Blackbirds 2026 - 2027

Blackbirds Class

We are a Y3 class, taught by Mrs McKenzie and Mrs Buckley.

Here is what we are learning this term.

Maths - 

Place value within 1,000: Representing, partitioning, estimating, comparing and ordering numbers; using a number line; counting in 50s.

Addition and Subtraction: Add / Subtract 1s, 10s, 100s; Add / Subtract 1s across 10 / 10s across 100; Add / Subtract 2-digit numbers.

Multiplication and Division: Sharing and grouping; Multiples of 2, 5 and 10; Multiply / Divide by 3, 4 and 8; Problem Solving.

English - 

We begin the term with a focused block of Place Value of Punctuation and Grammar (PVPG). At an age-appropriate level, children will deepen their understanding of how sentences are constructed, exploring, discussing and applying a range of sentence structures with increasing accuracy and control.

In Autumn B, we will develop our reading and writing skills across a range of genres and text types using high quality texts.The children in year 3 will write a narrative of an approaching threat and an explanation on how to capture the Iron Man inspired by book, The Iron Man by Ted Hughes. We will be focusing on prepositions, subordinate clauses, direct speech and the use of inverted commas.

Science - 

Rocks

The children will learn to compare and group different types of rocks based on their appearance and simple physical properties. They will explore how rocks change over time and describe, in simple terms, how fossils are formed. The children will be able to recognise that soils are made from rocks and organic matter. They will report and present the results and conclusions in written and oral forms.

Animals, Including Humans.

This unit recaps the children’s learning from year 2 about how animals survive and stay healthy and helps children to learn more about what makes a healthy, balanced diet. They learn about the nutrients that different foods provide and how these nutrients help our bodies. They also explore how different animals eat different types of foods and need different proportions of nutrients. They understand what food labels on packaging show and gather information from food labels to help them to answer questions. In this unit, children also explore the different types of skeletons that animals have and compare these. They learn some names of bones in the human body and carry out an investigation to explore if people with longer femurs jump further. They discuss how to plan a fair test and measure and record accurately. Children learn about how muscles help us to move and make a simple scientific model which they use to explain to a partner how skeletal muscles work.

History -

Chronology – The Ancient Civilisations

In this unit, the children will learn that the origins of the first civilisations can be traced back to c.5000 BC with the establishment of ancient Sumer in Mesopotamia. They will learn that the development of agriculture in the New Stone Age was central to the beginning of new settlements and the first cities. They will also recognise where the ancient civilisations of Sumer, Egypt, the Indus Valley and Shang Dynasty settled and why. The children will explore key substantive concepts, such as civilisation, society, agriculture, trade and technology. They will also explore the many inventions and advances made by the first civilisations including the wheel, irrigation to aid food production and writing systems. They will use a range of sources of evidence to look in more detail at aspects of ancient people’s lives, such as their religion and beliefs. The children will investigate the work and discoveries made by archaeologists and historians and make their own interpretations of artefacts. They will conclude by looking at the cultures created by the ancient civilisations and their legacy.

Geography - 

Fieldwork – Local Land Use

Through this unit of work, the children will gain an understanding of the different ways that land is used. They will become more familiar with Ordnance Survey maps and symbols, using OS maps to identify the land use in an area and to compare the land use in their locality with other parts of the UK. The children will also develop their fieldwork enquiry skills as they plan and conduct an enquiry related to the land use in their area, with a focus on drawing sketch maps.

Computing - 

Digital Foundation 3

In this unit, the children will learn concepts and skills to develop their understanding of: technology and input and output devices; device connections; operating system familiarity; recognising icons and symbols; mouse and keyboard skills and formatting text. 

Computer Systems and Networks 3

This is a Big Question unit: How can we search the Internet safely? The children will develop their understanding of: the parts of a computer; how to connect to the Internet; how we can be safe online; utilising search engines and how to navigate to a trusted web page on the Internet. 

