Grade 3 Community News

Dear Grade 3 Families,

It is hard to believe that we are already in Weeks 8 and 9 of Term 3. The term has flown by, and there is not long to go until the school holidays. Our students have continued to work diligently across all learning areas and should be proud of the effort, resilience, and enthusiasm they bring to the classroom each day. We look forward to finishing the term strongly and celebrating all that has been achieved over the past nine weeks.

English

Text-Level Reading

This fortnight, we have begun exploring The Arrival by Shaun Tan. Unlike most books, The Arrival tells its story entirely through illustrations, with no written words. The story follows a migrant arriving in a strange, unfamiliar land, allowing readers to interpret events, emotions, and challenges solely through visual clues. Students have been developing their comprehension skills by analysing illustrations, making inferences, predicting events, and discussing the feelings and experiences of the characters. It has been wonderful to see the thoughtful discussions generated by this unique and engaging text.

Sentence-Level Writing

Students have been learning how authors use similes to create vivid descriptions and help readers better understand characters. We have explored how comparisons using "like" and "as" can be used to describe character traits and personalities in creative ways. Students have enjoyed experimenting with their own similes and applying them to character descriptions in both reading and writing activities.

Text-Level Writing

We are beginning our second narrative writing unit for the year. Students will build upon the storytelling skills they developed earlier in the year as they plan, draft, and publish engaging narratives. Throughout this unit, we will focus on developing interesting characters, creating compelling problems and resolutions, and using descriptive language to make stories more engaging for readers. We are excited to see students continue to grow as imaginative and confident writers.

Mathematics

Students have continued developing their understanding of number concepts and problem-solving strategies. We have been exploring multiplication and division concepts, strengthening our recall of multiplication facts, and applying these skills to increasingly complex mathematical problems. Students have also been working with fractions and continuing to develop their confidence when explaining their mathematical thinking. Regular practice of multiplication facts at home remains one of the best ways to support your child's learning in Mathematics.

Humanities

Our journey around Australia continues as we learn about the unique features, landmarks, and attractions found across our country. Students have enjoyed discovering the geography, culture, and natural wonders of different states and territories while comparing similarities and differences between regions. As we approach the end of the unit, students are beginning to consolidate their learning and prepare to share their knowledge through a variety of classroom activities.

School Reminders

• Students are encouraged to read at home each night and ensure their iPads are fully charged each day.
• If students are cycling to school, they must wear a helmet.
• The school day begins at 8:45 am, with music sounding at 8:42 am. Please ensure your child arrives on time so they are ready to begin learning.
• A friendly reminder to check and replenish pencil cases where necessary. Items such as pencils, glue sticks, sharpeners, and erasers are always appreciated.
• As we move into the final weeks of the term, students are encouraged to continue demonstrating our school values and maintaining positive learning habits.
• Our novel study in Term 3 will be Stormboy by Colin Thiele. Having a physical copy of the book helps students stay more focused, actively engage with their reading, and easily refer back to important information. This can be purchased on Amazon or in local bookstores such as QBD (the closest one is in Pacific Werribee Shopping Centre).

Upcoming Events

Week 10: Wednesday 24th June: Parent open afternoon 2.10-3.10. Come join us in the classroom as the students present their learning in Humanities this term.

Friday 26th June: Last day of Term 3 – students finish at 2:30 pm

We would like to thank all families for your continued support throughout the term. We look forward to a productive finish to Term 2 and wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday break.

Warm regards,

The Year 3 Team