Welcome to Year 3!

Each week we'll be keeping you up to date with our weekly blog. In addition to this, please read our half-termly curriculum map to find out what will be happening in Year 3. 

Important information

PE - Monday and Friday. Please come to school in your PE kit on these days and these days only. 

Books - Change books on Wednesday. Your child will come home with 2 new reading books and a library book every Wednesday. Please make sure you have been reading at home at least three times a week. Please record any reading you have done in your reading diary. Your reading diary must always be in your bookbag so that we can read with you in school. 

Spellings - New spellings will be sent home every Friday. Please make sure your child's spelling book is in their bookbag on Friday so that the new ones can be stuck in.  Please also see our spelling page where you can easily access this every week. Please use your spelling book to practice them in. If there is evidence of practising, your child will receive a green point. They will also receive a green point if they have achieved full marks or improved their score from the previous week. Please also check which spellings have been marked as incorrect as these will still need to be practised.

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Year Three End of Year Expectations

This table provides information for parents and carers on the end of year expectations for children in our school. All the objectives will be worked on throughout the year and will be the focus of teaching. Any extra support you can provide in helping your children to achieve these is greatly valued. If you have any queries regarding the content of this booklet, please talk to your child’s teacher.

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Autumn 2

 

Week 7

What a joyful and exciting final week we’ve had before the Christmas holidays!

We wrapped up our maths unit on measure, focusing on capacity, volume and mass. We worked incredibly hard and showed a fantastic understanding of real-life applications.

In English, we channelled our creativity into persuasive writing by crafting and publishing our very own broomstick adverts. With brilliant designs and convincing language, we’re sure even Mildred Hubble wouldn’t resist placing an order!

Our week ended on a high with our much-anticipated Christmas party. We played classic games like Corners, Musical Bumps, and Pass the Parcel. Miss Martin and Miss Knight-Frances also taught us some iconic party dances such as Cha Cha Slide, Macarena and of course the YMCA.

Finally, a heartfelt thank you to all our families for the thoughtful Christmas gifts. We never expect anything at all, but we really do appreciate the kindness and effort. Your support means so much to us.

It’s been a term full of learning, laughter and creativity. Wishing all our families a peaceful and merry Christmas!

Week 6

This week, our learning journey took us all the way to New Delhi! Using atlases, we located India’s capital city and discovered which countries border it. We also explored the surrounding oceans and seas. We then delved into New Delhi’s land uses, from residential areas and recreational spaces to places of worship like the stunning Lotus Temple. We also examined transportation systems such as the Delhi Metro and New Delhi Train Station.

Our geography lesson also included a study of the city’s human and physical features, we were fascinated by the bustling markets and the mighty river flowing through the city. We then compared all of this with our local area of Farsley, spotting similarities and differences.

In Spanish, we practised asking and answering the question "What’s your name?" and telling our friends our own names. We built on our previous learning to role-play full conversations, saying hello, asking how our friends were feeling, and exchanging names. It almost felt like we were in a classroom in Spain (although sadly not with the same weather!).

To round off our week, we had our fantastic Elf Run at Westroyd Park! Dressed in our best elf costumes, we had a brilliant time running together and can’t wait to find out how much money we’ve raised.

Week 5

What a brilliant week of learning we've had, moving from measuring liquids to mapping our local area and setting future goals! In Maths, we became expert container-comparers as we explored capacity and volume, learning the difference between the total amount a container can hold and the amount of liquid actually inside it. We had a great time predicting and measuring which containers held the most!

Our Geography lesson took us on a walk around Farsley where we learned how to use an Ordnance Survey (OS) map to follow a route. We also identified the three main ways land is used in our community: residential (where we live), commercial (shops and businesses), and recreational (parks and fun spaces).

Finally, in PSHE, we had an important discussion about goals and aspirations, thinking carefully about what is truly important to us and the wonderful things we want to achieve in the future. It was a week packed with exploration, mapping, and big ideas!

Week 4

We've been diving headfirst into the Christmas spirit and focusing on some really important learning. The countdown to the Christmas Fayre is on, and we have been busy little elves creating some amazing products to sell at our stall! Get ready to see our brilliant creations: we’ve been making delicious hot chocolate reindeers and pet snow clouds. Remember to bring lots of spending money to the Fayre, as all the money we raise will go directly towards helping to reduce the cost of our exciting class trip to The Deep!

