Class 3 Blog

• 
  18

  Mar

  Polar Explorers Launch Day

  Posted by Ms S Tough

  We were excited to find that a corner of our classroom has been transformed into a Polar Research Station this morning! Our new topic is called 'Polar Explorers.' Over the next six weeks, we will be learning about life in the polar regions, discovering information about wildlife and habitats. We will be considering the impact that global warming is having on the polar regions, and will think about how we can unite as citizens to protect the poles from melting further. To kick start our topic, we used laptops and non-fiction texts to gather and record information about Arctic and Antarctica, and could compare the poles using a venn diagram!
• 
  18

  Mar

  North vs. South

  Posted by Ms S Tough

  After gathering and sorting our information about the Arctic and Antarctica, we could make some interesting observations. Did you know that people known as inuits live in the Arctic? We had to use our creativity to construct our own shelters using pretend ice blocks (sugar cubes). Antarctica is much colder than the Arctic, which means people don't live here permanently. However, scientists from different countries visit regularly to carry out research. They carry out experiments and investigations, observe wildlife, and measure ice thickness and temperatures. We worked collaboratively to build our own miniature research stations and constructed transport to help scientists navigate across the icy desert.
• 
  08

  Mar

  How clean is your mammoth?!

  Posted by Ms S Tough

  We read a fantastic picture book this afternoon called, 'How to Wash Your Woolly Mammoth.' We particularly loved the illustrations, which had us in fits of giggles! We realised that washing a woolly mammoth in the bath is quite a tricky thing to do, so the instructions gave us lots of ideas about how to make it a lot easier. We used our illustration skills to create our own toolkit, which was bursting with things we would need to wash a rather stinky mammoth. Some of the items included a skateboard, waterproof clothing, a sturdy broom, a scary mask, a delicious cupcake and even an enormous trampoline! Sounds a little strange, doesn't it? Next week we'll be writing our own instructions which will explain a little bit more about why we need each item!
• 
  07

  Mar

  World Book Day

  Posted by Ms S Tough

  The classroom was bursting with excitement this morning, as we dressed up in our costumes to celebrate World Book Day! Check out our awesome outfits! We spent the day learning about famous illustrators, and had a great time using our creativity to create our own illustrations based on a story called 'The Elephant Garden' by Jane Ray.
• 
  07

  Mar

  Inspired by illustrations!

  Posted by Ms S Tough

  To launch world book day, we read a story called 'The Elephant Garden' by Jane Ray. We were inspired by Jane's beautiful illustrations to create our own work in a similar style. First, we had to create different types of collage paper by sponge printing and creating patterns with paints. Once dry, we each created a collage by cutting out the shapes to create our own glorious gardens, bursting with tropical trees and delicious fruits. We also worked together as a class to make a gigantic collage, using teamwork and co-operation to create our own masterpiece. What do you think?
• 
  06

  Mar

  Blasting into Space with our Pobble Launch!

  Posted by Ms S Tough

  Today, we have been working hard to become published writers! We were inspired to have our work published on Pobble, thanks to a wonderful assembly led our guest speaker, Louise. She introduced us to our theme for writing: 'My Life as a Window.' In class, we then shared some ideas for writing and thought about what a space rocket window might see, hear or feel as it blasts off on an adventurous trip into outer space. We used some amazing description words and phrases to help our stories come to life. Our teachers will be publishing some work on Pobble soon. Watch this... SPACE!
• 
  06

  Mar

  Extended Home Learning Opportunity

  Posted by Ms S Tough

  Some of the children in Year 3 have expressed a real enthusiasm for continuing their writing skills at home this week. As an optional home learning task, children may want to continue with our Pobble writing theme this week, 'My Life as a Window.' Children may choose to create their own diary entry from a window that has an interesting view. The children suggested writing from the perspective of skyscrapers, famous monuments, submarines, a haunted house or castle... be as creative as you like! Choose how to present your work. You can handwrite, use the computer, create a comic strip or come up with your own ideas. We will share the stories in class with the children!
• 
  05

  Mar

  Fantastic fractions

  Posted by Ms S Tough

  We have been exploring non-unit fractions this week. We created sets of objects using classroom equipment, such as cubes, counters, coloured pens, lollypop sticks, chalk, lego and pencils. We then used our knowledge to label fractions for each set. We asked ourselves some questions: What fraction of these lego bricks are blue? What fraction of the lollypop sticks are purple? What fraction of the pens are NOT yellow? Working in groups, we recorded our observations.
• 
  01

  Mar

  Mini Mammoths!

  Posted by Ms S Tough

  This week in English, Year 3 have been exploring instruction texts. They have used their reading skills to work out how to make their own miniature model mammoth. We had a great time making the models and the results are fantastic! Using this experience, the children then planned their own set of instructions and have been busy writing this afternoon. They have thought carefully about how to present their work, and have considered how to make their steps easy to follow using a range of imperative verbs and adverbs.
• 
  28

  Feb

  Investigating Fractions

  Posted by Ms S Tough

  This week, the children have been exploring different fractions. Using a range of 2D shapes, they have investigated ways of finding halves and quarters. The children are beginning to apply what they have learnt when calculating fractions of amounts, too. They have impressed me this week with their reasoning skills when proving what they know, using jottings to convince the rest of the class.