Elm Tree- Year 3 2023 - 2024

   Welcome back!    

I hope that everyone had a wonderful summer break and is eagerly anticipating our upcoming term in Elm Tree class. Please refer to the welcome letter below for further details about some of the things we will be learning this term.

On this page, you will find some useful information about the term ahead and any key messages that you need to be aware of. To the side of the page you will see our class Twitter feed and link to Google Classroom. We love to use Twitter to share some of the excellent things going on in Elm Tree Class and will use Google Classroom to support learning at home - spellings, homework and useful documents will be uploaded and made available on there each week.

We are set to have a great term and have some really exciting things planned and lots of new things to learn about. As always it is important that we work in partnership to ensure the very best for your children. If you have any queries or need some support, please do not hesitate speak to me at the end of the day, phone or arrange an appointment. 

Don't forget to follow @elmtreeGSP if you are on X (Twitter) for regular updates. 

Kind regards

Miss Humphreys 

English

In English, the children will use a variety of different stimulus throughout the term to engage and inspire the children’s writing.  The children will begin the year looking at our whole school Together We Learn and Grow topic - Bewilderwood.  We will then look at the book, When The Giant Stirred and cover a range of writing such as a setting description, stories and poetry.  Children will also focus on spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Elm Tree class will be working extremely hard with their spellings. This term the children will need to focus on using their spelling strategies and rules consistently to ensure they can spell a variety of the KS1 and KS2 common exception words. Please ensure your child is practising on Spelling Frame or using the spelling list from Google Classrooms every day. Little and often is the best way! 

Maths

In Maths, the children will be studying the topics: Place Value; Addition and Subtraction and Multiplication and Division. We will also focus on mental arithmetic and Times Tables. 

Elm Tree class should be using TTRockstars and NumBots regularly at home to help with their recall of times tables and basic skills. Login details for these websites can eb found at the front of your child's planner. Please encourage your child to do this as it will make such a difference! 

History

In our first topic, the children will explore the question 'Who were the Mayans?' Children will learn about the ancient Maya civilisation. The children will learn who the ancient Maya people were and where and when they lived. They will also learn about the religious beliefs and rituals and find out more about some of the many gods they worshipped. The children will also learn about the Maya number and writing systems.   

Geography

In our first Geography topic, the children will explore the question 'What makes the Earth Angry?' Children will learn about the destructive powers of nature, from volcanoes and earthquakes to tsunamis and tornadoes. Through discussion and practical tasks, children will look at how and why these natural phenomena occur, and the ways in which they affect people and the environment.  Children will also look at preventative measures that are put in place to protect people.

Science

Our science lessons will be focused around how animals, including humans, need to get nutrition from what they eat. They will explore the different organs of the digestive system in humans and the functions of teeth in both humans and animals. Children will then learn more about herbivores, carnivores and omnivores in the context of teeth, digestion and food chains.

Children will then move onto the topic of electricity.  The children will learn about common electrical appliances and how to construct simple series circuits. They will become familiar with cells, wires, bulbs and buzzers and about the different types of switches. The children will also learn about conductors and insulators and know that metals are very good electrical conductors.

Reading:

Remember to read for around 10 minutes a day, at least three times per week. Please leave a note in your child's planner so we know how they have got on.

Times Tables:

Children should try to use TTRockstars and NumBots regularly at home to help with their recall of times tables and basic skills. Login details for these websites can be found at the front of your child's planner.

Spellings:

Spellings will be uploaded to Google classroom on a Friday. Children should practise these throughout the week ready for their spelling test on the following Friday.

Homework

Homework will be uploaded to Google classroom on a Friday and should be completed and returned to school by the following Wednesday at the latest. Homework will alternate between a maths or English task each week and will be linked to the unit of work children are covering in class.

PE:

Our PE days are Wednesday and Friday. Please ensure that your child comes into school wearing their PE kits as they have done last year. The children will continue their swimming lessons each Friday.