Year 3 Curriculum Newsletter
Autumn Term 1 2016
Raiders and Traders
Dear Parents/Carers,
Welcome to Year 3! The beginning of Key Stage 2 is always an exciting time and we are looking
forward to a busy and exciting year ahead. Outlined below are some details of the subjects and
activities we will be covering between now and half term. Our learning in Year 3 will fully
reflect the new National Curriculum. English and the Foundation subjects, where possible, will
be closely linked to three extended topics taught throughout the year.
Topic
Raiders and Traders – Anglo Saxons
In our history based topic this term we will find out who the Anglo Saxons were, when they
came to Britain, where they came from and their role in defending England against the Scots.
We will research how and why the Anglo Saxons chose to settle in certain areas and how Saxon
place names have remained to this day. We will construct models of Saxon settlements from
materials used at the time. This will be followed by investigating aspects of life in Saxon times
including farming, jobs, clothing, leisure and religion culminating in an Anglo Saxon feast day
just before half term. In design technology we will practise the technique of weaving using
fabrics dyed from natural resources. In art we will create water colours based on the
mythological character Beowulf.
In science we will be comparing and grouping together different kinds of rocks on the basis of
their appearance and simple physical properties. We will describe in simple terms how fossils
are formed when things that have lived are trapped within rock and recognise that soils are
made from rocks and organic matter.
English
Writing
Our writing this term will be linked to the Anglo Saxons and will include a nonchronological report and a story based on the mythical character Beowulf.
Grammar and punctuation skills will continue to be taught and will form an
important part of each piece of writing. ‘Big Write’ activities will continue at
intervals throughout the term. Letters will be sent home on the evening before a ‘Big Write’ to
enable you to support your child in the preparation of the writing task. Each week your child will
have the opportunity to write independently with the aim of becoming ‘Journal Writer of the
Week’. This year we will be working hard to develop neat, joined handwriting. Spelling tests will
start week commencing 12th September. New spellings will be given out on a Monday and tested
on the following Friday. Please try to practise these with your child at least 3 times during the
week.
Reading
As well as opportunities for reading in whole class situations, every child will read to an adult as
part of a small guided group once a week. This will include time to read and discuss a wide range
of topic related texts to develop comprehension and inference skills.
To ensure that your child continues to make good progress in reading, it is essential that you
listen to your child read aloud each day and support their understanding by asking questions
discussing their books.
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Mathematics
In Maths this term we will be learning about the following:
Use multiple of 5 and 10 bonds to 100 to solve additions and subtractions;
add and subtract 1-digit numbers to and from 2-digit numbers
Compare and order 2- and 3- digit numbers; count on and back in 10s and 1s;
add and subtract 2-digit numbers; solve problems using place value
Know multiplication and division facts for the 5, 10, 2, 4 and 3 times-tables;
doubling and halving
Know and understand the calendar, including days, weeks, months, years; tell the time to the
nearest 5 minutes on analogue and digital clocks; know the properties of 3D shapes
Comparing, ordering and understanding place value of 2- and 3-digit numbers; subtracting from
2- and 3-digit numbers; using prediction to estimate calculations
Times table tests will start week commencing 12th September. New tables will be given out on
Monday and tested on the following Friday
French
Computing
This year the children will study French
Computing skills will be taught on a weekly
following the Catherine Cheater scheme of
basis following the National Curriculum. Our
work designed to fulfil the requirement of the first topic is to investigate and discover
KS2 National Curriculum. Lessons will be on a
aspects of a software program called
Thursday and taught by Mrs Tait. The first
‘Scratch’ with which we will create a short
term will focus on numbers to ten, common
animation based on mythological creatures and
greetings, classroom
linked to our English text ‘Beowulf’. In
instructions and
addition, the children will have regular
Christmas terminology.
opportunities to develop their word
processing and research skills using
interactive resources on both laptops and
Ipads across the curriculum.
P.E.
P.E. lessons will be on Thursday and Friday each week.
This term we will be focusing on developing the core skills needed for invasion games. The
activities are designed to improve accuracy and confidence when
throwing, catching and controlling a ball during team games.
Please ensure that your child has clearly named kit in school every day
including a change of footwear for outdoor games. Also, remember long
must be tied back and earrings need to be removed on PE days.
hair
Homework
Homework will generally be set on a Friday to be handed in on the following Wednesday. This
may vary occasionally depending on the nature of the task. Homework will be a mixture of
English, Maths and Topic. Tasks will include written work, practical activities and some longer,
creative pupil initiated projects.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any concerns or would like more information.
In the meantime I look forward to meeting you at our ‘Meet the Teacher’ event on Friday 9th
September at 3.30pm or at Parents Evening in October (Dates to be confirmed).
Di Wilkins
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