Hello and welcome back!
I hope you all enjoyed a refreshing and restful half-term break. As we begin Spring 2, I’m excited to share all the wonderful learning, activities, and opportunities coming up for Year 3. This half-term may be a short one, but it’s certainly filled with rich curriculum experiences and plenty of enthusiasm from the children!
Below, you’ll find key updates on our learning themes, PE and swimming days, homework expectations, and ways you can support us in school.
đź“š Curriculum Highlights
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This half-term, we’ll be diving into:
- History – From the Bronze Age to the Iron Age
Following our work on the Stone Age last half-term, we will now continue our chronological journey through Prehistoric Britain. Children will learn about:
- The discovery and use of bronze and how metalwork changed daily life
- The development of farming, settlements, and early trade routes
- The construction and purpose of monuments such as Stonehenge
- How life and technology changed again with the arrival of iron
- The differences between Bronze Age and Iron Age homes, tools, weapons, and communities
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Science – Forces & Magnets
This half-term we will investigate:
- What a force is and how pushes and pulls affect movement
- Why some surfaces create more friction than others
- How magnets attract and repel
- Which materials are magnetic and why
- Everyday uses of magnets
The children will take part in hands-on investigations and problem‑solving tasks that really spark curiosity!
What is the class text ?
Iron Man by Ted Hughes
This half‑term, Year 3 will be reading The Iron Man by Ted Hughes an exciting and imaginative modern classic that children always love.
The story begins with a mysterious metal giant who appears on a cliff top and tumbles into the sea. No one knows where he has come from or why he is here. When farmers discover that the Iron Man is eating machinery and scrap metal from their farms, they become frightened and unsure of how to stop him. A young boy named Hogarth becomes central to the story, helping the villagers understand the Iron Man and discovering that he may not be a threat after all.
Our History and Science Knowledge Organisers, this half-term’s curriculum map, and the spelling units we’ll be covering are all available to download at the bottom of this blog.
🏠Homework Expectations
A quick reminder of our weekly routines:
- Reading: Please encourage your child to read at least three times a week and sign their home-school reading record. You’re very welcome to join us in the Reading Lair!
- DoodleMaths & DoodleSpell: Staying in the Green Zone (around 40 minutes a week) really supports progress. Please support children to complete their assignments, as these link directly to our class learning.
- Silver Reading Challenge: Many children are close—keep going!
- Class Blog: We will continue sharing updates, photos and celebrations of learning, so please check regularly.
🏊 PE & Swimming Days
- Swimming: Every Thursday afternoon. Children walk to Keyworth Pool with Mrs Lees and supporting adults.
- PE: Every Friday afternoon. Please ensure PE kits are clearly labelled and brought to school each week.
đź“– Spellings
This half-term’s spelling units and the next set of statutory Orange Words for Years 3 and 4 will be taught through lessons and DoodleSpell assignments. Practising little and often makes a big difference!
đź‘‹ Can You Help?
We are looking for adult helpers for:
- Swimming on Thursdays – walking with the class to and from Keyworth Pool.
If you are available to help on any date this half‑term, please speak to me or contact the office. Your support is always hugely appreciated.
🏕️ Residential Visit to Beaumanor Hall – 19th–20th March
We are very excited to share details of our upcoming Year 3 residential trip to Beaumanor Hall.
We usually run a one‑night residential visit for our Year 3 children. This special trip is designed to celebrate their completion of Key Stage One and to help them develop a wide range of skills that will support them as they continue their journey through Key Stage Two. During the two days, children will have opportunities to build on skills such as:
- teamwork
- communication
- independence
- resilience
- problem‑solving
🌲 What will the children do?
From 19th–20th March, the children will stay at Beaumanor Hall, where they will take part in an exciting programme of activities including:
- survival training
- a night-line obstacle course
- team-building challenges
- exploring the extensive outdoor grounds
They will stay overnight in comfortable cabins and enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals provided by the centre.
đźš— Travel
To help keep costs down, we are asking that children are dropped off and collected by parents directly at Beaumanor Hall.
🧾 Parent Information Evening
Mrs King and I will be hosting a parent information evening on Friday 27th February at 3.40pm in the Y3 classroom to share the full itinerary and answer any questions you may have about the trip.
đź“… Key Dates
Friday 27th February- Year 3 Residential meeting at 3:40pm.
Thursday 5th March- World Book Day!
Monday 9th of March- Science Week!
Thursday 12th March- Mothers’ Day Morning. Information to be confirmed by FoKPNS.
Wednesday 18th March- Juvenile Arthritis Day.
Thursday 19th -Friday 20th March- Year 3 Residential to Beaumanor Hall
Monday 23rd and Thursday 26th March- Parents’ Evening.
*(Please also keep an eye on the class blog and Dragon’s Roar for updates and upcoming events throughout the half-term.)
If you have any questions at all, please catch me at the end of the day or leave a message with the office and I can respond to this. I’m really looking forward to another fantastic half-term with Year 3!
Take care,
Miss Fowell 🌟
History Spring 2 KO Bronze And Iron Age