Year 3
Welcome to the Violet and Indigo Class page!
2024-25
VE Day Celebrations - w/b 19.05.25
On Friday 16th May we celebrated VE Day across school. In year 3, we learnt about VE Day and why it is celebrated. In the morning we baked cupcakes, which was great fun! Then we made medals of honour. In the afternoon we all went outside and enjoyed a tea party with the rest of the school. It was a lovely way to celebrate VE Day.
Design and Technology - w/b 12.05.25
This week Year 3 have embarked on their new topic in DT; ‘Sandwiches’. To start with, the children looked at the safety rules of how to use knives. They learnt about the bridge method and claw method. Following this, they carefully cut fruit and vegetables up using both methods. Next week the children will put these new skills to practise when making their sandwiches.
Reading - w/b 05.05.25
The children in year 3 have been learning about volcanoes during their Guided Reading sessions. They found out about cone shaped as well as shield volcanoes. Through reading non-fiction texts, they discovered how volcanoes erupt. Furthermore, children enjoyed reading aloud to their classmates and using the book corner during their DEAR time sessions.
Mathematics - w/b 28.04.25
In mathematics, children in year 3 have been looking at fractions. They explored adding fractions practically using strips and bar models. They followed the steps to success to add fractions and were able to do this to find the whole as well as a unit fraction. Following this, they wrote the addition sentence to match the representation.
English - w/b 21.04.25
This week, the children in year 3 have started reading their new book called ‘The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.’ To start with, they discussed how Edward, the main character of the book, is being treated by the members of his family and found out that he is a China Rabbit, who lives on Egypt Street. The children all agreed that Edward is valued a lot by most of his family members. To conclude, the children conducted a hot-seating activity in the role of Edward Tulane.
Art - w/b 31.03.25
In Art we have been learning about Vincent Van Gogh. We visited the National Gallery and looked at his paintings, in particular his most famous piece; 'Sunflowers'. Back at school, we looked at roses and created our own drawings, based on our observations. In doing this, we focussed on the details of the roses. We ensured we used realistic colours.
R.E. - w/b 31.03.25
This week, the children explored how and why Hindus celebrate Holi as part of their celebrations. They delved into various artefacts related to Hinduism and learned about the story of Prahlad and Holika. The children engaged creatively by preparing a freeze frame depicting the story of Krishna with coloured water, helping them connect with the tale and understand its significance in the Holi celebration. Later in the day, they learned about the Hindu God Brahman and the Trimurti—the three aspects of Brahman: Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva—further deepening their understanding of Hindu beliefs and practices.
Science - w/b 17.03.25
This week, Year 3 students have been putting their creativity to the test by designing and creating their very own magnetic games! Building on their prior knowledge of magnets, they worked collaboratively to bring their designs to life. The process involved combining creativity with scientific understanding, resulting in a fun and educational project that showcases both teamwork and hands-on learning.
World Book Day - w/b 10.03.25
On 6th March, Year 3 celebrated World Book Day with a fun-filled day of creative activities! The students designed their own bookmarks and created imaginative book covers based on the hero or villain they dressed up as. They also wrote character profiles for their chosen persona, bringing their favourite characters to life. The excitement continued with a special assembly, where the children discovered their teachers' favorite books, sparking even more inspiration and love for reading! It was a day full of creativity, learning, and celebrating the joy of books.
Mathematics - w/b 03.03.25
This week, Year 3 students have been exploring the exciting world of fractions! They've been learning how to order and compare fractions, while also gaining skills in reading fractions from scales and number lines. By building on their prior knowledge and incorporating new concepts, students have made great strides in understanding fractions in a hands-on and engaging way.
English - w/b 24.02.25
During English lessons this week, pupils in year 3 have started to read their new book; Krindlekrax. They enjoyed an immersive experience where they pretended to travel through sewage and thought about what this might smell, feel and sound like. They also looked at a newspaper article and identified the different features.
