This year, our Year 3 pupils will embark on an exciting journey of discovery and learning. They will explore essential topics such as how humans get the nutrition needed to stay healthy and the incredible functions of our bodies. Pupils will engage with the teachings of Jesus and Buddha, reflecting on how these figures have inspired thought and discussion throughout history. In Computing, they will learn about systems and networks, focusing on how computers connect and communicate. Our Design Technology unit will involve cooking, where pupils will design and make delicious pizzas. Additionally, they will learn greetings and cultural insights from Spanish-speaking countries. We look forward to a fantastic year of growth, creativity, and exploration!

English

This half term, Year 3 pupils will be reading "The Boy at the Back of the Class," a touching story about friendship and resilience. They will explore themes of empathy and courage as they follow the journey of a refugee boy in a new school. pupils will focus on writing a diary entry from the perspective of a character, creating character descriptions especially of Brendan the Bully and crafting setting descriptions of a refugee camp using sensory details. Additionally, they will develop their narrative writing skills through engaging storytelling activities.

Maths

This half term, Year 3 pupils will focus on three key units in Maths. In Unit 1, they will explore place value within 1,000, learning to understand the significance of each digit in a number. Unit 2 will cover addition and subtraction strategies, where pupils will practice various techniques to solve problems effectively. Finally, in Unit 4, they will delve into multiplication and division, gaining a solid foundation in these essential operations. Through engaging activities and practical exercises, pupils will develop their number sense and problem-solving skills.

Science

This half term, Year 3 pupils will engage in an exciting unit focused on the human body and survival. They will begin by reflecting on their previous knowledge and discussing the essential needs for survival on a desert island. Through a whole-class thought shower, students will generate and pin three questions they wish to explore. They will classify food and understand the concept of a balanced diet by planning healthy meals. Pupils will also research skeletons, comparing their functions across different creatures, and investigate muscles, learning where they are found and what they do. They will have the opportunity to plan and conduct their own pattern-seeking investigations related to the human body, using relevant scientific questions and methods.

Geography

This half term, Year 3 pupils will embark on an exciting journey to learn about their European neighbours. They will discover fascinating facts about Europe, including the names, locations, and features of various countries and capitals. Pupils will explore the geographical layout of Europe, including its rivers, mountains, and surrounding bodies of water. They will interpret maps to locate capital cities and investigate how different climates across Europe impact local industries. Additionally, pupils will engage in higher-order thinking by annotating models and leaflets with geography questions, deepening their understanding of the connections between physical and human geography.

Design & Technology

This half term, Year 3 pupils will explore the culinary arts through the lens of European foods. They will kick off the unit by creating a doodle about themselves using the seven elements of art. In subsequent lessons, pupils will investigate a variety of European dishes, examine food packaging, and design their own pizza boxes. They will then design and make pizzas, applying their cutting and mixing skills from KS1 while also learning to grate and slice with greater accuracy. Finally, pupils will evaluate their finished products, reflecting on their creative process and the skills they've developed throughout the unit.

RE

This half term, Year 3 pupils will delve into thought-provoking stories, sayings, and events from religious texts, focusing on the teachings of Jesus and the Buddha. They will explore key questions, such as the challenges in the story of The Pharisee and the Tax Collector, and discuss why certain sayings from Jesus resonate in today’s world. Pupils will also investigate the story of The Widow’s Mite and examine Buddhist teachings, considering their meanings both then and now. Through research, they will compare cultural images of Jesus and Buddha, exploring similarities and differences in representation. Additionally, pupils will create visual support for storytelling, debate the relevance of these teachings in 21st-century British society, and reflect on what is important in their own lives.

PSHE

This half term, Year 3 pupils will embark on an "All About Me" unit, focusing on self-awareness and personal growth. They will learn to share experiences where their words have affected others’ feelings and reflect on the consequences of their actions. Pupils will practice giving and receiving compliments, understanding the emotions involved. They will evaluate their learning processes, identifying areas for improvement, and develop confidence in sharing their successes while learning to store those feelings in their "internal treasure chest." Safety will be a key focus, as they identify people, places, and things to keep safe from, along with strategies for seeking help. Pupils will express feelings of anxiety and discuss how the actions of people worldwide influence their lives and choices. They will also learn about the physical changes that occur during growing up, recognizing their feelings about these changes and exploring coping strategies.

Computing

This half term, Year 3 pupils will explore the world of digital devices and networks. They will begin by learning how digital devices function, understanding the concepts of input, process, and output. Pupils will identify various input and output devices and describe how they work together. They will also explore how digital devices assist us in our daily activities by comparing the use of digital tools with non-digital alternatives. As they delve deeper, learners will investigate how devices connect to form networks, examining key components like servers and wireless access points. Finally, they will have the opportunity to observe their school’s network infrastructure, identifying networked devices and recognizing the benefits of computer networks in a real-world context.