Welcome back after what I hope was a refreshing Christmas break! This term we welcome Mrs McGhie as our new teaching assistant in Blakemere who will be working with us Monday-Thursday.

Literacy

The first half term will be based on the text 'This morning I met a Whale' by Michael Morpurgo. The children will complete descriptive narrative, information writing and poetry. The second half term will focus on Biography writing focusing on a famous artist linked to our topic work (En3/3.1, 3.2, 3.3).

In grammar, the children will be learning about direct speech, conjunctions, fronted adverbials and expanded noun phrases (En3/3,4).

We will continue to use Cracking Comprehension and various texts and comprehension tasks to support comprehension work (En3/2.1, 2,2).

Maths

Fractions - counting up and down in tenths, unit and non-unit fractions with small denominators, fractions of objects and numbers, equivalent fractions, add and subtract fractions with the same denominator within one whole, solving problems involving fractions (Ma3/2.4a-g).

Measurement - length, mass and capacity, perimeter of shapes, money in £ and p, problem solving involving money (Ma3/3.1a-g).

Science

This term, the children will be working scientifically (Sc3/1.1-9) to learn about Light (Sc3/4.1a-e) and Forces and Magnets (Sc3/4.2a-f).

STEM week includes a Lego robotics workshop in school where the children will build and program a Lego model.

RE and CARE

This term, in CARE, we will be focusing on resilience, mental wellbeing and children's rights.

In RE, we are going to be concentrating on the kingdom of God, and the Bible. We will be learning about Sikhism during the second half term.

PE

PE will still be taught on Monday and Friday, but please make sure you have your full PE kit every day incase of timetable changes (PE2/1.1). Swimming will continue to take place on a Thursday (PE2/1.2).

French

French with Mrs Carter (FL2/1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4).

Homework

Homework will be given out in your 6-week jigsaw as always. Complete one task per week and to be handed in on a Wednesday.

Spellings will also be available online and in the homework folder. Each test takes place on a Friday (En3/3.1).

Reading: Please read with your child as frequently as possible and ask them questions about the text (even if they are a free reader, as this is proven to improve a child’s comprehension skills).

Thank you

Miss Wood and Mrs McGhie

Curriculum Overview, Autumn Term. 

A very warm welcome to Blakemere, we hope you had a happy, restful Summer and feel ready for an exciting year together.

Moving into KS2 is a very special time; new opportunities and more independence for the children (and a new uniform too!) and we are excited to be part of this.

Literacy

WritingEn3/3.1,2,3

This term we will be focusing on non-fiction, instruction reports, letters, diary entries, descriptive writing and settings. 

Our topic ‘Where is all the evidence?’ will focus on the history of Ancient Egypt.  This interesting topic will support a cross curricular approach within a range of subjects to broaden Blakemere’s knowledge and skills.   Flat Stanley; The Great Egyptian Grave Robbery by Jeff Brown, will be one of the stories children will explore to extend their literacy skills.  The character Flat Stanley receives a letter from an Archaeologist who leads him on an adventure to the pyramids. 

Class reader- Jeremy Strong There’s a Pharaoh in the bath. 

Grammar En3/3.1,2,3

This term we will be enhancing our grammar skills, focusing on verbs, adjectives, synonyms, nouns and connectives.

Comprehension En3/3.4

We will be strengthening children’s listening and discussion skills to help their understanding of what they are reading. 

Maths 

Number and Place Value Ma3/2.1

We will be counting on, finding 10 or 100 more or less than a given number.  We will be recognising the place value of each digit of a three- digit number (100’s, 10’s and 1’s) and read, write, compare and order numbers up to 1000 in numerals and words.  

Addition and Subtraction Ma3/2.2

Using our Three-digit number knowledge, we will be enhancing our mental arithmetic skills through addition and subtraction and also through using written methods of columns to work out mathematical sums.  Inverse operations will support checking answers to these calculations.

MultiplicationMa3/2.3

This term we will be exploring multiplication and division facts for 3’s, 4’s and 8’s multiplication tables using mental and written methods to work out the sums using a range of activities.  

The number and place value, Addition and Subtraction and Multiplication units will involve many problem- solving opportunities, including identifying and estimating numbers using different representations. 

Science

This term we will be focusing on two units; 

Working ScientificallySc3/1

In Year’s 3 and 4, children will be taught to use practical scientific methods, processes and skills to enhance their learning.

