Year3
Cu r r i c u l u mOu t l i ne 2 0 1 9 2 0
Our Learning Wheel explained Our learners Our schools are small enough to ensure that each learner is known. By placing our learners at the centre of our approach, we create an education that allows individuality to flourish.
Developing character Fostering a secure bedrock of self-esteem and a sure moral compass is essential preparation for a future in a complex world.
Learning segments We group our subjects together into six curriculum areas. We teach subjects in an
integrated way, because the future belongs to those who can think way beyond narrow subject boundaries.
Learning to think Education is not just about imparting knowledge. It’s about teaching young people how to think for themselves: critically, creatively and collaboratively.
Outer circle We prepare young people to blaze a trail in whatever field they choose. They leave us equipped with a breadth of skills, ready to become responsible global citizens.
Year 3 Curriculum Outline Spring 2019 Form Teachers: 3T - Miss Terry 3K - Mrs Knowles
Curriculum areas and subject teachers: Humanities - social understanding Mrs Knowles, Miss Terry (RS, PSHEE, thematic learning) Language and Communication Mrs Knowles (English), Miss Terry (English), Ms Prowse (French), Mrs Foreman (Spanish), Mrs Fernández Smart (Spanish) Mathematical Understanding Mrs Knowles, Miss Terry Physical Education and Well-being Mr Evans (Games), Mr Godfrey (Games), Mrs Parkin (Games), Mr Leggoe (PE) Creative and Performing Arts Mrs Knowles, Miss Terry (Creative and Design Engineering), M iss Mulally (Music) Scientific Understanding Mrs Knowles, Miss Terry
Humanities - Social Understanding Key Topics Our first thematic learning topic ‘Active Planet’ will explore how the tectonic plates that form the earth’s crust are always moving, causing dramatic earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis. The children will explain how volcanoes are formed and understand where they are in the world. They will think about how these events affect people’s lives, and the risks and benefits of living near to a volcano. When we venture ‘Pole to Pole’ after half term the children will learn about extreme climates through studying the polar regions. They will learn how their global location affects the climate of the polar regions, and explore how all creatures, including humans, must adapt to live in such inhospitable terrains. Key skills include geographical enquiry and comparing different locations. Our trip to the Scott Polar Museum will help the children to understand the history of polar exploration. They will look at key historical events and the risks and rewards of braving the most extreme climates on our planet.
Religious Studies Key Topics Continuing to learn about the Christian Church and worship, the children will find out more about the importance of Holy Communion to the Christian faith, and think about how Christians mark rites of passage. They will continue to explore the Christian year as they learn more about Lent and Easter. Key skills include using religious words and phrases to identify and retell, asking questions and responding sensitively, making comparisons and forming and expressing opinions.
Personal Social Health and Economic Education (PSHEE) Key Topics The children will show an understanding of themselves as an individual, with different strengths and weaknesses from others, and think how they can contribute to a group task and persevere when a task is difficult. Thinking about diversity and communities, they will start to understand what a negative stereotype is and how to challenge it. We will understand our role in looking after the local and wider environment and think about our personal responsibilities towards our pets. Digital safety will continue to be highlighted, with an E-Safety awareness student workshop on 21 January.
Language and Communication Key Topics English Language and Literacy this term will cover a mystery story, a folktale, a non-chronological report and a biography. We will be developing the children’s reading comprehension and writing composition and teaching grammar, vocabulary development, critical thinking and spoken language. We use the Read, Write, Inc. ‘Language and Literacy’ scheme to ensure that children: ● Read fluently and with good understanding ● Acquire a wide vocabulary ● Use grammar correctly ● Develop the habit of reading widely for pleasure and information ● Write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences ● Use discussion in order to learn ● Be competent in speaking and listening and debating In addition we follow the Read, Write, Inc. ‘Spelling’ programme which is a robust and fast-paced scheme teaching children to spell accurately through an understanding of phonics and spelling rules, underpinned by regular practice.
Assessment ● ● ●
PTE (Progress Test in English) Spelling tests Half termly writing task
French Key Topics We will be reviewing the animals learned in Year 2 and extending vocabulary and conversation work beyond, into domestic, wild and safari animals. Pupils will be able to express likes and dislikes of various animals and find the links between the French and English equivalents. To help at home: pupils can practise vocabulary and conversation from the free websites languagesonline.org.uk and Duolingo.
