Leaves and Legions!

We have had another busy week in Year 3, covering lots of exciting topics from the Roman Army to the eruption of Pomeii.

Maths
This week, we have been using our understanding of the value of the denominator and numerator to work out the fractions of different objects. We began the week by recapping unit fractions, and children used maths apparatus to work out different unit fractions. This was tricky to begin with, and we spent some more time reading through questions and working collaboratively. Children then moved on to working out non-unit fractions of different sets of objects. We ended the week using all our fractions knowledge to work out different fractions of amounts, including working through some challenging word problems. We will be starting a new unit next week focusing on money.

English
Who were the survivors? What did they say? This was our focus at the start of the week in our writing lessons. After learning more about the eruption, we enjoyed taking part in some role-play. Children were journalists for various Roman newspapers and interviewed witnesses who shared what had happened in Pompeii and spoke more about Mount Vesuvius. After writing down what was said, children then added speech marks and used different synonyms to replace ‘said’. We ended the week by learning more about the eruption and children had several curious questions after watching an animation on the day of the eruption.

Science
Both classes had fun collecting leaves this week as part of our plant topic. Children looked closely at leaves after learning more about their different parts, including the midrib, petiole and veins. Children enjoyed making observations, putting leaves up towards the sunlight, and then drawing and labelling different parts of leaves.

History
Last week, we learned about different job roles in Britain before the Roman invasion, and children enjoyed debating whether they should fight or surrender when the Roman army invaded. Who was the Roman army? This week, we learned more about their day-to-day life, and children were shocked to learn that being part of the legion was challenging and involved carrying at least 30kg of equipment and walking 20 miles a day! They loved sharing their thoughts on this in a class discussion and wrote a short diary entry about their day, including various formations that they have been practising.

Computing
The half term our unit is about presenting information using Google Slides. So far, the children have learnt how to open a new blank slide, add text boxes and format their text. This week, the children also learnt how to insert images to make their slides more informative and look more appealing! Slides are a great way to present ideas or research, so maybe your child coud have a go at creating a Google Slide about a hobby or interest they have at home on their Chromebook! 

Homework
Maths – Finding fractions of amounts worksheet
Spelling – Challenge Words 3.32 Assignment (Spelling Shed)

Special mention
3BK – Theo, Diya
3B – Douglas, Azaan, Matilda and Eira

Class Dojo
3BK – Layla
3B – Ellie

Have a lovely weekend
The Year 3 Team