Year 3 Curriculum

Autumn 2023

Welcome to Year 3.

Here is an outline of topics for the autumn term.

RE:

In RE the children follow the Come and See programme.

The topics covered this term are:

Homes

In this topic we explore how God is present in every home.

Baptism

The promises made at Baptism and Confirmation are the call to a new way of life.

Visitors

In this topic we explore the coming of God, in the person of Jesus, 200 years ago at Bethlehem.

English:

In Year 3 children will enjoy reading a wide variety of texts, and will learn to write in a wide range of genres. We aim to instil in our pupils a love for reading and writing, confidence, stamina and creative, independent thinking.

Key texts covered:

The Tin Forest – Helen Ward

One Plastic Bag- Miranda Paul

Gorilla- Anthony Browne

Into the Forest- Anthony Browne

Writing genres: Information text, writing in role, diary writing, letter writing, newspaper reports, explanation texts, narrative —short story/descriptive writing, poetry exploration.

Reading:

In Year 3 we explicitly study each of the necessary skills for reading and comprehension of texts. Pupils also learn about each of the learning behaviours required for reading and discussing texts with their partners and small groups.

Key skills: Prediction, Questioning, Clarifying, Summarising, Inferring, Evaluating and Making Connections.

Grammar:

Grammar is taught alongside the teaching of writing.

Key skills: time, place and cause conjunctions, paragraphs, headings, subheadings, present perfect verbs, inverted commas.

Spelling:

Spellings are taught via a weekly list of words which are introduced to pupils in class and then worked on during the week.

They will be given out on Monday and a quiz will take place on Friday.

Handwriting: In Year 3 cursive handwriting is introduced. The children will practice their joined handwriting regularly and they will continue to use cursive do the rest of their time at St. Gildas’.

Maths:

This term pupils will work on the following topics: Place Value, Addition and Subtraction Multiplication and Division.

Alongside daily maths lessons practical equipment is routinely used to help pupils turn the abstract into concrete. We use the CPA approach (concrete, pictorial then abstract) in order to gain a deeper mathematical understanding of each topic. Pupils are also provided with enriching activities to practise their fluency, reasoning and problem solving skills.

Key skills include: Times tables work with a focus on x2, x4 and x8, multiplying 2 digits by 1 digit in a column, dividing 2 digits by 1 digit

Science

Our topic this half term is Plants. We will be identifying and describing the functions of different parts of flowering plants: roots, stem/trunk, leaves and flowers. We will also explore the requirements of plants for life and growth (air, light, water, nutrients from soil, and room to grow) and how they vary from plant to plant.

Computing:

Children will regularly use PCs to develop their computing skills. E- safety is taught explicitly and is at the heart of all computing lessons. Alongside this, pupils are expected to use technology responsibly. Pupils are also taught how to use basic programmes on the computer such as Word and Google Classroom in order to aid them with home learning.

The children will develop their understanding of digital devices, with an initial focus on inputs, processes, and outputs. They will also compare digital and non-digital devices. They will be introduced to computer networks, including devices that make up a network’s infrastructure, such as wireless access points and switches. Finally, learners will discover the benefits of connecting devices in a network.

History

Egyptians

This half term our topic is Egyptians. We will look at how the ancient Egyptians lived and how ancient Egypt has changed over time. We will also explore what the ancient Egyptians believed in.

Next half term we will be learning about Cradles of Civilisations

Geography

This half term we are exploring the topic of Rivers. We will look at the changing River Indus and how rivers shape the land.

Next half term the children will start with the topic of Mountains and look specifically at the relationship between mountains and weather and between humans and mountains.

PE

Year 3s take part in an LFA coach-led PE lesson every Thursday morning as well as a teacher led PE session on Monday. The Monday lessons will cover gymnastics in the first half and dance in the second.

Art & Design

In art and design we focus on the main elements of art such as line, texture, colour, shape and positive and negative space. Children will use a variety of different mediums to create their artwork including paint, chalk, oil pastels, collage, origami and printing. In addition to weekly lessons, we try to incorporate art and creativity into as many other curriculum subjects as possible.

PE

Year 3s take part in an LFA coach-led PE lesson every Thursday morning as well as a teacher led PE session on Monday. The Monday lessons will cover gymnastics in the first half and dance in the second.

Home Learning

Homework is set every Friday and is also posted on Google Classroom.

This should be returned by the following Thursday.

If there are any concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Thank you for your support.