Year 3 Welcome Presentation 2021

Welcome to Year 3 Teacher:

Mrs Emily Manners

Teaching Assistants:

Mrs Bates

The School Day 8.45-8.55am Registration 8.45 -10.10 morning lessons 10.10 – 10.30am Assembly 10.30 – 10.50 Break 10.50 - 12.10 morning lessons 12.10 Lunch time 1.00pm Afternoon lessons 3.15pm Home time If you are late please sign your child in at the office, or if absent please telephone the school office in the morning and follow up with a written letter or email.

Classroom organisation  The classroom looks a little different with tables in rows for the moment. They have a bag with pockets on the back of their chair to keep their things in.  We will be changing seating places every two weeks. It is good for the children to have different ‘talking partners’ and they sometimes find that they enjoy being with someone they may not have chosen to sit with themselves.  The aim is to foster a culture where we are not worried about making mistakes but that we always have a go and try to answer/write/draw as best as we possibly can.

Equipment PE kit: Children will need a white T-shirt and blue shorts with trainers or plimsolls.

A navy tracksuit can be worn in colder weather. Swimming lessons are starting again after half term start so girls need a one-piece swimming costume and boys need trunks or the tighter shorts style. All children need a swimming hat. Goggles are optional but please remember the towel!

A waterproof and warm coat is essential from now on. We try to get outside whenever possible and breaks are outside even if it is a light drizzle!

For the class room your child needs a plain and easy to clean pencil case with some HB writing pencils, a long ruler, whiteboard pen, glue stick, safety scissors and a set of colouring pencils. A rubber and sharpener might also be useful.

Healthy Eating Children in Year 3 are no longer eligible for the Government’s fruit and milk scheme at break and they start lunch a little later.

To avoid energy levels dropping, we recommend that a healthy snack, such vegetables, fruit, or a dairy product such as cheese or yoghurt is brought into school daily, to be consumed at break time.  No products should contain nuts.  Please also ensure that your child has a named water bottle at school.

Uniform At Trinity St Stephen First School:  We are always smart.  We know that we tuck our shirts in.  Long hair must be tied up or clipped back using brown, black or school colour hair accessories.  Please label ALL clothing.  Ties are now available as an optional item for Years 3 and 4

Year 3 Writing When we are writing:  We always use a pencil  We always use a cursive script  We draw a dotted line below words when we are unsure of the spelling  Every sentence starts with a capital letter and finishes with a full stop  Every piece of work is dated  The title or ‘WALT’ (we are learning to…) is written underneath  We miss a line before starting a new piece of work  We put a single line through work we have done wrong

Year 3 Maths When we are doing maths:       

We always use a pencil We write the date in the short, numeric way We write the ‘WALT’ underneath the date We miss a line before starting a new piece of work We draw pictures and diagrams using a pencil We use one square for each digit We put a single line through work we have done wrong

Our Learning- Maths We will be learning maths according to the National Curriculum. The weekly focus will be provided in the Class News.

We will be working on improving accuracy and speed of key number facts (number bonds to 10, 20 and 100) and times tables (2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 8x, 10x).

There is a new national times table test in Year 4 where speed, as well as accurate recall, is important. TT Rockstars is set every week to help with these two aspects of knowing tables facts.

We will be thinking about how maths can relate to the world around us.

We will work on problem solving strategies.

This term’s units include place value and money, addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, shape and symmetry, time and data, and fractions.

I will provide information about the calculation methods that we use in class alongside the homework, often via the Abacus Activelearn website for which the children have a login.

Help with Maths  There are several good websites with a multitude of free maths games e.g. hit the button.  We will be setting homework using Timestables Rockstars every week.

Sometimes I may also use Abacus as well as some worksheets.  Please help your child complete the TTRockstars homework each week.

A few games a day is the much the best way to practise and commit the facts to the long term memory. Children need to be familiar with using the keyboard to enter the answers – not the mouse as it is too slow and they will find it harder to progress through the levels.  I will provide a list of possible resources and games for use at home via the Class News.

Our learning - writing  We are starting with a unit on writing instructions and will continue with other text types including myths and legends, poetry, letters and information texts.  Within these genres, we will be covering ‘SPaG’ objectives; spelling, punctuation and grammar.  We will be focussing on sentence construction and extending vocabulary choices.  We will be working regularly on cursive handwriting (including pencil grip) and presentation.  We will apply our writing skills in other subjects.

