Year 3JH: Blog items
Water Workshops and Geography Experiments
Date: 29th Jun 2025 @ 9:53pm
It has been another busy week in year 3!
This week, we were lucky enough to work with City and learn more about Water. We explored how some people have easy access to clean water, yet in other parts of the world it can be incredibly difficult to get fresh, clean water. We all then wrote a 'water pledge' on how we were going try harder to waste less water.
In geography, we learnt about different types of weathering - physical, chemical and biological. We then conducted an experiment to help us understand physical and chemical weathering. For physical weathering, we filled a bottle with water up until the marked line. We then put the bottle in the freezer, and to our surprise we could see that the ice was at a higher level than the water had been. This helped us understand that if rainwater filled the cracks of rocks or cliffs, and then froze, it could expand and break the rock or cliff. When exploring chemical weathering, we considered how rain can sometimes be acidic and wanted to see the effect this would have on limestone. Instead of using rain and limestone, we used baking powder and vinegar.
Date: 29th May 2025 @ 10:48pm
This half-term, year 3 had a design and technology project: to create a product that needed to include a linkage and lever. We completed this project over a couple of days.
This was a difficult task for year 3, as linkages and levers involved creating very small holes and connecting different strips of card together. We used the concept of Roman catapults as inspiration.
Even though there was a lot of trial and error, we were all proud of what we created. We can't wait for our next design and technology project next half-term...can you guess what it'll be? 
Date: 8th May 2025 @ 1:53pm
Today, we have been learning about VE day for it's 80th Anniversary. We wore red, white and blue to school and ate a special VE day lunch.
In class, we learnt what Victory in Europe day is, and why it is important to remember these occasions. We also completed some different VE day crafts.
How and when did the Romans invade Britain?
Date: 1st May 2025 @ 12:16pm
This week in history, year 3 have been learning all about how and when the Romans invaded Britain.
We learnt how Emperor Julias Casear tried to invade Britain, but failed. He then had to build his army by invading different countries in Europe. However, it was Emperor Claudius who successfully invaded Britain in 43AD.
We also discovered that the Romans wanted to come to Britain because of the precious metals that Britain had.
During our learning, we were able to go out onto the playground and use our drama skills to explore how the Romans built their powerful empire.
Date: 27th Apr 2025 @ 12:00pm
Year 3 have had a busy start to the Summer term.
In maths, we have emerged ourselves into the world of fractions. This half-term we are learning all about unit fractions, so we have begun to explore the difference between equal and unequal parts, identify parts and wholes and learn new vocabulary.
In reading and writing, we are learning how to write a biography. We began the unit by reading biographies all about the warrior Queen Boudicca. We have also begun to complete some research about other famous figures, that we will continue to explore next week, as we write our own biographies.
In history, we launched our Roman topic by learning how to march as a Roman and the fierce tortoise formation that the Romans used in battle.
We can't wait to find out more about the Romans in future lessons!
Date: 18th Mar 2025 @ 3:15pm
This week in science, year 3 have been learning all about the role the stem plays in plants. We learnt that it is the xylem that is reponsible for helping transport water through the stem of the plant, but we wanted to see how well it worked.
In order to test the xylem, we added blue food colouring to a jug of water that contained tulips. To our surprise and delight, the petals of the tulips turned blue!
Date: 7th Mar 2025 @ 4:25pm
Today has been very exciting, because we have been celebrating World Book Day!
Year 3 have been extremely busy.
We read our focus text 'Flotsam - David Wisener' which is a story with no words. Inspired by this, we decided to create our own picture books. Some children used inspiration from writing they had written earlier in the year, and others created entirely new stories.
We then used wooden spoons to make puppet characters. Some of these were based off Flotsam (such as fish or sea creatures) and others were based off our World Book Day costumes. These are going to be in our reading corners and on display in our shared areas.
Throughout the day, we were also able to share stories with a range of people. We shared stories in the hall with our grown ups, we visited Nursery to share our picture books, and Mrs Bennett (Cruella De Vil) and Miss Cope (the Cat in the Hat) visited our class to read their stories.
It was an exciting (though tiring!) day. We can't wait to do it all over again next year.
