Welcome to Year 3! Year 3 is a very exciting year in which the children grow their independence as Juniors.
Have a look at our class blog to see what we’ve been up to recently!
Please remember to comment in your child’s reading record at least twice a week to show that they are reading at home.
Year 3 Team
Mr Martisius (Class Teacher), Miss Clayton (Teaching Assistant), Miss Hall (Teaching Assistant) and Mr Freemantle (Teaching Assistant)
Time Table
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| PE – Wear PE kits all day. | Homework is due Books are changed PE – Wear PE kits all day. | Homework is handed out. |
Term Overview
Summer 1
English
This half term in English, we’ll begin by diving into the beautifully illustrated book *Flotsam* by David Wiesner. We’ll be using the images to inspire our own imaginative setting descriptions. Later in the term, we’ll become researchers and writers, creating our own information texts about different coasts found both in the U.K. and around the world.
Destination Reader
Our Destination Reader text this half term is *Oliver and the Seawigs* by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre. It’s a fun and quirky adventure story that follows Oliver as he sets off to rescue his explorer parents and meets some unusual sea-dwelling characters along the way! We’ll be focusing on key reading strategies like making predictions, asking questions, and summarising the story.
Maths
In maths, we will begin by finishing our unit on fractions, focusing on finding fractions of amounts and solving problems. After that, we’ll move on to exploring mass and capacity—measuring, comparing, and estimating. We’ll end the half term by learning how to recognise coins and notes, calculate totals, and solve problems involving money.
Science
Our new science topic is Forces and Magnets. We’ll be learning how things move, exploring pushes and pulls, and investigating how magnets work. We’ll carry out lots of hands-on investigations to discover magnetic materials and explore how magnets can attract and repel without touching.
Geography
In geography, we’ll be heading to the coast—virtually, at least! We’ll learn about different types of coastal features, how they are formed, and how they are changing over time. We’ll also look at how people use and protect these important areas.
RE
In RE, we’ll explore ‘The Big Bible Story,’ looking at how different stories in the Bible fit together to tell one big picture from Creation to Salvation. We’ll think about the messages behind these stories and what they mean for Christians today.
Latin
In Latin this half term, we’ll be focusing on subject and object nouns. We’ll learn how to recognise who is doing the action and who is receiving it in a sentence, helping us to understand more about how Latin grammar works.
Spring 2
English:
This term, children will explore different text types, including instructions, narratives, and newspaper reports. They will begin by writing a recipe linked to Cinderella of the Nile, focusing on vocabulary, structure, and presentation. They will then move on to narrative writing, developing language and story structure before writing their own versions. Finally, they will study newspaper reports, identifying key features, using passive voice, and writing their own reports. Throughout, they will refine their editing and publishing skills.
Maths:
In maths, children will develop their understanding of division strategies before moving on to measurement, including length, perimeter, and mass. They will learn to measure in different units, compare and convert measurements, and calculate perimeter. Later in the term, they will explore fractions, beginning with unit fractions and progressing to non-unit fractions, comparing and ordering them using number lines and bar models. Practical resources such as number lines and multilink blocks will support their learning.
RE (Christianity – Easter):
Children will explore key events leading up to Easter, considering the actions of Judas, Peter, and the women at the crucifixion. They will discuss themes of betrayal, forgiveness, and inclusion, using our Wonder Book to reflect on moral questions. They will also consider who the most important person in the Easter story is and why.
History/Geography:
This term, we will study Ancient Rome, focusing on why it was a successful civilization. Children will explore different types of historical evidence, daily life, and the contributions of different groups of people. They will also learn about the significance of Roman architecture, Roman beliefs, and the most important achievements of this civilization.
PSHCE (Character & Wellbeing):
Children will learn about their rights as children, the relationship between work and money, and how to make informed consumer choices. They will also focus on online safety, discussing how to stay safe themselves and how to help others stay safe.
Computing:
In computing, children will develop their touch-typing skills using Purple Mash. They will learn to use the home, top, and bottom row keys before practising typing with both hands. Later in the term, they will explore different methods of communication, including email, and practise opening and responding to messages safely.
Latin:
This term, children will continue to expand their Latin vocabulary, focusing on verb endings and Greek roots in English words. They will also explore Greek mythology, creating a Greek gods card game and reading the myth of Orpheus. The unit will conclude with a recap of all the vocabulary and concepts learned so far.
Science:
This term, the children will get silly with science. We will look at different ways to make silly putty and try making it ourselves. Then we will look at the properties of our different types of putty and investigate and evaluate the many uses of the silly putty.
Spring 1
We have an exciting half term ahead filled with new learning adventures across all subjects! Here’s a sneak peek at what we’ll be exploring:
English
Our focus will be the story Quill Soup. Through drama, discussion, and writing, we’ll describe characters, settings, and events, leading up to creating our own retellings of the story. By the end of the term, we’ll publish and decorate our narratives to share with younger children.
