📚 Supporting Children’s Vocabulary 

Vocabulary is such a vital part of learning and one of the key pillars underpinning our curriculum. The more words children understand and use, the better equipped they are to make meaning from what they read, hear and experience across all areas of learning. 

In school, we explicitly teach vocabulary by introducing new words, exploring their meanings and contexts, making connections and encouraging children to use new vocabulary confidently in their speaking and writing. 

Each week, Year 3 will share key vocabulary from Thematic, English and Maths on the Blog. Spending just a few minutes exploring these words at home can make a real difference. Familiarising children with new vocabulary helps them approach new learning with confidence and gives them the language to express their ideas clearly. 

💡 Exploring Vocabulary at Home 

Try incorporating some of these simple strategies into everyday conversations: 

• What does it mean? Ask your child to explain the word in their own words. 

• Use it: Challenge them to use the word in a sentence. 

• Synonyms and antonyms: Can they think of a similar or opposite word? 

• Spot it: Look for the word in books, on signs, menus or elsewhere. 

• Draw it: Can they draw a picture to show its meaning? 

• Make connections: What other words or ideas does it remind them of? 

• Be word detectives: Look out for interesting new words wherever you go! 

Most importantly, keep talking and reading together. Rich conversations and exposure to a wide range of vocabulary help children to develop the language they need to understand, think, communicate and learn with confidence. 

🧲Thematic 

We then became scientists and planned and carried out our own investigation to explore how different surfaces affect the amount of friction produced. The children made predictions, considered how to make our investigation fair, and carefully observed and recorded their results. It was fantastic to see them working collaboratively and using scientific vocabulary to explain their findings. 

Our Knowledge Organiser: 

Next week, we will be moving on to our next exciting topic: magnets! The children will be exploring magnetic forces, investigating which materials are magnetic, and carrying out practical experiments to discover more about how magnets work. 

Scientific Vocabulary: 

 

🔢 Maths 

This week in Maths, we have been exploring the place value of two-digit numbers. The children have used a range of representations, including place value charts, bar models and part-part-whole models, to develop their understanding of how numbers are made. 

Using practical resources to build and draw numbers has helped the children to see the value of each digit and explain their mathematical thinking with increasing confidence.  

Next week, we will continue developing our understanding of place value by comparing and ordering numbers and practising how to write numbers in words. We will then move on to exploring three-digit numbers, building on our understanding of hundreds, tens and ones. 

Mathematical Vocabulary: 

   

        

✏️ English: 

This week in English, we have been exploring Voices in the Park by Anthony Browne. The children have been getting to know the characters and developing their ability to infer what characters might be thinking and feeling. 

We have also been learning how to build descriptive sentences, using adjectives to describe nouns. The children will now apply this learning to write their own character descriptions. 

       

 

Next week, we will begin a new text, The Green Ship by Quentin Blake. We will be developing our descriptive writing skills, focusing on creating descriptive sentences to bring settings to life.

English Vocabulary: 

  

Year 3 Term 1 timetables: 

🏠 Home Learning Update 

Our approach to home learning has changed. Moving forward, our main priorities will be reading and TTRS (Times Tables Rockstars). 

This means that children will no longer be expected to complete activities from a Home Learning Menu linked to their topic. Instead, we would like children to focus on developing these key skills through regular reading and times tables practice. 

📖 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! 

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. 

• 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 22nd 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 14th September- you will receive details as to how to book in due course. 

• Monday 21st September: Forest School for 3G 

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