English

This term, we will be using following texts to help us learn about plants, the life cycle of plants and the requirements needed for plant growth. We will use this knowledge to help us write an explanation text about how to grow tomatoes. We will then write an instructional text about how to sow seed bombs as part of our enterprise project.

Class Reader

When Tomas discovers a strange old tree at the bottom of his grandad's garden, he doesn't think much of it. But he takes the funny fruit back into the house - and gets the delight of his life when a tiny dragon hatches! Tomas has to learn how to look after Flicker - quickly. And then something extraordinary happens - more dragonfruits appear on the tree. Tomas is officially growing dragons!

Maths

In maths this half term we will start with graphs. In this chapter, pupils will be learning about how to create and interpret picture graphs and bar graphs. The chapter begins with pupils creating a number of different picture graphs where the pictures can represent more than one item. Then, pupils begin to create bar graphs, using their knowledge of picture graphs to help them. Pupils are then asked to read and interpret the information from the bar graphs.

Then we will move onto fractions. In this chapter, pupils will spend an extended period exploring and working with fractions. As they will be exploring fractions in greater depth than in the previous curriculum, the greatest number of lessons in Year 3 has been devoted to fractions. Pupils will begin the chapter by counting in tenths and then making number pairs (the fraction equivalent to number bonds) before moving on to adding and subtracting fractions. Pupils will explore equivalent fractions and look at simplifying fractions before comparing fractions with different denominators. Towards the end of the chapter, pupils will be finding fractions of whole numbers as part of a set and looking at sharing 1 and more than 1. The chapter wraps up by applying content knowledge to sophisticated word problems.

Topic - Science Driver

This half term, we be exploring the question, 'Could plants survive on their own?'.

We be exploring the Science behind plants, from the functions of their parts to pollination and understanding the importance of the life cycle of a flowering plant. We will be designing and making Seed bombs and a packaging as part of a Design and Technology project. Computing will be used to help us design our packaging as well as helping us create a document of instructions on how to make seed bombs. As well as this, we will be carrying out an observation investigation in Science to observe which conditions plants grow best in. To do this, we will be incorporating Maths in order to help us collect, analyse and present data using Microsoft Excel.

P.E.

Our focus this half term in P.E. is learning the skills needed to play tennis. We will be learning about footwork, serving techniques and different types of strokes, such as backhand strokes.

Music

We will be learning all about pitch, pace and rhythm this half term as we learn how to play steel pan drums. Music teachers from Derbyshire Wider Opportunities will help us develop the technical and musical knowledge to help us succeed in becoming steel pan drummists.