Welcome to Our Chaffinch Class Page!

English

This term, Year 3 dive into Stig of the Dump by Clive King. Through daily reading, children will explore rich vocabulary, similes, metaphors, and understand character, setting, and plot development.

In writing, pupils will create their own stories inspired by the book, write letters, and explore non-fiction linked to Geography. They’ll also enjoy performing and responding to poems like Jabberwocky, building expression, fluency, and a love of language. Grammar, punctuation, and sentence skills run throughout, helping children become confident writers.

Maths

Year 3 focus on numbers up to 1000, learning place value with hundreds, tens, and ones. They’ll practice reading, writing, partitioning, and ordering numbers confidently. Using practical tools, children will compare numbers, solve real-life problems, estimate, and explain their reasoning clearly. This term lays a strong foundation for future maths learning.

Science

Building on Year 2, children explore body systems that keep us moving and healthy. They’ll learn about voluntary and involuntary muscles, the skeletal system, and key bones and joints. Pupils will study the nervous system, how the brain and spinal cord send messages, and revisit senses. Later, they’ll explore the digestive system and the importance of a balanced diet. By term’s end, children understand how body systems work together.

History

Year 3 travel back 10,000 years to explore life in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age. They’ll learn about the three Stone Age phases and how farming and metalwork changed lives. Children discover key sites like Stonehenge, Skara Brae, and Must Farm, and how archaeologists use artefacts, and human remains like Cheddar Man to learn history. Using timelines, they explore continuity and change, building a clear chronological understanding.

Geography

Year 3 develop map skills by learning the eight-point compass, grid references, and Ordnance Survey symbols. They’ll use geographical vocabulary to describe and compare locations. Building on Year 2, pupils apply skills to more detailed maps, thinking like geographers and preparing for future geography work.

Art

Children revisit the element of line, studying artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Van Gogh. They experiment in sketchbooks with different line styles to show shape, tone, and texture. They’ll explore woodblock prints by Hokusai and create their own monoprints using polystyrene, building on Year 2 skills and preparing for future printing projects.

Music

Year 3 explore off-beat rhythms through songs like Hound Dog (Elvis), I Got You (James Brown), and Le Freak (Chic). They learn how emphasis on beats 2 and 4 creates this style. Children identify instruments typical of rock and funk, then create off-beat compositions using chanting, clapping, and body percussion. The unit also revisits rhythm notation, adding new note values.

RE

Pupils learn the Biblical Creation Story, discussing the order of creation and how the world is special and cared for by God. They reflect on caring for the environment and explore different beliefs about how the world began.

PSHE

Year 3 focus on building a happy, safe school community. They learn to create positive relationships, manage new situations, and help others feel welcome. Topics include resilience, managing feelings, responsibility, and knowing who to ask for help. Pupils create class rules and understand support networks.

PE

This term focuses on improving ball-handling accuracy and consistency. Children practice drills and use skills in small-sided games. They also observe and evaluate performances to understand and improve their technique

Computing

Year 3 develop coding skills using Purple Mash’s 2Code. They learn about flowcharts, timers, the “repeat” command, and nesting code blocks.

Students create interactive scenes, solve problems, and debug errors. Key vocabulary includes algorithm, input, and output. By the end, children confidently design simple programs.

In our class you will find:

Class Teacher:  Mrs Braisby

HLTA: Mrs Rodda and Miss Bradley

Teaching Assistants:  Mrs Swain and Mrs Ecobici

Contact Us:  office@st-johns-pri.cambs.sch.uk

Our PE days will be:  Monday