Spring 2

Welcome back! We are excited to start a new term with Year 3 and can’t wait to see all the learning, creativity, and curiosity that the children will bring. Please share anything your child does at home on ClassDojo – we love seeing the connections they make with their learning!

Maths:

This term, Year 3 will focus on fractions, mass, and capacity. Children will learn to add and subtract fractions, explore unit and non-unit fractions of a set amount, and begin to reason with fractions in different contexts.

Later in the term, children will explore mass and capacity, measuring in kilograms, grams, and litres, and learning to use scales accurately. They will practise dividing 100 into equal parts using number lines, identifying interval gaps, and applying this understanding to a range of measurement contexts. This will then be extended to other multiples of 100.

Throughout the term, children will also continue to build their arithmetic skills to through daily practice with Number and Lightning activities, reinforcing their fluency and confidence with calculations.

Vocabulary:

quarter, third, half, whole, equivalent, fraction, part, equal, compare, add and subtract: lengths (m/cm/mm); mass (kg/g); volume/capacity (l/ml).

English:

Our model text this term is The Garden, a portal story that takes the reader from the real world into a magical new setting. Through this text, children will explore how authors describe settings in detail and how openings and endings can hook the reader and bring a story to a satisfying close.

The children will develop their descriptive writing by using rich vocabulary and well-chosen adjectives, focusing on sights, sounds and feelings. A particular emphasis will be placed on using weather to create atmosphere and mood, for example: “Thunder rumbled through the darkness.”

Throughout the unit, the children will practise writing sentences and short paragraphs that build suspense and engage the reader. They will plan, draft and edit their own portal stories, learning how to improve their work through discussion and feedback. By the end of the term, children will produce their own imaginative story openings and endings, demonstrating their growing confidence as young writers.

Text for enjoyment – Leon and the place between by Angela McAllister and Graham Baker Smith and Krindlekrax by Philip Ridley.

Vocabulary:

Portal, warning, breath-taking, magnificent, awe-inspiring, glorious, spectacular, eerie, spine-chilling, unnerving, sinister, frightening, creepy

Science – Light:

Science this term will focus on the topic of Light. Children will learn that darkness is the absence of light and that we need light in order to see objects around us. They will explore a range of natural and artificial light sources and investigate how light travels and is reflected from different surfaces.

Children will learn how shadows are formed when light from a source is blocked by a solid object and will explore how the position of the light source can affect the size and shape of shadows. They will also learn that light from the sun can be dangerous and understand the importance of protecting their eyes, including using simple safety measures such as wearing sunglasses or avoiding direct sunlight.

Throughout the unit, children will take part in practical, hands-on investigations, allowing them to ask questions, make predictions and record their findings. These activities will help develop their scientific enquiry skills while encouraging curiosity and a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Vocabulary:

Light, eyes, light sources, natural artificial, protect, reflection, shiny, dull, opaque, transparent, shadow, translucent, independent variable (what will change), dependent variable (what will be measured), controlled variables (what is kept the same), conclusion, evaluation.

History – British History – Why did the Romans invade and settle in Britain?

This term, Year 3 will be learning about Ancient Rome and how it affected Britain. Children will explore what life was like for people in Ancient Rome and learn important words such as empire, invasion and settlement.

They will find out why the Romans invaded Britain and how the Celts reacted. Children will also learn about the Roman army and why it was so successful.

Using artefacts, children will discover what life was like for Roman soldiers in Britain. They will also look at the legacy of the Romans, including roads, towns and language, and think about which changes were the most important.

Vocabulary: 

archaeology, border, chronology, civilisation, conquer, emperor, empire, expand, government, hygiene, impact, invasion, leisure, myth, primary source, secondary source, sequence, settlement

PE:

Gymnastics (indoor):

In PE this term, children will be developing their gymnastics skills. They will practise rolling, balancing, stretching, and creating their own sequences. The children will also learn to use smaller apparatus, such as benches, safely and effectively to enhance their movements.

Vocabulary:

Roll, balance- points and patches, agility, evaluate, sequence/ combination, transition, linking movements, core strength 

QAA (outdoor):

In PE this term, Year 3 will be taking part in orienteering activities. Children will learn how to use maps and coordinates accurately, starting with simple maps and grids before moving on to navigate the whole space. These activities will help develop their spatial awareness, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

Vocabulary:

orienteering, map, coordinates, grid, route, navigate, spatial awareness, teamwork, problem-solving, direction, compass, plan, control, observation, movement, accuracy, challenge

Religion and World Views - What happens if we do wrong?