In PSHE this week, we had a very interesting and thought-provoking lesson where we discussed gender stereotyping. We talked about what toys, colours, and activities are often advertised as being "for boys" or "for girls," and then we put on our detective hats to look through the Smyths toy catalogue. We were trying to see if the toys and the children in the pictures were fitting into these stereotypes. We were pleased to find a few examples that broke the mould, but we were sad to see that most of the catalogue pictures still reinforced stereotypes. For instance, girls were often pictured playing with babies dressed in pink, while boys were shown in blue, playing with dinosaurs. We had some great discussions about why this happens and how we can all choose to play with whatever we like!

In Art, we concentrated on improving our shading techniques. We focused on how changing the pressure we apply with our pencils can dramatically change the tone of the shade from light and airy to dark and dramatic! We also finally completed our imaginative "laughing potion" instructions, ready for Mildred (from The Worst Witch) to use in her next tricky potion exam! We hope she passes with flying colours!

Week 3

We've had a fantastic week of learning and creativity in class!

In Maths, we’ve been exploring 3-digit numbers by using base ten equipment. The children practised partitioning numbers in different ways and applied their knowledge to solve problems using known number facts. It’s been brilliant to see their confidence grow as they tackled these challenges with enthusiasm.

Science had a hands-on twist as we investigated which liquids are best for cleaning 2p coins. The children discovered that acidic liquids tend to be more effective than non-acidic ones. There were lots of fascinated faces and thoughtful predictions during this experiment!

In English, we began planning our very own sets of instructions for magical “laughing potions”! We’ve written our introductions and compiled lists of equipment and ingredients. Next week, we’ll be writing the method, so we’re looking forward to seeing the full set of instructions come together.

We’ve also been getting ready for the Farsley Lantern Festival. The class have made beautiful lanterns and Hungry Caterpillar headdresses, ready to celebrate next Wednesday. Finally, we’re feeling festive already! We’re starting to prepare for our Christmas Enterprise project next week, ready for the Christmas Fair. The children are full of creative ideas, and we can't wait to share what we make.

Enjoy the weekend!

Week 2

We've had a packed and exciting week in class!

We kicked things off by wearing odd socks on Monday to show our support for Anti-Bullying Week. It was a colourful start to some important conversations. We also learned how to stand up for ourselves in a kind and respectful way. Practising saying, "Stop, I don't like that" helped us understand the power of using our voices to set boundaries.

In PE, we had an energetic time playing dodgeball. Everyone showed great teamwork, resilience, and a lot of enthusiasm as we developed our throwing, dodging, and quick reaction skills.

We also took time this week to reflect and remember. For Remembrance Day, we made beautiful origami poppies to add to our class wreaths. It was a peaceful and respectful moment to honour those who have served and sacrificed.

Spanish lessons continue to be a big hit! We’re getting to grips with some tricky but fun Spanish phonemes like ‘rr’, ‘ci’, ‘ll’, and ‘j’. It’s interesting learning how they sound different from English, and we’re already dreaming of ordering ice creams confidently on our holidays!

Week 1

We’ve had a wonderfully exciting and imaginative week in class, full of dressing up and diving into new learning adventures!

On Wednesday, we began our new text in Writing The Worst Witch. The classroom was transformed into Miss Hardbroom's Potion Class at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches, and the children were completely immersed in the magical atmosphere. Each child was given their very own witch name along with a matching hat and cloak. Working in pairs, they mixed ingredients to brew their very own laughing potion, just like Mildred Hubble! There was lots of giggling, creativity, and brilliant teamwork on display.

Then on Thursday, the class rocked out for our Times Tables Rock Stars (TTR) afternoon. Everyone came dressed as rock stars and made an incredible effort with their costumes. The children tackled their times tables with determination and quickly realised that learning them can be a real challenge! Please continue to practise these regularly at home. Mastering times tables is essential as we build towards the Year 4 multiplication check, and we’re aiming to beat the Year 4s next time!

