Year Three 

Dear Year 3 Families,

What a busy and exciting few weeks of learning we have had in Year 3! As we wrapped up our previous unit of inquiry and began exploring our new unit on ecosystems, students have shown great curiosity, creativity and enthusiasm. They have enjoyed participating in hands-on activities, asking thoughtful questions and making connections across different learning areas.

Here is a look at what we have been learning! 

Reading

In Reading, our focus was on understanding how persuasive techniques influence an audience. Through arcade game advertisements, students examined the use of logos, slogans, repetition, the power of three, statistics and strong modal words. They discussed how these features make advertisements more convincing and encourage audiences to take action.

We also explored Secrets of the Saltmarsh by Claire Saxby, focusing on how hybrid texts combine factual information with imaginative language. Students used strategies such as rereading, context clues and illustrations to clarify unfamiliar vocabulary. They also gathered evidence from the text to deepen their understanding of saltmarsh ecosystems.

Writing

Inspired by Secrets of the Saltmarsh, students stepped into the role of an animal living in the saltmarsh and wrote imaginative diary entries from its perspective. They used sensory details to bring the setting to life and described their characters' experiences, thoughts and feelings.

A key focus was the 'show, don't tell' technique, which helped students express emotions through actions and descriptive language. As their stories progressed, they introduced unexpected events, built suspense and revealed hidden secrets. They also incorporated factual information about the saltmarsh to make their stories more realistic and engaging.

Maths

In Maths, students continued building their understanding of multiplication and division. They used equal groups, arrays and area models to solve problems and explored how multiplication and division are connected. Students also learnt how to break larger numbers into smaller, easier parts to help with multiplication.

Through hands-on activities and problem-solving challenges, students were encouraged to explore different strategies, find multiple solutions and explain their mathematical thinking. They also applied their learning to real-life situations to develop their confidence in solving multiplication and division problems.

Inquiry 

Provocation

As we began our new unit of Inquiry, students rotated between classrooms to explore different ecosystems, including deserts, rainforests, oceans and the Arctic. Through hands-on activities, videos and discussions, students asked questions, sorted animals and explored food webs, prey, predators and the unique features of each ecosystem. These experiences encouraged students to think about how living things depend on one another and how everything in an ecosystem is connected.

Arcade game 

Students had a blast presenting their arcade games to their peers and familes! It was great to see their creativity shine as they explained how their games worked and shared their ideas with others. Students followed the design process to create their games, applying what they had learnt about simple machines. It was a successful showcase of their learning, with many budding inventors in the making!

Zoo Excursion

Over two exciting days, our Year 3 students enjoyed an unforgettable excursion to Werribee Open Range Zoo! Students explored the zoo and observed a variety of animals up close, including lions, elephants and reptiles. During an engaging education session, they learnt about animal life cycles and worked in teams to sequence the different stages.

A highlight for many students was the outdoor safari bus tour, where they spotted rhinos, ostriches, giraffes and camels roaming in their habitats. The journey was filled with excitement, giggles and laughter as students eagerly watched the animals along the way.

Overall, it was a fantastic opportunity for students to deepen their learning, discover more about the animal world and create wonderful memories together!

Reminder: 

• Monday, 2 November – Curriculum Day: Students are not required to attend school.
• Tuesday, 3 November – Melbourne Cup Day: Public holiday. There will be no school on this day.
• Christmas Carols – 14 and 15 December (Week 11): Our Christmas Carols celebrations will take place in Week 11. More details will be shared closer to the dates.
• SunSmart Hats: Please ensure your child brings their school hat every day for outdoor activities.

Kind Regards,

Year 3 Teachers