Topic
Samba is our current mini-topic (mini-topics usually last just two weeks). It was great to see so many children have such good rhythm and timing whilst learning about Samba music. The children enjoyed making their own music as part of a Samba band, although I think Mrs O’Malley will be pleased when the noise is over!
The whole-school Big Topic starts Monday 19 January: Time Travel. We’re learning all about medicine through the ages. To kick start our journey through time, we’ll embark on a history workshop followed by a visit to the Thackray Medical Museum in Leeds. From early medical breakthroughs to scientific advancements, this topic will have your child exploring the life of a patient in 1861 to present day and beyond. Beware…things could get a little gory!
Encourage your child to talk about and research topic subjects at home. Talk to grandparents and others about what they know. Take a trip to the local library, or research on the internet.
Maths
Some of the areas we will be covering in Maths this half-term are, with an example of how to support for each:
- place value – practise saying a larger number for your child to write using digits
- multiplication – make sure your child has rapid recall of their 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8 times tables (this means being able to say the answer straight away, rather than counting up to the answer
- division – and make sure they can recall the corresponding division facts, too
- measurement – do lots of measuring at home when ever an adult is using measures, whether length (compare journey distances in kilometres and miles); mass (weigh everyone in the family in kilograms each week); capacity (look at how much cartons of juice, bottles of milk etc hold)
- money – keep receipts and talk about the prices of things you’ve bought so your child has an idea of the value of things
In Year 3 the children are expected to know their 2, 3, 4 and 8 times tables. Therefore, we will continue to focus on one of these each week.
Don’t forget: your child has a log in to access Mathletics. I frequently monitor their usage and progress whilst also assigning certain tasks. Have a go at some of the activities to ensure your child is getting the best from this with your support!
Writing
Writing is key to our English lessons. We’ve already written reports about Samba and we’re soon to write promotions linked to our Time Travel topic.
Spellings this term will follow a similar structure to last term: ten spellings will be given but only eight will be tested. The words are set in line with the 2013 National Curriculum with a focus on the spelling patterns and root words.
How can you help?
- Little but often spelling practice is the best way to support your child. Try spelling the words aloud, writing the words, spotting the words in the books you read with your child etc.
Reading
Our new class novel is a classic: The Family from One End Street by Eve Garnett and comes recommended as a childhood favourite of Mr Roundtree and Mrs Weekes! The novel tells of the Ruggles family of seven children in the 20th century – it’ll tie in great with our Time Travel topic!
You can read an overview of the book or an interesting review.
How can you help?
- Be sure to ask your child how they’re finding the novel and make comparisons between your family and the Ruggles.
- Guided reading groups will continue to read each day – your child must have their guided reading book with them and have read to the agreed target page.
Welcome back!
Happy new year to you all!
Year 3 have made a great start to the new year with the children showing mature learning attitudes and an enthusiasm to learn.
This term is set to be a busy one!
This week, we’ve been studying reports, learning about Samba music and dance, investigating place value, started a new class novel, thought about how we deal with difficult situations, enjoyed an afternoon at the pantomime and much more!
So far, I’ve been particularly impressed with Hibba, Enya, Daanyal and Sam for their contributions in the classroom and their great learning – keep it up!
Please feel free to pop in if you have any queries or questions.
BREAKING NEWS: Y5 pupil signs Tykes contract!
Rumours have been surfacing for days but I can now officially confirm that a Year 5 pupil from Moortown Primary School has signed a contract with Barnsley FC Academy! Reportedly, Joe Hart has said that he is already worried about his position as England goalkeeper. MORE TO FOLLOW.
Dance!
This half-term, we’re learning to dance in our PE lessons with Mr Lynch.
We’ll be learning about creative dance, making our own routines which express out personalities.
New SEAL theme – Good to be me
Our new SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) theme for this half-term, Good to be me, focuses on three main areas of learning:
•Self-awareness – feeling good about yourself, taking risks.
•Managing Feelings – understanding feelings, and why and how they lead us to behave the way we do – particularly the feelings of being excited, proud, surprised, hopeful, disappointed, worried and anxious and standing up for yourself –assertiveness skills, standing up for your views.
•Empathy
This theme explores feelings in the context of the child as an individual, developing self-awareness and helping the child to realise that it really is ‘Good to be me’. The theme is about understanding our feelings as well as considering our strengths and weaknesses as learners.
The key ideas and concepts behind this theme are:
Building emotional resilience
Children need to become resilient if they are to be healthy and effective life-long learners.
Coping with anxiety and worrying
Worry and anxiety are major features in many children’s lives. Many children have good reasons to be anxious. Exploring worries is important.
Calming down
Although getting stressed, anxious or angry are important and useful emotions, sometimes these feelings can be overwhelming.
Assertiveness
The theme encourages children to become assertive – that is, able to recognise and stand up for their rights while recognising and respecting the rights of others.
Understanding feelings and how they influence behaviour
The theme explores the relationship between ‘thinking’ and ‘feeling’ and the way each impacts on our behaviour. It looks at Flight or Fight rapid response to situations of threat and our responses to feeling threatened /under stress.
‘I respond to difficult situations in a positive way’ is the first SEAL statement for the theme of Good to be me.
Party Time
The party season has now officially started! Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 danced and jigged their way through the afternoon with a few games thrown in. It was a great way to finish off the term – looking forward to non-uniform day tomorrow with lots of fun things planned. Here are a few photos of the fun and games this afternoon.
Happy Christmas everyone.
Happy Christmas!
Hello all! Autumn Term is at an end and we’re off to enjoy our festive holidays. Just a quick note to say well done to the children for this term. They’ve had an excellent attitude to learning meaning that we’ve been able to do all sorts of fun learning. We’ve travelled the globe in our ‘Where in the World’ mini-topic; taken a journey through art in ‘Katie and…’ big topic; and become enquiring scientists through ‘What’s the Matter?’. Rounding off our term was the fabulous production of Baubles which we all hope you enjoyed.
One last round of applause for all of the Year 2s…
THE SHEEP
THE TEACHERS
THE NARRATORS
THE TOWNSPEOPLE, INNKEEPERS, MARY AND JOSEPH
THE ANGEL
THE CHILDREN
and, of course… MR POTTS
Thank you for your support this term, have a lovely holiday and, from all of us…