Computing - w/b 10.02.25
Year 3 has had an exciting week filled with learning and creativity! In Computing, students explored sequencing sounds using Scratch, diving into the world of algorithms and coding. On Safer Internet Day (Tuesday 11th February), they took part in a quiz to assess their understanding of online safety, followed by a defining frame activity during soft start. During Dear time, the class listened to a social story and read Digiduck's Big Decision, reinforcing key messages about staying safe online. It’s been a week of fun learning and important lessons!
Design Technology - w/b 03.02.25
This week in year 3, the children have been learning how to make pop-up greeting cards. They’ve designed their cards in their books, using vibrant colours and adding specific details they know the recipient will love. The pupils have been focusing on creating unique, personal designs, making sure their cards are special. They’ve also been practicing their cutting skills to ensure they’re ready to make their pop-up cards in the next lesson. It's been a fun and creative week, with lots of planning and preparation for their final designs!
Science - W/B: 27.01.25
This week in year 3, the children have been exploring different types of forces. To investigate even further, we had a different activity on each table, which the children all had a turn on exploring, such as, creating a maze and using a magnet to navigate a paperclip around it, using a magnet to try and attract metal out of sand. This helped us to understand the difference between Contact and Non-Contact force.
Reading - w/b 20.01.25
During DEAR time, children in year 3 have been exploring a variety of texts, and this week, they are delving into the life of Rosetta Tharpe. Through guided reading, they are expanding their vocabulary by identifying new words and looking them up in the dictionary. The children are also practicing their summarization skills, capturing the essence of the text while deepening their understanding of Tharpe's legacy in music history.
Mathematics - w/b 13.01.25
This week in year 3, we have been multiplying two digit numbers with and without exchange. We have been partitioning the number and identifying how many ones and tens a number has. The children have been using their reasoning skills to explain how they got their answer. We also learnt how to complete multiplications using the formal written method
English - w/b 06.01.25
This week Year 3 have started reading their new book called ‘After the fall’ by Dan Santat. On Monday, the children had an immersive experience where they decorated their eggs and dropped them from a height to see how strong the eggs were and to also demonstrate how Humpty Dumpty had a fall. This book makes links to the nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty.
Christmas - w/b 16.12.24
This week, pupils in year 3 have been enjoying a range of festive activities. We applied our knowledge of the 2, 5,10 times tables to create a Christmas mosaic. We also coloured in a Christmas tree. On Tuesday, we even enjoyed watching a ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ pantomime. It was a great experience!
Design and Technology - w/b 09.12.24
In year 3 this week, we have been creating memory boxes during our Design and Technology lessons. We started off by putting together nets of 3D solids to create the box and eventually added more structure to them by using straws and corrugated cardboard. We also added our own personal touches to our boxes to ensure they are unique. Finally, we will evaluate our designs using the DT matrix.
French - w/b 2.12.24
Year 3 have been learning how to say the different animals in French. We learnt how to say 10 animals in French. We have also been learning how to spell them. We looked at the determiner of ‘un’ and ‘une.’
Computing - w/b 25.11.24
This week, the pupils in year 3 have been using Imotion software to create their own animation. They really enjoyed using Imotion to make their stickman move. By doing this, they learnt that the pictures that you use to create the animations are called frames. They also learnt that onion skinning, an editing technique used to see several frames of an animation simultaneously, is an important tool used to create animations.
Geography - w/b 18.11.24
During our Geography lesson this week, we used the Compare and Contrast Thinking Frame to identify the similarities and differences between two European countries. We looked at Italy and France. To start, we looked at the following in both countries: population, food, landmarks, human and physical features. We also created a PowerPoint to explain why European countries are popular tourist attractions.
Oracy - w/b 11.11.14
This week, children in year 3 delivered their MP speeches to their peers. They used physical features of oracy, such as voice projection and body language in order to do this effectively. The candidates had to use persuasive skills so their classmates could elect them as the school MPs. Their speeches included clear points on how they planned on making changes to the school environment and making the school green.
