PARENTS' CURRICULUM OUTLINEFOR YEAR 3 2012/13
ENGLISH
Our aim is that children will enjoy using the English language, and gain confidence through doing so. There are a number of areas that will be ongoing throughout the year. These are:
Speaking and Listening: We support the children in developing an understanding of the spoken word and the ability to express themselves fully and effectively in a
variety of speaking and listening activities, matching style and response to an
audience and purpose. They will listen to a range of stories and poems and be given the opportunity to respond with imaginative ideas and opinions.
They are encouraged to convey messages accurately and speak clearly. All children participate in drama lessons, assemblies and we have an annual Performance
Experience Workshop in the Summer term.
Reading: The children’s reading progress is continually monitored and they are
encouraged to choose suitable material from a wide range of books. They develop the ability to read, understand and respond to all types of writing and carry out research in order to develop independent study. They read aloud in pairs, groups, to the staff and to the class, developing a repertoire of voices and expressions. The children also read silently, encouraging literary criticism in diaries. They observe story structure, story line, characters and make responses and predictions.
Together, we discuss and promote the use of libraries. Our comprehension work is done orally at first to encourage complete sentences when answering.
Set reading homework is given twice weekly.
Writing: The children develop the ability to construct and convey meaning by matching the style of writing to their audience and purpose. They learn sentence structure - nouns, verbs, adjectives, full stops, commas, capital letters, question,
exclamation and speech marks; also the wider use of connectives, opposites,
proverbs, homophones, and rhyming words. In story writing, they include
descriptions of characters, feelings, settings and endings. In factual writing, they
include descriptions of people, places, plans, diagrams, instructions, notes etc. Much of this takes place in other subject lessons too. They write poetry and
accounts of visits. They learn how to revise and re-draft their work. They also learn how to write letters and address envelopes.
Spellings: Our spelling scheme is based on the National Curriculum Spelling
Strategy. The children recognise and use regular sound patterns and polysyllabic words. They use wordbooks if necessary and later dictionaries to effectively check and correct their own spellings. They consolidate their knowledge of vowels and consonants, through regular spelling tests and some dictation pieces.
Handwriting: It is important to develop the use of clear and legible writing. The
children must use the correct grip on the pencil and the correct posture. We encourage a joined and fluent style and introduce pens at the teacher’s discretion.
Drama: There are weekly drama lessons, where the children have the opportunity to express themselves in mime and role play. The children take part in a class assembly and will have the opportunity to take part in an annual production in the Performance Experience Workshop.
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MATHEMATICS
Our aim is to encourage pupils to enjoy maths and to become confident and
competent in the manipulation of numbers. The emphasis is on developing pupils’ understanding of the four operations and to present them with a variety of strategies in order to solve problems.
By the end of Year 3, pupils should have a sound knowledge of at least x5, x10, x2, x4 and x3 tables.
Maths follows the national Numeracy Strategy guidelines within the Collins Primary Maths Scheme. Support and extension work is given to pupils as appropriate from a wide resource base.
Topics are covered termly, providing the opportunity for pupils to work at their own pace and for knowledge and understanding to be adequately consolidated.
Homework is given twice a week in order to reinforce concepts covered in class and will include learning tables.
ICT programs are used to reinforce and extend the children’s learning.
SCIENCE
Pupils have two Science lessons per week, each one being two periods on the timetable (70 minutes). We follow the National Curriculum’s QCA scheme of work and also the Common Entrance 11+ syllabus (which is based on the National Curriculum). The depth of study is frequently greater than that required by the National Curriculum, thus standing them in good stead for their senior schools.
Practical work is an important part of Littlegarth Science. There are demonstrations, but the emphasis is on pupil-participation, as children learn more by "doing" than by watching. They carry out many investigations and experiments, made possible by their having lessons in a purpose-built and well equipped Science laboratory, designed specifically for children aged 7 to 11. We aim to make Science interesting, relevant and fun.
One homework is set each week. This may involve completing a sheet to consolidate class work, reading some information, carrying out a simple practical task or completing a task on the computer at home, including using the internet.
In Year 3 we aim to cover the following: the characteristics and properties of materials; magnets and springs; teeth and eating; rocks and soils; light and shadows; human and animal skeletons.
FRENCH
We work under the following topic titles, giving mostly oral practice in the basic
vocabulary. All children are encouraged to participate as often as possible during every lesson in order to increase confidence, and to improve word recognition. Some written work is also covered, but the emphasis is always on constant repetition of gradually increasing vocabulary. Information about France is also introduced so that children understand that the language is 'real' and not just an abstract concept.
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Topics to be covered include: numbers up to 50; colours; days of the week and months; questions and answers (e.g. How old are you? What is your name?),
animals, parts of the body, clothes, the family, seasons, the weather, the classroom, shops, the house, food, polite words and phrases (e.g. bonjour, merci, s'il vous plait etc.)
To reinforce the work, simple worksheets are used, and pictures are drawn and
labelled whenever appropriate. Games and songs are also used on the same basis.
GEOGRAPHY
Even though we have subject teaching there are very strong cross curricular links in our Geography topics. In Year 3 pupils investigate places and themes across a
widening range of scales.
The topics this year are: investigating our local area; mapping skills, settlement
studies, and a village in India.
ICT will be used to handle data. There will be fieldwork and children will have plenty of opportunities to improve their geographical knowledge with the use of maps, plans, atlases and aerial photographs.
HISTORY
This year children will study the Romans.
After an initial introduction to History through archaeological studies, the topic will
include a study of the Celts, the Romans and some aspects of Anglo Saxon life. We shall look at the reasons why they came, their home life, religion, weapons of warfare and their legacy.