Autumn 1

Week 8

As we wrap up this half term, we’re still buzzing with excitement from our brilliant class trip to Stump Cross Caverns! It was, without a doubt, a day to remember.

From the moment we stepped into the mysterious underground world, the children were wide-eyed with wonder. We learnt so much about fossils and the Stone Age, building on everything we’ve been exploring in class. The highlight for many was sifting through the sand to find their own fossils, what a great archaeological experience! It was wonderful to see the children applying their learning in such a meaningful way.

Miss Martin and Mr Popple were absolutely blown away by the children’s subject knowledge. Their understanding of rocks, fossils, and prehistoric life really shone through, a true testament to their hard work and curiosity this term. That said, we’re not sure Mr Popple has recovered from the moment we heard that scientists in America are working to bring back woolly mammoths... Jurassic Park, anyone?

The children's behaviour throughout the day was impeccable. They represented Farsley Westroyd beautifully, showing enthusiasm, respect, and teamwork at every turn. We’re so proud of them and already looking forward to our next adventure.

Wishing everyone a lovely half term break, you’ve earned it!

Week 7

In Science, we worked together to explore how water contributes to the weathering of rocks. We carried out investigations to understand how rain and water can gradually break down different types of rock, changing the landscape over time. It helped us think like real geologists and appreciate how natural processes shape our world

In History, we had great fun playing a trading game based on Iron Age survival. We worked in teams of three to play a game called Would You Survive?, using survival checklists and shuffled resource cards. Each of us started with seven random cards and had to trade and barter with our group to collect everything we’d need to survive in Iron Age Britain. It was a brilliant way to understand how Iron Age people would have relied on each other for trade, resources and survival!

This week in Design and Technology, Year 3 had a fantastic time designing and making our very own seasonal tarts! We learned and practised safe food preparation skills, including how to chop using the claw and bridge techniques and how to peel safely by working away from ourselves with a peeler. As part of our project, we researched and selected seasonal ingredients to make sure our tarts met the design brief. Everyone carefully planned their tart, thinking about taste, presentation, and nutritional value. The whole process was great fun, but the best part? Tasting our delicious creations! Some of us managed to save a slice to share at home, but most of us couldn’t resist eating it all because they were just that tasty! This hands-on project helped us build confidence in the kitchen and learn how to work safely and responsibly. Check out the recipe below if you'd like to make one at home! They're really quick and easy to make.

Week 6

This week has been full of exciting adventures in Year 3!

We had some special visitors from the diving scouts who came to see our skills in action. Everyone tried their best, and we were incredibly proud of how confidently the children participated. Some were even lucky enough to receive a letter inviting them to join the diving team, what an achievement!

In English, we’ve been learning how to use the present perfect tense. Ask your child to tell you the difference between “I ate lunch” and “I have eaten lunch” They’ve worked hard to understand it!

Our trip to church for the Harvest Festival was a truly special moment. The children sang beautifully and showed great respect throughout the service. It was lovely to come together as a school community and reflect on the importance of thankfulness.

We played a really fun game in maths this week! We had to count forwards and backwards and try to trick out friends so that we ended up saying 100. We played against Miss Martin and Logan was the only person that could beat her! We asked Miss Martin to put the game on the website so we can challenge you to a counting battle at home!  

And finally, the cherry on top, our chocolate pizza party! It was sticky, sweet, and full of smiles. We’re still counting how many chocolate beards appeared by the end, can you spot them all?

Week 5

This week in Year 3, we've been diving into numbers and developing our understanding of place value. We've focused on representing 3-digit multiples of 10 in different ways, using a variety of practical resources. Working with our partners has helped us to talk through our thinking and explore new strategies together.

In PSHE, we began our important work on understanding bullying. Through discussion and reflection, we explored what bullying is and began to understand the impact it can have on individuals. The children responded with maturity and empathy, showing great awareness of how we can support each other.

Our new writing unit has kicked off with the book The First Drawing by Mordicai Gerstein. Inspired by the story, we had a go at creating our own cave drawings. Alongside this, we've started learning how to use inverted commas to punctuate direct speech. While it’s been a bit tricky remembering all the rules, we’ve made brilliant progress and are becoming more confident writers.

