Y3 Curriculum Information
Term: Spring 2024
Home Learning
Maths home learning is set on a Monday, and to be completed before Wednesday.
English home learning is set on a Thursday, and to be completed before Monday.
Maths
Chapter 5
Length
This chapter looks at length in metres and centimetres before moving on to kilometres. Children will learn to measure different items using centimetres, metres and kilometres. They will also be able to convert different units of measurement as well as compare different lengths.
Chapter 6
Mass
The chapter begins with measuring mass using scales. Children look at different units to measure mass, specifically grams and kilograms. They will become well-versed in reading weighing scales that have different values for each marking.
Chapter 7
Volume
This chapter introduces volume and capacity. Children will learn to measure volume using millilitres and litres.
Chapter 8
Money
This is a large chapter on money. It allows children to consolidate previous learning on recognising different denominations (both notes and coins) and the simple addition and subtraction of money.
Chapter 9
Time
Children begin this chapter by telling the time using 'a.m.' and 'p.m.', telling time to the minute, using analogue and digital time, and telling time by using both the minute and hour hands. Children then learn to use the 24-hour clock and clocks using Roman numerals. After this, children are measuring and comparing time in seconds, minutes and hours, and finding start times and end times. Children will then complete the chapter by converting units of time and then finding a number of days in lengths of time.
English
The Bluest of Blues
Author: Fiona Robinson
Illustrator: Fiona Robinson
This half term, we are reading the Bluest of Blues. Subtitled ‘Anna Atkins and the First Book of Photographs’ this picture book introduces the life of this nineteenth century botanist who found new ways to present her findings.
Anna’s childhood interest in plants was encouraged by her scientist father and she drew and recorded the treasures she found, for example amassing an enormous collection of seaweeds. She is acknowledged to be one of the first women in the world to take a photograph, none of which survive today. However, her experiments with cyanotype prints have had greater longevity and can be seen in a number of museums in the UK and the USA. The book’s title refers to these prints that are always blue due to the chemicals used and to the blue of the sea near to where she collected some of her earliest botanical samples.
RE
Topic 4 – Journeys
In this topic, we explore Christian families' journey with Jesus. The Christian life is about journeying with Christ and sharing his way of life. The Church’s year celebrates the key elements of Christ’s life.
Topic 5 – Listening and Sharing
This topic explores listening to the word of God and sharing Holy Communion. The Eucharistic celebration consists of two parts. The first part is the Liturgy of the Word, where Christians listen to God’s Word in the readings, listen to the homily and the prayers of the Faithful. The second part of the celebration is the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Here the gifts are prepared, the Eucharistic prayer expresses thanksgiving and Communion is shared.
Topic 6 – Giving
This topic emphasises Lent is a time to remember Jesus’ total giving: Lent and Holy Week is a time of giving in different ways and remembering the total giving of Jesus.
History
Spring 1 - Indus Valley Civilisation
Sites and artefacts in the Indus Valley (including the dancing girl, the priest king, seals, the threshing platforms, pots and potsherds, beads, weights, toys). Bricks, buildings, baths, bathrooms, drainage, Mohenjo Daro, Harappa, Lothal. Similarities and differences between Indus Valley and Sumer and Egypt (e.g. writing, monuments). Craftsmanship, trade, barter. Puzzles for historians, including rulers and religion.
Spring 2 – Persia and Greece
Ancient Persia and its empire: the geographical and political context. Ancient Greek city states, including Sparta and Athens. Why/how did they form? Homer’s Iliad. Greco-Persian wars, including battle of Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis. Ancient Greek language. Peloponnese War. Greek religion – gods and goddesses.
Geography
Depth focus: The River Indus - its source, course, uses, and some of its environmental challenges. How rivers get their water - the source, springs, the water cycle. How do rivers shape the land? The river’s load. Flooding. Depth focus: River Severn: builds sense of place. Wildlife in the River Severn. Fishing, local agriculture, pollution problems.
Spring 1 - Settlements and Cities
Settlement types: hamlet, village, town, city etc; land use, settlements by rivers. Major cities in the UK – locational overview. London as a conurbation and London boroughs. Two cities: Cardiff and London, including economy & transport. How do people move about in Cardiff? How do people move about in London? Patterns of settlement in Cardiff and London.
Spring 2 - Agriculture
Arable farming, pastoral farming, mixed farming, how farming changes the landscape. How the food we eat affects farming (seasonal food, local food, pesticides, organic food, vegetarian and plant-based diets that do not use animals; link to fish farming, builds on fish farming in Indus River Y3 Autumn 1). Sheep farming in Wales - Snowdonia. Locational knowledge revisited: Wales, Snowdonia, Gloucestershire. New locational knowledge: Sussex.
Science
Spring 1 – Light
Children are taught to:
• recognise that they need light in order to see things and that dark is the absence of light
• notice that light is reflected from surfaces
• recognise that light from the sun can be dangerous and that there are ways to protect their eyes
• recognise that shadows are formed when the light from a light source is blocked by an opaque object
• find patterns in the way that the size of shadows change
Spring 2 – Animals including humans
Children are taught to:
• identify that animal, including humans, need the right types and amount of nutrition, and that they cannot make their own food; they get nutrition from what they eat
• identify that human and some other animals have skeletons and muscles for support, protection and movement
Computing
Spring 1
Online Safety: Who is in your online community?
Programming: Sequencing Sounds
Spring 2
Online Safety: Digital Trails
Data and information – Branching databases
Art and DT
Spring 1 Design and Technology
Digital World - Electronic Charm
Children will learn to write a program to initiate a flashing LED panel using the Micro:bit light sensing, as part of an eCharm.
Spring 2 Art
Ancient Egyptian Scrolls
This unit focuses on exploring and creating Ancient Egyptian art, guiding children in understanding and applying the styles, patterns, and techniques of Ancient Egyptian art through lessons that include designing scrolls, making paper, and creating contemporary responses using zines.
Music
Traditional instruments and improvisation (India)
PE
Dance (Witches and Wizards) & Dodgeball/Hockey