Welcome to Year 3

Staff in Year 3  Mrs Carrier  Mr Keight  Miss Smith  Mrs Wilson

The School Day  Mornings –Morning Challenge –Mon-Thu – Numeracy and Literacy –Friday – R.E./P.S.H.E., Music, Reading and I.C.T.) –2 break times  Lunch  Afternoon class based (Creative, Science, P.E., Art)

Morning Challenge  Children come into the classroom at 8.45am.  As the children arrive a member of staff is available for any concerns or problems that you may wish to discuss. Alternatively, class teachers are available at the end of the school day.  Organise book bag, dinner money, reading book etc.  Refer to white board for the morning’s challenge.  Settle down to complete challenge independently.

Activ8  Activ8 is a progressive set of exercises, designed to stimulate and wake up the brain ready to focus on the day ahead.  It takes place after morning and afternoon registration (approx. 5 mins).  It has been found to improve children’s coordination and concentration.

Numeracy and Literacy  Children are organised into 2 sets appropriate to their confidence and ability.  All children cover the same curriculum with just the pace and levels of support varying.  Any specific areas of difficulty or strengths are addressed in target teaching/ intervention groups.

Numeracy  We have a School Calculation Policy which can be downloaded from the School Website. The booklet explains the various approaches to calculation learning in Numeracy. These strategies are taught throughout school progressively.  In addition to everyday class learning Springboard and Wave 3 (Government Initiative Intervention Programmes) sessions are organised for children who lack confidence in certain areas.

Literacy During Literacy lessons, emphasis is placed upon; During Literacy lessons, emphasis is placed upon;  Developing children’s phonic understanding in reading and writing.  Understanding and appreciating a range of texts during guided reading sessions.  Developing handwriting skills.  Learning grammar and spellings. Literacy (supported by creative lessons) and Guided Reading sessions both provide ample opportunity for the children to read and discuss and enjoy a wide range of texts. Literacy (supported by creative lessons) and Guided Reading sessions both provide ample opportunity for the children to read and discuss and enjoy a wide range of texts.

Reading Books  Reading books are colour banded to allow children to choose a wider range of books appropriate to their reading ability.  All children will have been allocated a reading slot but please try to have reading books in school every day.  We have added an additional reading session to our timetable on Friday mornings to our timetable on Friday mornings to ensure that we are following new to ensure that we are following new curriculum guidelines. curriculum guidelines.

Handwriting  The children will have focussed handwriting sessions each week with the aim of achieving a legible cursive script.  We would encourage parents to give children lots of opportunities to practise their handwriting and presentation as some children can find this transition challenging.

Interventions  In year 3 we deliver a variety of different intervention groups which ensure that children are achieving their full potential.  These interventions can be for any child, including those who have gaps in their knowledge, those who are not achieving their expected targets and for gifted and talented children.  The focus of intervention groups are to support Literacy and Numeracy learning targets.

Homework  Literacy and Numeracy homework will be given weekly (Thursday) and will need to be completed and handed in by Tuesday.  A child should spend no longer than 30 minutes on each piece of homework.  We welcome any comments you or the children may wish to make if difficulties arise.  The work given will usually be relevant to the curriculum covered that week.  We also will be expecting the children to learn spelling patterns and times tables to supplement their learning.  In addition, each term, an independent piece of work based on research will be undertaken. This will support the topic being studied.  The homework is set according to ability and the children should be able to complete the tasks independently. However, parental guidance and encouragement is invaluable, thank you!  The homework is set according to ability and the children should be able to complete the tasks independently. However, parental guidance and encouragement is invaluable, thank you!

Creative Curriculum  Again, this year the Foundation subjects will be taught through a cross curricular approach which has been shown to improve basic skills and independent learning.  Over the year the three topics planned will ensure that a broad range of skills are developed.  The Core subjects are also taught separately and then reinforced throughout the topics.

General Organisation  As children enter and progress throughout Key Stage 2 we encourage them to be independent and responsible for organising themselves and their own belongings.  PLEASE help by ensuring all belongings are NAMED.  PE kit should be available all week, as children may be participating in either creative PE sessions or extra-curricular activities at any time during the week.  Trainers and tracksuits are required for outdoor P.E.

Extra-Curricular Activities  A wide range of activities take place during lunch times and after school.  These vary throughout the year and are offered to different year groups.  Your child will be informed of the activities taking place and given the opportunity to take part.

Thank You! Any questions?