Spanish Key Topics The focus continues to be on speaking and listening and on establishing a good accent from the outset with a selection of stories, songs and rhymes. We will link to the topic ‘Active Planet’ with a look at the Mexican Legend of Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl. We will focus on adjectives and basic descriptions and recap months of the year and numbers to enable us to talk about our birthday. Our second theme, ‘Pole to Pole’ allows us to learn a lovely poem about a polar bear. Drawing influence from the Eric Carle story ‘Oso Polar’ (Polar Bear) we will consolidate colours, the names of animals and the sounds they make. We will retell the story ourselves - and perhaps even make a few improvements using adjectives! Pupils can consolidate their learning by using the Linguascope or Grow Story Grow websites or by using one of the free websites which we have used in class.
Mathematical Understanding Key Topics Continuing to look at multiplication and division, we will multiply and divide two-digit numbers by a one-digit number, learning both mental and formal written methods. Problem solving will include missing numbers and scaling problems. We will add and subtract amounts of money to give change, using both £ and p in practical contexts. We then move on to data handling, interpreting and presenting data using bar charts, pictograms and tables. We will solve one-step and two-step questions using information presented in scaled bar charts, pictograms and tables. In the second half of term we move onto measurement, and will measure, compare, add and subtract lengths (m/cm/mm); mass (kg/g); and volume/capacity (l/ml). We will measure and calculate the perimeter of simple 2D shapes. Finally, we will work on fractions, understanding and recognising both unit fractions and non-unit fractions with small denominators. We will count up and down in tenths, and divide objects, one-digit numbers and quantities by 10; recognise and use fractions as numbers; recognise, find and write fractions of a discrete set of objects, and solve problems that involve all of the above. Our approach to learning and teaching mathematics is based on direct interactive teaching, a systematic development of mental calculation and regular reinforcement of tables and number bonds. Children are expected to involve themselves actively in answering questions, to contribute to discussions, and to explain and demonstrate understanding of their learning to others (including using talk partners). We use a wide variety of resources - concrete, pictorial, abstract and digital - to help pupils to develop mastery in each topic. The children are challenged to use and apply their skills through regular problem solving, and homework is set weekly to reinforce current topics.
Assessment ● ●
In-class topic tests PTM (Progress Test in Maths)
Physical Education and Well-being Key Topics Indoor athletics will be the focus of PE lessons whilst football, hockey and netball will form the basis of games lessons for the children this term. Development of key skills and refinement of technique will be integral to all lessons, whilst pupils will have the opportunity to take on leadership roles within team situations. Do encourage your child to get involved with any of these sports outside of school by joining local clubs and discuss the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle. If your child is not a very confident swimmer then I would encourage you if possible to find them some swimming lessons locally.
Creative and Performing Arts Key Topics The children will start our thematic learning topic ‘Active Planet’ with volcanic landscapes made from torn and cut papers, learning about hot and cold colours as they contrast the heat and lava with the surrounding rocky landscape. Careful observation will be required when we go ‘Pole to Pole’, as we sketch and colour polar animals using blended chalks. Design and engineering skills including measuring, cutting, sawing and glueing will be developed through making magnetic game boards after half term. Listen out for the Cambridge Camera Club Competition later this term - last year revealed quite a few Dame B’s shutterbugs! In music we will travel across continents and oceans to explore one of the earliest forms of music - the Indonesian Gamelan. Together we will cooperate, listen and respond to perform this orchestra of gongs which is never played as a solo, only as a complete ensemble. We are fortunate to have our own, newly-arrived class Gamelan in school and we will understand the cultural and spiritual significance of this instrument as well as learning the scales and melodic patterns used to create the music. Each class will perform in Saffron Hall on the 29 March. Students will continue to develop their core skills of performance, composition and listening, with a particular emphasis on singing.
Scientific Understanding Key Topics Active Planet The children will think about what happens underneath the earth’s surface, learning about the rock cycle and what happens when rock melts and a volcano erupts. They will show an awareness of different types of rock and how they are formed and know that all rocks come from underground. Key scientific skills include understanding the properties of rocks, identifying differences and similarities and using criteria to group, sort and classify. The children will set up simple and practical fair tests and make systematic and careful observations. Pole to Pole Learning about forces, the children will investigate air and water resistance and explore the balancing point of a boat when adding cargo. They will investigate magnetism and explore climatological change in the polar regions. Key skills will include planning their own investigations and taking measurements using standard units.
Trips/curricular enrichment ● ● ● ●
Active Planet drama workshop at Dame B’s with Mrs Sarah Clark - Thursday 17 January E-safety awareness student workshop - Monday 21 January Saffron Walden Museum, rock discovery - Tuesday 22 January Scott Polar Museum, Cambridge - Wednesday 20 March