Welcome to Cardinals Class page. We are taught by Mrs Khalid and supported by Miss Virji.

Pe days

P.E. lessons will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Children should come into school wearing their PE kit on Tuesday and Thursday. There is no need to bring a change of clothes. Please ensure the children are wearing kit that complies with the school uniform policy in order that they can take part successfully. 

Reading and library days

Cardinals Class will visit the school library on Wednesday afternoons. The children will have an opportunity to change their sharing book and their practise book. Please ensure the children bring both books to school on daily. It is expected that children read for a minimum of 10 minutes daily and this should be recorded in their reading record. Please visit the reading star at the top of this page where you find lots of useful information about how you can support you child when reading at home.

Home learning 

Home learning will be sent home on Friday and should be returned by the following Wednesday. Home learning will involve some spelling practise and other questions or tasks that are directly related to learning that is taking place in class. Home learning should take no longer than 30 minutes each week.

Handwriting 

Using www.letterjoin.co.uk, your child can practise their handwriting at home. There are desktop and tablet login details that can be found by clicking on the writing star at the top of the page.

Spelling 

In school, we will teach the children spelling patterns and rules. At home, we would like the focus to be on learning and practising the Year 3 and 4 statutory spellings (you can find these by clicking on the spelling star at the top of this page)

Maths Magicians 

As well as 10 minutes daily reading, this year, we are launching a brand new maths initiative, called ‘Maths Magicians!’, focusing on supporting pupils to learn key mathematical facts that are essential to understand more complex concepts. Children across the school will be expected to work towards knowing and remembering the key facts for their year group, which have been identified on the parent information sheet linked below. Of course, children will be taught these in class, but it is important that they practise these at home too. Please practise the relevant facts for 10 minutes each day and sign the maths record when this is completed each day. There are 12 stages for the children to work through each term, with a quiz each Friday. Successful completion of quizzes will result in prizes being awarded in our weekly celebration assembly.

Thank you for your ongoing support 

Autumn one 

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

Cardinals Year 3 Class Teacher