Welcome to Class 3!

Welcome back Year 3!

I hope you have all had a wonderful Christmas break and are ready to enjoy another fantastic term of learning together!

Empowering English

In English this term, we will be continuing to use The Write Stuff approach developed by Jane Considine to improve our writing. This term we will explore a range of quality texts - both fiction and non-fiction! Our first fiction unit is based on the narrative 'Star in the Jar' by Sam Hay. After we have completed our work on this book, we will look at a non-fiction text in the form of an information text. We will read 'How a Robot Dog Works’, before writing our own information text. After half term, we will then look at two narratives- including ‘The Happy Prince’ and ‘The Secret of Black Rock’.

Throughout the term, we will continue with our weekly ‘Big Write’ to practise the skills we have learnt. We will also be focusing on reading comprehension through our ‘Book Talk’ sessions.

Our English Targets this term will be:

• I can choose words because of the effect they will have on the reader. 
• I can use headings and subheadings to aid presentation. 
• I can write adverbial phrases followed by a comma.  
• I can write commands using imperative verbs. 
• I can use diagonal and horizontal strokes to join letters that are adjacent.

Marvellous Maths

In Maths, we will continue to focus on multiplication and division. When learning about this, we will recall and use multiplication and division facts for the 3, 4 and 8 multiplication tables and learn to multiply two-digit numbers by one-digit numbers using both mental and written formal methods.  After this we will then focus on measurement. Particularly looking at Money, Statistics and Length and Perimeter.

Our Maths Targets this term will be:

• I can estimate the answer to a calculation and use inverse operations to check answers
• I can recall multiplication facts for the 3, 4 and 8 times table.  
• I can multiply and divide using known times table facts. 
• I can use a range of mental and written methods to multiply a 2-digit by a 1-digit number. 
• I can measure, compare, add and subtract: lengths (m/cm/mm); mass (kg/g); volume/capacity (l/ml)
• I can estimate and read time with increasing accuracy to the nearest minute; record and compare time in terms of seconds, minutes and hours; use vocabulary such as o’clock, am/pm, morning, afternoon, noon and midnight
• I know the number of seconds in a minute and the number of days in each month, year and leap year
• I can compare durations of events [for example, to calculate the time taken by particular events or tasks]

Sensational Science 

In Science, we will spend the Spring term learning first about Light: Reflections and Shadows, and then after about Plants. We will learn to recognise that we need light in order to see things and that dark is the absence of light. Through experiments, we will find patterns in the way that the size of shadows change and recognise that shadows are formed when the light from a light source is blocked by an opaque object. When learning about Plants, we will learn to identify and describe the functions of different parts of flowering plants and what a plant requires in order to live and grow. We will explore the different stages of the life cycle of flowering plants.

Hair-Raising History

This half term, we will study the Stone Age to Bronze Age. Firstly, we will investigate the timeline and key events during this period. We will learn about late Neolithic hunter-gatherers and early farmers, for example, Skara Brae. We will also explore Bronze Age religion, technology and travel, for example, Stonehenge, and compare these aspects to different periods in time. After half term, we will explore the Iron Age period of history. This will include learning all about key events and significant figures of this era, before focusing on Iron Age hill forts: tribal kingdoms, farming, art and culture. 

Globe-Trotting Geography

In Geography, our first area of focus is on 'Extreme Earth'. We will learn all about volcanoes, earthquakes and the climate; this will include how they are formed, how they can be maintained/responded to and the effects they may have on society. We will use maps, atlases and globes to locate where major volcanoes are located around the world. After half term, we will then focus on developing our Locational Knowledge. We will enhance our understanding of counties and cities in England and will be able to name and locate at least eight counties and at least six cities in England.

Pacey PE

There will be plenty of opportunities for sport during the week. Year 3 will have P.E on Wednesday and we ask that children wear their P.E kit to school for the day (white P.E t-shirt, black or navy shorts / jogging bottoms, trainers and their school jumper).  PE will be outside where possible, so please wear warm clothes. 

Showbie

Showbie is a program which allows children to upload and share their work.  Everyone will be given a Showbie username and password and it is available on iPads, tablets and computers.  We will be using this regularly within lessons and for homework each week.

Showbie has proven to be a valuable communication tool during the enforced school closure in order for children, parents/carers and teachers to keep in touch.  The Showbie App includes a range of features which have been utilised by all:

• Messaging communication
• Sharing / Uploading work
• Instant feedback
• Voice Notes
• Video Uploads

I will continue to set and mark homework via the Showbie App on a weekly basis.  Extra (optional) learning activities will be provided where appropriate in order to consolidate learning in school.  Showbie will be used as the new home-school link for reading.  Every child will have a reading folder in their assignments where all reading and comments can be recorded on a nightly basis.

There will also be a general communication folder where any important messages can be shared with class teachers.  Class teachers will endeavour to respond to these messages as soon as possible.  It is important to remember that children will also be able to see this, so anything of a sensitive nature should be dealt with via telephone or email.

Showbie will be used for you to record any learning that you complete at home, including:

• reading
• MyOn
• Spelling Shed 
• Times Tables Rock Stars 
• Sumdog

I will check Showbie every day to see what you have been doing.  Our aim is to be paperless, therefore most written communication will be via Showbie or the school email system.  

Helpful Homework

Homework is set on a Thursday and should be submitted by Monday.  Homework will be linked to the work that we are covering in class.  Remember homework will be set and uploaded to Showbie.  Paper copies can also be provided if required.  

Showbie will be used for you to record any learning that you complete at home, including:

• reading
• MyOn
• Spelling Shed 
• Times Tables Rock Stars 
• Sumdog

IMPORTANT DATES

Wednesday 5^th January- Return to School for Spring Term (1)

Monday, 21^st February- Friday, 25th February- Half Term

Monday, 28^th February return to school for Spring Term (2)

Friday 8^th April- INSET day

Monday, 11^th April- Friday, 22^nd April- Holidays

Monday, 25^th April- Return to School for Summer Term

For photographs of class and school activities, please see below or click on ‘CHILDREN’ and then ‘GALLERY’ or 'WALFORD TV'.  Also, remember to keep checking Twitter: @WalfordSchool for regular updates too.

All letters and class reminders will be sent via emails.  Please ensure that the school office have your preferred email address.  Let us know if you think you are not receiving any updates.

My door is always open and I am happy to chat with parents about our topics and any work that we are covering in class. Please don’t hesitate to come and find me if you wish to discuss anything!

Many thanks,

Mrs Morgan