Date: 28th Feb 2025 @ 2:34pm
This half-term, year 3 are learning all about plants in Science.
To begin our topic, we asked the question 'what do plants need to grow?'
We completed some research that showed us they needed air, water, space, light and soil...but we wanted to test if this was true or not.
We have now set up an experiment, where we have planted 6 different basil seeds. In each plant pot, we have removed one of the different things that plants need. We have also planted one seed that has air, water, space, light and soil so that we can compare.
We will water them (apart from the one where water is removed!) each day, and see if the basil plant grows or not.
Date: 15th Feb 2025 @ 1:44pm
On Friday, Year 3 spent the day completing a Design and Technology project.
Our design brief was: The first Pharaoh, Narmer, has tragically died. We need to design and build our own pyramids to bury him in and to show the Egyptians how their pyramids should be built. Remember our pyramids need to be as special as he was!
It was a very difficult project, because the pyramids needed to be self-supporting, strong, have an entrance, and traditional Egyptian features.
We spent the day practising how to fold nets, how to strengthen card and paper with laminating, corrugating and ribbing techniques, and designing our pyramids. In the afternoon, we begun to make our final pyramids.
Pharaoh Narmer would have been proud! The final pyramids were fantastic, and we were all very proud of our creations.
Date: 7th Feb 2025 @ 12:57pm
This week, year 3 have been writing instructions on how to mummify a person. We have read many different instructions in order to gather information, and have practised writing adverbs and time connectives.
We then wrote our instructions, carefully considering the equipment an Ancient Egyptian would use.
Today, we were able to test our instructions! Year 3 used drama to act out their mummification techniques, and even used toilet paper as their 'soft linen bandages.'
Date: 31st Jan 2025 @ 1:23pm
Year 3 have completed some fantastic learning this week!
In history, we have explored the legacy of Ancient Egypt. We did this by learning about Egyptian myths, creating and playing an Egyptian game, exploring artefacts and translating hieroglyphs.
In maths, we have begun to explore right angles. We used right angle finders to see what objects around our classrooms had right angles. We also learnt some new vocabulary: angle, fixed point, rotate, clockwise and anticlockwise. Can you remember what they mean?
Wood Street Mission & a visit from 3JH!
Date: 26th Jan 2025 @ 3:52pm
On Friday we had a visit from some volunteers from Wood Street Mission who are a charity helping local people in Manchester. They came with lots of amazing books. We were able to choose five books from the selection for Year 1 and take home for FREE! As soon as we got back to class we wanted to have some quiet reading time and look at our new books. Reading for Pleasure at its best!!!
In the afternoon we had a visit from Miss Higgin's Year 3 class who came to read their own versions of the traditional story 'Cinderella.' We loved listening to them and Renato thought they were 'Amazing!!!' Thank you Year 3!
Date: 25th Jan 2025 @ 11:40am
All of year 3 came back to school after the Christmas break, eager and excited to learn. There has been none stop smiles, hard-work and resilience across the year group.
In history, year 3 are learning about the Ancient Egyptians. We have visited Manchester Museum, where we were able to study real Egyptian Artefacts, as well as some items from our previous geography and history learning - such as rainforest animals. This was a great day out, as we were able to connect the learning we have done in the classroom, to the real artefacts we could see in the museum.
In science, we are exploring all things bones and muscles. So far, we have identified the different bones that humans and animals have. We have also worked in teams to create moving skeletons! Next week, we will begin learning about different types of muscles.
In english, we have been reading different versions of Cinderella. We then practised writing dialogue, 2a sentences and using adverbs, before writing our very own versions. On Friday, we visited both year 1 classes and shared our stories. It was amazing getting to read the stories to the younger children, and we were very proud of our work.
Date: 3rd Dec 2024 @ 5:07pm
In science this half-term, year 3 have been learning all about light!
As part of our learning, we have learnt how shadows are formed when opaque objects block the light. We then created our own shadow puppets! We used the shadow puppets to perform exciting stories.
Date: 18th Nov 2024 @ 8:29am
What an exciting few weeks year 3 have had!
This half-term, year three have been learning many new skills.
