Don’t forget to check your new Google Classroom page for weekly homework.
We are the United Understanders. We understand because we listen to others, think carefully, and try to see things from different points of view. We are kind and fair, helping everyone feel included. We are patient, calm, and thoughtful, even when things are tricky. Jesus guides us to care for others and to make wise choices. We share hope, help others and work together to make the world a better place.
Our class teacher is Mr Pickering and our teaching assistant is Mrs Clinton.
Why did I become a teacher?
I became a teacher because I was inspired by my geography teacher when I was studying my A levels. They made learning exciting and showed me the difference a teacher can make, and I wanted to do the same for other children – helping them enjoy learning, ask questions, and gain confidence.
I love planning lessons that are engaging and inclusive, where every child can succeed. Seeing children understand something for the first time or achieve something they thought was tricky is the best part of my job and motivates me to keep inspiring young learners.
I have always believed that some of the most important years in our lives are spent in primary school, and being part of that journey is something I do not take lightly. Teaching is my true passion – nothing compares to seeing a child grasp a concept for the first time and the joy on their face. Inspiring and watching young people grow is a privilege, and I feel very lucky to do this every day at St Joseph & St Theresa.
Every day in the classroom is a chance to spark curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.
Home Learning Expectations
- Common Exception Word Spelling Activities – paper copy to be set home a Monday and to be tested in the following weeks through a spelling test and dictation.
- Reading at home – Reading with an adult or independently for the equivalent of at least 20 minutes a night across the week (2hrs 20mins). (School or home book) This to be logged onto Boom Reader.
- Beat That/Learn it challenges – paper copy Handed out on a Friday, to be handed back in by the following Friday. In school challenge will be completed on Thursday or Friday.
Reading
Reading continues to be the single most important thing for you and your child to enjoy at home! You could readtheir school book, sharing a good book, read the newspaper, a magazine or a comic. A child’s reading ability is the most important factor in determining their future success and therefore at St Joseph and St Theresa’s we make it our mission to read with the children everyday through reading lessons and reading for pleasure sessions.
ACCELERATED READER
We have use the Accelerated Reading scheme in Year 3. This programme has a proven track record of raising the enjoyment of reading as well as attainment levels alongside assessing children’s understanding of the text which they have just read.
The children can complete a quiz on Accelerated Reader for any book they have read as long as a quiz has been created for it. If you follow this link to Accelerated Reader you will be able to log in using your username and password from your homework diaries. Type in the name of ANY book you’ve read at home and there might be a quiz for it!
I encourage you to hear your child read at home at least 3 times a week. Please record any reading your child does at home on Boom Reader. Children can change their book whenever they have finished it and completed the quiz.
Recommended Reading List for Year 3
School Uniform
- Royal blue jumper or cardigan with school logo (purchased from school uniform shop)
- Plain black joggers, leggings, shorts or skorts
- White collared polo shirt – this can be with the school logo if parents wish but not compulsory
- Plain black socks
- BLACK shoes or trainers that are appropriate to wear for all active sessions including PE
You need to ensure your child has in school every day:
- A change of bottoms (joggers/leggings etc.)
- An old pair of trainers that can be worn on the school field and will get dirty
- A pair of wellingtons – without these children will be unable to join in with Forest School
- ALL CHILDREN will be expected to wear the correct uniform so they feel part of the school community. Any child not attending in the correct uniform will be given items from the uniform bank to change into.
Useful Websites:
https://www.purplemash.com/#tab/pm-home (Your child has a log in)
Thank you for your support
In Year 3 we are preparing for something very special. To receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. We will keep you updated with important dates in relation to this throughout the year.
These are the RE topics we will be covering this year:
Belonging – We will learn about the different groups we belong to and about the seven sacraments. We will learn about how to belong to family of God.
Prayer – This unit involves the children exploring human choices, the consequences of sin, Christ’s teaching on forgiveness and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Advent – This unit involves children looking at Bible stories of the Annunciation and Visitation. They will explain how Mary and Elizabeth prepared to welcome and recognise Jesus Christ. They will develop their understanding of Advent as a time to prepare for Christmas and reflection on Christ being in the world.
Christmas – About the unit In this unit the story of the shepherds provides a focus for children to reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ and who he is.
Reconciliation – This unit involves the children exploring human choices, the consequences of sin, Christ’s teaching on forgiveness and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Lent – The unit is designed to help the children appreciate that during Lent Christians resolve to change and try to become more like Christ.
Holy Week – The unit is designed to help deepen the children’s knowledge of some of the events of Holy Week and to deepen their understanding of the foundation of the Church’s celebration of the Mass.
Easter – This unit explores the Story of Easter through the Story of Emmaus and the Story of Breakfast at the Shore
Pentecost – In this unit children learn about the gift of the Holy Spirit and the change it brought to the lives of the Apostles.
The Eucharist – In this topic the children are provided with opportunities to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
We Listen to God’s Word at Mass – This unit involves the children in thinking about listening and finding out about the Liturgy of the Word at Mass.
Lots of us in Year 3 are looking forward to receiving the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion this year. There will be parent meetings and workshops later in the term.
At St Joseph and St Theresa’s we use the Mathematics Mastery Programme. The programme is carefully sequenced to enhance pupils’ understanding of maths.
Here are the units we will be covering this year.
Here is a link to some helpful ways to help your children learn their times tables:
‘Learn Its’ are addition facts and times tables facts. These are facts that children need to learn off by heart! When asked ‘What is 6+4 ?’, they should give the answer as quickly (as quickly as telling you their name). As soon as they know 3 x 5 = 15 they also know 5 x 3 = 15 (this is known as a ‘Switcher’).
Here are Year 3’s Learn Its for each term:
Autumn Term Topic – Tribal Tales (Stone Age to Iron Age)
Autumn 2- The United Kingdom
Spring Term 1 Topic – Europe
Spring Term 2 Topic – Ancient Egypt (geography)
Summer Term Topic – Ancient Egypt (history)
Our Science Topics:
Rocks
Light
Animals Including Humans
Forces and Magnets
Plants
In Lower Key Stage 2 we complete the following modules in our RHE lessons:
Module 1: Created and Loved by God
LKS2 Module One: Created and Loved by God explores the individual. Rooted in the teaching that we are made in the image and likeness of God, it helps children to develop an understanding of the importance of valuing themselves as the basis for personal relationships.
Module 2: Created to Love Others
LKS2 Module 2: Created to Love Others explores the individual’s relationship with others. Building on the understanding that we have been created out of love and for love, this module explores how we take this calling into our family, friendships and relationships, and teaches strategies for developing healthy relationships and keeping safe.
Module 3: Created to Live in Community
LKS2 Module Three: Created to Live in Community explores the individual’s relationship with the wider world. Here we explore how human beings are relational by nature and are called to love others in the wider community through service, through dialogue and through working for the Common Good.