Welcome to Year 3!
In 3AS, Mrs Akhter and Mrs Symes are the class teachers, and Mrs Parry-Jones and Mrs Akhtar are the teaching assistants.
In 3M, Miss Morgan is the class teacher, and Mrs Newton and Mrs Watkins are the teaching assistants. Mrs Stevens is the Year 3 and 4 phase leader.
Reading and phonics
When pupils start at Brushwood, their phonics ability will be tested. If they have some gaps in their knowledge, they will continue reading colour banded books and will have phonics interventions to close the gaps. If their knowledge is secure, they will start Accelerated Reader, which begins testing and progressing their comprehension skills.
When children are on Accelerated Reader, they choose their own books, read in school and at home and then take an online quiz to test their understanding of the book. For more information on this, please see the English curriculum page.
For both the colour banded books and then Accelerated Reader books, teachers regularly monitor the progress each child is making and move them up levels appropriately. We ask that pupils read at home each evening with an adult who can record and sign their reading logs.
Number bonds and Times Tables
In the first term of Year 3, the children revisit their knowledge of number bonds to 10, 20 and 100 from KS1 and consolidate their ability to recall the 2s, 5s and 10s times tables. In the second term, they will learn the 4 and 8 Times Tables, and in the third term, the 3s and 6s.
Children rehearse the Times Tables using practical and visual resources, games and recall. To show a clear understanding of Times Tables, we also teach the corresponding division facts (for example, 8 ÷ 2 = 4). We ask that the children practise these Times Tables at home regularly in order to become fluent in their recall. This learning sequence helps to prepare them for the Statutory Multiplication Check in the summer term of Year 4 - please visit the Year 4 page to find out more.
Autumn Term Learning
English
This term, we will be studying the following books: Ug: Boy Genius of the Stone Age, The Finger Eater, The Great Kapok Tree and Stone Girl. We will be practising various reading and writing skills based around these books including identifying word classes, writing descriptions, thinking about character feelings and emotions and alterative endings to stories. Grammar, spelling and punctuation will be embedded in these lessons.
In guided reading, the children will study the texts of Tales of Wisdom and Wonder and The Big Book of the UK. We use whole class guided reading which focusses on developing the children's comprehension skills.
Maths
This term we will focus on place value, addition and subtraction and multiplication and division. Within these topics, we will use a range of resources including base 10, place value counters, number squares and bead strings. We will start by recapping our number bonds to 10, 20 and 100 before moving onto our 2, 5, and 10 times tables. Children will use Times Tables Rockstars to practise their times tables at speed.
Science
Our topic for the Autumn term is rocks. The children will be classifying rocks, studying how rocks change over time and will then be moving onto fossil formation and soil types.
History
In history lessons, we will be learning about the Stone Age through to the Iron Age. The children will discover what life was like for the early humans and will learn how life changed over these historical periods.
Geography
In geography lessons, we will look at different types of settlement, and the physical and human features of them.
Art and DT
In art, the children will be focusing on drawing including using shapes to sketch objects and using shading. In DT, we will cover cooking and nutrition, with a focus on cooking seasonally.
RE
This term the children will be learning about places of worship in various religions.
PE
The children will be focusing on invasion games and orienteering. PE days for 3M are Tuesday and Wednesday. PE days for 3R are Tuesday and Thursday. We also had the opportunity to get the trampolines out and learn some routines.
PSHE
This term we will be covering the topics of 'family and relationships' and 'health and wellbeing'. We will also be discussing our school values of ambition, confidence, collaboration, resilience and respect.
French
This term, the children will begin to learn basic conversational French including greetings and how to introduce ourselves. We will also learn about the seasons.
Music
The children will be covering the history of Western Music. This will be taught in the school's music room where children will have access to a range of instruments.
Spring Term Learning
English
We will be practising various reading and writing skills based around different books including, Oliver and the Seawigs, The Green Ship and Planet Omar. We will explore different genres for writing including, narrative, dialogue and explanation texts. The children will also practise their spelling, grammar and punctuation during these lessons.
