1. Literacy This half term we will begin with some work on poetry; exploring language and word play. We will learn to use the features of alliteration and onomatopoeia. Following on from this we will learn about Explanation texts; making links with Science and writing about the Water Cycle. If there is time then we will start to read and write Mystery Stories, perhaps in connection with our local History work. We will continue with our other weekly Literacy activities such as Big Writing, Handwriting, Spelling and guided reading. Check out the link texts and suggestions for further reading on the next page… Year 3 Summer 1 2014

2. Link texts/Further reading – Poetry The Works – chosen by Paul Cookson The Works 4 – chosen by Pie Corbett and Gaby Morgan We Couldnt Provide Fish Thumbs – James Berry Mustard Custard Grumble Belly and Gravy – Michael Rosen and Quentin Blake Funky Chickens – Benjamin Zephaniah The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales – Jon Scieszka

3. Link texts/Further Reading – Mystery Stories Who Pushed Humpty Dumpty? And Other Notorious Nursery Tale Mysteries – David Levinthal and John Nickle Ruby Redfort books – Lauren Child Dead Mans Cove (Laura Marlin Mysteries) – Lauren St John The Diamond Brothers Mysteries – Anthony Horowitz Grk and the Hot Dog Trail – Joshua Doder Murder and Chips (A Jiggy McCue Story) – Michael Lawrence

4. Maths This half term we will be; Rounding 2 and 3 digit numbers, Practising the 4 and 8 times tables Using compass points and right-angles Learning to use the grid method for multiplication and a simple version of chunking for doing division Solving problems involving weight and scaling And Learning to use coordinates on an x and y grid

5. Science In Science this half term we will be learning about Plants. We will learn about the parts of the plan, the lifecycle and the requirements for life. We will plan and carry out our own experiments, testing which conditions are needed for plants to grow well.

6. History/Geography This term we will focus on the history and geography of the local area. We will use fieldwork to observe, measure and record what the local area is like. We will improve our ability to read and understand maps and to use the points of a compass.

7. Music We will continue to learn how to play the Ukulele. We will also continue learning how to read and write chords and to understand musical terms such as pitch, dynamics and tempo. We hope to perform another Ukulele concert later in the Summer Term. Each week we will sing new and old songs as part of whole school singing, and improve our ability to perform different pieces to an audience. Art/DT This half term we will do some work on mechanical systems for DT and look at the theme of buildings in Art, to make links with our History and Geography topics.

8. PE/Games We will start the Summer Term by doing Athletics; focusing on running, jumping and throwing skills. We will also choose a new club for Friday afternoons. PSHE/RRS Our theme for this half term will be Relationships. This will mainly be about relationships with friends and family and the people we connect with on a daily basis. We will learn how to deal with problems in relationships. Article 8 – governments must respect and protect a childs identity and prevent their name, nationality or family relationships from being changed unlawfully. Article 15 – every child has the right to meet with other children and young people and to join groups and organisations.

9. RE This half term we will focus on Leadership; recognising the characteristics of a leader and learning about some of the important leaders of Islam and Christianity including Mohammed and Jesus. We will learn about some of the other key faith founders for Sikhism and Buddhism. ICT We are becoming programmers by using Scratch during this unit. We will be creating an animation about plant growth using what they learn in Science. They will use a paint tool to create the plants and backgrounds they need. They will then create the animation by translating their life cycle knowledge into a series of scripted instructions (program) for graphic objects. As part of this unit children will be learning how to debug programs by finding errors that occur in their programs.

10. KEY DATES THIS HALF TERM Tuesday 29 th April – Year 3 & 4 Football at High Wycombe Thursday 1 st May – Literacy Information Evening Tuesday 6 th May – Year 2 & 3 Football Festival at Holtspur School Monday 19 th May to Friday 23 rd May – Assessment Week Monday 19 th May – Year 3 & 4 Hockey Tournament at Beaconsfield High School Friday 23 rd May – Break up for Half Term Monday 2 nd June – INSET Day Tuesday 3 rd June – Children return to school

11. Handed outCollected in MathsMondayThursday Talk homeworkWednesday Have ideas for Fridays lesson LiteracyThursdayMonday PE days are Monday and Friday. Please make sure you have the correct kit, labeled and in school all week. Earrings must be removed for PE.