Hello again everyone.  Here we are in term 2 with Halloween just gone and Christmas already on the horizon, where does the time go?!  Here is a brief update of our learning focus this term.

Literacy

This term, we will continue to read and develop ALP strategies through Bug Club guided reading texts.  There will be a particular focus on using evidence when answering a variety of question types. For writing, we are concentrating on persuasive pieces building on work done in term 1, then looking at recount writing drawing on experience during science investigations.

Numeracy

This term our numeracy focus is on using the 4 operations, completing addition and subtraction units before moving onto multiplication and division.  We will continue to use Number Talk strategies to develop mental strategies related to multiplication and division.

Health and Wellbeing

The PATHS focus this term is using the PATHS Problem Solving Rationale, identifying the necessary steps when faced with a difficult situation. We are also looking at substance misuse with a focus on smoking and vaping as a focus.

In school, our PE days will remain a Monday and Thursday where we will be focussing on gymnastics and football. In gymnastics, we will develop our knowledge and execution of shapes, jumps, turns, balances and rolls and even try some mini parkour.  In football, we aim to develop coordination and adopt different team roles.  We will also spend a short time looking at traditional Scottish dances in preparation for Day of Dance in mid-November.

IDL

For our IDL this term will continue to investigate Titanic, where we will research factors that lead to the fate of the ship.  We will also be conducting science experiments related to floating and sinking.  Our focus will then change to look at Global Warming.

RE

In the month of November P6’s will focus on the theme of Remembrance and look at Saints and those who have gone before us.  We will discuss the belief within the Catholic Church of eternal life in Heaven.  We will then look to the theme of Advent in December and identify symbols of the Old Testament via a Jesse Tree, depicting the coming of a saviour.

French

This term’s focus for French is to be able to talk about animals and pets they have.

Technologies

This term P6 will begin to look at coding and create basic commands to programme devices to perform simple tasks and actions.

UNCRC

This term pupil will be looking at Article 38 for Remembrance Day and the right to protect children from war as well as articles 4 and 41 and 45 in celebration of World Children’s Day and Human Rights Day.

I look forward to seeing you all at Pupil Progress meetings.

Mr Bertoncini

Welcome back! Primary 3 have worked very hard during the first term, consolidating previous knowledge as well as lots of new learning. They continue to work well together, displaying the school values in all that they do. We look forward to this next exciting term together and all that it brings. Below is a curriculum overview for this term.

Literacy

Reading – This term, Primary 3 will develop their questioning skills with particular focus on who, when, where, why and how questions to enable the pupils to retell main events. Find it, Prove it, Talk about it strategies will also be developed to support understanding of texts. In addition to this, pupils will be able to recognise key features to non-fiction texts.  Bug Club readers will continue to be used. Daily opportunities for reading will continue to be provided through personal reading time and where possible visits to the library will take place.

Writing – In writing, Primary 3 will continue to work on sentence structure ensuring the use of capital letters, full stops and finger spaces as well as use connectives such as “and”, “but” and “because” to add more detail to sentences.  This terms writing genre will be narrative. Pupils will begin to use a variety of openers and powerful verbs to make their writing more interesting. In addition to this, weekly handwriting lessons will continue.

Spelling – New phonemes and common words will be introduced weekly. Active spelling activities will be used to support this learning.

Listening and Talking – When developing talking and listening skills, P3 will focus on asking and responding to questions as well as retelling stories and events in their own words.

Grammar – Primary 3 will begin to learn about verbs linking this to prior knowledge about nouns and recognising speech marks within texts.

Numeracy and Mathematics

This term, addition and subtraction skills and strategies will be reviewed and revisited before building on this. Primary 3 will look at adding and subtracting 2 and 3 digit numbers using number lines, partitioning and the column method. Word problems and equations will continue to be explored as their knowledge of addition and subtraction expands. In addition, P3 will extend their understanding of money including recognition of notes and coins as well as adding to find totals and subtracting to find change. Daily number talks will continue to be completed, to develop mental maths strategies.

UNCRC

Primary 3 continue to be mindful of the UNCRC Rights of the Child. Pupils will be looking at Article 38 for Remembrance Day and the right to protect children from war as well as articles 4 and 41 and 45 in celebration of World Children’s Day and Human Rights Day throughout this term.

Health and Wellbeing

Primary 3 will continue to access our whole school PATHS programme this term to develop their understanding of emotions. Alongside this, Pupils will learn about ‘Zones of Regulations’ with a particular focus on energy levels. Each child will continue to have the opportunity to be “Pupil of the Day”, receiving compliments from their peers. P3 continue to enjoy this experience. We will also continue with the Do Be Mindful programme which will allow us, through a range of different strategies, to think of the ways we can be mindful each day. Furthermore, through our Germs topic, pupils will learn about the importance of health and hygiene.

Physical Education

This term, Primary 3 will develop their football and gymnastic skills. In addition to this, Pupils will have the opportunity to develop their social dance skills as we approach Christmas.

PE days are Monday afternoon and Thursday afternoon. All children will require a PE kit on these days. Please ensure any jewellery is taken off and left at home on PE days. If your child cannot take part for any reason, please contact the school.

Religious Education

In R.E. this term, Primary 3 will learn about the Creation story, discovering the great diversity of plant and animal life created by God and how we can help care for it. We will learn about the lives of several Saints such as St Francis of Assisi and the season of Advent, where we will learn more about the Christmas story, particularly the role of King Herod and Joseph.

IDL

This term, P3 will learn about Germs and Micro-organisms as well as participate in a Christmas Enterprise project. As Primary 3 learn about germs they will gain an Understanding what germs are, how they spread and how we can stay healthy. Cross curricular links during this topic include science, health and wellbeing and literacy. Through the Christmas Enterprise project, pupils will develop their enterprise, creativity and teamwork skills. They will make a number of cross curricular links during this topic including social studies, expressive arts, literacy, technologies and numeracy.

French

This term Primary 3 will continue to develop their confidence when having conversations in French including asking and answering questions about themselves. Pupils will also focus on numbers to 30 as well as vocabulary related to the classroom.

Homework will be distributed on a Monday and should be completed and returned on a Friday each week.

Primary 3 look forward to sharing their wonderful learning with you throughout the term! Look out on the school app as well as Learning Journals where some of your child’s learning moments will be shared. If you have not yet handed in the permission slip for this please do so as soon as possible so we can share some of your child’s lovely work.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding, we are really looking forward to another fabulous and festive term in Primary 3,

Mrs Dunsmore and Mrs Hope.