Year 3

SUMMER TERM Learning

English

Our theme in Summer 1 is ‘From Mystery to Discovery’ and in Summer 2 it will be ‘Confidence and Caution’. We will start with the text, ‘The Mysteries of Harris Burdick.’ We will explore the illustrations in the text to create setting descriptions, dialogues and action scenes. The main outcome will be for the children to create their own fantasy narrative. Our next text, ‘Flotsam’, has similar outcomes, but the children will write a sequel for their main piece of writing. In Summer 2, we will read ‘Jim, A Cautionary Tale’, ‘The Legend of Sally Jones’ and ‘The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish’. Here we will write our own poetry, as well as looking in more detail at relative clauses, fronted adverbials and verb forms.

Maths

In the Summer Term, we will continue working on fractions, this time exploring how non-unit fractions are linked to the idea of repeated addition of unit fractions. We will then explore money and shape. We will look at converting pounds and pennies, and using our knowledge of addition and subtraction to add and subtract money. In the second half term of summer, the children will explore time. They will build on their learning from Year 2, and learn to tell the time to the minute. They will look at analogue clocks, digital clocks and learn Roman Numerals to 12.

Science

In Science this term, Year 3 will cover ‘Plant Reproduction’ and ‘Making Connections’. Using living plants and lots of hands-on learning, we will start by identifying the parts of a plant and their relationship between structure and function. We will explore how water is transported across a plant, the plant’s life cycle, the process of pollination, seed formation and seed dispersal. In Summer 2, as part of ‘Making Connections’, we will be revising all the scientific enquiry skills we’ve learnt to explore the question, ‘Does hand span affect grip strength?’

Computing

In Computing, we will be creating video trailers. The children will take photographs and videos to make their very own book trailers whilst using software to edit and enhance their video by adding music, sounds, transitions and text on screen.

Geography

In Summer 1, we are answering the question, ‘Are all settlements the same?’ where we will learn to describe different types of settlements. We will also look at how land is used in our local area. We will go on a local fieldwork trip, looking at the physical and human features of the landscape. We will also then look at how our local area has changed over time. Finally, the children will compare the features of their local area to another area in a different part of the world.

History

We will start History in Summer 2. We will be answering the question, ‘What was important to Ancient Egyptians?’ While answering this question, the children will evaluate and consider different Egyptian artefacts and records to learn more about the Ancient Egyptian’s beliefs about gods and goddesses, the afterlife and, excitingly, mummification!

Art/DT

We will start the summer half term doing Art where our topic will be ’Sculpture and 3D: Abstract shape’. The children will learn how to transform 2D card shapes into three-dimensional structures and sculptures. We will explore abstract shapes and space, develop skills in constructing 3D objects, and understand the difference between 2D and 3D art. In the next half term, we will move onto DT with ‘Cooking and Nutrition’ where we will use seasonal ingredients to make a tart.

PSHE

We begin this term by looking at ‘Economic Wellbeing’. We will begin by understanding the different ways to pay for things. We will explore how to put together a budget before moving onto the impact of spending and begin to recognise how ethics can influence our spending decisions. We will then finally look at stereotypes in the workplace and how these should not limit career aspirations.

Music

We will continue our instrumental lessons which will provide our music curriculum. 3D will continue learning to play the saxophone and 3R the clarinet. We have also been chosen to perform in the WCET Festival 2026 by Wandsworth Music Hub which we are really looking forward to doing! More details to follow nearer the time.

PE

There will be two sessions of PE per week. In Summer 1, 3R will be attending swimming sessions at Putney Leisure Centre and will play tennis at school. 3D will be learning tennis as well as dodgeball. In Summer 2, 3R will have athletics and dodgeball and 3D will have swimming and athletics.

RE

This term we will be looking at the questions ‘Why is water symbolic?’ and ‘Why is fire used ceremonially?’. We will explore how fire and water are used as a symbol for different religions. We will understand the importance of ritual washing and cleansing for many religions, the importance of Baptism for Christianity and the meaning of ZamZam for Islam.

Spanish

In Spanish, we will learn different colours and shapes in Spanish. Children will be able to say the names of some colours in Spanish, read and recognise descriptive phrases and match them to an image and identify shapes with their name and colour in Spanish, placing the colour adjective after the noun.

Reminders

PE – Summer 1
Year 3D – PE on Monday and Friday
Year 3R – PE on Monday and swimming on Thursdays (please see the swimming letter for further details)
PE – Summer 2
Year 3D – PE on Monday and swimming on Thursdays (please see the swimming letter for further details)
Year 3R – PE on Monday and Friday

Music lessons

Children will need to bring their instruments to school every Tuesday for our music lessons.
3R – Clarinets
3D – Saxophones