English

This Term in Writing our young authors will discuss what makes a good story as they explore the Informative writing genre. This unit of writing is centralised around the Deep Learning topic of Environmental Sustainability, which also links to our Science topic.

History

The text, “The Ghost of Annabel Spoon” will be used to explore figurative language and as a springboard to exploring and creating poetry. During group and guided reading we will continue to extend and develop our comprehension skills through a variety of activities related to the texts. 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 perfect 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 SMART SPELLING/THRASS skills in identifying sounds in words, applying strategies and expanding their written vocabulary.

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 Ms Meagan Height where they will learn about cyber safety and develop their creative digital skills. Year 3 also has an exciting Deep Learning Project in Science this term! Stay tuned!!

Visual Arts

In Term 1, Year 3 created several masterpieces in Visual Arts. The students' main masterpiece last term was a line art piece inspired by Arabian architecture created using a combination of soft pastels and textas.

In Term 2, students will explore techniques through subject matter, people, objects, places and spaces and events. They will create a Dream Time inspired art piece and will practise using lines and texture to create a platypus art piece .

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 fulfilment of God’s promise to have a king over his kingdom forever.

Some students have also chosen to attend the voluntary Christian lunchtime group on Thursdays, called JAFFA – Jesus A Friend For All.

Music

This term, Year 3 students will begin a structured theory program and learn the recorder. They 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.

Information Technology

For Term 2 students will continue to explore computer and internet safety. They will also continue to develop their skills using the google suite i.e. google docs, google drive, google site etc.

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 Netball & 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/matching 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 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 in preparation for tests, which occur on Friday.

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.

MAG Primary Newsletter Year 3

Honour and Excellence

Term 2 2023 · 28 Apr 2023

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