Happy New Year!  I hope Santa was good to you all and you had a restful Christmas break.  Good to see all the pupils back after the holidays.  Here is a brief overview of our learning focus this term.

Literacy

Firstly, we will be looking at Scottish texts, using Scots language and looking at Scottish poems and authors in preparation for our Scots Assembly.  Our focus then will aim to develop all reading skills through Bug Club guided reading texts.  For writing, we are concentrating on poems and narrative writing, before moving onto the report genre via biographies.

Numeracy

The emphasis of our numeracy this term is on fractions, decimals and percentages and how they interlink.  Having completed the set Number Talk discussions, we will continue to use Number Talk strategies to develop mental strategies using all four processes.

Health and Wellbeing

The PATHS focus this term is on goal setting and investigating the lives of several people who are viewed as inspirational goal setters.  Then we will look at the skills needed to make and maintain friendships. We will also continue to praise and compliment children through Pupil of the Day.

Our PE days are still Monday and Thursday and pupils must bring in their PE kit on these days to participate fully.  We will be first concentrating on fun fitness, creating personal fitness plans and setting personal goals.  We also aim to develop our team game skills through netball where we will understand different roles within the team.

IDL

The topic this term is geography based, and we will be looking at Scottish landscapes including lakes, rivers and mountains.  We will also be investigating famous landmarks and observing maps to identify these features.

RE

This term we will begin our Pope Francis Faith Award journals, giving a brief overview of all the Gifts of the Holy Spirit before focussing on the first 2 gifts: Knowledge and Piety.  Pupils will be aiming to give evidence of them being used in the school, at home and in the community or Parish.

French

The focus for this terms French is “My Family” and pupils will be learning vocabulary to discuss different family members.

Technologies

This term P6 begin to use 3D graphics and use software to create and design simple models.

UNCRC

We will be looking at the articles and rights involved and associated in Holocaust Memorial Day in late January, Safe Internet Day and Children’s Mental Health Week in February, and World Book Day and World Water Day in March.

Mr Bertoncini

Welcome back! We hope you had a lovely Christmas and we wish you a very Happy New Year. Term 2 was a busy time for Primary 3 and they all worked really hard. Below is a curriculum overview for this term.

Literacy

Reading – This term, Primary 3 will continue to develop their questioning skills with particular focus on inferential questioning and creating their own questions. They will continue to extend their knowledge of retelling events from texts using what they have already learned about who, what, where and when to support this. In addition to this, pupils will work on identifying the purpose of notes as well as creating their own based on shared texts, personal readers and linked to IDL. 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 – This terms writing genre will be explanation and report writing. Pupils will begin to identify the key features of a fact file whilst composing their own including diagrams and tables. Primary 3 will also be encouraged to continue to extend their writing through use of connectives, adjectives and openers 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 continue to recognise and use speech marks and will be introduced to commas within texts.

Numeracy and Mathematics

This term, multiplication and division skills and strategies will be reviewed and revisited before building on this. Primary 3 will be learning to multiply and divide by 2,3,4,5,6 and 10. In addition, P3 will extend their understanding of number patterns, time and shape. 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. We will be looking at the articles and rights involved and associated in Holocaust Memorial Day in late January, Safe Internet Day and Children’s Mental Health Week in February, and World Book Day and World Water Day in March.

Health and Wellbeing

Primary 3 will continue to access our whole school PATHS programme this term to develop their understanding of emotions. Pupils will also continue to learn about ‘Zones of Regulations’ focussing on energy levels and strategies to support this. Each child will continue to have the opportunity to be “Pupil of the Day”, receiving compliments from their peers. We will also continue with the Do Be Mindful programme which will allow us to be mindful each day, taking time to find calm and regulate during the busy school day. Furthermore, as we continue with our Germs topic at the start of the term, pupils will continue to develop their understanding of health and hygiene.

In addition to this, Primary 3 will learn about how to keep themselves safe in emergency situations, including medicines and people who can help them.

Physical Education

This term, Primary 3 will develop their stamina and endurance through fun fitness as well as their ball skills. Pupils will also continue to develop their gymnastic skills.

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 life of Jesus, learning more about his life through his parables and miracles. Pupils will also begin to prepare to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation as well as learn more about Lent and the Easter story.  

IDL

This term, P3 will complete our learning all about Germs and Micro-organisms and extend this learning by linking it to our HWB outcomes focusing on medicines, what to do in an emergency as well as learning about the importance of personal hygiene. Pupils will also learn about The Romans through IDL. They will investigate Roman artefacts, research Roman lifestyles as well as create their own Roman items including shields, chariots and mosaics. A number of cross curricular links will be made during this topic including social studies, expressive arts and literacy.

Music

This term Primary 3 will develop their musical performance skills by learning to sing with confidence and play various instruments. Pupils will learn about pulse and rhythmic accuracy as well as pitch control and expression. Primary 3 will have opportunities to share their thoughts and feelings about what they hear, responding to different pieces of music through voice and instruments.

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

As always, Primary 3 look forward to sharing their fabulous learning with you throughout the term! Check out the Learner Journal app for regular updates from P3 where we will continue to share some of your child’s amazing work.

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

Mrs Dunsmore and Mrs Hope.