Week 4

This week in Year 3 has been all about friendship, what it means to be a good friend and how we can build positive relationships with others.

We began by exploring what makes a healthy friendship. Through discussion and role play, we thought about kindness, listening, honesty, and respect. We then introduced our problem scale, a tool to help us reflect on how big or small our friendship problems really are. We learned that a Level 5 problem is a true emergency, while a Level 1 is just a small "glitch" that we can solve ourselves. We were brilliant at recognising how to keep our problems small and think calmly about solutions.

To celebrate our friendships and strengthen new ones, we had a very special activity: friendship bracelet making! But with a twist, we picked names out of a hat so we could make a bracelet for someone who wasn’t already a close friend. First, we had to interview our new partner, asking about their favourite colours, interests, and dislikes. Then we got creative, designing a personalised bracelet just for them.

The results were fantastic! We shared how it felt to give something handmade and thoughtful, and how it felt to receive something made with care and kindness. There were lots of smiles and proud moments all around.

To round off our lovely week, we enjoyed a calming session of Flamingo Yoga during PE. We enjoyed the chance to unwind, stretch and centre ourselves, a perfect way to end our week focused on friendship and wellbeing.

If you’d like to try Flamingo Yoga at home, check out the video below!

Week 3

This week, Year 3 had a fantastic time learning outdoors during our visit to Westroyd Park for a special Seed Workshop. We explored how to identify different trees by examining their leaves and learned all about how trees disperse their seeds—through berries, pods, and even the famous "helicopter" seeds! It was a brilliant opportunity to see science in action in our local environment.

To round off our workshop, we played some exciting games that helped us showcase everything we had learned about trees and seeds. It was a fun and memorable way to deepen our understanding of nature and the world around us.

We also had a special visitor in school this week who worked with us on drawing the front of our school. These amazing pieces of artwork will be proudly displayed at our Heritage Day celebration on Saturday. We’re incredibly proud of the children’s creative efforts and can’t wait to see you there!

Week 2

Miss Martin was extremely impressed with how many children achieved 10 out of 10 on their spellings this week—well done to everyone who worked so hard! Let’s keep up this amazing effort and aim for even more perfect scores next week. 

In History, we’ve had a really fun and unforgettable lesson to kick off our new topic on The Stone Age. Miss Martin brought in a toilet roll to help us visualise just how long ago the Stone Age began. Each square on the roll represented 1,000 years. As we carefully unrolled it, we estimated when the Stone Age might have started. By the time we reached the end, we were amazed to learn that we still hadn’t gone back far enough, we would need two more rolls to represent the full 900,000 years ago that the Stone Age began! Our minds were truly blown! It was a brilliant way to make history come alive. 

In Reading, we’ve started exploring our new class text, "Stig of the Dump". Before we even opened the first page, we practised our reading skill of predicting and asking questions, using just the front cover and the blurb. It really got us thinking and wondering what the story might hold.

We've also started reading "The Stone Age Boy", which we’ll be using as inspiration in our Writing lessons. We’ve been learning about prepositions and conjunctions, which will help us write brilliant sentences. Everyone has shown great teamwork during group discussions and activities.

Let’s keep working hard, helping each other, and having fun as we continue our journey through the Stone Age!

Week 1

What a fantastic first week we’ve had in Year 3! The classroom has been buzzing with excitement as we’ve been getting everything set up for an amazing year ahead.

We began by working together to create our Class Contract. Everyone contributed their ideas about how we can make our classroom a safe, happy, and respectful place to learn. 

Our classroom roles were launched too, with everyone given the chance to become a classroom monitor and take responsibility for helping our learning space run smoothly. We discussed our expectations and agreed that working together is the best way to achieve success.

We loved  listening to Miss Martin’s favourite stories. One book in particular, The Book With No Pictures, had us all in stitches, we enjoyed it so much we made her read it twice!

We’ve also spent time learning about our Zones of Regulation. We explored how we can recognise our feelings, what our triggers and sparks are, and how it’s perfectly okay to be in different zones at different times of the day. We’re already getting better at recognising our emotions and thinking about helpful ways to respond.

We’ve made a super start and can’t wait to keep building on this strong foundation. Here’s to a year of Enjoying, Believing, Achieving and doing it all Together!