Year 3
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Dear Parents and Carers, Autumn Term 2026 I hope you have all had a happy and healthy summer. Listed below are the themes for each subject area that we will be following this term which I hope you will find useful. |
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Year 3 |
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English |
The Wilderness by Steve McCarthy The children will receive the gift of a book and a discussion around what it means to be a fearless adventurer, followed by an opportunity to discuss some fictional ‘dangers of the wild’. The children go on to meet the family at the heart of the story and to write an introduction of family members. They discover that main character Oktober feels very differently about the great outdoors to the rest of his family and children write letters of advice to help him to feel more brave and confident. The children go on to explore the sights and sounds of the wilderness – both through the book and through a walk in an outdoor area – and write their own poem about what the wilderness means to them. As an extended write, the children are tasked with writing a guide to enjoying the wilderness to inspire other children to enjoy getting outdoors in nature. Leon and the Place Between by Angela McAllister Throughout this sequence of learning children will explore the author’s language and use it as the basis for their own descriptive writing. They will explore the characters’ thoughts and emotions and take part in drama activities, leading to writing in role and the creation of dialogue. Using the structure of the original story, the children will plan their own version of the story where their own character enters a magical world. The Barnabus Project by The Fan Brothers The sequence of learning begins with the children visiting a pretend Perfect Pets shop (from the narrative) in the classroom. They will discuss what they look for in the ‘perfect pet’ and use scientific equipment (test tubes and measuring cylinders), coloured water and their imaginations to create their pet. The children will go on to study the gorgeous illustrations in the text and write expanded noun phrases and an advertisement for the Pet shop. While they follow the story of Barnabus and the other ‘failed projects,’ they will write letters of advice and help them create an escape plan. These skills will build towards children writing a brochure for a new pet shop where the pets can be free and choose their home. The Seed of Doubt by Irena Brignull This sequence of learning begins with children discussing the importance of being aspirational and dreaming about the future. The children will follow this with writing a poem about believing in one’s self. After this, they will discuss and write about different kinds of aspirations. They can explore jobs they might want to do, places they might want to travel to and any other accomplishments they may want to achieve in the future. The children will read and explore the language and themes of the book, discussing how people can cope with doubt, build resilience and overcome obstacles. This will lead the children to write a letter of advice, a diary entry and a motivational speech. The children will discuss the father in the story and write about the importance of mentors in life. The sequence will culminate in children receiving a letter from Mrs Coulthard asking them to write motivational leaflets for the rest of the school about future aspirations and overcoming the seed of doubt. Children will use the vocabulary and skills learned in this sequence of lessons to plan and write this leaflet which can be published and displayed in the school. |
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Maths |
Adding and Subtracting Across 10 The children will begin the year by developing their understanding of addition and subtraction. They will learn strategies for adding three numbers, explore how numbers can be added in any order, and use efficient methods for calculations that bridge through 10. They will also revisit subtraction by learning how to subtract across a ten boundary.
Numbers to 1,000 In this extended unit, the children will develop a secure understanding of place value within 1,000. They will represent, compare and order three-digit numbers, count in hundreds, tens and ones, identify patterns in number, and use their understanding of place value to solve problems. The children will also learn to position numbers on number lines and estimate their values. Alongside place value, pupils will study measurement, focusing on length. They will measure and compare lengths, use metres, centimetres and millimetres accurately, and convert between different units of measurement.