This term the children will be analysing consequences of wrongdoing by exploring different perspectives and thinking about why confessions might be important after wrongdoing. We will look at how some religious people seek God’s forgiveness after wrongdoing and investigate some beliefs about what happens to the soul after repentance. We will investigate some Christian beliefs about cleansing the soul and explore some Hindu beliefs on how actions can affect the soul.

Vocabulary:

Cleansed, choice, confession, Confessional, consequences, forgiveness, immoral, infant, intention, karma, mercy, moral, Original sin, priest, Prophet Muhammad, repentance, reunite, sacrament, sin, severe, wrongdoing, ultimate

Design Technology – Cooking and nutrition: Eating seasonally  

This term, Year 3 will be exploring seasonal foods in Design & Technology. Children will learn about the benefits of eating foods in season and evaluate a variety of seasonal ingredients. They will then use their knowledge and creativity to design a mock-up tarte and, after making it, reflect on and evaluate their dish, considering what worked well and how it could be improved.

Vocabulary:

Seasonal foods, ingredients, evaluate, design, mock-up, dish, healthy, taste, texture, presentation

Music – Developing Singing Techniques (Theme: The Vikings):

In Music this term, Year 3 will be learning to sing and perform together. Children will explore simple rhythmic notation, both by ear and by sight, and use it to compose their own Viking battle song. The children will also develop their ability to perform music with confidence and discipline.

Vocabulary:

Accuracy, backing track, beat, body percussion, call and response, composition, co-ordinated, crotchet, discipline, duration, melody, in-time, in-tune, dynamics, layer, lyrics, key change, major key, minim, minor key, notation, tempo, part, pulse, quaver, rehearse, rhythm, rhythmic notation, sound effects, stave, notation, tempo, tension, tune, vocal warm-up

Computing: Computing systems and networks 3: Journey inside a computer

In Computing this term, Year 3 will learn to recognise the basic inputs and outputs of computers. Children will also explore the components of devices by decomposing a laptop and a tablet, helping them understand how technology works.

Vocabulary:

Algorithm, assemble, CPU (central processing unit), data, decompose, desktop, disassemble, GPU (graphics processing unit), hard drive, HDD (hard disk drive), infinite loop, input, keyboard, laptop, memory, microphone, monitor, mouse, output, photocopier, program, QR Code, RAM (random access memory), ROM (read only memory), storage, tablet device, technology, touchscreen, touchpad

My Happy Mind – Celebrate

This term, Year 3 will be exploring the Celebrate unit from the My Happy Mind programme. Children will learn the importance of recognising and celebrating achievements, both big and small, and reflecting on what makes them feel proud.

Children will explore strategies to build positivity and gratitude, understand how to acknowledge their own strengths, and appreciate the strengths of others. Through discussions, activities, and reflections, children will develop their self-awareness, resilience, and confidence, helping them to feel proud of themselves and celebrate successes in everyday life.

Vocabulary:

achievements, pride, positivity, gratitude, strengths, self-awareness, resilience, confidence, reflection, success, happiness, celebration, appreciation, goals, encouragement, motivation

PSHE – Friendships and Families and close Positive Relationships

This term, Year 3 will be exploring friendships, families, and building close positive relationships. Children will learn about the importance of respect, kindness, and empathy in their interactions with others.

Children will discuss different types of relationships, including friendships and family connections, and consider how to maintain healthy, supportive relationships. They will explore ways to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and show appreciation for others, helping them to develop strong social and emotional skills for everyday life.

Vocabulary:

friendship, family, relationship, respect, kindness, empathy, support, communication, conflict, appreciation, trust, cooperation, listening, sharing, emotions, feelings, healthy, positive, teamwork

Important diary dates:

23/02/26 - Start of term

05/03/26 – World Book Day

11/3/26 – British Science Week Celebration Day

18/03/26 – Parent/Carer event. 2.30pm until 3pm

20/03/26 – Comic Relief Lunch

23/03/2025 and 25/03/2025 – Consultation evenings

27/03/26 – Easter egg raffle

27/03/26 - End of Term