Autumn 1
AUTUMN 1
Welcome back, and a very warm welcome to Year 3!
We are so excited to begin our Year 3 journey together.
This term, our main focus is on settling into Year 3, developing confidence when working both independently and collaboratively, and, most importantly, enjoying our learning. We believe that children learn best when learning is engaging, accessible and fun.
Throughout the term, we will continue to develop a positive growth mindset, encouraging everyone to challenge themselves and believe in their abilities. Together, we know we can achieve great things!
Take a look below to find out what we will be learning about this term.
English
Our class text for enjoyment this term is The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton.
This half-term, children will work towards writing an independent narrative. Our focus text will be Jack and the Beanstalk, exploring the familiar story structure of defeating a monster. We will look closely at the characters, the plot and the techniques authors use to build suspense. Children will also be encouraged to use drama and role-play to deepen their understanding of the story and develop their confidence when speaking and performing.
During our Reading for Inference sessions, children will learn to use their background knowledge and visualisation skills to bring a text to life. They will develop their ability to make inferences by finding evidence within the text to support their answers. Children will also practise working out the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary by reading the surrounding sentences for clues and using synonyms (alternative words with similar meanings) to help them understand words in context.
This term, we will also be using Fluency Factory to develop children's reading fluency. Through regular practice with a range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry texts, children will build confidence in reading accurately, smoothly and with expression. They will learn to read at an appropriate pace, paying attention to punctuation and intonation, helping them to deepen their understanding and enjoyment of what they read.
Vocabulary
Suspense, narrative, introduction, conclusion, opinion, transition, feelings, settings, story, title, complication, events, climax, resolution, time, place, characters, appearance, personality, mood, plot, tension, suspense, entertain, teach, inform, viewpoint, descriptive language, novels, paragraphs, direct speech, fluency, key word, important, specific, recover, meaning, relate, relationship, annotate, unpick, understand, evidence, relevant, accurate.
Maths
Place Value and Addition and Subtraction
We will start the term with a focus on place value as this underpins all Mathematics. We will be recapping tens and ones using addition and developing our number knowledge to 1000 where we will compare and order numbers. Children will begin to count in 50s.
We will also be continuing number and lightening, children will be recording their scores independently enabling them to track and be proud of their own progress.
Vocabulary
Ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, place value, digit, value, amount, compare, more than, less than, equal, ascending, descending, rounding, nearest, total, method, trial, error, systematic
Other Curriculum Areas
Science – Skeletons, movement, nutrition and diet
Skeletons
This term in Science, children will explore the human body and learn about the important functions of the skeleton, including support, protection and movement. They will identify and name the major bones in the human body and compare skeletons across a range of animals. Children will learn the difference between vertebrates (animals with a backbone) and invertebrates (animals without a backbone), identifying examples of each and investigating how skeletons help animals survive in their environments.
Movement
This term in Science, children will explore the human body and learn about the important functions of the skeleton, including support, protection and movement. They will identify and name the major bones in the human body and compare skeletons across a range of animals. Children will learn the difference between vertebrates (animals with a backbone) and invertebrates (animals without a backbone), identifying examples of each and investigating how skeletons help animals survive in their environments. They will also learn about joints and how they allow our bodies to move, exploring the different ways our bones and muscles work together to help us bend, stretch, run and jump.
Nutrition and Diet
Towards the end of the term, children will explore the five main food groups and develop their understanding of the role each plays in keeping our bodies healthy. They will learn about the importance of eating a balanced diet and investigate how the diets of humans compare with those of different animals, considering how diet helps living things to grow, stay healthy and survive.
Vocabulary
Skeleton, skull, ribcage, pelvis, femur, mammal, amphibian, reptile, antennae, exoskeleton, joint, hinge, bicep, tricep, contracting, relaxing, healthy, nutrients, saturated fats, unsaturated fats, vertebrate, invertebrate, muscles, tendons, joints, nutrition
Computing
Online safety / Computing systems and networks 1: Networks and the Internet
This term, children will be introduced to the concept of computer networks and learn how devices communicate with one another. They will explore how information is shared across networks and deepen their understanding by investigating real-world examples of connected systems. Children will also learn about the Internet and discover how data is transferred around the world, helping them to understand how we communicate and access information online.
Vocabulary
Network, device, wireless, file, website, image, router, packet data, transferred, corrupted, lost
Religion and Worldviews – What makes us all human?
This term in Religious Education, children will explore the question, 'What makes us human?' They will share their own personal worldviews and consider how and why these may change over time. Children will learn the difference between personal and organised worldviews and will have opportunities to ask thoughtful, open-ended questions and respectfully discuss a range of ideas.
As part of their learning, children will explore the concept of the soul, considering what it means to them personally and learning that many people and religions believe humans have a soul. They will compare different beliefs about the soul, identifying similarities and differences, and express their own ideas while respecting the views of others.
