Maple Class have thoroughly enjoyed Term 2, especially in the countdown to Christmas! The children have enjoyed so much of our learning and have learnt lots of knowledge and skills, foundational to their further progression throughout KS2. Particular highlights have been writing our own poem based on the poem ‘Autumn is here’. The children loved getting into the festive spirit and giving their publishing a seasonal twist with poems entitled ‘Winter is here’. Our Guided Reading sessions have focused on a much-adored novella ‘Toys go Out’, where Maple Class have been developing and demonstrating their reasoning skills based on inference. In Maths, we have been learning how to use arrays in order to aid our arithmetic skill in multiplication and division. Our daily times tables practice has really boosted the children’s comprehension of this- Miss Cleaves is very proud of them all!
The children have also loved learning about our Science topic this term; Rocks. Significant highlights have been getting to know the attributes of the rocks first hand, as well as experimenting on them to decipher their density and strength. We also enjoyed going on a walk around the school to discover what rocks we’ve studied have been hiding among us all along! DT has also been a firm favourite this term. We embodied the qualities of an elf in ‘Santa’s Workshop’ and created our own toys based on our pneumatic studies. Maple Class did well to construct their creations using recycled materials, as well as demonstrating how the air powers them. We loved making toys that Miss Cleaves knows Santa is impressed with.
In RE, we have been studying Christianity and the children have been perspective- taking on the true meaning of Christmas. By further understanding where the celebration of Christmas stems from, as well as comprehending that this can be celebrated in different ways or not at all depending on the individual, Maple have really got to grips with acknowledging and respecting differences. Maple Class have also thoroughly enjoyed Computing this term. Pupils have created their own stop- frame animations in Computing. They really enjoyed mastering the intricate process of creating the digital narratives. PE has been another highlight - the class have enjoyed developing their knowledge of Gymnastics and creating sequences of movement with the techniques learnt. Weekly French lessons are always looked forward to and the children are loving learning new vocabulary with Veronique.
Wishing you all the happiest of Christmases and I look forward to seeing Maple Class for another fantastic term in the New Year!
Miss Cleaves
Maple Class have had a brilliant first term in Year 3! The children have enjoyed so much of our learning and have learnt lots of knowledge and skills already. Particular highlights have been writing our own romantic narrative based on the Pixar Short, The Blue Umbrella. Our Guided Reading sessions have continued to explore the novel ‘The Butterfly Lion’ and have picked up lots of up-levelled vocabulary along the way. In Maths, we started with place value before moving onto using mental strategies for addition and subtraction. Miss Cleaves is super impressed with everyone’s development in their timetables already- keep up the hard work Maple!
The children have also loved learning about our Science topic this term; Animals (Including Humans). Significant highlights have been using the outline of our bodies on paper to label different bones in our skeletons, looking behind the fluffy exterior of our favourite mammals to discover if their skeleton is similar or different to ours and creating a nutritious meal that facilitates a balanced diet. Test their knowledge and see if they know their bones and their functions! Art has also been a firm favourite this term. We used our observations of plants to create botanical inspired drawings in Art. Our last lesson involved zooming in on our perspectives of flowers and realising the intricate details that make these plants appear so picturesque.
In RE, we are studying Sikhism and the children have been learning to understand the reasons why a Sikh may choose to join the Khalsa. Our lessons involved learning about the 5 K’s and explaining what each one symbolises. Maple Class have also thoroughly enjoyed Computing this term. Pupils have developed their understanding of digital devices, in particular, using a Chromebook with a painting application to create their own digital painting. PE has been another highlight - the class have enjoyed developing their confidence and football skills while being taught by a professional coach. Weekly French lessons have become something to look forward to, and the children look forward to their Forest sessions each week.
I look forward to another brilliant term with Maple Class! I hope you all have a relaxing half term break.
Maple Class have had a lovely start to the term getting to know all things Year 3! Creating a class charter using oracy on our first week, together we communicated and compromised on what we would like our classroom to be like. The children have got straight back into their learning and have already impressed Miss Cleaves with their dedication and determination. Maple class are already showing strong growth mindsets and are eager to progress towards their learning goals. Now being in Key Stage 2 (WOW!), they are loving sharing the experience of this new journey with their friends.
We have started our place value topic in Maths, along with beginning to practice and rehearse our times tables, a big focus in both Year 3 and 4. In English we have begun writing a narrative based on the Pixar short film, ‘The Blue Umbrella’. The children are eager to uplevel their vocabulary already and cannot wait to see where the narrative heads next. In Science, we are exploring skeletons, nutrition and diet and are keen to know more about the function of our bones inside us. This is just a glimpse of everything we’re doing this term so keep an eye on our Facebook page and website for further Maple class updates.
Important Information:
Tuesday – Forest
Forest school will take place regardless of the weather (unless extreme) so please can you ensure your child is wearing appropriate clothing (long sleeve tops and trousers) as well as bringing their wellies and waterproofs in a separate labelled bag to change in and out of, if necessary.
Friday – PE
Please could children come into school wearing the correct PE kit (Longvernal P.E. t-shirt, black shorts or sports trousers and trainers). PE will be outside for the first term, so black Longvernal fleeces or green Longvernal jumpers can also be worn.
Homework
Weekly spellings – found in your child’s Reading Record and tested every Friday.
Read a minimum of 3 times a week (recorded in their reading log)
Complete a scrapbook style journal entry
Complete 10 minutes of Doodle Maths/Tables
Practise their times tables as often as possible.
I cannot wait to see the children continue to grow and progress in Yr3!