Throughout both units, the children will be encouraged to explain their mathematical thinking, use mathematical vocabulary accurately and apply their skills to a range of reasoning and problem-solving contexts. |
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Science |
Rocks We will be comparing and grouping different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties. We will also describe how fossils are formed and be able to recognise that soils are made from rocks and organic matter. Light After half term we will explore light and dark and find out about reflections and shadows. We will learn how to protect our eyes from the sun and how our eyes need the light to be able to see. We will also investigate how shadows are made as well as how and why they change shape and size. |
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History |
Prehistoric Britain We will explore Prehistoric Britain, learning about life during the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages. The children will investigate how people lived, how communities changed from hunter-gatherers to farmers, and how new inventions and technologies transformed everyday life. They will also learn how archaeologists use artefacts and other evidence to build a picture of the past. Through studying timelines, evidence and historical sources, pupils will develop their understanding of chronology and historical enquiry. This unit supports the National Curriculum objective: Changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age. |
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Geography |
The United Kingdom Year 3 will explore the United Kingdom, developing their knowledge of the countries, capital cities and regions of the UK. The children will learn about key physical features, including rivers, mountains and seas, as well as human features such as settlements and population. They will use maps, atlases and compass directions to locate places and investigate how the UK has changed over time. This unit supports the National Curriculum objective to name and locate counties and cities of the United Kingdom, geographical regions and their identifying human and physical characteristics, and use maps, atlases and geographical skills to interpret geographical information. |
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RE |
What is it like for someone to follow God? (People of God) In this unit, pupils will explore the Old Testament People of God, focusing on the stories of Noah and Abraham. They will learn about the covenants these individuals made with God and why these promises are important to Christians today. The children will also consider the challenges of following God and explore why Christians value reading original Bible texts to understand these stories more deeply. What is the Trinity and why is it important for Christians? (Incarnation/God) In this unit, pupils will find out about the baptism of Jesus and where this is found in the Bible. They will study the text in detail and find out about what it means for Christians today. They will investigate how Christians show their beliefs about God and the Trinity and how these impact upon their lives. Later in the unit, pupils will find out about infant and believer’s baptism in the church and what this means for Christians today. |
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Art and DT |
Art Gestural Drawing with Charcoal Pupils will explore the question,"How do artists create dramatic drawings?" Using charcoal as their main medium, the children will be inspired by the work of Edgar Degas and experiment with expressive mark-making, movement and tone. They will learn about chiaroscuro, the technique of using light and dark contrasts to create depth, atmosphere and drama in artwork. Through sketchbook work and large-scale drawings, pupils will develop their confidence as artists while exploring how charcoal can be used to communicate emotion and movement. Design and Technology How we make things After half term, Year 3 pupils will explore how everyday products are designed and manufactured. They will investigate different ways of making objects, including folding, cutting, shaping and moulding materials. The children will learn about strong and stable structures, discovering how designers use different materials and techniques to create products for a purpose. Through a range of practical projects, pupils will design and make items such as packaging, trinket trays and small structures, developing their skills in designing, making and evaluating throughout the process. |
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Music |
In music we will be exploring a range of musical genres and thinking about how music brings people together. We will be learning three different songs over the next six weeks as well as practicing our harvest song and then moving onto our Christmas production and Christmas Carols! We will be learning to listen and apprise music, using musical terminology as well as having a go at improvising, composing and performing our own music using techniques that we have explored through our lessons. |
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French |
J’apprends le Français
Les Animaux
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PE |
Tag Rugby The children will explore how to apply the principles of attack vs defence, with a particular focus on passing and moving to score a try. They will develop their understanding of when, where and why they need to create space when they are attacking. Gymnastics We will focus on exploring movements and balances in symmetrical and asymmetrical ways. The children will create sequences starting with their symmetrical balance on apparatus, moving out of it and travelling to a new piece of apparatus and ending in their asymmetrical balances applying flow. |
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Computing |
Connecting Computers The children will explore how digital devices work by understanding inputs, processes, and outputs, and comparing digital and non-digital devices. They will also learn about computer networks, including key infrastructure such as wireless access points and switches, and discover the advantages of connecting devices together to share information and resources. Stop Frame Animation The children will use a range of techniques to create a stop-frame animation using tablets. Next, they will apply those skills to create a story-based animation. This unit will conclude with the children adding other types of media to their animation, such as music and text. |
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PSHE |
Me, my friends and belonging We will discuss identity, what makes a good friend, how to manage disagreements and falling out with friends, and consider what it means to be part of a community. Mental Health and Wellbeing We will focus on emotional wellbeing, learning to recognise and understand our emotions, manage distractions, cope with worries, and develop positive strategies for managing our thoughts, feelings, and responses in different situations. Through these lessons, the children will build confidence, resilience, and healthy relationship skills. |
Best wishes,
Susannah Taylor