Art - 

Monsters, Myths and Legends

As a class, we will learn about how to design and create monsters and mythical creatures. The children will incorporate observational drawings and paintings of the natural world into their designs. There is a focus on sculpture too. The children will create clay textured eggs, a clay tile, a clay sculpture of a mythical creature and a collaborative class kraken

Design Technology - 

Let’s Go Fly a Kite

This unit gives children opportunities to develop their understanding of frame structures and how they can be strengthened and stiffened. The children will discover information about a key event involving a kite that helped shape the world. They will gain knowledge and understanding about the parts and shapes of kites. This will help them when designing and making their own kites. Finally, the children will test and evaluate their kites against design criteria they have created.

R.E. - 

Exploring Morals and Values

The children will be exploring the question: What does it mean to be good? They will have the opportunity to pose and discuss puzzling questions about the concepts of morals, values and what ‘good’ means. They will apply the ideas to Christianity as well as make comparisons with other worldviews.

Incarnation: The Holy Trinity

The children will be exploring the question: Why is the Incarnation important to Christians? This unit gives an introduction to the concept of incarnation by learning what the

Holy Trinity is and the symbols associated with it.

Music - 

Songs of Celebration

The children will explore the way music and singing are used to celebrate in different ways across the world. They will learn about different celebratory traditions and sing a number of original songs highlighting this. Using tuned and untuned percussion, the children will compose music and improvise, as well as create their own sequence of dance moves. Songs of Celebration is about sharing happiness, joy and respecting each other’s traditions.

Water Music

In this unit, the children will explore music linked to water in its many forms and instruments which use water, with a focus on staff notation and musical improvisation.

M.F.L.: French - 

Colours

The children will learn to have a short conversation about colours. They will learn vocabulary for eleven main colours and will also be introduced to the very useful French phrases ‘J’aime...’ and ‘Je n’aime pas...’. Also, the children will learn how to talk about their favourite colour ‘Ma couleur préférée est...’ through the context of artwork by the Hungarian-French artist Victor Vasarely. They will be familiar with the concept of forming negative sentences in French by using ‘ne ... pas’ as well.

Pets

The children will learn to have a short conversation about pets. They will learn vocabulary for eleven popular pets and will also use the useful French phrases 'J’aime… ' and 'Je n’aime pas…'. They will also learn to use the verb 'avoir' to say the pets that they have, as well as those that others have (he, she, we).

P.E. - 

Indoor P.E. days are on a Tuesday and outdoor P.E. is on a Wednesday.

Travelling and Jumping

The unit focuses on progressing travelling in different directions, jumping and dismounts. The primary focus is on performing these movements with control. The children will learn a variety of travelling movements such as sliding, running and chasses. These skills will then progress and link to squat-ons, jumping dismounts and sticking a landing.

Fundamental Movement

The unit focuses on locomotor movement (e.g. running, jumping, sidestepping) and object control skills through a wide variety of fun games and physical activities within each lesson. The children will develop some sport-specific object control skills including netball, basketball, football and hockey.

On these days, the children will need to come to school dressed in their P.E. uniform: navy shorts and light blue t-shirt; navy tracksuit and light blue t-shirt. No logos or football kits. Trainers should be plain black or plain white. All long hair should be tied back and earrings should be removed.

P.S.H.E. -

TEAM

The children will identify the impact their actions have on the team they are working in. They will learn about successful teamwork skills, being considerate of others in the team and how to positively resolve any conflicts that occur.

Money Matters

The children will be encouraged to think about where money comes from and how it can be used. We will discuss how we spend money, why people might need to borrow money and

the consequences of this.

Homework - 

Maths: Maths homework will be set via Class DoJo on a Monday to be completed by the following Monday. It is so important to practise Times Tables Rockstars as this will really help your child with later Maths’ topics of Fractions, Perimeter, Money and Time. Our aim is to improve instant recall of key multiplication and related division facts.

English: English homework will be set via Class Dojo on a Monday to be completed by the following Monday. We ask that the children also engage frequently with Spelling Shed to practise their spellings.

Reading: At Weston, we encourage children to develop a lifelong love for reading. We ask for children to read regularly at home to adults and to themselves. Reading is fundamental to the wider academic and personal development of children and the need for children to read widely from a broad and challenging range of texts. Children will be provided with quality texts appropriate for their age and ability.