From the Year 3 Classroom

Reading  

We are just about to finish our first novel for the year, Matilda. Students have thoroughly enjoyed following the story and exploring the characters, themes, and rich vocabulary throughout the text. 

This week’s vocabulary words are confide, vivid, profoundly, compel, petrified, insist, ponder, colossal, elated, and scowl. Students have been working on understanding these words in context and incorporating them into their speaking and writing. 

In class, we are continuing to build our reading stamina by practising reading for extended periods of time and tracking how long we can stay focused before becoming distracted. We are also engaging in partner reading to strengthen fluency and improve reading rate. These strategies are helping students become more confident, expressive, and engaged readers. 

A reminder to keep filling in your reader’s diary and bring them in on Friday’s– we are aiming for 15 minutes each night, 4 X week.  

Writing 

Students have just finished writing and publishing their narratives based on a picture prompt. They focused on using the correct narrative structure, organising their ideas into paragraphs, and improving their writing through more descriptive vocabulary. 

This week, we are beginning persuasive writing with the topic “Books vs Movies: Which is better?” Students are learning about rhetorical questions, high‑modality words, and the structural features needed to create an effective persuasive piece. 

With NAPLAN starting next week, we have also been practising what the test environment will look like and completing a narrative within the expected time frame. This is helping students feel more prepared and confident for next week. 

Maths 

In Maths we have been looking at different addition and subtraction strategies to help us solve problems in the hundreds and thousands. We have looked at using number lines and split strategies to help us develop efficient ways to solve addition and subtraction equations.  

This week we will start our new unit on time. We will look at formal units of time, use stopwatches to develop our understanding of minutes and seconds and recognise and apply formal units of time by discussing how long it would take for certain events to occur.  

Maths fun- students practise measuring time using stop watches completing various activities. Please encourage your child to read time in your house on both digital and analogue clocks.  

RE 

In Religion this term, students have been reflecting on Jesus and His call to love others in both word and action. Through exploring Gospel stories and miracles, they have examined the choices Jesus made and considered how they are also gifted with the Spirit to make wise and loving choices for the good of themselves and others. Students have also engaged with Jesus in the context of His time and place to deepen their understanding of His teachings. 

As we move into the season of Lent, we will begin learning about what Lent is, what it means, and how it prepares us for Easter. Students will explore the Lenten practices of almsgiving, prayer, and fasting, and discuss how these help us grow closer to God. Together, we will identify meaningful actions we can take during Lent, both as a class and as individuals, as we prepare our hearts for the celebration of Easter. 

Last week we enjoyed going to the Parish Mass. Students discussed with Fr Jun Jun what they were giving up for Lent, and the importance of this during the Easter period. Students were given the opportunity to read Prayers of the Faithful and offertory Procession.  

Inquiry 

In Inquiry, students have begun exploring nutritional health. Students have been exploring the question: What does too much sugar do to your body? This has sparked thoughtful discussions and encouraged students to think critically about their everyday choices. 

We are investigating what sugar is and examining the effects of consuming too much sugar on both our physical and mental health. Students are learning how sugar impacts the body, including energy levels, concentration, and overall wellbeing. 

As part of our learning, we are also exploring how much sugar is found in common drinks. This has helped students develop a greater awareness of nutrition and make more informed choices about what they consume. 

DigiTech 

In Digital Technologies, students have been learning about Digital Health, with a focus on staying safe online. We have explored the risks involved in sharing digital images and discussed why it is important to think carefully before posting or sending content. 

Students are developing their understanding of key online safety issues, including inappropriate or unwanted contact, cyberbullying, and the potential consequences of sharing images online. Through discussions and practical scenarios, they are becoming better equipped to make safe, responsible, and respectful choices in digital spaces. 

Year 3 Team