Pantomime spectacular! 

Year 3 children had the wonderful opportunity to attend a performance of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Marlowe Theatre, and what an unforgettable experience it was! From the moment the curtain rose to the final bow, the children were completely captivated by the magic, music, and humour of this enchanting show. 

The performance was a dazzling mix of vibrant costumes, spectacular sets, and show-stopping songs that brought this classic tale to life- the children sat wide-eyed throughout! During the performance, the hilarious Dame turned her sights onto Mr Mason, playfully selecting him as her Cupid match. The children were in stitches as the Dame’s antics unfolded, with Mr Mason taking it all in good humour (and maybe a touch of embarrassment!). 

Trips like these are so much more than just a day out—they create shared memories that strengthen bonds among the children and offer them a chance to experience something truly magical.  

A HUGE thank you to all of our wonderful Year 3’s for representing the school so beautifully with their impeccable behaviour, their enthusiasm, politeness and respect embodied the values of the Upton Way so fantastically, well. 

A huge thank you also to the staff who helped make the day run smoothly, and to you, the parents, for supporting this enriching experience. The children’s joy and enthusiasm were a testament to how meaningful and inspiring these opportunities can be. 

We look forward to more adventures like this in the future! 

       

Thematic 

This week, the classrooms in Year 3 have been buzzing with curiosity as the children embarked on an exciting investigation into shadows. Our exploration was not only a fun and engaging way to learn but also a fantastic integration of science, creativity, and teamwork. Our learning this week began with a question: What is a shadow? To bring the concept to life, we conducted a simple experiment using a flashlight, objects and different materials. Watching the shadows appear and shift fascinated the children, sparking new questions about size, shape, and movement. We learnt about opaque, transparent and translucent materials and how they either allow or block light. Building on this, the children used different types of paper and materials to make shadow puppets, which they then tested. 

English 

This week in English, the classroom was alive with creativity as the children delved into writing their own narratives, crafting their stories around their very own character. The children embarked on a creative adventure where they transformed their imaginations into stories. Our focus was on Chapter 5 of the book, where the Iron Man faces off against the mysterious, destructive "space-bat-angel-dragon." This chapter, filled with dramatic moments and larger-than-life characters, sparked an idea: what if the children could create their own creatures, as bizarre and fantastical as Hughes' creations, and build a narrative around them? That’s exactly what we did.

Next, the children will be moving on to writing an explanation text, where they will explain in detail how something works or why something happens, linked to a theme within the story.

Maths 

This week in our maths lessons, we’ve kicked off an exciting new topic: Length. The children have been learning about measurement, specifically focusing on millimetres (mm) and centimetres (cm). To start, we took some time to discuss the different units of length we encounter in the world around us. To reinforce their learning, the children have been working on a range of activities. They've measured various items around the classroom, compared the lengths of different objects, and have started to solve word problems involving length.

Next, we will be moving onto looking at perimeter, where children will also be learning how to solve problems.

Reminders:

• Friday 12^th December: Christmas jumper day and Christmas Fair.

• Monday 15^th December: Christmas disco (children to wear their clothes to school if they are attending the disco)

• Tuesday 16^th December: Year 3 Christmas party. Children to wear their party clothes to school. Children are also invited to bring in party food- please see a reminder of the email sent to parents:

We kindly ask that children bring in the following items based on their class colour:

• Blue Class: Savoury snacks

• Green Class: Biscuits and cakes (sweet treats)

• Red Class: Crisps, drinks, and cups

• Yellow Class: Fruit, vegetables (crudités), and paper plates

If your child has any allergies, please ensure they bring in a plate of food that is suitable for them. 

Your support in providing these items will help us create a delightful spread for everyone to enjoy.

• Wednesday 17^th December: Year 3 Christmas dinner day.

• Thursday 18^th December: School closes at 2pm.

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- children will be bringing their Home Learning books home on Monday.   

Home Learning is due in on Thursday 18^th December 2025

Reading Records  

With AR Assessments complete, children will be given a new ZPD, which you will find in their Reading Record: ‘Term 2’ ZPD sticker. If children have not yet brought in their reading record to school, they need to make sure they bring it in on Monday 3^rd November, so that we can issue children with a new reading book. Please ensure children are reading every night and are likewise taking quizzes. Your child can access the quizzes here: Renaissance Learning Login

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.  

• Children’s logins are stuck in their Reading journal.    

Mathletics   

• Mathletics tasks will be set from Friday to Friday.   

• Tasks will always follow the learning that week.   

• Children’s logins are stuck into their Reading journal.