Discrete guided reading sessions will take place to focus on word reading and comprehension skills, using the books Oliver and the Seawigs and Planet Omar.
Maths
This term we will be focusing on multiplication and division, fractions and measure. We will be learning the 4 and 8 times tables. Times Tables Rockstars and hit the button can be used at home to practice times tables. We recommend children do 5 minutes of times tables practice at home per day.
Science
During the first half term, we will be studying Animals including humans. The children will learn about nutrition, skeletons and muscles. In the second half term, we will learn all about forces.
History
In history, the children will be learning about Romans in Britain including why the Roman’s invaded Britain and key people in the Roman time period.
Geography
In Geography, our topic will be Antarctica, focusing on the climate, the geographical location and the explorer Shackleton.
Art and DT
In Art, we will focus on painting and mixed media. In DT, we will learn how to cross stitch in order to make an Ancient Egyptian collar.
RE
The children will be learning about religious festivals; comparing them and thinking about their importance.
PE
The children will be practising skills within Gymnastics, Dance and Yoga. PE days continue to be on Monday and Thursday for 3M and Monday and Friday for 3AS. Children will need to come to school in their PE kit. Pupils must have plain white or black trainers, long yellow socks, the blue Brushwood t-shirt, navy tracksuit bottoms and navy shorts/skort for the warmer weather. Children with pierced ears must remove their earrings or place tape over them during PE lessons.
PSHE
We will be covering the topics of Health and Wellbeing and The Changing Body. We will also discuss our school values; ambition, confidence, collaboration, resilience and respect.
French
The focus this term is animals, colours and numbers.
Music
The children will be learning about traditional instruments and improvisation. After February half-term, the children will start to have their Cornet lessons each week, led by a music specialist. The cornets will be provided by the school.
Summer Term Learning
English
We will be practicing various reading and writing skills based around different books including, The Egyptian Cinderella, What it’s like to be a bird and Charlotte’s Web. We will explore different genres for writing, including narrative, dialogue and explanation and poetry texts. The children will also practise their spelling, grammar and punctuation during these lessons. Guided reading sessions will take place to focus on word reading and comprehension skills, using the books The Wild Robot and Charlotte’s Web.
Mathematics
This term we will be focusing on fractions, money, time, shape and statistics. We will be consolidating the 8 times tables and learning the 3 times table. Times Tables Rockstars and hit the button can be used at home to practice times tables. We recommend children do 5 minutes of times tables practice at home per day.
Science
During the first half term, we will be studying plants. The children will learn about the different parts of a plant and how they grow. In the second half term, we will learn all about light.
History
In history, the children will be learning about what the ancient Egyptians believed.
Geography
In Geography, our topic will be exploring where our food comes from.
Art and DT
In Art, we will focus on abstract shape and space. In DT, we will learn how mechanical systems work and make our own pneumatic toy.
RE
The children will be learning about symbolism this term. They will be studying different symbols, rituals and practises in the world religions.
PE
The children will be practising skills within Rounders, Tennis and Athletics. PE days continue to be on Monday and Thursday for 3M and Monday and Friday for 3AS. Children will need to come to school in their PE kit. Pupils must have plain white or black trainers, long yellow socks, the blue Brushwood t-shirt, navy tracksuit bottoms and navy shorts/skort for the warmer weather. Children with pierced ears must remove their earrings or place tape over them during PE lessons.
PSHE
We will be covering the topics, Citizenship and Economic Wellbeing. We will be thinking about how to be good citizens , how people spend money and learn about budgeting.
French
The focus this term is Little Red Riding Hood. In Summer B the children will be learning about ice cream.
Music
The children will continue Cornet lessons led by a music specialist. The cornets will be provided by the school and will take place every Tuesday.
Computing
We will be creating media using I-pads, focussing on making a video of a story. We will be thinking about databases and continue our learning of e-safety.