Year Three
Dear Year Three Families,
It has been an exciting and active fortnight in Year 3, with students beginning the Swimming Program and continuing to engage in a wide range of learning experiences. We are pleased to share some of the highlights with you.
Reading
In Reading, students have begun exploring our new Unit of Inquiry, Experiences from the past shape the way people live and connect. Throughout the past two weeks, they have developed their comprehension skills by making predictions and inferences using clues from illustrations, the text and their own background knowledge. Using mentor texts such as My Place, Grandfather's Journey, The Little Refugee, The Arrival and Memory Bottle, students have considered how stories, memories and artefacts help us understand people's experiences from the past.
As students read, they have been encouraged to justify their thinking with evidence and to revise their ideas as they discover new information. They have also explored how different perspectives, settings, and historical contexts influence how stories are told, helping them make meaningful connections between the past and the present.
Writing
In Writing, students have been using their prior knowledge and working through the writing process to create narratives about a place that is meaningful to themselves or their family. Through this process, they explored how places can shape the way we live, connect with others, and create memories.
Students represented their connection to these special places through drawings and written explanations, sharing why these locations are significant and how they have influenced their lives. They incorporated their five senses to create vivid descriptions, adding interesting details, thoughts, and feelings to bring their stories to life. These narratives showcase students’ hard work, creativity, and ability to reflect on personal experiences.
Mathematics
In Mathematics, students explored the concept of time. They learnt how to represent time, became familiar with the language of time, and built confidence in reading the hour and minute hands on an analogue clock. Students made connections between am and pm and converted between 12-hour and 24-hour time.
Additionally, students estimated and calculated the duration of everyday activities to deepen their understanding of how time is measured and used in daily life. A highlight for some students was constructing their own clocks, labelling the hour and minute hands, and collaborating with their peers to practise telling the time.
Inquiry
Our new Unit of Inquiry has invited students to investigate how experiences from the past influence the way people live and connect today. Through photographs, family stories, historical images, maps and personal artefacts, students have begun asking thoughtful questions about identity, culture and belonging.
Students have explored how places, traditions and significant life experiences shape individuals and families over time. They have also reflected on their own family histories and connections, recognising that while everyone's story is unique, we all share experiences that help us understand one another and build stronger communities.
Wellbeing
In Wellbeing, students have been reflecting on what helps them feel calm, focused and ready to learn. Together, they discussed a range of strategies that can support them when learning feels challenging, including deep breathing, positive self-talk, movement breaks, asking for help and taking a quiet moment when needed.
Students then created their own "Ready-to-Learn Toolbox", identifying strategies that already work well for them and setting goals to try new approaches throughout the term. This has encouraged students to recognise that everyone learns differently and that choosing the right strategy can help them become more independent and confident learners.
Swimming
The first group of swimmers have enjoyed diving into the pool and developing valuable water safety and swimming skills. Throughout the program, students have grown in confidence in the water while learning techniques that will help them stay safe. It has been wonderful to see their enthusiasm and progress during each session.
Group 2 students from 3D, 3E, 3F and 3G will begin their swimming program next week. Please ensure your child comes prepared for each lesson by using the swimming checklist to make sure they have all the necessary items.
Reminders
Please ensure your child brings their fully charged iPad to school every day to support their learning.
Please log in to Xuno to approve or decline your child's attendance for the upcoming Zoo Excursion in Term 4.
Group 1: 3A, 3B, 3F and 3G – Monday, 19 October
Group 2: 3C, 3D, 3E, 3H and 3I – Tuesday, 20 October
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to another exciting fortnight of learning, growth and new experiences in Year 3.
Kind regards,
The Year 3 Team