We will also be sharing some of the fantastic experiences and memorable moments that make Year 3 such a special and rewarding year for our children.
Our year group timetable is full of engaging lessons in English, mathematics and wider curriculum subjects each day.
Please note that we have PE on TBC in Hares and on TBC in Deer. Please send your children to school in their PE kits on your class’s PE day. Book swap day is every Thursday, and homework is handed out/expected in on Fridays.
Our wider curriculum comprises of a wide range of subjects including Science, History, Geography, Art, Design Technology, Music, PE, Religious Education and Computing. We have lots of exciting lessons that help us build knowledge, develop new skills, and grow in confidence as learners across the curriculum.
We work as scientists to explore the fascinating world of rocks. We investigate and classify different types of rocks, carefully observing their properties such as texture, durability, and appearance. We learn how rocks are formed and begin to understand the processes that shape our planet over time. Through practical experiments and hands-on investigation, we develop important scientific enquiry skills such as observing, recording, and drawing conclusions.
As historians, we travel back in time to study the Stone Age and discover how people lived thousands of years ago. We explore what daily life was like, including how early humans hunted, gathered food, and created tools. We use our growing chronological understanding to sequence key events from the past and begin to compare life then and now, developing a deeper appreciation of how societies have changed over time.
We build on our map skills to locate places and learn more about the United Kingdom. We use maps, atlases, and digital tools to identify countries, cities, and physical features. We also begin to understand human and physical geography, exploring how people interact with different environments and what makes each region unique.
We apply our knowledge of levers and linkages to design and create moving pictures. We plan carefully, test our ideas, and evaluate our finished products, developing our creativity and problem-solving skills. We also become chefs for the day as we prepare and create our own healthy meals, learning how to safely chop a variety of vegetables and understand the importance of a balanced diet.
We study the inspiring work of Andy Goldsworthy and other artists who use natural materials to create stunning pieces of artwork. We experiment with different techniques and materials, including outdoor art, to develop our own creative responses and express our ideas in imaginative ways.
Throughout all of our learning, we have lots of opportunities to work with our peers, developing our teamwork skills, sharing ideas, supporting one another, and learning how to collaborate effectively.
These are just some of the exciting learning opportunities that take place in Year 3, where curiosity is encouraged, creativity is celebrated, and every child is supported to achieve their very best.
Throughout the year we enhance our learning by going on exciting trips and taking part in enriching experiences that bring our classroom learning to life.
In the Autumn term, we take a trip to Cresswell Crags to explore the Stone Age in a real-life setting. Here, we deepen our understanding of early human life by investigating caves, artefacts, and archaeological discoveries. This memorable experience helps us connect our historical learning to real places and events from the past.
We also visit the local orchard to support our Science learning. It is a fantastic opportunity to apply our scientific knowledge in a real-world environment and take part in hands-on scientific investigations, making careful observations, collecting data, and drawing conclusions just like real scientists.
In addition, we take part in an exciting Maths Roadshow, where we put our reasoning and problem-solving skills to the test. Through practical challenges and interactive activities, we apply what we have learned in lessons to real-life situations, developing our confidence and mathematical thinking.
These experiences help to enrich our Year 3 curriculum and make learning memorable, meaningful, and fun. More information will be provided as we get closer to the events.
At Sycamore Academy, we are committed to developing confident, enthusiastic, and capable readers. We teach children to read through a structured approach that includes the explicit teaching of phonics, fluency, and comprehension skills.
To become skilled, independent readers, children need regular practice beyond the classroom. Reading at home plays a vital role in this. The more children read, the more they are exposed to new words, ideas, and language structures. This repeated exposure is key to developing a rich and varied vocabulary, which in turn strengthens both overall reading, writing and overall academic success.
Once children have completed the phonics programme, we use Accelerated Reader to support and monitor children’s reading development. Once children are ready, they choose books within their recommended range and are expected to read independently at least four times per week. After finishing a book, they complete a short online quiz which assesses their understanding of the text.
These quizzes help to:
Teachers use this information to guide children’s book choices and provide additional support or challenge where needed.
We are proud to have a well-stocked school library, offering a wide range of high-quality fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Children are encouraged to explore different authors, genres, and topics to develop a love of reading for pleasure.
How parents can support at home:
Regular reading at home, even for a short time each day, makes a significant difference in helping children become confident, fluent, and thoughtful readers.
If you have any questions about reading or how best to support your child, please contact your child’s class teacher.
How parents and carers can support at home:
If you have any questions about Times Table Practice or TTRockStars, please contact your child’s class teacher.
Please ensure pupils are in full uniform every day:
School PE kit must be worn all day on PE days:
If you have any concerns about PE kit please let us know.
