Thematic

This week has been full of exciting discoveries in the classroom as our Year 3s have been exploring some fascinating topics from history and science. From unearthing the secrets of fossils to understanding the ancient achievements of the Stone Age, children have had a great time diving into the distant past and learning how it connects to the present.

One of the highlights this week was learning about fossils. We explored how animals and plants can become buried under layers of sediment, such as mud and sand, which over time harden into rock, preserving the remains. In addition to fossils, the children also learnt about the formation of soil. We explored the different layers of earth and how soil is made from the weathering of rocks over thousands of years, as well as from the decay of plants and animals.

 

Next week’s Thematic learning

Next week, we are excited to inform you that on Wednesday, 2nd October, Year 3 will be taking part in a special 'WOW' day, linked to our thematic topic: 'Pre-History Rocks!'. This will be an immersive and educational day where the children will explore aspects of the Stone Age through a variety of engaging activities.

We are fortunate to have an archaeologist visit the school, who will be sharing with the children a selection of fascinating artefacts for the children to explore. This hands-on experience will help bring their learning to life and give them a deeper understanding of life in prehistoric times.

In addition, the children will have the opportunity to participate in some creative activities, including:

· Making Stone Age jewellery using clay and rope.

· Creating Stone Age-inspired art, which will allow them to express their understanding of prehistoric culture.

Please ensure your child comes to school in their usual uniform and brings a coat, as some activities may take place outdoors.

We are very much looking forward to this exciting day and are confident that the children will have a fantastic time while deepening their understanding of the Stone Age.

English

In English this week, the children honed their writing skills, focusing on the use of first-person perspective, using our class text: Stone Age Boy. The children put themselves in the shoes of the main character writing a detailed recount of their journey back in time. By writing in the first person, it helps the reader feel as though they are experiencing the events alongside the character, which is exactly what our budding writers aimed to do this week!

Next week, we will be writing a description of a setting using a range of vocabulary. Watch this space!

 

   

 

Maths

In Maths this week, children have been diving deeper into understanding the relationships between numbers and how the number system works. This approach not only strengthens their foundational maths skills but also builds confidence for tackling more complex problems in the future. Over the past week, children have been engaging in a series of key activities that help them develop a deeper understanding of numbers. These include deriving number facts from number bonds, comparing numbers, and exploring the structure of the number system.

  

Next week, we will be moving onto looking at calculation strategies for addition and subtraction, using known number facts.

Reminder: Author of the term 

Each term, we love to celebrate an Author of the Term, introducing our children to some of the world’s most beloved writers, encouraging them to explore literature in a fun and meaningful way. This term, we are thrilled to shine the spotlight on Roald Dahl, one of the most cherished children’s authors of all time. This week in our class assembly, the children have been diving into Dahl’s magical world of storytelling, and today, we mark a special occasion: ‘Roald Dahl Day’, which would have been his 108th birthday! To celebrate Author of the Term with our children, our English Leaders: Miss Bunce and Miss Watkins have set the children of Upton a challenge: 

Home Learning 

Attached below, is the overarching Thematic Curriculum homework ideas. Please refer to the homework menu which gives a variety of creative tasks for the children to choose from. Children only need to complete one task as a minimum, but can choose to complete more if they wish. Children have been given a Home Learning book to complete their Home Learning tasks in, which they should have brought home with them. 

Home Learning is due in on Friday 25^th October 2024 

Reading journals 

With AR Assessments complete, children will now have brought home with them their Reading Journal. In their journal, you will find their ‘Term 1’ ZPD sticker, their AR and TTRS login details, along with their Mathletics login details. We have also included some hints and tips of how to support children when hearing them read at home- you can also find a copy of this attached, below. Please ensure children are reading every night and are likewise taking quizzes.  

 

Spellings 

To support children with their spellings, we would like children to practise ‘Level 1- PIE PLATH Bundle’

To access it on a laptop, PC, Mac or Chromebook (therefore IWBs):
1. Type in the browser itself where you normally type www (not a search engine)...app.sirlinkalot.org (with no Ws before it)
2. Click on 'More' (top right)
3. Click on 'Sign in'
4. The children will then need to type in their access code 

To find out more about Sir Linkalot, there is a parent workshop taking place on Tuesday 1^st October: 3pm-4pm. We look forward to seeing you there.

Times Tables Rock Stars 

• Tasks to be completed online.

• Children’s logins will be stuck into their Reading journal.  

Mathletics 

• Mathletics tasks will be set from Friday to Friday. 

• Tasks will always follow the learning that week. 

• Children’s logins are stuck into their Reading journal. 

Reminders 

• Year 3 have PE on Tuesdays and should come to school dressed in the correct school PE kit. 

• 3B and 3G will swim on Mondays this term- children will need to come dressed in their PE kit to school on this day, and bring with them their swimming costumes to change into.  

• Swimming kit reminder: full swimming costume/swim shorts and swimming hat. 

• Children to bring in healthy snacks for breaktimes.