English

This Term in Writing our young authors will discuss what makes a good story as they explore the Informative writing genre. During English this term students will gain a deeper understanding of the textual concepts of genre, and perspective and context. They will apply their understanding of genre to group texts according to their purpose, subject matter, form, structure and language choices.

Later in the term, students will gain a deeper understanding of the textual concepts of ‘argument and authority’. They will explore how an argument may be a single perspective that is presented or defended. The difference between authorship and authority will be explored and how they can enhance an argument presented. Students will also plan and deliver a spoken presentation.

Students will continue to read at school and at home to develop and polish their independent reading skills. In preparation for joining their letters, students will continue to revisit and refine their NSW foundation handwriting. To build their editing skills they are exploring parts of speech and looking closely at punctuation. Weekly spelling is aimed at learning Soundwaves (synthetic phonics) skills in identifying sounds in words, applying strategies and expanding their written vocabulary.

History

This term students will explore our local community of Echuca-Moama. They will learn how the river plays a role in the indigenous community of the Yorta Yorta nation before colonisation. We then investigate how Echuca was established as Australia’s largest inland port and continues today as the town’s main tourism draw card. Students will explore early Indigenous life in the area and how it changed. They look at the similarities of our community then and now, how external forces affected the future development of the town and examine what has changed.

Mathematics

In Term 2 students will consolidate and extend their number knowledge by applying it to addition and subtraction with trading. They will continue their introduction to multiplication, division and fractions while learning to apply their operations knowledge to interpreting word problems. We will also look at 2D and 3D shapes, time both in digital and analogue form, measurement, statistics and probability. They will continue to improve their mental maths through a variety of class tasks and games. Continuing to practise skip counting, doing addition sums by helping add up the groceries and even learning times tables are great ways to practise maths at home. We also encourage the students to continue to practise telling the time throughout the year. If you are looking for fun activities to practise mental maths, students learn a variety of card and dice games in the classroom that can be played at home.

Addition snap: Just like snap but the first one to add it up and snap it gets the pile.

31: Each player has 4 cards, they have to put one down and pick up from the pile. The first to get to 31 is the winner.

Geography

This term students will explore our local community of Echuca-Moama. They will learn how the river plays a role in the indigenous community of the Yorta Yorta nation before colonization. We then investigate how Echuca was established as Australia’s largest inland port and continues today as the town’s main tourism draw card. Students will explore early Indigenous life in the area and how it changed. They look at the similarities of our community then and now, how external forces affected the future development of the town and examine what has changed.

Science and Technology

Unit- Feathers, Fur or Leaves? What is that? Is it alive? How is it like other things I know? Humans have always sought to make sense of the world around them by grouping things they see, for example, as edible, threatening or useful. In Science and Technology we will be looking at living things and exploring plant and animal species and how scientists classify living things. Students will have weekly Technology lessons with Miss Lauren Williams(3A) and Mrs Cindy Pedrana (3B) where they will learn about cyber safety and develop their creative digital skills.

Music

The focus for the first half of the term will be learning choral pieces to perform at the Bendigo Eisteddfod in Week 6 (details to come!). In the second half of term, Year 3 students will begin a structured theory program and begin learning the recorder. Students will learn a number of simple melodies to perform on the recorder, as well as continue to develop their music appreciation through exposure to learning songs in a range of genres and styles.

Visual Arts

During Term 2, our Year 3 students will participate in an exciting investigation of Australian birdlife and insects through a series of captivating artistic projects under the unit title ‘Down Under Wonders - Birds & Bugs,’. Beginning with acrylic paintings of Australian cockatoos, students will master painting techniques to capture the unique features of their chosen bird. Transitioning to oil pastel drawings of the Australian Masked Barn Owl, students will experiment with creating feather textures and blending colours for depth. The term will conclude with the creation of dragonfly sculptures using soft modelling clay, focusing on symmetry and detailed craftsmanship. Through these projects, students will not only enhance their artistic skills but also cultivate a deeper appreciation for nature and its inhabitants, fostering creativity, observation, and environmental awareness.

Religious and Values Education

Our lessons this term introduce students to King Solomon’s wisdom and his eventual downfall as a result of disobedience to God. Despite Israel’s unfaithfulness, God remained faithful to his promises. Students will contrast the kings of the Old Testament and the people of Israel with Jesus, the perfect king and the fulfillment of God’s promise to have a king over his kingdom forever.

PDHPE

A big welcome back to what will be a massive Term 2! Year 3 students will enjoy a PDHPE unit called ‘Keeping Active’ which will focus on developing and refining their running, jumping, throwing, kicking and catching skills which will prepare them nicely for the Annual Athletics Carnival. Students will also enjoy sporting activities such as Soccer and Aussie Rules Football. Students will also continue to reflect and coach each other to better understand their own and other performances and explore styles of communication and interpersonal skills that promote a greater sense of inclusion, peer interaction and belonging. Working together to achieve our best self, peers' and class performance will be a focal theme throughout the term.

Italian

In Year 3 Italian for Term 2 we will be focussing on the key question Che ora è? Che giorno è? What time is it? What day is it?We will explore this through a fun, interactive and hands-on approach using music, conversations, picture story books and drama with a strong focus on verbal communication and pronunciation. We will continue to send home memory cards, song words and stories for your children to share with you which is a great way to reinforce their learning in a fun way with their family.

Pastoral Care

In Term 2, Year 3 students will become better acquainted with Doug Dragster and the Get Happier Project. Alongside our Pastoral Care program that will cover perseverance and friendships, we will delve deeper into the notion of Open and Closed Roads. Students are encouraged to use the terminology and the posters to help solve problems at home and at school. Year 3 will learn about the car and the need to get on their front wheels (using their mind and body) to control their actions and feelings. We will meet Doug Dragster with the first novel and begin our Get Happier Journal. Gratitude will be a major focus along with our school values and what they look like in the classroom and at home.

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden (SAKG)

Our budding chefs have begun to develop their kitchen skills through the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program. The focus of the program is to teach and nurture a love of fresh ingredients and healthy meals. Using seasonal produce, often grown in our school garden, students learn how to grate, slice, dice, cook, assemble and eat a variety of foods. While teaching great kitchen skills, SAKG also creates a sense of ownership, as students become a part of the process from planting seeds, watering, harvesting and then using their produce in the kitchen. The greatest part is the opportunity it provides to see students move out of their comfort zone, try new foods and work together with their classmates.

Homework

Weekly homework sheets are given out on Monday and are due on Friday. Worksheets are to consolidate learned concepts and should be able to be completed independently. Reading a variety of texts must be occurring regularly and be recorded in their student diaries at least 4 nights a week by the student. Weekly spelling words should also be practised nightly.

Year 3 students are expected to prepare their fortnightly talking topics to be delivered to the class. Topics are set and students are encouraged to develop their writing skills and practise their speaking skills such as intonation and voice projection.

Library

In the Library this term, all year levels from Kindergarten to Year 6 will become judges. We as a school have joined a program that allows children throughout Australia to have their say in which of the Children’s Book Council Awards (CBCA) shortlisted books should win that category.

Each Stage will explore one of the 6 Categories from the CBCA Awards. In their fortnightly Library lesson, students will listen to one of the shortlisted books. As a class they will discuss that book, using the same criteria the judges use to select the winning book and record their thoughts.

K-2 will be looking at the Early Childhood category

3-4 will be discussing the Picture Story Category

5-6 will we exploring the books shortlisted in the Eva Pownall Award (non-fiction books)

MAG Primary Newsletter Year 3

Honour and Excellence

Term 2 2024 · 18 Apr 2024

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