In maths, we have explored measurements - focusing on centimetres, metres and millimetres. This was a challenge at first, but well done to everyone for persevering, because we are all now able to confidently estimate the height and length of objects. This week, we will begin to measure the objects using rulers and tape measures.
In reading and writing, we have written our very own dilemma story! Using the story 'the Great Kapok Tree' for inspiration, we have explored how to use direct speech in order to convince a man or woman to save the rainforest from deforestation. Direct speech is a very tricky skill, one that we are still practising and hope to use in more pieces of writing.
We have also begun our geography topic, 'what impact can humans have on the Earth?' Throughout this unit, we are exploring both the positive and negative impacts that humans have on the planet - including pollution, deforestation and recycling. What could you do at home to help the Earth?
Year 4 shares their writing with Year 3
Date: 19th Oct 2024 @ 7:32pm
Both Year 3 and Year 4 have worked extremely hard in their writing lessons this half-term. They've written myths, instructions, non-chronological reports, and diary entries! As part of their writing focus, year 4 chose year 3 as their target audience.
Year 3 were able to listen to year 4 share their amazing Maya myths, whilst providing positive feedback about the skills the children had clearly practised and worked hard at including.
This was a great experience for both year groups, and year 3 look forward to sharing their writing with year 4 soon!
Date: 28th Sep 2024 @ 3:29pm
Year 3 have been very busy these last couple of weeks.
In maths, we have been exploring addition and subtraction. Can you remember the meaning of all of our new vocabulary? Addend, minuend, subtratend, equation, sum and difference? It was challenging to begin with, but we alll worked incredibly hard and continued to persevere until we felt confident.
In english, we have been reading the Stone Age boy. We have practised our inference skills, and next week will write a diary as if we have landed in the Stone Age - just like the boy did in the story.
In history, we explored what it would be like to be living in the Stone Age. We learnt what a hunter-gatherer was, and role-played being a hunter, gatherer and farmer in the playground.
We have also begun our gymnastics journey in PE, and learnt how to do a shoulder stand. We even learnt a trick to do with a beanbag and a hula hoop!
Attached is a copy of this week's homework and spellings.
Date: 14th Sep 2024 @ 3:54pm
This week, we had an Archaeologist visit Year 3! Dr Ian taught us about the three periods of the Stone Age. We were able to explore real artefacts, make string, weave, make flour, create bracelets and even attempted making pottery with clay. Year 3 had an amazing day, and we can't wait to learn even more about the Stone Age this half-term.
Date: 7th Sep 2024 @ 12:40pm
Welcome to Year 3!
What a fantastic start to year 3 that we have had. We began the week, by beginning our journey to become a rights respecting school, by exploring the book 'Every Child a Song.' Using the story as inspiration, we then created acrostic poems with our names, that we can't wait to display in our shared areas. We also learned about the ABCDE of rights, and the difference between 'needs' and 'wants.' After we'd learned about children's rights, we created Class Charters to ensure that our classrooms would be respectful, safe and responsible learning environments - see them below.
We also completed maths learning, where we were able to use concrete resources to order, compare and represent two and three digit numbers.
We can't wait to see what next week will bring!
Rememeber: P.E days are Tuesday and Wednesday.
Date: 20th Jun 2024 @ 11:12am
Year 3 have worked incredibly hard over the last couple of weeks!
In writing, they have written their own, rhyming poems. They then invited their families to school, where they shared their poems in their very own poetry read! The children showed great performance skills, and were able to speak aloud to large groups. They had worked very hard on perfecting their poems, and were extremely proud of what they had produced.
In geography, year 3 have been learning all about erosion. They explored different types of coastlines, as well as the process of erosion. They then used a range of building materials, to demonstrate the process of erosion. When explaining the process, they used the language: cave, arch, stack and stump.
Date: 14th Jun 2024 @ 9:42am
On Tuesday a group of Year 3 and 4 children attended an event called the 'Great Science Share' at the University of Salford. It was an opportunity for 34 school's around Greater Manchester to gather and share their science investigations to each other. Each school had a stall which they used to share their investigation to the visitiors walking around the hall. We also got an opportunity to go and visit the other schools' stalls to listen and learn about their science investigations. The Lord Mayor of Salford attended as well as some professors from the University of Salford and Manchester who were going around the stalls quizzing the children about their investigations.
