Thematic 

On Monday, our day was filled with creativity, exploration, and hands-on learning as we enjoyed a special WOW Day! Our classrooms were transported back in time to the Stone Age. The children took an immersive journey back in time through the three key periods of the Stone Age: the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic eras. With a packed day of hands-on activities, historical enquiry, and creative projects, the children brought the past to life in the most imaginative and thoughtful ways.

We began the day by exploring timelines to help the children visualise just how long each Stone Age period lasted. We created a physical timeline using a roll of toilet paper, with each sheet representing a number of years, and by unrolling it across the classroom, the children could truly grasp the vast stretch of time covered by the Stone Age. This activity sparked great discussions and curiosity as the children placed each period on the timeline, comparing their lengths and thinking about what life might have looked like at different stages.

We then delved into what life was like for early humans and how it evolved over time: from hunter-gatherers in the Palaeolithic era to the first signs of farming and settled life in the Neolithic period. The children explored how historians and archaeologists interpret evidence from the past, understanding how tools, bones, structures, and even ancient art can help us piece together human history.

Inspired by the evidence discovered at the Lascaux caves in France, the children created their own prehistoric-style cave paintings. Using natural colours and drawing on imagery of animals and human figures, they imagined themselves as early artists telling stories through pictures. Using evidence from the archaeological site of Star Carr, the children designed and built models of Mesolithic shelters. They thought carefully about the materials that would have been available at the time and how people might have built homes close to water and food sources.

And finally, after exploring the remains of the Neolithic settlement at Skara Brae, the children made detailed dioramas showing Neolithic homes, complete with stone furniture and connected passageways. This helped them to visualise how community life began to develop as people settled and farmed the land.

To consolidate learning, the children conducted further research into each era of the Stone Age and added this new knowledge to their own individual timelines. They worked collaboratively, asked thoughtful questions, and demonstrated a growing understanding of how human life evolved through thousands of years.

WOW Day truly lived up to its name! The children came away buzzing with excitement, curiosity, and a deeper appreciation of the incredible journey early humans took.

Next week, we will be moving onto our Science learning and will be investigating rocks and soils.

   

    

       

   

  

 

          

English 

This week in English, our children have spent time crafting vivid and atmospheric descriptions using descriptive vocabulary. Inspired by our class text, the children have been exploring new and ambitious vocabulary, aiming to choose words that go beyond the ordinary and make their descriptions truly stand out. One of the key skills the children have been focusing on is expanded noun phrases. This technique allows them to add detail and richness to their writing by building on a simple noun with adjectives. Through practice, they are learning how to use these phrases not just to add detail, but to build atmosphere and mood in their descriptions.  

  

Next week, we will be moving onto writing a recount of the character’s journey through the Stone Age.

Maths

This week in Maths, we have been focusing on developing our number sense. Through a variety of engaging activities, we’ve been investigating relationships between calculations and equations, helping us to see how numbers connect and interact in different ways.

We explored how changing one part of a calculation can affect the outcome, and how we can use what we already know to solve new calculations more efficiently. Whether working individually or in groups, children have been encouraged to explain their thinking, look for patterns, and make connections between addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Looking ahead to next week, we’ll be diving deeper into partitioning numbers, in order to understand their structure. These skills are essential building blocks in developing mathematical fluency and confidence. We’re looking forward to another exciting week of learning and discovery!

Home Learning 

Attached below is the overarching Thematic Curriculum homework ideas. Please refer to the homework menu, which gives a variety of creative tasks for the children to choose from. Children only need to complete one task as a minimum, but can choose to complete more if they wish. Children have been given a Home Learning book to complete their home learning tasks in.

Home Learning is due in on Friday 17^th October 2025 

Spellings 

Children will have a spelling sheet attached in their home learning book. Each week, they will need to practise the core spellings listed using the ‘Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check’ strategy. Within your child’s home learning book, there are prompts and tips to support children in learning their spellings, along with a spelling list and an example of a table, which children can draw themselves, each time they learn a new set of spellings. Children should choose five spellings to practise at home each week. Please do speak to your child’s teacher if you have any questions.

Times Tables Rock Stars 

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

• Children’s logins will be stuck into their Reading journal, which will be sent home on Monday 15^th September.

Mathletics 

• Once a week 

• Tasks will always follow the learning that week. 

• Children’s logins will be stuck into their Reading journal, which will be sent home on Monday 15^th September.  

We are in the process of completing children’s Accelerated Reader assessments, on Monday, all children will have a reading record and a book to read at home.

Reminders: 

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

• 3B and 3G will swim on Thursdays this 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 earrings). 

• To find out how your child is settling into life at Upton, teachers will be hosting  meetings for parents on Thursday 18^th September from 1pm until 4pm. Should you wish to discuss how your child has settled, you will be able to sign up for a 5-minute appointment when dropping off or collecting your child from their classrooms. A sign-up sheet is available on each classroom’s door.

• Please remember to check when your child has their Forest School sessions- the letter that was sent out is attached below.

• Friday 19th September: Colour Run

Key messages: 

• Please can children ensure they bring a Healthy snack in for breaktimes. 

• Children are provided with a school pencil case and so do not need to bring in pencil cases from home or any other toys/resources. 

• Children will also need to make sure they have a pair of Wellies in school, so that they are able to use the environmental area at lunchtimes. 

Have a lovely weekend!

The Year 3 Team