Grade 3

Welcome back to Term 2! We hope you all had a relaxing and enjoyable break. This term, our Year 3 students will be diving into some exciting learning across all areas of the curriculum. In literacy, we will be exploring new texts, including our class novel, while continuing to build reading comprehension and writing skills. In maths, students will be developing their understanding of key concepts through engaging, hands-on activities. We look forward to a busy and productive term ahead, filled with learning, growth, and opportunities for every student to shine. 

Literacy

In Literacy this term we have begun a new novel for the first half of this term. Students are learning about Indigenous culture through the novel Yirra and Her Demon Dog. The story helps them explore themes of identity, family, and belonging while introducing aspects of Aboriginal perspectives and experiences. Through Yirra’s journey, students develop a deeper understanding of cultural connections, respect for Indigenous histories, and the importance of community. This novel also supports discussion and reflection, allowing students to build empathy and broaden their awareness of Australia’s First Nations peoples.  

Maths

In Mathematics, students have been building their understanding of fractions through a range of hands-on learning experiences and problem-solving tasks. They reviewed how to combine fractions such as halves, quarters, thirds, fifths and tenths to make one whole, and explored complementary fractions by identifying the missing fraction needed to complete a whole. Students also investigated different ways fractions can be represented using visual models, number lines and everyday examples. As part of their rich task, students designed and created “Fraction Flags,” applying their knowledge of fractions creatively while explaining their mathematical thinking. These learning experiences are helping students strengthen their number sense and develop confidence when solving fraction problems in different contexts.

Students have also been developing their measurement skills by learning to read and interpret measurement scales using millimetres, centimetres, metres and kilometres. They practised measuring objects accurately with scaled instruments and compared, ordered and discussed different lengths using metric units. Through practical activities, students explored how and when different units of measurement are used in everyday life and explained their reasoning when comparing lengths. These experiences are supporting students to build accuracy, estimation skills and a stronger understanding of measurement concepts.

Social and emotional learning

In Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), students have been exploring how people can be both similar to and different from one another, while learning to value and respect these differences. Through class discussions, collaborative activities and reflective tasks, students identified personal strengths, interests and experiences that make each person unique. They also shared strategies they use to cope with challenges, stress or disappointment, and listened respectfully to the ideas and experiences of others. These learning experiences are helping students build empathy, resilience and positive relationships within the classroom community.

Students have also been developing their understanding of emotions by learning that feelings can vary in strength and can be described using a wide range of vocabulary. They practised identifying emotions that feel mild or strong and explored respectful ways to communicate their feelings with others. A key focus has been recognising situations that may trigger anger and learning healthy self-calming strategies such as deep breathing, taking a break, positive self-talk and mindfulness techniques. By reflecting on which strategies work best for them, students are building important self-regulation skills that support their wellbeing and success at school.