PSHCE - w/b 04.11.24
This week, the pupils in year 3 have been learning about healthy eating. We had the opportunity to share our thoughts on the food classes we, as humans, need in order to remain healthy. We also identified unhealthy food and thought about reasons for this. During the course of the lesson, we had the opportunity to take part in a range of activities to develop our understanding of healthy eating. We are now ready to make healthy food choices!
RE Day - w/b 21.10.24
During RE day, the pupils in year 3 explored the teachings of Jesus and the Buddha. We compared both Jesus and the Buddha. We discussed stories and sayings and had a discussion about the moral of each story. Finally, we discussed the importance of these sayings.
Metacognition Launch Day - w/b 14.10.24
On Metacognition Launch Day, the children in year 3 thoroughly enjoyed making a 3D model of the brain with their parents. They learnt about the structure and the functions of the brain. Then, they discussed the purpose of each part of the brain. They used the defining frame to define the brain and added what they already know and learnt about the brain. They then found out about the learning characters of Metacognition and created a diorama for these. It was a very enjoyable day.
Art - w/b 07.10.24
During art lessons, we have been looking at the work of Andrew Rae and Stephen Wilshire. We started off by comparing the styles of the two artists, finding similarities and differences. In doing this, we discussed the use of brush strokes, patterns and the colours. We also discussed whether the paintings were abstract or not.
Science - w/b 30.09.24
During our science lesson this week, we looked at food packaging. We discussed the fat and sugar content in the different products. Following this, we categorised them to see which product contained the highest amount of fat and sugar. We also recorded our results in a table. This led us to look at the Mcdonalds nutrition calculator and identify the amount of fat in meals on the menu. Finally, we looked at the benefits of saturated and unsaturated fat.
Reading - w/b 23.09.24
During Guided Reading lessons, the year 3 children looked at the poem ‘Dragonfly’ by David Windle. The children read the poem, learning some exciting new vocabulary. Miraculous, reeds, prey and presence were just some examples of vocabularies they have learnt.
Mathematics - w/b 16.09.24
This week, the pupils in year 3 have been exploring partitioning! The pupils started off by partitioning large numbers into 100s, 10s and 1s, using manipulatives such as diennes. They made incredible progress by showcasing their ability to partition larger numbers in many different ways.
English - w/b 09.09.24
It has been a week filled with poetry in year 3! The pupils started off by exploring a range of poems, before rehearsing these whilst using drama skills to create actions. One such poem is ‘Hurricane’:
‘Gather in the clothesline
Pull down the blinds
Big wind rising
Coming up the mountain.’
Welcome back! - w/b 02.09.24
This week, the pupils in Year 3 have been settling in really well back into the new school year. They were learning how to represent numbers from 1 - 100, using various manipulatives.
Welcome to the Violet and Indigo Class page!
2023-24
PSHCE - w/b 08.07.24
This week in year 3 we looked at some of our worries and questions about moving to year 4. We discussed strategies to help us deal with the change. We discussed our emotions and feelings about going to year 4 and having a new teacher and classroom.
Computing - w/b 01.07.24
This week, the children in year 3 have enjoyed learning more about publishing while using a computer. They discussed key vocabulary and what is meant by the terms text and image. They were all resilient warriors when trying to create the front cover of a magazine and to create content for inside the magazine.
Mathematics - w/b 17.06.24
This week, the pupils in Year 3 have been learning about different types of angles as part of geometry. They have been looking at how angles are formed and identified right hand angles. They have also been learning how to compare angles and what acute and obtuse angles are. They have been Reflection Ninjas by ensuring that they focus on one thing at a time. Well done Year 3 for being great mathematicians!
English - w/b 10.06.24
We had a great week of learning new things; this week exploring our new text ‘Edward Tulane’. We started off by exploring the illustrations which reflect the character’s feelings. We then discussed our ideas and predictions with our partners. We also read the 1st and 2nd chapters of the book and explored the different events that happened to Edward Tulane. We are going to write thought bubbles about what he was thinking when the dog got hold of him and held Edward in his mouth.