Children will also investigate how colour and imagery can be used in artwork to represent ideas about the soul or inner self. They will learn about Buddhist meditation practices, exploring their purpose and the reasons why many Buddhists choose to meditate. By the end of the unit, children will draw together their learning to explain how different worldviews help people answer the question, 'What makes us human?'
Vocabulary
Belief, blurb, Buddhist, connection, consciousness, exist, express, immaterial, influence, inner self, meditation, mindfulness, organised, personal, practice, represent, responsible, soul, spiritual, summarise, unique, worldview
Art and Design - Structures: Product packaging
This term in Art, children will explore how flat nets can be transformed into strong 3D structures. They will investigate different types of packaging, considering how shape, size, strength and purpose influence a design. Children will then use their creativity and problem-solving skills to design, make and evaluate their own original packaging.
Vocabulary
Structure, shell structure, net, 3D, three-dimensional, 2D, two-dimensional, packaging, fold, tab, flap, join, strength, design, prototype, evaluate, function
Music - Reading rhythms: Patterns and layers
This term in Music, children will explore how voices, body percussion and tuned percussion can be combined to create exciting layers of sound. They will experiment with rhythm, pitch and dynamics while developing their listening, teamwork and performance skills to create and perform their own layered musical pieces.
Vocabulary
Layer, rhythm, pulse, beat, pitch, melody, dynamics, tempo, percussion, tuned percussion, body percussion, vocal sounds, pattern, texture, ensemble, perform, compose, improvise, accompaniment, ostinato
British History 1: Would you have preferred to live in the Stone Age, Bronze Age or Iron Age?
This term, children will be investigating life in prehistoric Britain by exploring the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages and placing them within a wider historical timeline.
Vocabulary
Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age, prehistory, prehistoric, chronology, timeline, hunter-gatherer, nomad, settlement, tribe, farming, agriculture, archaeologist, archaeology, artefact, evidence, tools, weapons, shelter, dwelling, flint, bronze, iron, metalworking, technology, trade, community, burial, monument, roundhouse, hillfort, change, continuity
Physical Education
Tennis – Children will develop their understanding of the ready position and learn how to prepare their bodies for successful shots. They will practise hitting a ball using both forehand and backhand swings, developing control and accuracy. Children will work with partners to rally using controlled movements and will learn to follow the basic rules of tennis while demonstrating good sportsmanship, teamwork and respect for others.
Vocabulary
Racket, ready position, forehand, swing, rally footwork
Dance – Cha Cha – Children will explore the rhythm, beat and style of Cha Cha music, developing their understanding of how movement can reflect different types of music. They will learn and perform basic Cha Cha steps with the correct timing and sequence. Children will have the opportunity to create their own dance routines, performing both independently and as part of a group while developing confidence, coordination and creativity.
Vocabulary
Cha Cha, rhythm, step, shuffle, rock step, Chassé, partner, leader, follower, beat, count, posture, hip action, routine, tempo, latin dance, expression
Latin
Unit 1: The Origins of Language
This term, children will explore the fascinating origins of language and discover how humans have developed different ways to communicate over time. They will investigate how languages began, why people use language, and how languages can change and evolve across different communities and cultures.
Children will explore the connections between spoken language, written language and symbols, considering how people have shared ideas, stories and information throughout history. They will learn about the importance of language in helping us express ourselves, build relationships and understand the world around us.
Through discussions, activities and exploration of different languages, children will develop their curiosity about words, communication and the diverse ways people share meaning.
Vocabulary
language, communication, words, speech, sounds, meaning, vocabulary, origin, beginnings, history, evolution, change, develop, spoken language, written language, symbols, signs, gestures, expression, storytelling, alphabet, letters, writing, reading, culture, community, dialect, accent, translation, similarities, differences, diversity, ancient, modern, discover
My Happy Mind / PSHE
Happy Minds – Meet Your Brain
This term, children will begin their Happy Minds journey by exploring the fascinating world of the brain and discovering how it influences the way we think, feel and behave. They will learn about the different parts of the brain and how each part has an important role in helping us learn, make decisions and manage our emotions.
Children will explore the idea that our brains can grow and change through practice, effort and positive choices. They will develop an understanding of how thoughts and feelings are connected and learn strategies to help them recognise and manage their emotions.
Through discussions, activities and reflection, children will build self-awareness, confidence and resilience, helping them to understand themselves and others more positively.
Vocabulary
brain, mind, thoughts, feelings, emotions, behaviour, learning, memory, focus, concentration, resilience, confidence, self-awareness, growth mindset, positive choices, challenge, effort, practice, improve, change, develop, strategies, calm, reflection, empathy, understanding, decision-making, reactions, feelings, emotions, habits, neurons, connections, imagination, creativity
Key Dates
Autumn term starts – Thursday 3rd September 2026
Jeans for Genes Day - Thursday 25th September 2026
Halloween Lunch and Disco - Thursday 22nd October 2026
End of Autumn 1 - Friday 23rd October 2026