Computing: Repeat Commands

Today in Computing with Mr Spracklen our aim in Year Three was to understand how to use the 'repeat command'. To help us understand this, we had to create a computer program that includes the use of the repeat command -

Mr Spracklen was very impressed with how hard we worked in pairs.

Why did we work in pairs? Was it because we didn't have enough Chromebooks?

Not at all! Working in pairs is actually a well-known strategy in computing called paired programming, which has many benefits. Paired programming involves two people working together at one computer – one acts as the 'driver,' who writes the code, while the other acts as the 'navigator,' providing feedback, suggestions, and problem-solving tips. This approach helps us learn from each other, communicate our ideas more clearly, and spot errors quicker.

The idea behind this comes from the learning theories of Seymour Papert, a renowned educational psychologist and pioneer in using computers as tools for learning. Papert believed in constructionism, which is the idea that we learn best by making and doing. When we engage in hands-on activities like coding, especially when working collaboratively, we construct knowledge in a deeper and more meaningful way. In paired programming, we get to think out loud, test our ideas, and reflect on our progress – all key parts of Papert's theory.

So, working in pairs wasn't about a shortage of Chromebooks; it was a powerful way to strengthen our understanding through collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving!

The Bank of Dreams and Nightmares, The 5 Ks and Peeling and Chopping

 Hi Year Three Families,

We had another busy week in Year Three, the children are doing so well, I'm so impressed by their kindness, resilience and the determination and care that they take with their work.

We had a fantastic and magical visit from The Bank of Dreams and Nightmares on Tuesday, we will be continuing to work them throughout the year.

In RE we are continuing to explore Sikhism, we started a two week focus on the 5ks the children really enjoyed using the artefacts.

In Geography we deepened our understanding of the contrasts between the two poles. We've had some lovely home learning on Artic and Antartic animals please do continue to send these in. They are due next Friday and we will be making a display in the Classroom.

In Maths we have finished our unit on Place Value within 1000 and next week we will begin our next unit on addition and subtraction.

In English we are continuing our focus on Leon and the Place Between, this week we have been focussing on Modal Verbs and Figurative Expanded Noun Phrases.

We focussed on practising peeling and chopping in DT and everyone was very successful at peeling a carrot and chopping an apple safely.

You may have noticed that all children came home with class spellings this week, we are recapping words from year 2, although the words may seem 'easy' these are identified words that they need to improve their consistency of spelling correctly. Please ensure that reading records are return in their folders   on Fridays this really helps us make sure children bring home all their essentials. 

Please make sure that children bring a coat with them as wet weather is due.

Please do get in touch if you would like to discuss anything.

Ms Evans, Mrs Scott and Mrs Thomas

BUDDING PROGRAMMERS BLOW US AWAY

Wow! What an exciting time we had in Year Three’s Computing session today! 

Our budding programmers blew us away with their enthusiasm and tech-savvy skills as they dived into the world of timers. 

The goal? To understand that there are different types of timers and how to select the right one for a specific purpose.

Aims of Our Session:

1. To understand that there are different types of timers.
2. To be able to select the right type of timer for a purpose.

The children tackled this challenge head-on and the results were truly fantastic!

Success Criteria:

• Children can create a program that uses a timer-after command.
• Children can create a program that uses a timer-every command.
• Children understand there can be different ways to solve a problem.

As we explored different types of timers, the children experimented with creating programmes that responded after a set amount of time or performed an action every certain number of seconds. Their ability to select the right type of timer for the task at hand was so impressive. From making characters move to triggering animations, their creativity and problem-solving skills were on full display!

One of the key lessons today was that there are often multiple ways to solve a problem and Year Three really embraced that idea. They tested out different methods, evaluated their results, and shared ideas with their classmates—showing great teamwork and perseverance.

A huge WELL DONE to all of Year Three! 

You were absolutely amazing today and we can’t wait to see what you create next in our Computing adventures. Keep up the awesome work!

Amrit Sanskar, Latitude and Longitude and the Poles!

 Hello Year 3 Families,

We had another lovely week in Year 3, we are all settling in nicely. We made the most of the good weather this week and took the opportunity to move our learning outside as much as possible!

In science we have been learning about how water is transported around plants, building on our knowledge of plant roots. We conducted and investigation which used water mixed with food colouring to demonstrate transportation of water around a flower. We observed the flowers changing over the week. 

In Maths we have continued our focus on place value within 1000, and demonstrated our knowledge using place value counters and number lines. We will finish this unit next week.

In English we have continued our story of Leon and the Place Between, this week we have started working with directed speech and how to convey emotion. 

In RE we explored the Sikh Ceremony of Amrit Sanskar we had a go at creating our own Amrit, mixed it with a sword as they do in the ceremony and of course sprinkled some on our heads!! Next week we will be learning about The 5ks.

In Geography we continued to build on our knowledge of the equator, longitude and latitude and started our focus on the Arctic and Antarctica. We went outside, made our own Earth and use our knowledge to draw a map which included the North and South Pole, Equator and drew on lines of Longitude and Latitude. Hence why everyone was a bit chalky on Thursday.

It's been a busy week but a lovely one!

All children should have brought home a folder this week, which includes their logins,  their spellings or RWI and their class homework which is a two week research project on animals from the Arctic or Antartica. If you do not have any of this please let me know.

Looking forward to the week ahead.

Ms Evans, Mrs Scott and Mrs Thomas.

 

Y3 Computing - A1 W3

Today was a special day at The Prince of Wales School as we celebrated our 30th anniversary with a whole-school photo on the school field! 

To make room for this exciting event, we had a shorter Computing lesson than usual. But don’t worry – Mr. Spracklen made sure we still had a fantastic time.

In our combined Year Three and Year Four session, we delved into the amazing world of 3D printing. We learnt how to design our own 3D models using Purple Mash and TinkerCAD. 

Mr. Spracklen also made a super cool promise: if we design something at home and send him the .STL file (with a bit of help from our parents or carers), he’ll print a mini version of our design using the new 3D printer recently purchased by POWSA!

What a wonderful way to celebrate our school's milestone and learn something new at the same time.

Happy 30th Anniversary The Prince of Wales School! 🎉📸✨

Greetings from Year 3

 Hi Year 3 Families,

What a lovely week we had together, this week has been all about settling in, learning routines, and getting to know each other.

In English we have been exploring the story Leon and The Place in Between, we have been recapping, nouns, verbs and adverbs. We have begun work on incorporating Adverbial Phrases into our sentences.

In Maths we have been exploring Place Value within 1000 using such methods as part-whole models and place value grids.

We will continue this focus in Maths and English next week.

In Science we have begun our work on Plants, on Friday we were exploring the role of 'Roots' and why they are important. (See photos below)

In PHSE were were thinking about our special people and our relationships with them.

AR quizzes were taken this week and most children should have brought a new book home with them.

Please return reading records and homework on Fridays.

PE is Mondays and Fridays.

We had a fantastic session on the BMX bikes on Monday too!

I am very proud of all the children have achieved this week and I'm looking forward to the week ahead.

Ms Evans, Mrs Scott and Mrs Thomas.