Term 3, 2025
Curriculum News - Year 3

Units of Inquiry

Transdisciplinary Theme

Sharing the planet

Central Idea

Survival of a species is dependent on its environmental conditions.

Lines of inquiry

Living and non-living things
The differences between living, once living and products of living things
Species in danger of becoming extinct
Factors affecting the survival of some species

In Term 3, Year 3 students will be learning all about the Superb Fairy Wren and how we can improve the habitat for this native species on BNPS campus.

The students have walked around the school with Environment Support Officer, Anna Malone to survey our biodiversity.

In Term 3, the students will be walking up to the Community Nursery to learn how to propagate and tour indigenous plant species that can be planted to improve the biodiversity of BNPS. Finally, we’ll be spending time planting these species around BNPS.

Literacy

In Term 3, Year 3 will be completing a book study on Brindabella, by Ursula Dubosarsky. This is the story about a boy called Pender and a kangaroo called Brindabella, about how they became friends, and all the things that happened to them because of it.

Many of our writing, speaking and listening and reading tasks will be focused on this story. The themes of friendship in a truly Australian setting link in with our unit of inquiry, Sharing the planet.

We will be continuing our Smart Spelling program, both in the classroom and for homework and we will also be encouraging dictionary use to expand student vocabulary. Our reading focus will be fluency and comprehension as we introduce specialised vocabulary with our units of inquiry.

In writing, we will investigate informative and research texts further and introduce paragraphs to separate our ideas and information.

Students will also plan and create a factual narrative linked to our unit of inquiry. We will explore a variety of strategies to improve our writing such as the use of similes, vivid verbs and dialogue. Students will continue to build on their editing skills through writing sessions and will explore various aspects of writing, using their Writer's Notebook. 

During handwriting sessions, students will continue practising joined writing and letter formation.

Mathematics

Numeracy

Number

This term, students will continue to build on their understanding of number, with a particular focus on fractions and estimation. They will apply this knowledge in real-life contexts, such as calculating with money and giving change, while also developing a deeper understanding of decimals and their relationship to fractions.

Measurement

Students will focus on developing their understanding of angles and three-dimensional shapes. Additionally, students will continue to build their knowledge on time, reading analogue time to the minute and examining elapsed time.

Space

In our space and geometry learning, they will explore how to create and compare a variety of objects, building spatial awareness through hands-on activities and investigations.

Inclusive Approaches

Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships

As part of our Inclusive Approaches program this term, students will engage in activities that support their social and emotional development.

Our focus areas include building emotional literacy—helping students to recognise, understand, and express their feelings appropriately—as well as fostering positive peer relationships through cooperation and empathy.

We will also introduce mindfulness practices to support focus and wellbeing, and explore the importance of gratitude to nurture a positive mindset and appreciation for others.

Cyber Safety Project

Students will participate in lessons designed to help them become responsible and respectful digital citizens. They will explore the importance of showing kindness online and how to communicate effectively and appropriately in digital spaces.

Lessons will also focus on developing empathy and understanding how our words and actions can impact others, even in an online environment. By building these skills, students will be better equipped to engage positively and safely in the digital world.