History- Stone Age

This half term, Year 3 students have embarked on an exciting journey into the past as we explored the Stone Age as our focus topic. We have looked at the different eras within The Stone Age and how early humans adapted from being nomadic to hunter gatherers. We looked at changes to their lifestyle, eating habits as well as their homes. Children also learnt about the discovery of Skara Brae, a settlement on the Orkney Islands dating back to the Neolithic period. They enjoyed learning about how they used to live and especially about the stone dresser which contained all the possessions of the people living there. Year 3 also had an exciting trip to Gunnersbury Park, where they stepped back in time to learn about the Stone Age. The children worked together to build small huts using natural materials, just like early humans did. They also had the opportunity to examine Stone Age artefacts, gaining hands-on experience with tools and objects used by our ancient ancestors.

Science – Rocks

In our science lessons, we have been studying rocks. Children have learnt about the 3 main rock types and how they are formed. They enjoyed taking part in a very exciting ‘Starburst’ rock cycle experiment to consolidate their learning. Children continued their learning by learning about the process of fossilisation. They then created their very own fossils using clay to represent sediment and plaster of paris to represent the minerals filling the mould over the years. We had a very exciting excavation lesson where children where archaeologists and had to carefully reveal their fossils. We have also learnt about soil and what it is made of as well as all the layers. Children were shocked to learn about the ‘organic matter’ in soil and have promised they will definitely wash their hands after every playing in soil.

English

In English, we have been working on two exciting topics. First, we wrote narratives about being transported through a magical portal to a different world. The children have created fantastic stories, describing the adventures and challenges they faced in a new land.

We also learned how to write a newspaper article. The students practised writing reports, learning how to include the key elements such as a headline, introduction, main body, and conclusion. They worked on reporting events using the 5 W’s in a clear and structured way, using their imaginations to report on fictional events!

Maths

In maths, we have focused on improving our times table knowledge. This half term, Year 3 students have been learning the 3, 4, and 8 times tables. Regular practice has helped them recall their multiplication facts with confidence. We have also been learning how to use the column method for adding and subtracting numbers. This has included exercises with and without exchanges. The children have worked hard to understand how to carry over and borrow in addition and subtraction, and they have made excellent progress in solving these types of problems.

We are so proud of the progress the children have made this term, and we look forward to what the next half term will bring! Thank you for your continued support at home.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and look forward to welcoming you back in 2025!