RE - w/b 03.06.24
As part of RE day, year 3 children learnt about Sikh sayings and beliefs. They enjoyed exploring different artefacts in groups to support their learning of the five Ks. It was interesting to investigate what each symbol represented regarding Sikh beliefs. Children also studied a hymn written by one of the Gurus and spent time thinking about what the hymn is about.
French - w/b 20.05.24
This term, the children in year 3 have been learning vegetable names in French. So far their learning journey has involved learning the names of the vegetables through songs, videos and some other exciting activities. The children have also been working on pronouncing the words correctly in French. They had great fun telling their partners which vegetables they like and don't like in French.
Oracy - w/b 13.05.24
Oracy lessons this term have been very enjoyable for year 3 pupils! They have been practising physical, linguistic, cognitive, and social and emotional skills through role play, hot seating, debate, oracy games and discussions during the lesson and across other subjects also. This has allowed children to build their confidence to speak in front of an audience but also to share their views and ideas with the rest of the class. Furthermore, they understand the importance behind listening in order to respond appropriately to others, as well as to speak fluently in a range of contexts. It is lovely to see the shy speakers of the class find their voice and confidence!
PSHCE - w/b 06.05.24
This term we are learning about keeping ourselves healthy. During this week’s PSHCE lesson we learned about medicine and the importance of being careful around medicine. We explored how medicines should be used properly and that it can be harmful to our bodies if not used correctly.
Geography - w/b 29.04.24
Topic for this term in Geography is ‘Rainforests'. Year 3 pupils have been engaging in lots of immersive learning to help imagine what it is like to walk through a rainforest. They are able to identify where the Equator, Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn are located on a map. They listened to audios of sounds you can hear in a rainforest and tried to guess what they would find in a rainforest based on those sounds. Their recent learning has been about the layers of the rainforest. Learning about the rainforest has been an amazing experience for them so far!
Earth Day - w/b 22.04.24
During Earth Day, the children in year 3 made their own posters about why we should recycle and why this is important. The children included information on the posters about how to recycle and how it affects the environment. They also made toys using recycled items, such as cereal boxes, plastic bottles and containers, highlighting ways to reuse items and repurpose them. The children looked at the different recycle symbols so they are aware of what can and cannot be recycled and also if the item needs to be washed/rinsed first.
Computing - w/b 22.04.24
This week, the pupils in year 3 have been learning about keeping safe on the internet as part of Computing. They learnt how to be respectful to others while using the internet. We talked about what to do when people send inappropriate messages and how it would make people feel. The children were very confident to come up with the steps to save and report cyber bullying. The children used chrome books to carry out this activity. Well done Year 3, you have all successfully proven that you can carry out your own research!
English - w/b 15.04.24
In English, the children in year 3 have started reading a book called ‘One Plastic Bag’. So far their learning journey has involved being creative by producing something purposeful using a plastic bag. They have read part of the book and used their imagination and thinking skills to predict what might happen next in the story. The children have also been carrying out research about Gambia, which is where the story is set, whilst also comparing how life in Gambia is different to their own. They are currently creating posters about recycling. Great work so far year 3… keep it up!
Art - w/b 25.03.24
During art lessons this term, children in year 3 have been learning about the artist Van Gough. They have been exploring the different styles of art produced by this artist and have been creating their own pieces by sketching, followed by painting. They have learnt different techniques of shading by using the hatching and cross hatching method to emphasise shadow and light. They are definitely artists in the making!
Mathematics - w/b 18.03.24
The children in year 3 have been tackling fractions like true mathematicians! They are able to divide shapes into equal parts to understand what fractions represent, use colourful diagrams to identify and understand equivalent fractions, as well as number lines and bar models to enhance their understanding of fractions better.
Children found fractions a struggle to begin with, but are now ready to tackle any fraction challenge that comes their way!
Computing - w/b 11.03.24
This week, the pupils in year 3 have been learning about network engineering as part of Computing. They learnt how to look up IP addresses and create their own algorithm. The children discussed what the internet is used for and why the internet is necessary for their learning. They explored the internet and conducted research about something new. We also taught them how to be more specific on what to type into the search engine when researching their chosen topic. The children used chrome books to carry out this activity. Well done Year 3, you have all successfully proven that you can carry out your own research!
