🧲Thematic

This week in Thematic, we have kick-started our new topic, ‘Feel the Force, See the Light’, with an exciting week of scientific exploration and discovery.

We began by exploring the question, ‘What is Science?’, with a particular focus on Physical Science. Working in small groups, the children created mini displays to share what they already knew about forces and light.

We then focused on forces, learning that forces are pushes and pulls and identifying examples in our everyday lives. Through practical activities, the children explored pushes and pulls around them and investigated how forces can make objects move. We also learnt how scientists use force arrows to show the direction of a force on a diagram.

 

    

 

     

Next week, we will continue our investigations by exploring friction and discovering how it affects the movement of objects.

🔢 Maths

This week in Maths, we have been exploring Number through a range of practical activities and hands-on resources. The children have been building numbers, representing them in different ways and developing their understanding through exploration and discussion. Our practical approach has encouraged the children to investigate numbers in a fun and meaningful way.

Next week, we will begin our first Maths topic, ‘Number Sense’, where the children will explore the relationships between numbers and develop their understanding of important number facts.

✏️ English:

This week in English, we have been exploring the much-loved book ‘Gorilla’ by Anthony Browne. The children have been carefully examining the illustrations, making inferences about the characters and events, and using evidence from the text and images to support their ideas.

We have also been developing our sentence-building skills, learning how to build and extend sentences to make our writing more detailed and interesting. All of this learning is building towards a piece of independent writing, where the children will retell the story in their own words.

 

           

Next week, we will move on to another much-loved Anthony Browne book, ‘Voices in the Park’. We will be exploring the different characters and their perspectives before writing our own character descriptions.

📰Upton in the News: New Year 3 group at Upton enjoy team-building challenges – The Isle of Thanet News

📖 Author of the term 

Each term, we love to celebrate an Author of the Term, introducing our children to some of the world’s most beloved writers, encouraging them to explore literature in a fun and meaningful way. This term, we are thrilled to shine the spotlight on Oliver Jeffers.

Oliver Jeffers is a celebrated author and illustrator, best known for his imaginative, humorous and beautifully illustrated picture books. His stories often explore themes such as friendship, kindness, adventure, curiosity and the importance of helping others, making them wonderful books to share and discuss with children.

Some of his best-loved books include Lost and Found, The Way Back Home, How to Catch a Star, Stuck, Here We Are and The Day the Crayons Quit, which he illustrated. His distinctive illustrations and playful storytelling encourage children to look closely, ask questions and think creatively about the world around them.

If you’re out and about visiting your local library or bookshop, please do keep an eye out for Oliver Jeffers’ books. Why not choose one to share together at home? You might even discover a new favourite! You can find more out about him and his books here: Oliver Jeffers | Visual Artist & Author

     

 

🗓️Year 3 Term 1 timetables:

📚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 22^nd October 2026

🎸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.

• Further details will follow in next week’s Blog, so keep your eyes peeled!

We are in the process of setting up logins for Times Tables Rock Stars and Accelerated Reader. By the end of next week, all children should have a reading record and a book to share at home whilst we set up systems.

📝Reminders:

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

•  All children need to have a named pair of wellies that they can leave at school, alongside a waterproof jacket.  Our children are outside in all weathers every day. 

• 3B and 3G will swim on Tuesdays 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 earings).

• To find out how your child is settling into life at Upton, teachers will be hosting meetings for parents on Tuesday 22^nd September from 1pm until 3pm. Should you wish to discuss how your child has settled, you will be able to book a 5-minute appointment from Monday 14^th September- you will receive details as to how to book in due course.

 📌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 and a raincoat in school, so that they are able to make full use of the outdoor activities at playtimes.

Have a great weekend!

The Year 3 Team