Author: year3

This term in PE we have been we have been learning all about team work, problem solving, giving clear instructions, following multi-step instructions, map reading and orienteering.  The children had great fun learning how to work together and solve problems, competing against other teams. One week they had to work out how to hold as many pieces of paper as possible between 2 people – the only problem, the people holding the paper couldn’t collect it, the paper could not be touching the floor, and no 2 pieces of paper could be touching! They came up with some ingenious ideas!

They learnt how to follow maps, initially creating patterns inside hoops by following a map, identifying the parts and picking them up, running to the hoop and using the map correctly orientated to complete the pattern.  They worked as a team, with one child at a time building the puzzle.  In another puzzle, they had to follow a map and spell out words where letters were hidden underneath cones.

Finally, in the last week, using ‘Treasure Island style’ maps of the school, they had to run around as a team collecting letters, reporting back to the leaders as a group to collect their next letter.  When they had all 5 letters, they had to tell the leader their word.  All this against other teams to see who could come out on top with the most correct words!

As part of our DT project, we looked at the features of castles and linked this to 3D structures and nets.

Firstly, we created our own designs following a design specification.  We had to make the castle strong and sturdy, include a drawbridge and towers, make it out of recyclable materials and use 3D nets.  After that, we could add our own flourishes to make them our own!

We had a go at making 3D shapes from nets. This was much harder than it looked!

We then made castles of our own.

Our finished builds!

We started our learning about plants with a crime scene! What had happened? Who was responsible? What should we do?

We investigated roots and whether the size of the root or number of roots makes a difference as to how quickly water is absorbed.

We explored how water travels up the stem.  We put some white Carnations in coloured water.  After a few days, the petals had changed colour slightly.

We explored capillary action in plants using tissue paper and water.  We put water in one cup and observed how it transferred to an empty cup via the tissue paper.  This stopped when there was approximately the same amount of liquid in each cup.

We investigated the different components of a flower using tulips. We peeled off the 3 outer sepals (these look like petals on a tulip as they have adapted over time, in most plants these are green), then removed the 3 petals, before looking at and removing the male and female parts of the flower where the pollen and seeds are made.

Finally, we explored how seeds are dispersed so that new plants can grow. We simulated being a flower dispersing its seeds in different ways. When we looked at how we all landed, we discovered that seeds land on the ground randomly. Consequently, it doesn’t matter which way up they are planted; they will still grow.

Today, the children led the whole Ascension Day service at St Nicholas Church along with year 2, remembering the day 40 days after Easter when Jesus left his disciples and ascended to heaven.

The children read Bible readings, said prayers, gave an offertory and led the congregation singing songs. Rev’d Chris added a message to the service, but was lost for words with everything the children had already said about the ascension!

After the service, we recorded the song ‘I Love You’ to share with everyone who could not make it to the service.

Click here to watch and listen to the children singing our sign language song >>> Ascension Day 2023 – I Love You.mp4

(c) Doug Horley

In computing this term, the children have been looking at books and creating video trailers as a tool to encourage other children to read them.  We started the unit by looking at different trailers for books and films both with the sound on and off to see what effect the sound effects and music had on us.

The children chose a favourite book and worked in pairs to create storyboards so they could plan their trailer trailer.

Next came the photos!

And finally, the video trailers themselves.  The children had to think about the transitions from one image to the next using techniques such as cross fade, dip to black, wipe. They also had to add music and some text. The results are amazing!

We hope you all had an enjoyable and relaxing Easter break. The children are certainly refreshed and ready for their learning this term!

This term, our topic focus is history and we will be finding out about the Anglo-Saxons and the Vikings in both our history and music lessons. In English, our story is the classic novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island.  The theme of treasure maps will also be woven into our PE activities with map reading and orienteering. In RE, our big question this term is ‘When Jesus left, what was the impact of Pentecost?  As part of our worship, the children will lead an Ascension Day service at church, which all links back to our RE! In computing, the children will be making video trailers to encourage people to read their favourite book.

Term 5 Overview – Anglo-Saxons and Vikings (PDF Download)

At home for maths, we would like the children to focus on their key instant recall facts relating to time – I can tell the time.  We will also be setting various activities throughout the term on our ‘Learning with Parents’ portal. Can you earn a certificate this term by completing all the activities?

Key Instant Recall Facts – I can tell the time (PDF Download)

The Year 3 Team

We explored the significance of Salvation.  We started by looking at where Salvation features on the ‘Big Frieze’ and then used drama to explore the stages of the Easter Story.  This included Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, Jesus being crucified on the cross and the discovery that Jesus’ body was missing from the tomb.

Why do Christians call the day Jesus died ‘Good Friday’?

As a big finish for our RE topic this term, both Rowan and Chestnut classes came together for a fun-filled morning of RE activities in the hall as the children expressed their understanding of our big question ‘Why do Christians call the day Jesus died ‘Good Friday’?’ We watched two videos which recapped the Bible texts we have been exploring during the term surrounding Jesus ultimate sacrifice for his people – death on a cross. The children could explore their thoughts and understanding in four different zones – colour, word, busy and reflection.  In the colour zone, the children drew pictures of the scenes they recalled from the Bible stories.  They annotated their drawings to show their understanding about why Jesus died for us.  In the word zone, the children retold the story using origami folding and cutting which from a single sheet of paper, created the words life, along with a cross. In the busy zone, they build crosses and tombs using Lego. Some of the boys spelt out the name Jesus whilst one of the girls built a clever frame supporting the word ‘Life’.  In the reflection zone, the children shared their personal thoughts about why Jesus died for us.

The children had great fun dressing up as different science concepts.  They also enjoyed participating in a variety of workshops to explore different scientific theories and carry out investigations.

Year 3 have enjoyed developing their handball skills with a professional coach this term.  The children have learned a variety of passes and have developed working as a team.