Year 3 Update

Our Learning - Weeks 1 & 2

✍️ English

We are reading The Great Kapok Tree, a persuasive picture book that explores environmental themes and different points of view. We are using this text to build our comprehension skills and identify how authors use language and structure to influence the reader.

• We are identifying the purpose of persuasive texts and the reasons used to influence the reader.
• We are noticing persuasive words and phrases and discussing how they make us feel.
• We are identifying different points of view within the story and comparing perspectives.
• We are summarising the story and explaining the author's main message.
• We are identifying the structure and features of persuasive letters, including the greeting, body and closing.

In Writing, we are learning how to write effective persuasive texts, starting with strong opinions and clear reasons. We are also working on writing compound sentences and applying key spelling rules to strengthen our writing.

• We are writing compound sentences using coordinating conjunctions that relate clearly to the first idea.
• We are planning persuasive texts by brainstorming our opinion and three strong reasons.
• We are beginning our persuasive introductions and learning how to structure body paragraphs using the TEEL model (Topic, Example, Explanation, Link).
• We are learning and applying spelling rules to help us spell new words correctly in our writing.

➗ Maths

In Weeks 1 & 2,  we are starting our fractions unit by exploring how fractions can be represented in real-life situations and on number lines. We are learning to use “out of” language to describe fractions and using hands-on games and visual models to build our understanding.

• We are writing and reading fractions using both words and symbols.
• We are identifying the numerator and denominator and explaining their roles.
• We are recording and representing real outcomes from games as fractions.
• We are playing a variety of games (basketball, bowling, coin toss, and more) to apply our knowledge of fractions in fun, active ways.
• We are placing simple fractions on a number line from 0 to 1 using landmark benchmarks like ½, ¼ and ¾.
• We are using reasoning strategies to justify the location of secret fractions.

🌏 Inquiry

This term in Inquiry, we are exploring where our food comes from, how it's produced, and the journey it takes from farm to table. As part of our Lunch Box Legends unit, we are also looking at sustainability and food waste, encouraging students to think critically about the food they eat and how we can make more environmentally friendly choices.

Week 1

• We are identifying different types of farms and what food products they produce.
• We are discussing what happens to food that we don’t eat and how it can be reused or reduced.
• We are sharing our ideas with partners and brainstorming where food comes from.
• We are sorting foods into animal-based and plant-based categories using a Venn diagram.

Week 2

• We are learning where bread comes from and the process it goes through before it reaches our table.
• We are sequencing the steps of bread production and discussing it as a type of recipe.
• We are watching videos and exploring how different cultures make and enjoy various types of bread.
• We are working in pairs to research and present a type of bread from around the world.

🧠 Social and Emotional Learning

In SEL, we are focusing on understanding and managing emotions, exploring respectful relationships, and learning how our strengths and choices can positively impact others. Through stories, discussion and reflection, students are building their self-awareness and social awareness in meaningful ways.

Week 1

• We are identifying our personal and cultural strengths.We are learning how these strengths help us in everyday situations at school and home.We are working in groups to explain and share different strengths with the class

Week 2

• We are listening to Somebody’s Land by Adam Goodes to learn about Aboriginal perspectives.
• We are discussing what happened when white people arrived in Australia and the idea of Terra Nullius.
• We are reflecting on the story's message and recording our thinking through drawing and writing.

🗞️News and reminders 

Drink bottles: 

Please remember to bring a drink bottle to school every day. It saves disruption to your child's learning when this is accessible within the room. They are able to fill up their bottles in a nearby classroom.

Homework:

Students are encouraged to complete one or two activities from the homework grid each week for the rest of the term. Once an activity is completed, they just need to cross it off and write the date in the box so teachers can keep track of what’s been done.

Reading continues to be an important part of homework, and we encourage students to read for at least 10 minutes on 3 to 4 nights each week.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher.

Hats:

A friendly reminder that school hats are required to be worn during recess and lunch. Students who do not have a hat will have to spend recess and lunch under the shade sails. We also encourage wearing sunscreen and drinking plenty of water during the school day. 

Celebration of Learning: