🧲Thematic 

STEM Challenge Day: A Day of Innovation and Fun! 

What an incredible day we’ve had in Year 3! Our STEM Challenge Day was the perfect opportunity for the children to apply all the amazing skills and knowledge they’ve developed this term. From science experiments to hands-on engineering, the classroom was buzzing with excitement, creativity, and teamwork. 

The day kicked off with a challenge to design and build periscopes. The children demonstrated their understanding of light and reflection, using mirrors to direct light in their creations. With cardboard tubes, mirrors, and plenty of perseverance, they crafted working periscopes that allowed them to see around corners and over obstacles. It was fantastic to see their problem-solving skills in action as they adjusted angles and tweaked their designs to get a clear view. 

Next, we moved on to magnetism, a topic the children have loved learning about this term. Their task was to design and create a magnetic maze game. Using magnets, paper, and their own creative designs, the children guided small metal objects through intricate mazes. The challenge sparked lots of discussion about magnetic forces and how to balance difficulty with fun. The pride on their faces when their mazes worked was truly wonderful to see! The children also made cars, powered by magnets, which they used to guide a car around a track.  

Finally, the children explored aerodynamics by making and launching paper air rockets. They experimented with different designs, testing how variables such as fin size and rocket length affected flight distance and stability. The playground turned into a mini launchpad, with rockets soaring through the air. There were cheers and laughter all around as they celebrated their successes and learnt from their attempts to improve their designs. 

STEM Challenge Day was a fantastic way for the children to see how science, technology, engineering, and maths come together in real-world projects. They collaborated brilliantly, demonstrating resilience and enthusiasm in every activity. 

We are so proud of their achievements and can’t wait to see how they continue to apply their skills in the future.  

Here’s to more exciting STEM adventures ahead! 

      

 

 

    

Design Technology Day

Our children had a fantastic time during DT Day, exploring the exciting world of mechanisms and putting their design and engineering skills to the test!

The children began by investigating different types of mechanisms, learning how levers and linkages can be used to create movement. They explored how these mechanisms work and how they can be incorporated into moving designs.

Their challenge was to design and create their very own shadow puppets, using linkages and levers to bring their characters to life! The children started by planning their designs, carefully considering how their puppets would move and which mechanisms would work best. They then created prototype mechanisms, experimenting with linkages and testing their ideas to see how movement could be achieved.

Once they were happy with their mechanisms, the children brought their designs to life by making their shadow puppets. They tested their finished creations, evaluated how well they worked and thought about what went well and what they could improve.

It was wonderful to see the children using their creativity, problem-solving skills and resilience throughout the process. They demonstrated that designing and making involves lots of testing, adapting and learning along the way!

 

Next week, we’ll be moving onto our RE learning, where we will be learning about Judaism.

Our Knowledge Organiser:

 

Maths

This week in Maths, the children have been exploring statistics, focusing on pictograms and bar charts.

The children have been learning how to read, interpret and present data in different ways. They explored how pictograms and bar charts can help us organise information and make it easier to understand. They also practised answering questions about the data, comparing results and identifying the most and least popular choices.

To develop their understanding further, the children made statements about the data they had collected and interpreted. They used their mathematical reasoning skills to explain what the charts showed, spot patterns and make comparisons between different categories.

Next week, we’ll be continuing our work on Statistics, focusing on interpreting, comparing and analysing data.

Mathematical Vocabulary

  

English:

This week in English, we have been setting sail on some exciting adventures aboard the Green Ship! The children have been busy writing recounts in the form of postcards, taking on the role of one of the characters from the story.

Through their writing, the children have been recounting their experiences and adventures, describing the exciting events they encountered along the way. They have been developing their recounting skills, thinking carefully about how to share their adventures from their chosen character’s perspective.

Next week, we’ll be moving onto producing an information leaflet, all about Magnets.

Year 3 Term 1 timetables:

🏠 Home Learning

📖 Reading: Children should read at least 3 times each week and bring their reading journal into school on these days so that we can celebrate and monitor their reading.

🔢 TTRS: Regular practice will help children develop their fluency and confidence with times tables.

• Tasks to be completed online, with new tasks set every week.

• Children’s logins will be stuck into their Reading journal.

• Further details will follow next week, so keep your eyes peeled!

To access AR Quizzes and TTRS, navigate to: Upton Junior School - Online Learning

Reminders:

• Year 3 have PE on Fridays and should come to school dressed in the correct school PE kit.

Next term:

• Term 2 starts on Tuesday 3^rd November.

• Year 3 Pre-History WOW Day: Monday 9^th November

• 3R and 3Y will swim on Tuesdays next term- children will need to come dressed in their PE kit to school on this day, and bring with them their swimming costumes to change into. 

• Swimming kit reminder: full swimming costume/swim shorts. All children must wear a swimming hat and will be expected to remove jewellery (including stud earings).