Plants Sc3/2.1

As well as exploring the functions of different parts of plants and flowers, children will also look at the variations between plants looking at life and growth.  Life cycles of flowering plants will really help understand the role of a plant.

Topic 

Our topic this term is ‘where is all the evidence?’ and will focus on Ancient Egypt.  We have many exciting learning opportunities for the children this term; trips, visitors, an Art Day and themed cooking day.

History Hi2/2.3

We will be looking at the history of Ancient Egypt; people, food, living, homes etc. to understand what it must have been like many years ago.

GeographyGe2/1.3

Looking at River Nile; its location and purpose in Ancient Egyptian times.

PE PE2/1.1

This year PE will take place on Mondays and Fridays, please ensure kit is in school all week should any session slots change in the week due to competitions, trips etc.  The whole school will go swimming on Thursdays, please make sure your child’s swimming kit is in that day.

RE

We will be focusing on Christianity this term; looking at the description of God through language, symbols, stories and songs that describe God. We will also be exploring the ways we understand God through the life of Jesus, through biblical teaching. 

French

Mrs Carter teaches French to KS2 and will take place on a weekly basis.

Homework 

Homework tasks will be sent out on Tuesdays.  Please see the homework grid for more information in the homework section of Blakemere.

Please continue to read with your child as much as you can in the week, reading is an invaluable tool for your child’s learning. 

Thank you, 

Mrs Birks and Mrs Dodd.

Curriculum Outline for Blakemere Year Three

Literacy                      (Speaking/Listening) En3/1i/ En3/1k/ En3/1l  

                                            Handwriting- En3/3.2a /b / EN3/2.2- Comprehension/ En3/2.1a/b-Reading    

                                            Plan/Draft/Edit - En3/3.3a/ 3b/3c/3d 

                                            Vocabulary, grammar & punctuation -En3/3.4   

Big Blue Whale

To link in with our topic ‘What do we know about our world?’ we will be learning all about our world’s oceans. To go alongside this topic we will be using the book ‘Big Blue Whale’ written by Nicola Davies as a stimulus to link in with this topic. This unit of work will cover all of the key elements required for the Year 3 English National Curriculum. It will provide your children with a wide range of writing opportunities whilst engaging them through an inspiring non-fiction text. The outcome of the unit of work is to create a persuasive leaflet about blue whales.

Leon and the space between

The next text we are going to use a stimulus is ‘Leon and the space between’. This is a brilliant story written by Angela McAllister. It tells a story of a boy wanting to prove to his brothers and sisters that magic really exists. Leon volunteers to be in Abdul Kazam's magic show and gets transported to a mysterious world. Filled with rabbits, doves, playing cards and magician's assistants - among other things - if a magician can make it disappear, it will end up in the Place Between. The children will have lots of opportunities to use their creative thinking and explore the magic of the story.

Numeracy                       Fractions -Ma3/2.4(a-g) 

                                Properties of Shapes-Ma3/3.2 (a-d) 

                                                 Measurement Ma3/3.1  (a-g)

Initially we will be continuing our topic of fractions, solving fractions of amounts, adding fractions and solve and order fraction problems. We will cover how they link to decimals.

Then we will be developing and building upon learnt knowledge of length and shape. In shape we will focus on how to draw 2-D shapes and make 3-D shapes using modelling materials. We will also begin to: recognise 3-D shapes in different orientations and describe them. In regards to angles we will learn to: recognising angles as a property of shape or a description of a turn, then how to identify right angles, recognise that 2 right angles make a half-turn, 3 make three quarters of a turn and 4 a complete turn; identify whether angles are greater than or less than a right angle.

They will also compare and investigate capacity, length, weight. (Kg,g/ cm,m,mm/ L, ml)  The children will develop and use written methods to record and solve a variety of mastery problem solving questions. Finally, we will use all prior knowledge and cover statics and data handling.

Science

Sc3/4.2   Forces and Magnets

This ‘Forces and Magnets’ unit will teach the children about forces, friction and magnetic attraction. They will learn about forces in the context of pushing and pulling, and will identify different actions as pushes or pulls. The children will work scientifically and collaboratively to investigate friction, by exploring the movement of a toy car over different surfaces. They will work in a hands on way to identify magnetic materials.