Our learning - Science  This term we will start with Light. We will look at what we need to be able to see, how shadows are formed and how we can make it easier to be seen at night. We will also look at sun safety. Later in the term we will study Forces and Magnets. During the year we will also study Plants, Animals and Rocks and soils.  We will be working on our ‘working scientifically’ skills and the children will be asking and investigating their own questions as we develop these skills through the year.

Our Learning - Reading  We have started Guided Reading where the children will be heard reading. The focus will be on understanding and interpreting the text as well as decoding using phonic sounds. We will also hear children read individually.  Individual reading books can be changed whenever the children need to change them this year.  Reading record books have now been sent home for your child to record their reading sessions. Please help them to record the session and sign it. Golden Points will be given to children reading every day.

Our Learning – topics RE – Sikhism, Christmas, Miracles and The Easter Story.

PSHE – New beginnings and changes.

History- Who were the Ancient Egyptians?

Geography – Rainforests and Volcanoes Music – we will be having brass lessons with Miss Gray this year. The children learn as a class and will take the instruments home in a few weeks. The cost (which includes 33 lessons as well as instrument hire) is just £15 per term.

P.E. - Bench ball and invasion games, swimming, dance cricket and gymnastics Art and Design Technology – topics include techniques of drawing, colour mixing, Matisse ‘cut outs’, sculpture and sewing, making a mechanical model and bread making.

Assessment  The government removed levels and put in place a new primary curriculum in 2014.  We introduced the Key Objectives to assess children’s progress.  There is a copy of the key objectives on the school website so that you can see what the Year 3 expectations are.

Homework The government advises an hour of homework each week for children in Year3.

Spelling lists will be given at the start of each half term and will be tested on Fridays. The star spellings (a colour coded list of words) will be tested every 6 weeks. These are learned in addition to the weekly word list which is usually based on a spelling pattern.

Times tables are also part of homework every week. Children should be logging in to TTRockstars and completing at least 20 minutes worth of games per week.

A maths worksheet will sometimes be provided and will be based on the recent Learning or any areas which need further practice.

Reading is essential; please read every day and try to read a variety of genres including non-fiction, magazines or newspapers etc.

Helping at home It is important that children complete their homework as this is truly independent working. . Let your child do their homework and only help if they are struggling. In maths please help them with the process we have taught them rather than your own method. The calculation policy is on the website.

Listen to them read and question them about what they have read. Try to read some different genres e.g. newspapers. We will send reading help sheets when they move up a reading level.

Using and applying their knowledge is important so if out shopping for instance talk to them about money and measures. Help with telling the time on analogue clocks as well as digital would be much appreciated.

Handwriting – a cursive flowing script with the correct pencil grip and posture is essential.

Encourage independence – this is one of the greatest gifts you can give your child! They can pack their own book bags (provide them with a check list to help them get started) and even make their own lunches. They will also know about homework and what they got in the spelling test so do ask if they don’t mention it!

Handwriting and spelling  There are spelling lists and activities to help learn spellings on this website: spellanywhere.co.uk  Handwriting videos and practice sheets can be found at teachhandwriting.co.uk  Using the correct pencil grip is very important.

TSSSA (Trinity St Stephen School Association) The school has a thriving association and each year group has two reps.

Our year group reps will be appointed shortly.

The association aims to provide a warm welcome to all members of the school community and to support the school in providing a safe and stimulating environment and excellent learning resources.

This year our focus is on the school playground, school security, SEN resources and curriculum resources to support the teaching of an engaging and interesting curriculum.

Come along to the AGM to find out more.

Visitors in School At Trinity St Stephen we welcome your support in school however this is not possible at the moment.

Should things change and you would like to help us in the classroom please ensure: • You have seen the safeguarding information and you understand that working with the children is both a privilege and a responsibility.

• You are dressed appropriately • You listen and follow the instructions given to you by the member of staff you are working with.

Communication with school  There may be occasions when you need to talk to the class teacher.

Please understand that this is not always possible before school, unless by prior arrangement.  Messages may be emailed to the office or e.manners@tssfirst.co.uk.  Teachers can be more flexible at the end of the school day.

The Class News Please check the class newsletter on the school website. It is published on Monday morning. http://www.tssfirst.co.uk. Find it under Children/Year 3/Class news You will find out what we are learning each week and there may be messages about trips, swimming etc.