Geography Topic - Rocks, Relics and Rumbles

This term our Year 3 Geography topic is: Rocks, Relics and Rumbles. We will learn about the different layers of the Earth, including plate tectonics and their potential effects on the Earth's surface. We will investigate different types of rock to learn about their uses and properties as well as an investigation on soil and fossils and the work of Mary Anning. We will also learn about volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis and the long and shortterm consequences that these can have.

Project Ideas

Here are some project ideas for you to carry out at home:

Create a model of the layers of the Earth using a range of materials. Label each layer and write a short description about each layer’s features.
There are three main rock types. These are sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic. Briefly describe how each type is formed, their properties and at least two examples of each type.
Make an information poster about Mary Anning, the famous fossil collector. Include images and interesting facts. Share your poster with a family member once it is complete.
Write a poem on the theme of volcanoes. You might like to write about an eruption, a specific volcano that you have learned about or the damage caused after a volcanic eruption. Try to include expanded noun phrases in your poem. For example, scorching hot, exploding lava or jet-black clouds.
Imagine that you have just experienced an earthquake. Write a short story about what happened. Use topic vocabulary to describe the strength of the earthquake, such as tremor, epicentre, magnitude and seismic wave.
Write a summary of the topic, explaining what you have learned about the layers of the Earth, volcanoes and earthquakes.

Your home learning projects would look great on display, in the classrooms!

Upload your work and share it on SEESAW. Click on link

Maths

In Maths we are continuing to look at Multiplication and Division before moving onto Length and perimeter. It is vital that children continue to practise their fluency in times tables and can confidently and quickly answer recall questions on the times tables covered so far, the 2,3,4,5,8 and 10 times tables. The children can practise their times tables on TTRockstars to help them become more secure.

The overviews and lessons follow the White Rose Maths plans closely.

The link to their site with home learning and advice on can be found here:

https://whiterosemaths.com/advice-and-guidance

Writing
In English, we will be starting with the book ‘Journey’ by Aaron Becker. This is a wonderful book full of lovely pictures with no words which helps us to write our own stories.

Reading - For our Reading, our class book will be ‘The Boy who biked the world’ by Alastair Humphreys. Children will explore word meanings and vocabulary as well as developing their reading fluency.

Reading books should be in school every day
but will be changed (usually) on a Friday.

Science

In science, we will learn all about what forces are and what they do. We will learn about pushing and pulling forces and sort different actions into pushes and pulls and will be able to identify and explain contact forces and investigate frictional forces. We will learn about magnetism (a non-contact force) and explore bar magnets. We will test the magnetic properties of different objects. We will use our knowledge to investigate the strength of magnets.

Art & DT

In Art and Design we will be learning about artistic techniques used in sketching, printmaking and sculpture in our topic, Ammonite. In Design and Technology, we will be learning about cam mechanisms in our topic, Making It Move. We will experiment with different shaped cams before designing, making and evaluating a child's automaton toy.

PSHE

We will be learning about what keeps us safe, hazards, safety when out and about, dangerous substances and how to respond when we feel we’re being put under pressure.

P.E. will be on a Monday and Wednesday. This term's themes are:

‘Inspire create perform’ and ‘duel win lose’. These units will develop their knowledge of simple actions and use of space, relationships and dynamics. We will have fun with different stimuli and experiment with simple choreographic approaches. We will revisit competition and the ways in which we can support children to cope with success and failure.

We will continue to use our music platform, Charanga, which the children seem to be thoroughly enjoying. This half term we will be learning Three Little Birds by Bob Marley.

Home / School reading book - We change every Friday and return them Every Thursday
PE - Our PE days are on Mondays and Wednesdays. Come to school dressed in your correct PE Kit (School house T-shirt, school cardigan / jumper, plain black or navy shorts, leggings or joggers, black / dark coloured trainers / pumps)
Library Books - Our Library day is Tuesday. Return and change books when you have finished reading them

Here is your Year 3 Class Charter challenge sheet. You can also download a copy by clicking on the image.

Download all the Charters as a PDF file

Don't forget that we are always at the end of an email (year3@stthomas.org.uk) and most afternoons in the playground - at the end of the day when the children leave.