French - w/b 04.03.24
Children in Year 3 have been expanding their French vocabulary and enhancing their learning through watching French videos, listening to French songs and practising forming sentences. So far they have learnt numbers from 1 to 20, the months of the year and are currently learning the names of the colours. All children have been enjoying French lessons and being able to communicate words in a different language.
Reading - w/b 26.02.24
This week, the pupils in year 3 have been exploring a range of books. We usually have the opportunity to read in the book corner during ‘Soft Start’ or ‘DEAR Time’. We are very passionate about reading and sharing books with our friends. ‘DEAR Time’ is the highlight of our day when we often read books to our classmates. At the moment we are reading ‘The boy who made the world disappear’ by Ben Miller.
RE - w/b 19.02.24
During RE day, year 3 learnt how Jewish people celebrate their beliefs at home and in the Synagogue and discovered the importance of the two symbols of the Jewish faith. The children researched how Jewish lifestyle is influenced by their beliefs and celebrations. They were given an opportunity to express their own ideas and beliefs related to the values shown during the celebrations such as forgiveness, generosity and loyalty. Children enjoyed looking at the artefacts and discussing the purpose behind each artefact.
PHSCE - w/b 05.02.24
We had a great time celebrating Children’s Mental Health Week. During the course of the week, we explored ways to improve our own mental health and talked about how we could look after our peers’. We also talked about what we could do when we feel worried and overwhelmed. Each morning we completed a mental health tracker in our books.
Mathematics - w/b 29.01.24
In mathematics this week we have started to learn about units of measurement, particularly focusing on millimetre, centimetre and metre. The children were measuring different objects in the classroom and decided which unit of measurement would be best suited for each object. They have been using rulers and understanding the importance of using a ruler accurately to be able to get a precise measurement of their chosen object.
History - w/b 22.01.24
We had a great week of learning about the ancient Egyptians this week. We started by exploring a range of facts about Egypt and the ancient Egyptians. We watched videos to familiarise ourselves on how life would have been if we lived as ancient Egyptians. We enjoyed Hot Seat the Pharos and was fascinated by their gods. We had great fun creating ancient Egyptian jewellery and also making timelines. Writing a diary entry as Tutankhamun was amazing.
Reading - w/b 15.01.24
Children have been reading a wide range of texts during DEAR time. In guided reading this week they are reading about the Kenyan political activist Wangari Maathai. They have been expanding their vocabulary by identifying new words and looking them up in the dictionary. This week David from Indigo class has won a reading award and a book for making progress in his reading and trying his best to read questions during lesson time.
English - w/b 08.01.24
We had a great week of learning new things; this week exploring our new text ‘Mama Miti’. We started off by exploring the illustrations which reflect African culture. We then used this as inspiration to paint our interpretations of the text. Then we started creating a fact file about Kenya.
Christmas - w/b 11.12.23
Children in year 3 have been creating shell structures to gift April (a character from a book we are reading) for Christmas. They have been practicing drawing the nets for their shell structures. Their shell structures were created using coloured cards, straws and tape.
Great job year 3, your shell structures look brilliant... I'm sure April will appreciate the hard work that has gone into making them. Keep up the good work!
Science - w/b 04.12.23
This week, the pupils in Year 3 have been very fortunate to visit the Science Museum in London. They found it very interesting to explore different scientific inventions at the museum. The children asked lots of questions and were particularly fascinated by the ‘Space’ exhibition. They used their risk taking skills (Risk taking Hero) to stay focused on the different themes that were explored as they walked through the museum.
Computing - w/b 27.11.23
This week, the pupils in Year 3 have been learning about network engineering as part of Computing. They learnt how to look up IP addresses and create their own algorithm. The children discussed what the internet is used for and why the internet is necessary for their learning. They explored the internet and conducted research about something new. We also taught them how to be more specific on what to type into the search engine when researching their chosen topic. The children used chrome books to carry out this activity. Well done Year 3, you have all successfully proven that you can carry out your own research!
