Year 3

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In English pupils will have the opportunity to read a variety of texts which their writing will be based on. They will study books such as The Iron Man by Ted Hughes, The Sheep Pig by Dick King-Smith, The Abominables by Eva Ibbotson and The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by CS Lewis. As well as these novels they will read and write a range of other genres including poetry, playscripts, newspaper reports, explanation texts, non-chronological reports and instructions. Each week pupils will be taught comprehension, grammar and writing within English lessons.

Pupils will be taught to extend sentences by using clauses and a wider range of conjunctions, use the present perfect form of verbs, choose nouns or pronouns appropriately and use conjunctions, adverbs and prepositions. They will also continue to learn about the correct use of direct speech and the use of apostrophes.

Pupils will continue to receive weekly spellings which are based on key words, spelling patterns and the year 3 and 4 curriculum spelling list. These need to be learnt at home and the children encouraged to then use them in their writing. Pupils will also receive a ‘Word of the Week’ at the beginning of every week, which they are encouraged to use this in their spoken language and written work.

The focus on handwriting will continue from KS1 and pupils will be expected to use continuous cursive script in all pieces of writing. Pupils will also be taught how to write in pen and be given opportunities to do this. Pupils are encouraged to practise their handwriting in order to receive a pen licence.

In Mathematics pupils will continue to learn the four operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. They will investigate these operations through calculations and word problems. The children will be encouraged to apply these skills to real life situations through problem solving activities and investigations. Other areas that the children will be studying are fractions, money, telling the time, data handling, measurements and 2D and 3D shapes. Moreover, pupils will be looking at angles and applying that knowledge through the use of protractors for creating and drawing their own angles.

To support your child’s learning at home, daily practice of all of the times tables will enable them to be more confident at school and making the transition to upper KS2. Telling the time (both analogue and digital) with your children and allowing them to pay for items in shops can also support them with their mathematical skills.

In Science this year pupils will be studying a range of topics including ‘Rocks, Fossils and Soils’, ‘Health and Movement’, ‘Tombs, Torches and Timekeepers’, ‘Light and Shadow’, ‘Forces and Magnets’ and ‘How Plants Grow?’. The children will be given the opportunity to take part in hands-on investigations which will enhance and deepen their learning and understanding.

Throughout the year pupils will learn about many religious stories as well as important times in the liturgical year such as Christmas, Easter and Pentecost. Pupils will continue to use Bible references to find and read scripture. Pupils will be asked to make links between religious stories and their Christian beliefs. Pupils will also be encouraged to recognise, describe and explain actions of Christians. Continue to encourage your child to read stories from the Bible and discuss how this relates to their daily lives. During his weekly visits to the school, our Parish Priest supports the learning on the current Religious Education theme.

The history topics taught in Year 3 are: Prehistoric Britain, Ancient Egypt and Roman Britain. Our history topics offer an exploration of chronology, historical sources, significance of past people and events, and change and continuity between time periods.

Please click here for more information about history teaching and learning at St. Joseph’s.

The geography topics taught in Year 3 are: Countries of the World, Deserts and Where Does Our Food Come From? Across the topics, children develop their skills in key geographical strands: locational geography, physical geography, human geography, place geography and geographical skills and fieldwork.

Please click here for more information about geography teaching and learning at St. Joseph’s.

This is closely linked with the Religious Education curriculum, plus current and cultural events. The children will participate in ‘Themed’ Art weeks, whereby they develop their artistic and creative talents, advancing their art, design and technology skills will be achieved through exploration, refinement and consolidation. We shall also use Art galleries’ websites to study specific artists and art styles to complement the learning. Children use a variety of materials to create interesting pieces of art and sculpture based on their investigations. Design and Technology skills are developed through investigating how 3D creations bring an object to life. This Year, the themes will cover ‘Diwali – the Festival of Light’ from the Hindu religion, the Disney production ‘Aladdin’ and Brent – City of Culture 2020.

During the first half-term, children will be completing the unit ‘Online Safety’ where they will learn about the importance of passwords, how the Internet can be used safely for effective communication, how blogs can be used to connect with a wider audience and to consider the truth of the content of websites. Other units that will be studied over the course of the year are: ‘Coding’, ‘Spreadsheets’, ‘Touch Typing’, ‘Email’, ‘Databases’, ‘Simulations’ and ‘Graphing’.

This year all pupils will have the opportunity to attend swimming lessons and Irish dancing lessons.

In Year 3, all children learn to play the ukulele for a whole year which serves as an excellent starting point to go on to learn other stringed instruments, as well as learning self-accompanying techniques and combining singing and playing together in small groups and large ensembles.

In Year 3, the French curriculum focuses on giving personal details such as name and age, asking for classroom objects, describing our families with a variety of adjectives, giving opinions on sports and healthy food and describing our local area.  The children learn to identify rhyming words, perform finger rhymes and sing songs. The children recall, retain, use vocabulary, ask and answer questions. Year 3 children can write simple, familiar words using a model as well as writing some single words from memory.

As well as reading for 15 minutes every evening and completing their reading records, your child should continue to practise their multiplication facts and number bonds to 50. Pupils are expected to practise their handwriting every night as per the school policy. Neat, immaculate cursive script is expected from all pupils with ascending and descending letters written appropriately. Homework will be given to reinforce or consolidate learning in class. If you require any other support or have any questions regarding our Curriculum, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher via the school office to arrange an appointment.

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Mathematics Resources

BBC Primary Resources

Telling the Time

Online Safety

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