Overview

English

In Year 3 students will be focussing on extending the student’s independent reading both at school and at home. During reading lessons students will learn skills in finding information through skimming and scanning, reading and responding to texts through discussion and written activities to identify point of view and draw connections. Students will be looking at recognising the audience and purpose when they write. They will focus on using language to engage the reader by learning persuasive techniques and storytelling skills to apply to Persuasive and Narrative writing.  

Spelling, Grammar and Handwriting will be undertaken alongside Writing and Reading in Term 1. Students will revisit and continue to perfect their NSW foundation handwriting in preparation for learning to join over the course of the year. Learning and understanding both common and proper nouns and solidifying existing grammar knowledge is the aim of Grammar in Term 1. Students will also learn to identify and use various punctuation and grammar rules to assist their reading and writing. Students will be implementing THRASS applying spelling strategies through classroom tasks and weekly spelling words.

Mathematics

In Term 1, Year 3 students will consolidate and extend their number knowledge. Students will concentrate on Place Value and understand the value of numbers to build knowledge to apply to the four operations; addition, subtraction, and multiplication. The students will also be investigating measurement, geometry, statistics and probability.

Geography

This term Year 3 will be focussing on Geography, where they will be concentrating on reading, creating and using a variety of maps. They will learn about the different types of maps such as political and topographical maps, weather and environment maps as well as transport, street and city maps. Students will have the opportunity to learn about Australia and its geographical features as well as world geography. Looking at the features of a world map such as the equator, tropics and the International Date Line and gain an understanding of the world’s continents and Australia’s place within a global context. This unit provides a unique opportunity to discuss travel to foreign cities and how maps are used to navigate the streets, find attractions and use public transport.

Naplan

In March, Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students will participate in NAPLAN (National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy.  NAPLAN is a nationwide measure through which parents, teachers, schools, education authorities, governments and the broader community can determine whether or not young Australians are developing the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for other learning.

NAPLAN is made up of tests in the four areas (or ‘domains’) of:

• Writing  - 40 minute test
• Reading - 45 minute test
• Language Conventions 45 minute test
• Numeracy 40 minute test

Students will use their class computer to complete the Reading, Language Conventions and Numeracy domains and the writing test will be handwritten. 

Science and Technology

Everyday we see or use things that have been melted or frozen, heated or cooled. In Science this term we will be exploring the concept of melting and the way materials can change their state under a range of different conditions. Students will learn that matter exists in various states such as solid, liquid and gas and will look at how a liquid or solid’s exposure to temperature can alter the materials appearance. Through discussion, multimedia, collaborative experiments and hands-on investigations, students will explore the concept of melting and develop their skills in applying scientific language to explain their understanding of concepts. Students will also have weekly Technology lessons with Ms Meagan Height where they will learn about cyber safety and develop their creative digital skills.

Visual Arts

In Term 1, students will explore art elements such as colour, line and texture and how they are used to create art. Students will discuss artists and famous artworks as well as create their own masterpieces using a variety of media. 

Religious and Values Education

Students in Year 3 will have one lesson of Religious and Values Education each week with Mrs Megan McMaster. The theme for this year is the Kingdom of God. The students will learn about the kings of the Old Testament and Jesus as God’s perfect King. We finish by looking at what it means to be a 'Kingdom Kid'. These lessons will include worksheets, games, videos, music, stories, drama, prayer, craft activities and preparations for Chapel Services to explore the Christian faith and see how it is relevant today. Students may choose to attend a voluntary Christian lunchtime group called JAFFA – Jesus A Friend For All.

Music

This term, students in Year 3 will develop their musical aptitude through a variety of activities involving singing and movement. The Term 1 topic allows students an in-depth study of Camille Saint-Säens’ orchestral work, ‘Carnival of the Animals’. During this topic focus, students will analyse and interpret the orchestral songs and discuss the composers’ intent, as well as the types of instruments featured and how they contribute to the song’s ‘story’. Students will also have opportunities for singing, creative movement and improvisation.

To learn more about our extra-curricular music program and what instruments are available to learn through private tuition, please follow this link to our school website: 

Information Technology

During Term 1 Students will spend time becoming familiar with their ChromeBooks and the Google Suite. They are learning about file management by creating new documents and folders. They will also be taught how to locate, move and open existing files.

Students will be learning to touch type through the use of  “Typing Tournament “ an online program. The aim of this program is for students to learn how to use the keyboard without looking at the keys. Every student will receive the “Typing Tournament” usernames and passwords in Week 6.  This program can also be used at home via the internet on any device, preferably one with a physical keyboard.

PDHPE

Welcome back to MAG in what promises to be an exciting, fun & productive 2023 school year. Year 3 students will enjoy a PDHPE unit called “Ready, Set, Go”. Students will commence with problem solving and cooperative games, with the focus on developing communication skills and the importance of team work. Students will also be developing their fitness for the Annual School Cross Country and hand eye coordination skills through participation of an exciting tennis program. Students will also reflect upon their own and others’ technique and engage in small group workshops to better understand their own and others’ performances. The importance of sun protection, safety and inclusive peer interactions in PDHPE will be a focal theme throughout the term.

Italian

Ciao! Benvenuti! Welcome to our K-6 Italian program for 2023. I will be teaching all students from K-6 and look forward to getting to know all 321 students! We work through every term in each level using ‘Key Questions’ to guide the curriculum.  We know that the most effective way to teach children another language is to do it through fun, interactive, hands on ways including music, conversation, picture story books and drama with a strong focus on verbal communication and pronunciation. 

We want the students to enjoy Italian and feel confident in their ability to learn another language as well as various other cultural and geographical information. Another fun aspect of our program is to give each child their own Italian name which is something that they get wonderful joy from. We will often 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 their family. 

The Term 1 ‘Key Questions’ for each year level are as follows….

Year 3- Quando è il tuo compleanno? When is your birthday?

Please encourage your children to share some of the Italian words and phrases they know or ask them to sing you a song!

Grazie,

Maestra Rachele 

Pastoral Care

In Pastoral Care Year 3 will be learning about Growth Mindset. Recent advances in neuroscience have shown us that the brain is far more malleable than we ever knew. Research on brain plasticity has shown how connectivity between neurons can change with experience. With practice, neural networks grow new connections, strengthen existing ones, and build insulation that speeds transmission of impulses. Individuals who believe their talents can be developed (through hard work, good strategies, and input from others) have a growth mindset. They tend to achieve more than those with a more fixed mindset (those who believe their talents are innate gifts). This is because they worry less about looking smart and put more energy into learning.

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden (SAKG)

Expect some keen kitchen helpers at home this term as our Year 3 students begin the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program. Our budding chefs will learn about the kitchen and how to safely work within this new classroom environment. 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 will learn how to grate, slice, dice, cook, assemble and eat a variety of foods. The greatest part of the program is the opportunity it provides to see students move out of their comfort zone, try new foods and work together with their classmates. 

Homework

In Year 3 students will complete a weekly homework sheet which will be due on a Friday. Each week students will be focussing on a phoneme (a particular sound) during spelling and will complete a weekly spelling test on Friday. Practise and preparation is part of weekly homework. Nightly reading is required to continue to improve and build reading and comprehension skills. A reading log is inside the school diary and needs to be completed each day by the student and signed by a parent. 

Reading aloud is still encouraged as is a variety of text types to make home reading more fun and challenging. To practise speaking and listening skills, each fortnight students will be given a set topic to present to the class. Presentations should be prepared to be given on their set day. This provides an opportunity to practise public speaking skills and share ideas, stories and thoughts about a range of topics.