Geography - w/b 20.11.23
This week, the pupils in Year 3 have been doing geography as part of their topic work. They learned about the different countries in Europe. They explored the capital cities as well as physical and human features of some of these countries. We also taught them how to use compasses and to use the coordinate points on a map to find a place. The children also chose 2 countries to compare and wrote a report to document the similarities and differences. Well done Year 3, you worked hard during geography this week!
Oracy - w/b 13.11.23
This week, the pupils in Year 3 have been working on their social and emotional skills as part of Oracy. During our literacy lesson we explored illustrations created by illustrator and author Lucy Farfort. The children had to practise sharing their thoughts with a partner using their Oracy skills. The children were great at implementing skills such as looking at the person talking, taking turns when sharing ideas and they were also encouraged to project their voices. Well done Year 3, you have shown that you are mastering those skills very well!
PHSCE - w/b 06.11.23
This week, the pupils in Year 3 have been learning about healthy eating. They have the opportunity to share their thoughts on what kind of food we as humans need to eat in order to be healthy. We also explored what kind of food would be classed as unhealthy and the reasons for it. During the PHSCE lesson children had the opportunity to take part in a range of activities to develop their understanding of healthy eating. Well done Year 3, you are now ready to make healthy food choices!
RE - w/b 30.10.23
In RE, the pupils in Year 3 have been Learning about Jesus and Buddha. They had the opportunity to share their own religious experiences as well as learning about other people’s religions. They were very excited to look at the similarities and the differences between their own religion, Christianity and Buddhism. During the lessons children had the opportunity to take part in a range of activities to develop their understanding. Well done Year 3; you were very respectful towards other people’s religious views!
PHSCE - w/b 16.10.23
This week, the pupils in Year 3 have been thinking about their dreams and goals for the future during their PHSCE lesson. As part of our Black History Month celebrations, we explored the dreams and goals of significant black people who made a change to the world's outlook on different culture groups. The children found it very inspiring to have seen how people have worked on their dreams and how they succeeded. Well done year 3, you all have learned how to respect each other and other cultures around you.
Art - w/b 09.10.23
This week, the pupils in Year 3 have been learning about Aboriginal Art. They have been exploring different pieces of art and discussed their observations with members in a group. They used their reasoning skills (Reasoning Robots) to explain their thoughts about the different marks that they have seen. After looking at the art work they were inspired to create their own marks. Well done Year 3 for being excellent artists!
Science - w/b 02.10.23
This week, the pupils in Year 3 have been learning about forces and magnets as part of Science. This week they explored magnet poles and found out how it works. They carried out an experiment and used the magnets and paper clips to find out how strong the magnetic force could be. They used their risk taking skills ( Risk taking Hero) to break up the experiment in smaller parts. Well done Year 3, you worked hard during your experiment this week!
Reading - w/b 25.09.23
This week, the pupils in Year 3 have been exploring a range of books. We usually have the opportunity to read in the book corner during Soft Start of DEAR time. We are very passionate about reading and sharing books with our friends. DEAR time is the highlight of our day when we will often read books to our classmates. At the moment we are reading ‘Ratburger’ by David Walliams.
Mathematics - w/b 18.09.23
This week, the pupils in Year 3 have been making numbers up to 1,000 using manipulatives. They have been identifying the correct place value of 3-digit numbers and they have also been learning about how to partition numbers in many different ways. They have been Reflection Ninjas by ensuring that they focus on one thing at a time. Well done Year 3 for being great Mathematicians!
English - w/b 11.09.23
We had a great week of learning new things! This week the pupils in Year 3 have been exploring the features of a poem. We explored a few different poems and looked at the different features in each poem. Together with their partners they created phrases and put it together in stanzas to create a new poem. Then they wrote their own poems as part of their literacy learning this week. Well done Year 3, great writing this week!
Welcome Back! w/b 04.09.23
Welcome back to Year 3! This week Year 3 have been working together to settle into their new class and key stage. They have participated in team activities and created some fantastic pieces of work together. They have started the school year with a positive learning attitude. Well done Year 3!
