Spring 1 Update

It has been a busy half term for Year 3 Cardinals and we have enjoyed a rich and varied curriculum, with a great many learning experiences both in and out of the classroom.

As well as all of the fantastic learning that has taken place, we have also welcomed Mr Sullivan-Pond to the class and we have been enjoying getting to know each other over the past four weeks.

In English, as part of our focus on ‘Writing to Entertain’, we read, ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ by Jeanne Willis and Ross Collins, an adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale; using it as inspiration for our own stories about a fantastical land, including the creation of our own magic characters.

We then looked at ‘Stella and the Seagull’ by Georgina Stevens and Izzy Burton, which explored the issue of pollution, specifically that caused by single use plastics. The children researched the topic and then wrote speeches using persuasive techniques to engage and inform their audience before performing them to the class. For some of the children, it really pushed them outside their comfort zone and they really had to show our learning powers of Self-Belief and Resilience which they did extremely well.

In Maths we have been looking at the features of 2D shapes, including parallel and perpendicular lines, calculating perimeters and congruent shapes. We were able to work towards our Oracy Target by using the correct technical vocabulary and have revised the mathematical definitions of the properties of regular and irregular polygons. We then moved on to developing strategies to help us with our times tables including repeated addition and multiples – something that will be of great help as we move up to Year 4 in September and throughout our school careers.

In Science we have been exploring ‘Forces and Magnets’ and how these forces affect our planet. We conducted several investigations including testing the strength of magnets and seeing which metals were or weren’t magnetic. We then recorded our findings using a range of charts and tables. We had great fun seeing how the different poles of the magnets attracted or repelled each other and learnt the life lesson, that opposites really do attract!

In History, we have been focusing on the Bronze and Iron Age periods in Britain, looking at how they lived and experienced technological advances due to the new found resources. Using a range of historical sources, we formed statements about the reasons for change during this period and how a mostly peaceful nation began to become more and more hostile towards strangers and outsiders, much of which was caused by a huge spike in population at the time.

In RE, we have been looking at Christianity and the life of Jesus. We explored the miracles he performed and discussed the Deep Question: “Were these miracles, or was there another explanation?” Our findings indicated that it came down to a matter of faith and the beliefs of different religions as to what actually happened. It certainly led to some excellent debating and lots of great discussion in class.

In PSHE we have been thinking about ‘Dreams and Goals’ with a focus on working together as a team and how we can help each other to achieve so much more. We designed gardens for specific groups and thought about how we could help others to achieve their dreams and goals in life –something which will help to make us all better citizens and role models for the younger children.

In Computing we have been using the software, Scratch to practise our Coding. We created our own sprites and then looked at using commands to animate them. We then looked at how we could use multiple commands to create sequences, allowing the sprites to perform a range of different movements and actions.

In PE we have been looking at expressive dance and how moving to the music is vital to any performance. We created routines, pretending to be different animals building up a range of movements that linked together. We then thought about how humans would react when faced with these animalistic interpretations and created a dance sequence to represent this meeting. We all had great fun and it was wonderful to see the children getting involved and expressing themselves.

As well as the time spent in class, we have also enjoyed a number of special days and visitors over the half term. We had a fantastic Aspirations Day with a visit from former South African Rugby International George Fouche, talking about our learning powers of Resilience and Self-Belief and how not to give up in the face of adversity. We also had a careers fair in the afternoon so the children could get a better idea of some of the jobs which are available to them and the paths to reaching them.

As part of Safer Internet Day, we considered how AI is used and the advantages and challenges it presents. We looked at different scenarios/applications using AI and whether we thought they were, ‘okay’, ‘not okay’ or ‘it depends’. The children came up with some excellent suggestions and learnt a great deal from each other too.

We all enjoyed the NSPCC Number Day, dressing up in number-themed clothes and taking part in a range of different Maths activities to raise money for this important charity.

The final week of half term was Children’s Mental Health Week. This year’s theme was ‘This Is My Place’ and gave us all the chance to think about who we are and those people, places and activities which are important to us and who we can ask for help in times of need.

All-in-all a super, albeit busy half term and all of us are in need of a well-earned break so we are ready and revitalised for all that the second half of term has to offer. Watch this space!

Mr Sullivan-Pond (Mr S-P)

 

Autumn 2 Update

Autumn 2 has been a very busy time for Cardinals learning to work together as a team and using our learning powers. Children have enjoyed many special activities including an Aspirational day when they were able to meet a range of entrepreneurs from a range of backgrounds. They also took part in anti-bullying week and learnt the importance of staying safe online.

In Maths, children have been learning addition and subtraction using a range of resources and formal written methods. They have learnt language to solve worded problems with missing numbers and record their work using bar models and other pictorial representations to solve their calculations. Children have also been learning to secure their vital Maths skills using Math Magicians including number bonds to 100, halves, doubles, quarters thirds and multiplications.

In English, children have been revising spellings and grammatical skills to be able to be write confidently. They started the second half-term with using the text, ‘That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown.’ This was used for reading; role play and a model for writing. Children thoroughly enjoyed writing in this style and had great pleasure in sharing their work with their parents during wondrous writing week. They also did an excellent extended writing piece which was our cross-curricular link with Geography in which they were learning about ‘Earthquakes.’ This allowed children to be confident with the knowledge to be able to write a non-chronological report using key facts and vocabulary in this topic. After analysing examples of reports children had to use the correct features and layout to write their own. During the last week, we have been learning about different poems with the focus on, ‘The Magic Box.’ They have been looking closely at poems to identify features such as alliteration, repetition, onomatopoeia, rhyme, and free verse. Children have written their own poems in this style.

