Attenborough Class
Welcome back, we hope you had an amazing Christmas and Happy New Year.
What a great autumn term we had and now ready to tackle the spring with new challenges and learning.
Our main autumn term topics are Romans Rising in History and The Frozen Continent in Geography, Art, English and Reading.
Links with curriculum subjects is as follows:
History: Romans
Geography: Antarctica
Art & Design: Growing Artists
Design & Technology: Eating seasonally
Reading: During Active Read sessions, we will continue to 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 ‘Escape from Pompeii’ and ‘Horrid Henry’
English units:
Fiction: Narrative and Diary based on Escape from Pompeii – narrative recount
Non-Fiction: Information Texts based on the Antarctica
Film unit: For The Birds linking to PSHE
Spellings: We will continue learning words from the year 3 scheme of work that 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 taught four times each week as we are always looking to improve letter formation and presentation.
MATHEMATICS
We will continue to have weekly arithmetic lessons and arithmetic tests on Monday. We will send home the test reflected on this. Spring KIRFS, (Key Instant Recall Facts) are based on knowing all the multiplication and division facts for the 3 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:
Multiplication and division
Length and perimeter
Fractions
Mass
Capacity
Power maths this spring term continues to focus initially on multiplication and division. We will be securing and furthering understanding of the structures and representations, key vocabulary, misconceptions and interventions, alongside learning the three, four and eight times table. Additionally, we will find a simple remainder when a number is divided and use a bar model to solve multiplication and division problems. Following this, we will move onto length and perimeter.
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 – Light and shadows, forces and magnets.
We are excited to announce that our annual school trip is science based at the Museum of Science. Details will follow.
Music – Developing singing technique, learning pentatonic melodies and compositions.
Personal, Social and Health Education – Health and well-being, safety and the changing body, citizenship.
Physical Education – Dance, athletics, outdoor adventurous activities (OAA) and gymnastics.
Religious Education – We will be asking the following questions within teach unit; is scripture central to religion? What happens if we do something wrong? What can Easter teach about forgiveness?
French – French playground games in a French classroom.
Computing – emailing and journey inside a computer.
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 a Thursday, and books should come back into school for marking and testing.
● P.E days are Monday and Thursday 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 continue working towards becoming successful learners this term.
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