During the year we visit ColchesterCastleMuseum and have a ‘Roman’ day. We use computer software and recorded T.V. programmes to enhance our studies. There will be many opportunities for cross-curricular links within the topic and we also visit Foxburrow Farm to study the Saxon way of life.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The children will be studying topics relating to Christianity, including sacred texts, signs and symbols. They will also be learning about religious buildings and what we know about Jesus.
PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION
Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education enables children to become healthy, independent and responsible members of society, in line with the Governments initiative of “Every Child Matters”. We encourage our children to play a
positive role in contributing to the life of the school and the wider community. In
doing so, we help develop their sense of self-worth.
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In Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6), children learn about themselves as growing and changing individuals with their own experiences and ideas, and as members of their communities. They become more mature, independent and self-confident. They learn about the wider world and the interdependence of communities within it. They develop their sense of social justice and moral responsibility and begin to understand that their own choices and behaviour can affect local, national or global issues and political and social institutions. They learn how to take part more fully in school and community activities. As they begin to develop into young adults, they face the changes of puberty and transfer to secondary school with support and encouragement from their school. They learn how to make more confident and informed choices about their health and environment; to take more responsibility, individually and as a group, for their own learning; and to resist bullying.
Topics covered in Year 3 will include:
Support networks– children identify positive things about themselves, investigate the qualities they value in others and learn the skills of developing and maintaining friendships.
How do rules and laws affect me? - children learn about rules and how laws are made in a democracy. They develop their appreciation of why we need rules to protect rights and how they help us - at home, at school and in our wider communities.
Making choices for a healthy life– children learn about what makes a healthy lifestyle. They find out about important aspects of physical, emotional and social health.
Special people– children learn what is meant by ‘special people’ and what it means to have them in their lives. They learn about developing effective relationships, including how to identify adults that they can trust and how to talk to them and ask for help. They learn about friendships, family relationships and how people can care for each other.
Developing our school grounds - children help to plan, consult on and implement ways of improving their school grounds.
New Beginnings - to allow each child to spend some time finding out about another child in the class. They will use their findings to realise that everybody in the class is different, interesting and everybody should be respected.
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
We follow the QCA guidelines for teaching ICT. The following ‘strands’ are covered in Year 3. ICT is used to enhance and develop learning across all school subjects.
Combining text and graphics:
using font size and type to produce different effects
highlighting text, over typing and saving changes
inserting a graphic from a clip art file and resizing
copying/pasting graphics from a CD ROM.
using the shiftkey
centre, left and right alignment.
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Manipulating sound/Designing Animations:
recording sounds
using symbols to organise and recognise sounds
combining live and electronic sounds
designing a computer animation – linking with appropriate music score
creating own animation figures
Databases:
collecting and sorting information in fields and record cards
exploring record cards
creating and searching databases
creating bar charts
Simulations:
exploring options using CD ROMs
evaluating computer simulations
exploring the effects of changing variables in simulation
E-mails:
reading, annotating and replying to e-mails using an address book and adding
attachments
gathering information
MUSIC
The children will be encouraged to use a wide variety of tuned and untuned
instruments. They will be investigating different musical sounds which can represent actions and sounds in everyday life. They start to consider tempo and dynamics in their compositions.
All Year 3 children will be continuing to learn the descant recorder, with more notes and songs being introduced and will start to learn to play in parts.
They will be listening to a variety of music from different periods of history and from
different cultures.
There will be an opportunity to join the school choirs, orchestra,African drumming, windband and samba band. Those children who learn to play an
instrument are invited to play in music concerts which are held after school.
DRAMA
‘Drama is life’: this definition is the all important principle explained in the first term’s
introduction. Through the use of drama techniquesand performance the children will begin to explore life skills that include: teamwork, communication, listening, physical control, observation and problem solving. These skills will help in the building of
confidence, increased attention span, focus and concentration. The children will be given a range of drama exercises and games to stimulate their imagination and
creativity. Various disciplines will be explored in the presentation of short classroom role plays and self-devised pieces. Some stagecraft will be introduced and will
include: vocal coaching, simple mime, movement and spontaneous improvisation.
There will be opportunities to perform in front of different audiences.
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ART
Through art, the children are given the opportunity to explore a variety of different
media. It is a subject in which the children can achieve their personal best and be proud of their work. We encourage self expression and development of the imagination.
The children will have the opportunity to explore many different artistic techniques using paint, pencil, crayon, pastel, chalk, charcoal, clay, wax, paper, card and
textiles.
Increasing observational awareness will be a priority and they will hopefully learn to
appreciate and gain from the work of their peers and other artists.
DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
In Design Technology lessons the children will be encouraged to identify, examine and solve practical problems using a range of materials and tools. A variety of
focused activities will be undertaken in order to learn basic skills and techniques. Many of these projects will link directly with other areas of the curriculum.
SPORT
Sport at Littlegarth has grown immensely during the past few years. In addition to the pursuit of excellence, dedicated and specialist staff provide great opportunities for every child. Children in the Prep Department participate in PE and Games
lessons, where the emphasis is on fun, skill development, leadership skills and teamwork. We always aim to provide a positive and stimulating learning environment for all the pupils, providing them with the foundations to encourage them to enjoy sport throughout their lives.
Our major boys’ sports are football, rugby and cricket. The girls play hockey, netball and rounders. There is also the opportunity to enjoy and develop skills in athletics, cross country, swimming, basketball, gymnastics and tennis. Some of the children in Year 3 and above will have the opportunity to represent Littlegarth in matches and competitions against other schools each term. We also compete in Regional events in athletics, cross country, netball and swimming, with a regular number of competitors going on to enjoy success at national level.