Year 3 Class Newsletter

 

November 2009

 

 

Dear Parents/ Guardians

 

 

Welcome back to the second half of the autumn term. All the children seem to have settled into Key Stage 2 well.

 

 

 Our topic for this half term is The Vikings.

 

 

Religious Education – This half term we are continuing with the topic of friends which looks that the importance of friends and the important sacrament of Baptism. Following this topic is the topic Preparations. We will recognise how we will

 

 

Literacy- The children will be studying a range of poems. We will be looking at and writing shape poems using powerful nouns, adjectives and verbs. The children will work together to construct similes to use in their poems. We will also be focusing on non-fiction this half term. The children will be looking at the features of reports and using these to create their own report.   

 

 

Numeracy- The children will be focusing on problem solving using money and the operations of addition and subtraction. They will be splitting three digit numbers into hundreds, tens and units. They will be able to round numbers to the nearest ten or one hundred. They will also be developing their skills using pencil, paper and mental calculation strategies. We will also be practicing the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10 times tables.

 

 

Science- The science topic for this half term is Rocks and Soils. The children will be looking at different types of rocks and should come to recognise that underneath all surfaces is rock which they may not be able to see. We will be looking at the characteristics of different rocks and soils.

 

 

I.C.T – The children will learn the importance of organising information. We will be looking at how databases are a good way to keep information organised. They will learn the importance of saving their work as well as editing saved work. They will create their own database.

 

 

History– This half term the children will be learning about the Vikings. They will take part in a Viking day, in which the children will dress up as Vikings and will take part in many Viking related activities. The children will help create a Viking boat and helmet. Our class trip to the Jorvik Viking Centre and DIG excavation site will provide the children with a true to life experience of how the Vikings lived. If any parents would like to come as a helper please come and let me know.

 

 

P.E- The topic for this half term is Divali dance. The children will be learning about different Indian stories and expressing them in dance. They will learn Indian steps in unison and use these to create and improvise a dance performance. The children will require black shorts, a white t shirt and trainers. No tracksuits will be required.

 

 

Music – In this unit the children will learn to explore rhythmic patterns. The children will develop a deeper understanding of rhythm by playing rhythmic games and listening and creating their own raps. The children will create their own music and develop their performing skills.  

 

 

Homework – The children will receive a topic to research every two weeks which will be completed in their learning log. Reading the books provided by school is an important part of your child’s homework. This needs to be carried out every night and then recorded in the planner by an adult. Please record the pages read and any comments you wish to make.

 

 

May I also take this opportunity to ask any parents, guardians, grandparents, etc who have any free time and would like to help in their child’s class as a volunteer reader to please come and see me. I would really appreciate any extra help in this area.

 

 

If you have any questions or worries please feel free to make and appointment before or after school.

 

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

           

 

 

 

                 Miss Westhoff (Year 3 Teacher)