Ferdows and Ayaan in Year 4 even got chosen to cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony of the event! It such an amazing opportunity for the children who were in awe of the actual building! I am hoping to attend this event each year!
Enjoy looking at the photographs and video!
Mrs Iqbal
Date: 25th May 2024 @ 2:11pm
On Monday, year 3 had an exciting, Roman visitor!
At first, we were all very confused as the Roman was speaking to us in Latin and we had no idea what was going on. He even thought we were barbarians!
But we soon learnt that he had travelled from Rome with his tent and materials, and was here to teach us all about Ancient Rome. We were able to try on Roman armour, wash our arms with olive oil, taste soup and bread as well as touch real artefacts that were over 2,000 years old.
Our favourite part of the day, was trying the marching exercises, where we worked as a team to link our shields and defend ourselves against the year 3 adults as well as the other year 3 class.
It was an amazing, educational day that we are sure to never forget!
Date: 19th May 2024 @ 1:30pm
Another busy week in Year 3!
In history, we have learning about the legacy of the Romans. We were very surprised to learn just how much the Romans had given us - roads, language, Government, money and much more! We can't wait to meet our Roman visitor on Monday. Don't forget - you can come to school in your Roman outfit, school uniform or P.E kit.
In our English lessons, we have been learning all about the warrior, Queen Boudicca. We were amazed to learn how she rallied Celt tribes in an attempt to defeat Roman legions. We have begun to practice different skills - such as formal writing, past tense and adverbials - in preparation of writing a biography all about Boudicca next week.
In maths, we have been focusing on multiplication - specifically, our four times tables. We have practising recognising our four times tables, and explored the relationship between the 2 and 4 times tables.
In music and dance, we have been practising for the KS2 end of year performance. 3JH have been practising their makaton skills whilst 3CB have been trying to perfect their ukulele talents.
Next week, we hope to visit Phillip's Park to carry out a science experiment about friction - hopefully the weather will stay sunny for us!
Date: 6th May 2024 @ 2:37pm
Year 3 have had another busy week!
We have begun to plan our disaster stories, using inspiration from 'Escape from Pompeii.' Children were able to use their imagination to create their own characters, settings and disasters - we can't wait to finally begin writing it next week!
In maths, we have continued to learn about fractions. This week, we have focused on non-unit fractions of amount. We made connections to our previous learning on unit fractions, and were able to use both concrete and pictorial representations to support us.
One of our favourite lessons of the week, was history. This time, we explored how the Roman's built their empire. We used role play to re-enact the Romans taking over other countries, so that they were strong enough to invade Britain - we then researched all the benefits Britain had to offer for the Romans. Learning all about the Romans has been a highlight of our Connected Curriculum topics so far, and we are all very excited to learn even more.
An exciting first week of the Summer Term!
Date: 21st Apr 2024 @ 11:53am
What an exciting week back year 3 have had!
Children were eager to return to school on Monday and began their learning with enthusiasm and smiles.
Our history learning this half-term is all about the Romans, with the focus question of "Why were the Romans so powerful?" We launched this exciting topic with a dedicated 'Roman Day!' The children looked amazing in their costumes and were all eager to play the role of a Roman. We spent the day learning Roman Numerals, creating amazing continuous line drawings of Roman Busts, creating laurel wreaths and our favourite activity...tasting Roman Food. The children particularly enjoyed tasting the mackerel - even though they didn't like the look of it at first, the majority of children asked for seconds and even thirds! We can't wait to learn even more about the Romans now.
Aside from our history learning, we also had some exciting RE lessons. This week, the children explored the celebration of Ramadan. As some children celebrated Ramadan over the half-term, they shared their celebrations with the rest of the class. In 3JH, the children also taught others how they pray when they visit a Mosque. It was wonderful to see the compassion in which the children both asked and answered questions.
In maths, the children continued their learning about fractions. This week, we focused on unit fractions, and explored how we could use every day objects to create unit fractions (such as 1/2, 1/3, 1/4). In english, we read the story "The pebble in my pocket," and have begun to write a setting description about the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
This half-term has started off full of excitement and a joy of learning. We can't see what next week brings.
