Adventure time in Year 3

Hello everyone,

Year 3 are continuing to impress us all with their lovely, caring attitude towards each other and their super attitude to their learning.

We didn't have RWI/spelling groups in the same way last week, so your child doesn't have new spellings or an RWI book to read. This week's home learning is to practise recalling number bonds to 10. Children should have come home with a paper sheet, but if they didn't, an electronic copy can be accessed here. 

Knowing number bonds within 10 without having to count objects or fingers makes other maths learning that we will cover later in the year much easier.

This week, our maths warm-ups will focus on adding and subtracting 1 and 2 from any number. When we add 1, the children are learning that the answer is the number that comes next when we count. When we subtract 1, the answer is the number that comes before.

We will also be reminding the children about odd and even numbers and practising counting in 2s. The children will learn that when we add 2 to an even number, we get the next even number (for example, 6 + 2 = 8), and when we add 2 to an odd number, we get the next odd number (for example, 7 + 2 = 9). We will also practise subtracting 2 in the same way.

This is something that you could easily practise with your child at home by asking questions such as, "What is 1 more than 8?", "What is 1 less than 12?", "What is 2 more than 7?" or "What is 2 less than 10?"

Last week, I trialled a slightly different approach to the children's learning in some lessons, whereby they worked in Adventure Time groups and used more role play, collaboration and focused teaching opportunities. The children responded really well to this approach, so it is something that we will continue with next week.

Giving the children opportunities to talk about and apply their learning through role play helps them to develop a deeper understanding of the topics we are studying. It also gives them opportunities to develop their speaking and listening skills, use their imaginations and collaborate with their peers.

Geography

Last week, we looked at the tropics and located the Equator and the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn on a map. The children were invited to become weather reporters and talked about the weather in a chosen country or region.

This week, the children will be learning about lines of longitude, focusing on the Prime Meridian. They will look at which countries the Prime Meridian passes through and imagine that they are going on a journey from Greenwich, London, down to Antarctica, following the Meridian.

They will consider which countries they will pass through, how they will travel across the land and water, and what they might do in each country along the way.   

Music

In music, we will continue to listen to the music of Tchaikovsky. The children are also learning how to play the recorder.

They are learning to hold the recorder at the top with their left hand and that their left thumb needs to cover the back hole. They are learning that their left pointer finger also covers the top hole to make the note B, while their pointer and middle fingers cover the top two holes to make the note A.

This week, they will also practise moving between the notes A and B. 

Computing

In computing, the children are learning to code. They are learning how to add and change backgrounds and how to add and adapt characters and animals.

They have been experimenting with sequencing code to make a character move, disappear, reappear and collide. They also enjoy adding sounds!

Art

The children will be looking at nature to find inspiration for printing that they will be doing in future weeks.

This week, they will be finding natural objects that they can use to make imprints in salt dough or play dough.

Upcoming Dates

Every Wednesday - please continue to send suitable forest school clothing for your child to change into. 

Every Friday - please continue to send your child into school wearing their PE kits. 

Friday 9th October - Autumn Fest

Tuesday 13th October - Parent and carer's evening 

Wednesday 14th October - Class excursion 

Thursday 15th October - Year 3 & 4 class excursion 

Thursday 15th October - Parent and carer's evening

Friday 23rd October - Harvest from 2.50pm