Welcome to Year 3! Mr Potter Miss Winward

Major topics of the year! Term 1 and 2 - Our first topic will lightly touch on the Stone Age (to provide a basic chronology). We will then be exploring Ancient Greece and Greek myths and legends. Term 3 and 4 - We will then focus on the structure of the Earth with a particular emphasis on volcanoes and different types of rock. Term 5 - Our next topic will cover growth of both plants and animals Term 6 - Our final topic will focus on the Romans and life in Roman Britain.

PE Days PE is on Tuesday and Thursday. All children are expected to have the correct kit in school at all times. Outdoor PE kit is long trousers, jumper, trainers (and socks!) and their PE t-shirt. Indoor PE kit is shorts and PE t-shirt. Earrings must be taken out for PE sessions. Please, please, please make sure everything is named!

Recorders This year the children will have the opportunity to be taught to play the recorder! Lessons will take place every Tuesday morning until the end of the year. The children will be provided with a recorder. Unfortunately, the children aren’t able to take their recorders home with them!

Forest Schools Throughout the year the children will have the opportunity to take part in Forest Schools. Most of these sessions will take place on site, however, there will be two ‘off-site’ Forest Schools session for each class after Christmas. Please could we ask that you let the office know if you are able to help. You get a free cup of tea and a biscuit!

Weekly timetable!

The transition! As your children have undoubtedly noticed the day is longer: lessons go on until quarter past 12 in the morning and there is no afternoon break in KS2 ! Our words of the year are ‘Independence’ and ‘Resilience’. We are really trying to encourage the children as much as possible to be independent, take responsibility for their own learning and ‘have a go’.

Maths groups Two maths groups – broadly ability based Same curriculum / different pace There may be some movement between groups but understandably this will be limited Differentiation within groups

Homework Children should continue to read at least 3 times a week and learn their times tables (badges). Maths badges Bronze badge – 2x, 5x, 10x and associated division facts Silver badge – 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 10x and associated division facts Gold badge – 2x to 10x and associated division facts Platinum badge – 2x to 12x and associated division facts Master badge – Up to 15x Challenge badge – Square numbers, square roots, prime numbers

Bug Club and MyMaths Both of these resources are a fantastic way to support your child’s learning at home. Bug Club Your child will be set a band of books to follow. Please encourage them to read and complete the comprehension questions in the text. MyMaths Every 2 weeks an activity will be set to either reinforce learning that has taken place, or to introduce a new concept.

Key Stage 2 Homework Cups Termly school cups (Geography, Science, History, Spelling, Maths and Spanish) Children are set a challenge relating to each subject. They can score points for the school team through individual and team quizzes which usually take place in the final week of each term.

Reading It is the children’s responsibility to bring their book home. Children should continue to read at least 3 times a week. Reading records will be collected in by the class teacher every Monday. Reading records can be purchased from the office for 50p if they have been lost.

Reading Individual readers- Children will be heard reading by either the teacher or a parent helper. Guided reading- This takes place once a week unless our focus for the week is guided writing. Children will have the opportunity to change their reading books once a week

Reading Records We will be collecting your child’s reading record book in on their book change day. Targets: 1st book = 30 reads 5th book = 75 reads 2nd book= 30 reads 6th book = 75 reads 3rd book = 50 reads 7th book = 100 reads 4th book = 50 reads 8th book = 100 reads Reading records will continue from last year.

Parent helpers / Readers We would welcome any help that you are able to provide.

Spellings Children will receive weekly spelling tests on words which follow a particular rule or pattern. They will be tested every Monday morning. Children will be told their score during the lesson (certificates are not sent home in KS2).

Interventions During Springboard and assembly times we will be running focussed interventions to support the children with their learning. These are based around the children’s next steps and all children will be supported throughout the year.

Water / Tuck When children go out and come in from the playground they are allowed to have water. Children should bring in a named water bottle. Tuck shop – 20p only please Snack - fruit

Ways to help at home Telling the time. Tying shoe laces. Quick mental calculation games. Board games to help problem solving skills. Working with money. Encourage children to extend their sentences with ambitious vocabulary. Reading – checking comprehension / helping children understand unfamiliar vocabulary

Home/School communication Please do not hesitate to see us after school if you have any concerns (sooner rather than later please) If your child is going home with somebody else please inform us by note or in person. Clubs – if your child is unable to attend a club, please inform us in person or in writing

Any questions?