Year 3 - Otters
The Five Pillars of Islam
In RE, we have been looking at the 5 pillars of Islam. Last week, we learned what each pillar means and each table produced a post-it note to show their understanding of one of the pillars. This week, we took a closer look at the fourth pillar: Sawm. Take a look at our floor book from the last two weeks.
The Finger Eater!
Tuesday 16th April
This morning, we started our new English text, The Finger Eater. We learned that a troll named Ulf likes to eat the index fingers of children. He tricks unsuspecting passers by, holding out his hand to shake before chomping off their finger. We wrote list poems about all the things it would be difficult to do without an index finger.
Keeping Safe from UV Rays
Tuesday 26th March
In Science, we discussed the damaging effects of UV light on our eyes if we don't take the right precautions. The children made posters to advise people of steps to take to protect their eyes.
Pirates vs Mermaids
Thursday 21st March
We are all really excited to share the Year 3 and 4 production of 'Pirates vs Mermaids' with you this afternoon and evening. The children have worked hard practising the songs and I have no doubt that they will perform with enthusiasm to their audience. Thank you for all of your support with costumes - it is much appreciated.
Comic Relief
Friday 15th March
Thank you SO much for getting involved in Comic Relief on Friday. It was brilliant to see all of the children dressed in red raising money for charity. We had some really generous donations and our fundraising total is well over £850!
Global Environmental Change
Wednesday 13th March
Having spent a number of weeks looking at changes to our local area, yesterday we spent time discussing global changes to the environment. We focused on deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. The children learnt about causes of deforestation as well as the impact of this on humans and wildlife.
Mark Making in the Style of Van Gough
Monday 4th March
In Art last week, we looked at some of Vincent Van Gough's work where he had used a variety of lines and marks. The children annotated his art work and then had a go at copying some of the marks they could pick out.
Trip to the Cathedral
Monday 26th February
The children took part in two workshops run by St Albans Cathedral to develop their historical and geographical knowledge. Tasks included using a compass to locate various sites around the Cathedral, describing the position of one place in relation to another using compass points and using grid references to locate information around the building and places of interest on a map. Thank you SO much to the adults who volunteered to come with us.
Learn and Share
Tuesday 13th February
We are looking forward to sharing some of our learning from this term with you this morning. The children have prepared some activities relating to Science, Geography/History, Maths, English, Computing and PSHE.
The Paper Bag Princess
Friday 2nd February
In English, we have been reading The Paper Bag Princess which is about a courageous Princess who braves a dragon in order to save a vain, ungrateful prince. The children rewrote the story from the dragon's perspective and produced some brilliant pieces of writing.
Chopping and Slicing
Tuesday 23rd January
As part of our sandwich unit for DT, the children learned and practised the bridge and claw techniques for chopping and slicing.
Investigating Friction and Perimeter
Friday 19th January
We have experienced lots of hands-on learning this week in both Maths and Science. The children worked in pairs to solve problems involving perimeter and in groups to investigate the friction created by different surfaces.
Golf Chipping
Monday 15th January
In PE, we have started a new unit of work based on Tri-Golf. Last week, the children practised putting into the desired area to earn points. This week, we had a go at chipping the ball over an area of 'sand', but we had to be careful not to put too much power on our shots so the ball didn't go into the 'water'!
The Wise Man and the Foolish Man
Friday 12th January
In RE, we are starting to look at some of the stories Jesus told. We started with the story of the two builders. Jesus told his audience that if they listened to his teachings, they would be like the wise man. If they continued to ignore his teachings, they would end up like the foolish man.
Welcome Back!
Friday 5th January
We have had a productive first couple of days to 2024. In guided reading, we made some predictions based on the cover of Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet and then read the first chapter. In English, we have been exploring Tuesday by David Wiesner. I have attached a video of the book for you to watch at home if you would like. In Maths, we have been classifying regular and irregular polygons.
Investigating Soil Permeability
Tuesday 12th December
To finish our 'Rocks' topic, we carried out an investigation into the permeability of different types of soil. Permeable means water can flow through quickly. We tested sandy soil, compost and gravelly soil. We had to make careful observations to see how quickly or slowly the water was able to flow through the soil.
Changes from the Stone Age to the Iron Age
Monday 11th December
We ended our History topic by completing our concept maps today. This is our chance to 'show off' all of the learning we have gained throughout the Autumn term.
Words that Harm
Tuesday 5th December
Yesterday in PSHE, we discussed the phrase, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." Most of the children disagreed, explaining that while words do not hurt us physically, they do hurt our feelings. We also talked about the fact that saying sorry can be important, but it does not completely take away the hurt caused by harmful or unkind words.
Mary Anning
Tuesday 28th November
Last week in Science, the children learned about the process of fossilisation and about the different types of fossils. This week, we look a closer look at Mary Anning and the importance of her discoveries in understanding the past. The children wrote diary entries in role as Mary, detailing her fossil hunting adventures.
Solving Problems with the Bar Model
Wednesday 22nd November
We have been using the bar model to solve worded problems involving addition and subtraction this week in Maths. It's quite tricky to work out where the missing part should go but the children have demonstrated super problem solving skills and have been using the formal written methods to calculate.
Odd Socks Day
Monday 13th November
Lots of the children chose to wear odd socks today to mark the beginning of Anti-Bullying week. They symbolise all of us being unique and special. We will be taking part in a workshop later in the week too.
The Bear and the Piano
Thursday 9th November
As part of our new English unit, the children enjoyed working together to learn more about the lives of bears. It was lovely to see their team work skills in action! We have started reading 'The Bear and the Piano' by David Litchfield. We have made predictions and explored the theme of temptation.
Completed Shell Structures
Monday 6th November
Last week, the children assembled their gift boxes. They designed these using Purple Mash. Some of them opted to have a window too!
Harvest Collection
Monday 16th October
A huge thank you to everyone who brought in donations for our Harvest Collection. There was an enormous amount of food collected which will be donated to St Albans Food Bank.
Orienteering
Thursday 12th October
This morning, we took part in an orienteering workshop. The children had great fun navigating themselves first around the MUGA, solving Maths problems on the way, and then around the entire school!
Formula 86 Delayed Action Mouse-Maker
Wednesday 11th October
We are continuing to enjoy our whole class reading text, 'The Witches' by Roald Dahl. We have found out the recipe for making the Grand High Witch's special formula to turn all of the children in 'Inkland' into mice!
We Are All Born Free
Monday 25th September
As part of our PSHE lesson today, we talked about the UN Convention for Human Rights and read 'We Are All Born Free'. The children then created their own page for the book, outlining something all humans have the right to, such as a home, a job and to be protected from harm.
The Neolithic Revolution
Thursday 21st September
In History, we have been delving a little deeper into life in the Stone Age and how things changed between the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic eras. This week, we learnt about the Neolithic Revolution, in which people began to farm. This meant they could stay in one place rather than moving around.
Counting in Tens and Hundreds
Friday 15th September
In Maths this week, the children have been learning to count forwards and backwards in tens and hundreds from any given number. We have talked about the fact the ones digit always stays the same. Have a look at some of their hard work!
Stone Age Boy
Friday 8th September
This morning, we read and discussed Stone Age Boy before the children created their own story maps. They then used these to verbally retell the story to their partner.
Shell Structures
Thursday 7th September
We had our first DT lesson of the year today, investigating the appearance and purpose of various shell structures such as cereal boxes. The children then worked together to deconstruct their structure, exploring how it had been stuck together and looking at the tabs, faces and folds.