Our science topic this half-term was Rocks. Children have enjoyed working scientifically and sorting rocks using different criteria. They have been learning how rocks are formed and which rocks are man-made.  Children have been understanding the importance of a fair test when carrying out an experiment. They have tested the solubility of soils and have looked at the durability of different rocks. They have studied the three main types of rocks: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary and how they form the rock cycle and circulating around the world.

In Geography, children have been learning about earthquakes and looking at countries which are prone to earthquakes. They have been learning how certain countries are more prone to earthquakes due to their geographical position: sitting on tectonic plates. Children have been learning how some countries are affected more by earthquakes. They have studied how richer countries are much more prepared with stable building structures, regular drills and trained search and rescue teams in comparison to poorer countries. Children have used a range of resources including maps, globes and atlases to locate countries which sit around the ring of fire. They really enjoyed learning about the layers of the earth and how volcanoes are formed.

Computing lessons have been focusing on ‘Stop-frame Animation.’ Children have been using digital devices to create media, exploring how they can create moving images. They have been learning to apply skills to create a story-based animation by creating stories by using a story board. They added different types of media to their animation such as music and text.

During RE, children have been trying to answer the question: ‘Has Christmas lost its true meaning?’ They have written about what Christmas means to them or not. They have revisited the Nativity story and learnt how Advent links to Christmas.

In PSHE, children have been learning the importance of learning to use a step-by-step approach to solving conflicts and talking to adults for support. Children have learnt about tolerance and the importance of celebrating differences.

Our PE focus this half-term has been Tag rugby and gymnastics. In tag rugby children have learnt the importance of working as team to score a try. In gymnastics, children have worked in pairs to perform different moves reflecting their partners in a controlled and synchronised way. They have created movements on the floor and using benches to perform.

We have achieved so much this term and the children have been working extremely hard and are ready for a well-earned break. Over the last few days children have been involved in festive activities such as decorating the class Christmas tree, making shortbread biscuits and learning songs for the Christmas choir. We enjoyed a Christmas lunch, with our Christmas jumpers and hats.

It has been wonderful getting to know the children and supporting them with their learning and watching them grow in confidence.

Looking forward to seeing you in the New Year.

Mrs Khalid

Autumn 1 update 

Autumn 1 has been a very busy time for Cardinals learning to work together as a team and using our learning powers. Children enjoyed learning about Mental Health and Black History month.

In maths, children have been learning addition and subtraction using a range of resources and formal written methods. They have learnt language to solve worded problems with missing numbers and record their work using bar models and other pictorial representations to solve their calculations.

In English, children have been revising spellings and grammatical skills to be able to be write confidently. They started this term using the text, ‘Mini Rabbit Not Lost.’ This was used for reading; role play and provided a model for writing. Children thoroughly enjoyed writing in this style and had great pleasure in sharing their work with their parents during wondrous writing week.

During the last week, we have been learning about different poems with the focus on, ‘The Magic Box.’ They have been looking closely at poems to identify features such as alliteration, repetition, onomatopoeia, rhyme, and free verse. Children have written their own poems in this style.

Our science topic has been, ‘Light.’ Children have been carrying out investigations to understand how shadows are formed and the way patterns change. They recognised we need light to see things and that dark is the absence of light. They have been understanding the importance of a fair test and collecting data to analyse the results. 

In history, children have been studying the ‘Stone Age.’ They have been using primary and secondary sources to understand how the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic age changed over time. Children were able to analyse artefacts and generate questions and make sensible suggestions to make sense of this era.

Computing lessons have been focusing on ‘Connecting Computers.’ Children have developed their understanding of digital devices, with an initial focus on inputs, processes, and outputs. They also compared digital and non-digital devices. Children were introduced to computer networks, including devices that make up a network’s infrastructure, such as wireless access points and switches. Finally, they discovered the benefits of connecting devices in a network.

During RE, children have been looking at Hinduism and how Diwali is celebrated. They have focused on theme of ‘belonging,’ and how it feels important to belong to a group and to be able to celebrate together.

In PSHE, our topic has been, ‘Being Me in My world.’ Children have been discussing their self-worth and have been identifying positive things about their achievements. They have been learning to work together and understand the importance of the Learning Charter. They have looked at different scenarios to support the understanding of their rights and responsibilities.

In PE, children have been learning Netball skills and tag rugby, with an introduction to defending and attacking. They have learned relevant technical skills and explored various tactics associated with invasion games.

 

In art, children have been focusing on drawing and how artists use shape to draw. They have been developing their shading and blending skills. They have been making close observations and adding details using line, shape and tone.

In DT, children have been learning to design, make and evaluate wearable technology in the digital world. They used coding to programme a micro-bit to fit a design criteria. They have been learning to understand the impact of the digital revolution in the world and how technology has improved over time.

This term, in French we focused on developing phonics in spoken language. Children learned to greet each other, numbers to ten and colours. They used role-play and games to consolidate their learning.

We have achieved so much this term, and the children have been working extremely hard and are ready for a well-earned break. Please encourage children to continue to read daily during the half term. They should try and read the book loudly and with fluency at least three times before changing them.

Looking forward to seeing you all next half term. Enjoy your break.

Mrs Khalid