Sc3/4.1    Light

We will incorporate the topic of Light and shadows with plants and the children will recognise that they need light in order to see things and for growth and that dark is the absence of light. The children will explore and investigate how light is reflected from surfaces and recognise that shadows are formed when the light from a light source is blocked by a solid object: finding patterns in the way that the size of shadows change.

Topic

This terms topic is ‘What do we know about our world?’ This topic explores a range of themes and areas of studies. We will be firstly be focusing on UK and its various locations. The children will learn about what counties are and where they are located around the country. They will also undertake a geographical study of their local area. In the second half term we will be looking at the Worlds Rivers and oceans. Using a range of sources to increase our understanding of where they are located and the information surrounding them.

Home- Work

·       Homework will be organized into a jigsaw of activities. Your child must complete one piece of work per week.

• Spellings and times tables will be given out on Monday for a test on Friday.
• Reading - Could you please read with your child as frequently as possible (3-4 times a week).
• ‘MyMaths’ –will be set weekly on a Tuesday for the following Monday.

Curriculum Outline for Blakemere Year Three (Spring)

Literacy

Gorilla by Anthony Browne

   The Promise by Nicola Davies

·       Stories by the same author En3/1i/ En3/1k/ En3/1l  

·       Persuasive writing-En3/3.3a/ 3b/3c/3d 

·       Spelling and HF words En3/2.1a/b En3/2.2

·       Grammar – prepositions,?!,”” direct speech and punctuating speech. En3/3.4   

·       Reading Comprehension En3/2.2

This term we will be covering several topics, beginning with a topic themed story called ‘Gorilla’ by Anthony Browne.  Where possible within this unit, we will try to make links to our ‘Can we make the World a better place?’ topic. This will be a fiction unit where the children will learn to observe the structure of the story and create their own narrative based on the story. This text the children will have lots of opportunities to write, research and take part in a variety of speaking and listening activities. All work will be based around the gorilla and its habitat, the rainforest.  

In the next half term the children will be reading ‘The Promise’ by Nicola Davies. This is all about a young girls promise in a harsh world. She will learn to appreciate the importance of nature and how to preserve this. By the end of the unit the children will have used persuasion, write a letter, take part in a conscious alley and written their own version of the story.

Incorporated within Literacy the children will be developing and building upon previously learnt key high frequency words/spellings and the spelling patterns for Year 3. There will be a strong emphasis on handwriting, grammar and reading comprehension. The children will read regularly in school whether it be individually, guided in a group or as a whole class reader.

Numeracy

Multiplication and Division Ma3/2.3

Measurement Ma3/3.1

Fractions Ma3/2.4

The focus across all of these areas will be to work on their fluency, reasoning and problem solving abilty. They will be given many opportunites to undertake these tasks within their dialy maths lessons. Times tables will always be a key skill in Numeracy and we will continue to work on these throughout the week (with a test on a Friday). Times tables Rock Stars is a fun way to learn these.  

Within muliplication and division the children will be learning to solve a range of problems, focusing on word problems. They will be working on the short written method for mulitplication and division.

In Measurement the children will mainly be focusing on time, working with 12 and 24 hour clocks. By the end of the unit the children will be able to read, estimate and compare time.

In our fractions unit we will be able to recognise, use and find fractions in a varirety of forms. The children will also be able to count up and down in tenths.

Science

Sc3/3.1 Rocks and Solis- We will be continuing to look at the rocks in our immediate environment. The children will sort, group and order rocks and soils using their own criteria and justify ideas using scientific knowledge. The children will recognise that there are different rocks (non-permeable and permeable) and investigate how to identify rocks suggesting explanations for observations, using scientific knowledge and understanding. They will understand that soils are different depending on the rock from which they came and investigate fossils. 

Sc3/2.1 Plants- Within this unit the children will be learning to identify the different parts of a plant. They will also explore the requirements of plants for life and growth but also how water is transported within them.

Topic

Our Spring term topic is ‘Can We Make The World A Better Place?’

This term we will be looking at all things relating to the environment (climate change, global warming, recycling and our carbon footprint). As a class we will explore all of these issues through looking more closely at the rainforests and what climate change is having on them. This unit will also be supported by a visit from the Chester Zoo Rangers.

We will be linking our topic to literacy through our Gorilla and Promise stories.

Homework

Homework will be given out on a Tuesday and should be returned the following Monday. This will include: maths, times tables, literacy and spelling and MyMaths work.

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