from inside the classroom.

During the Summer term we will be working on becoming confident with our number and place value, number facts, addition and subtraction (including formal written methods), multiplication and division, fractions and geometry.  

In Year 4 the children will take part in a national times tables test so now in Year 3 is the perfect time to get learning and practicing them.  All of the children have a log-in for Times Tables Rockstars which can be accessed from home as well as school.  Please encourage your child to learn all of their times tables on a daily basis.  

Things to remember

Daily essentials

Please ensure that your children bring in their school water bottle, reading diary and reading book, every day.  We are challenging ourselves to have a full class with all of our equipment.  

PE

The Year 3 children will need their PE kits in from Monday until Friday, each week.  They will have PE on a Wednesday morning but may have additional sessions during the week. 

Tuition

After School Tuition has now recommenced.  Last term we focused on Maths and this term will are focusing on reading.

Remote Learning

We are committed to our pupils' learning during any period of closure or if the children have to self-isolate.  Please see below a PDF file with lots of engaging activities which can be used immediately upon having to work from home. 

Depending on the scenario for children not being able to attend school, either the class teacher will arrange to send the same work as what is being taught in class or work will be set on Microsoft Teams.