Grade 3 

Hello Year 3 Families,

Reading:  Over the past two weeks, our students have been engaged in exploring the book "Iceberg" by Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft. Through this book, they practised their comprehension skills both with and without the text, honing their ability to extract meaning and understand context clues. We were particularly impressed by how they grasped the book's deeper message about the impact of global warming on the polar regions. This experience has not only enriched their reading abilities but also fostered a greater awareness of environmental issues. We look forward to continuing to cultivate these important skills and perspectives with our students.

Writing : 

Over the past two weeks, our students have demonstrated their learning from this term in writing. They focused on mastering sentence structure—both simple and compound—using punctuation effectively to convey meaning, and enriching their writing with verbs, adverbs, and adjectives. A significant part of their week was their independent narrative titled 'The Box,' which they worked on over several days to showcase their learning. They also practised editing their writing to refine punctuation, grammar, and ensure their work was clear and impactful. We're impressed with their accomplishments and look forward to seeing their continued growth in writing skills.

Maths :Navigating the Classroom with a New Perspective

This past week, our grade three students embarked on an exciting adventure, learning the art of bird's eye view mapping. This activity not only sharpened their spatial awareness but also added an element of fun and teamwork as they searched for hidden treasure using maps drawn by their peers.

Understanding Bird's Eye View

Bird's eye view mapping is a skill that helps students visualise spaces from above, much like a bird would see while flying. This perspective is crucial in understanding maps and planning layouts. The concept was introduced with engaging discussions and examples, illustrating how everyday places like parks, neighbourhoods, and even our classroom look from above.

Hands-On Learning: Creating Maps

Students were then given the opportunity to draw their own bird's eye view maps of the classroom. This exercise required them to think critically about the placement and proportions of desks, bookshelves, and other classroom items. Each student received a blank sheet of paper and set about sketching the classroom from memory. This process was both challenging and rewarding, as students realised the importance of precision in map-making.

The Treasure Hunt Begins

The real excitement began when the maps were used to find hidden treasure. Students paired up and exchanged their hand-drawn maps. The task was to follow the map and locate a small "treasure" hidden somewhere in the classroom by their partner. The treasure took the form of a pack of Skittles! 

With maps in hand, students navigated the classroom, carefully interpreting their peers' drawings. This activity not only reinforced their understanding of bird's eye view mapping but also developed their problem-solving and teamwork skills. The thrill of finding hidden treasures added an element of joy and accomplishment to the lesson.