Attenborough Class 

 

Welcome to Attenborough class.  We hope you had an amazing summer and are refreshed ready to start the new academic year.  Now we are ready to tackle the autumn term with plenty of challenges and learning!  

 

Our main autumn term topics are Prehistoric Pioneers and Forces of Nature in History, Geography, Art, English and Reading. 

Links with curriculum subjects is as follows:

History:  Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age

Geography:  Volcanoes

Art & Design:  Prehistoric Painting

Design & Technology:  Cross stitch & applique cushions

 

ENGLISH

Reading: During Active Read sessions, we will explore a variety of texts which include fiction and nonfiction, as well as song lyrics and interesting extracts linking to many of our curriculum topics.  We will develop various reading skills and work on extension of vocabulary throughout.  Our reading vipers work will run through this and we work as a whole class.  Phonics sessions will run at this time for those children continuing with phonics learning.

 

Class texts to read aloud and enjoy are ‘Stone Age Boy’ followed by ‘The Iron Man’. 

 

English units:

Fiction:  Narrative and Diary based on Stone Age Boy. Narrative and Poetry based on The Pebble in my Pocket.

Non-Fiction:  Information Texts based on the Stone Age, Explanation Texts based on How Volcanoes Erupt.

 

Spellings:  Words from the year 3 scheme of work will be set on a Thursday with a test the following Thursday.  Please see the new homework book for the weekly words as well as the half-term overview.  We follow this exactly.  We will learn keywords, known as ‘tier or wow words’.  The focus of these is to understand the meaning and be able to use these orally and in writing.  Common exception words (CEW) are also worked on regularly and tested at intervals through the year to track progress.

Handwriting sessions will be planned for each week as we are always looking to improve letter formation and presentation. 

 

MATHEMATICS

We will have weekly arithmetic lessons and arithmetic tests on a Monday.  We will send home the test reflected on this. Autumn KIRFS, (Key Instant Recall Facts) are based on knowing all number bonds to 20 and know the multiplication and division facts for the 4 times table.  A copy will be sent home in the homework book when we start a new block each half term.  Please help your child to learn these facts well.  

 

Maths units for this term:

Place value to 1,000

Addition and subtraction 1 & 2

Multiplication and division 1 & 2

     

Power Maths begins by focusing on place value within 1,000; this unit is important as it explores 3-digit numbers in depth.  For many children, it will be the first time they have met these numbers.  This builds on the place value work they did in year 2 and they will extend many of the models and images that they have used previously.  Addition and subtraction; the children explore additions and subtractions gradually, by considering in detail the adding of 1s, 10s and 100s separately.  They then explore the need to exchange where addition or subtraction may cross the next place value column.  This unit and the next are the real foundations for addition and subtraction for children’s whole mathematics career.  Multiplication and division begins by asking children to show their understanding of equal groups.  They will take time to look at arrays and how they can show two different multiplications.  This unit also provides the opportunity to recap multiples of 2, 5 and 10 and explore if a given number is a multiple of one of these numbers.  Finally, there is an opportunity to recap work on sharing and grouping and ensure that children know the difference between the two concepts.

 

HOMEWORK will be set every Thursday, to be completed and marked the following Thursday.

Reading Pupils in years 3 should be able to read books written at an age-appropriate interest level. They should be able to read them accurately and at a speed that is sufficient for them to focus on understanding what they read rather than on decoding individual words. They should be able to decode most new words outside their spoken vocabulary, making a good approximation to the word’s pronunciation.  Our short reading tasks will help your develop their ability to answer vocabulary, retrieval, summary, inference, prediction, author choice questions and compare/contrast & comment.

At home, to help your child's development of reading, we encourage you to please read with and/or listen to your child at least five times per week.  Please record in the orange reading journal and ensure that your child brings this to and from school every day!  Each time your child reads, please number it in the margin of the journal, as this will be counted towards an award; 25 reads = bronze, 50 = silver and 75 = gold.

Spelling words from the year 3 scheme of work will be set on a Thursday and tested following Thursday.  Please see the new homework book for the weekly words as well as the half-term overview.  We follow this exactly.  We will learn keywords, known as ‘tier or wow words’.  The focus of these is to understand the meaning and be able to use these orally and in writing.  Common exception words (CEW) are also worked on regularly and tested at intervals through the year to track progress.

 

Maths will be largely linked to the Times Table Rock Stars (TTRS) website. There will be a weekly task set on the website set at 15 minutes.

Initially we will set 10 minutes a week, increasing through the year.  Please encourage your child to log on to complete this task, as it will help their number work hugely. 

We will also set an arithmetic mat in homework books.  This will be marked and opportunities will be given to address misconceptions with your children.

Games on ‘Active Learn’ will also be set on a regular basis to reflect the topics we are covering in class. 

  

Attenborough class will also be covering the following units in other areas of the curriculum;

     Science – Movement and Nutrition, Rocks & Soil

     Music – Ballads where we engage with the story behind songs and even have a go at writing our own & creating compositions

     Personal, Social and Health Education – Family and relationships along with a Managing My Emotions workshop.

     Physical Education - Netball and fitness- we aim to beat our personal bests and develop invasion game skills, football and yoga.

     Religious Education – What makes us human?  Where do our morals come from?  Why do Christians think that Christmas is good news?

     French – Greetings with puppets, adjectives of colour, size and shape

     Computing – Online safety, Networks and Scratch

 

     Finally, it would be wonderful to celebrate personal achievements so therefore any extra work the children complete at home, whether it is written, maths or creative, is welcomed in class. 

 

Reminders: 

●        Extended learning (homework) will be set on Thursdays

●        Books must be brought into school everyday:  homework book, journal, reading books.

●        P.E days are Monday and Friday for this half term.

●        Full P.E kit is needed with navy jogging bottoms/shorts/sweatshirts. Trainers keep our feet protected and ready to move!

●        Hair must be tied back if shoulder length or longer and earrings must be removed for P.E. 

●        Ties must be worn

●        A named water bottle should come into school every day with fresh water only please (no juice).

●        A healthy snack can be brought in for break time. We ask for fruits and vegetables please. 

 

     We look forward to seeing the children progress and become successful learners throughout year 3.  

     If you would like to speak to one of the teaching team, this can be arranged via the school office.

     Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any queries.

  

The Attenborough Team

Mrs Garrard & Miss O’Donnell