Maths
We’ll be developing our multiplication and division skills, focusing on the 3, 4, and 8 times tables. We’ll use arrays, place value charts, and reasoning to solve problems and even tackle multiplying and dividing two-digit numbers.
Science
In science, we’ll investigate animals, including humans. We’ll learn how they get their nutrition and explore how skeletons and muscles support and protect their bodies and help them move.
RE
Our RE lessons will focus on Judaism. We’ll learn about key aspects of the Jewish faith, including the significance of Abraham, the Shema, Passover, and the Ten Commandments, while reflecting on trust, promises, and the importance of rules and celebrations.
Geography
In our geography topic “Where on Earth are we?” we’ll use maps and globes to locate places, understand latitude and longitude, and explore how day and night occur due to the Earth’s rotation.
PSHCE
We’ll learn about children’s rights, how money is earned and spent, and how to make safe and thoughtful consumer choices. We’ll also explore online safety, including staying secure with passwords and understanding age restrictions.
Computing
We’ll work on creating spreadsheets, pie charts, and bar graphs. Our lessons will also focus on staying safe online and understanding how to evaluate the reliability of websites.
Latin
In Latin, we’ll explore classical culture, learn about word order and verbs, and even translate stories, combining language skills with creativity.
This term is packed with exciting learning opportunities, and we can’t wait to dive in! Stay tuned for updates on all the amazing things we’ll achieve.
Autumn 2
Writing: This term, Year 3 students will engage in a variety of writing projects. They will begin by writing fact files and biographies about notable figures, including their early life, careers, and social activism. The next unit will focus on narrative writing, where students will explore the features of a narrative, build vocabulary, and plan their stories through drama. They will then write, edit, and publish their narratives, and finish with writing blurbs. Later in the term, students will write information texts about climate, focusing on climate zones and biomes, and explore how to write poetry on climate and weather. Support for SEND learners will include visuals, word banks, sentence starters, and adult support for oral rehearsals and planning.
Maths: The term will focus on addition and subtraction, including subtracting across tens and hundreds, making connections, and estimating answers. Students will work with place value charts and counters to understand concepts. They will then move on to multiplication and division, learning about equal groups, arrays, and times tables (2, 4, 5, 8). The term will also cover inverse operations, sharing and grouping, and applying times table knowledge to solve problems.
Science: The focus will be on light, where students will explore how light helps them see, the concept of reflection, and how shadows are formed. They will also learn about the dangers of the Sun’s light and how to protect their eyes. Practical investigations will support their learning, and students will use careful observation, systematic inquiries, and measurements to draw conclusions about light and shadows.
Religious Education (RE): In Christianity, students will explore Advent and the significance of remembering. They will learn about the role of John the Baptist in preparing for Jesus’ birth and reflect on the message of Christmas. Students will also explore the Christian belief in the Epiphany and how it connects to the belief that Jesus came to save everyone. They will examine the concepts of peace and prophets, and consider the impact of Christmas on Christian beliefs and behaviors.
History/Geography: The term will focus on climate and weather. Students will begin by reviewing weather concepts and learn about climate zones and biomes, including the polar climate, tropical deserts, tropical rainforests, and temperate zones. They will compare different climates and understand the effects of climate change. Students will practice using maps and secondary sources of information to research and explore these topics further.
PSHCE/Character & Wellbeing: Year 3 students will engage in lessons on healthy eating, understanding emotions, and managing feelings. They will learn about the Zones of Regulation and the importance of democracy. There will be a focus on developing social skills, including how to express feelings, make moral decisions, and understand bullying. Students will explore ways to contribute to peace and discuss the importance of kindness and respect.
Computing: Students will learn about online safety, including creating safe passwords and understanding age restrictions on digital content. They will explore the truthfulness of online information and create charts using tools like Pie Charts and Bar Graphs. The term will also cover using advanced tools in spreadsheet software, such as the spin button and cell addresses.
Latin: The Latin curriculum will focus on verb orientation, verb codes, and endings practice. Students will explore mythical monsters, Greek gods, and practice translating and illustrating a story in Latin.
Autumn 1
We kick off the school year by exploring the Stone Age to the Iron Age! We will be learning about different aspects of life from different time periods that span 10,000 years.
In literacy, we will be looking at the ‘The Bear and the Piano’ by David Litchfield we will plan our own narratives following the writing process.
In October our topic focus will shift to Black History Month. In the final fortnight before the half-term break, we will be learning about Marcus Rashford and we will be considering the question ‘What is great about living in a multicultural society?’
In Maths, we will revise what we learnt in KS1 about place value and build on this with 3-digit numbers. We will learn how to represent 3-digit numbers in many different ways, and how to partition, order and compare them. We will also practice our mental and written skills in rounding, addition and subtraction with up to 3-digit numbers.
In Science, we will be focusing on rocks and soils. We will be learning about different types of rocks and comparing their properties. We will also be learning about the formation of fossils and how soil is formed.
In RE, we will be learning all about the key stories in Buddhism. The children will reflect on key beliefs and how we can learn from these values.
In PSHE we will be learning about how to keep ourselves healthy.
