Year 3 Curriculum Overview
Year 3 Curriculum Overview
Autumn 1
WOW! Factor: Shocking Discovery of the Iron Man
Fantastic Finish: Iron Man Presentation
Book: The Iron Man Author: Ted Hughes
We will be reading The Iron Man and linking to Geography by locating countries and their capital cities from the northern and southern hemispheres. The Iron Man and the Space-bat-angel dragon take on a challenge and test their strength. The children will be studying the work of Anthony Gormley and re-create a piece of his art. In science the children will be investigating friction and magnetic forces, exploring how the north and south poles attract and repel.
Autumn 2
WOW! Factor: Circus performance workshop
Fantastic Finish: Research and explore all about lions
Book: The Butterfly Lion Author: Michael Morpurgo
We will be reading The Butterfly Lion by Michael Morpurgo. Bertie lives in Africa and takes in a white lion. However, when the lion grows too big and Bertie goes to England to a private school the lion is sent to live in a circus. This links nicely into our history where we will be exploring when the circus began and how it has changed over the decades. In science, the children will be learning all about the life cycle of plants.
Spring 1 - Beware of the King
WOW! Factor: A trip to the Tower of London
Fantastic Finish: A Tudor banquet and pomander making
Book: Beware of the King Author: Stewart Ross
This is a history-led unit all about the Tudors. The children learn about Henry VIII's cruel reign and his influence on society and the country. The children learn Tudor dancing in PE. In art, they create self-portraits in the style of Hans Holbein and in history chose to study a topic of their choice relating to Tudor England.
Topic Plan
Spring 2 – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
WOW! Factor: Making honeycomb and chocolate tasting
Fantastic Finish: Make an Easter egg.
Book: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Author: Roald Dahl
This story teaches children about good choices and links nicely with our well-being curriculum. This topic led us to investigate where food/chocolate comes from. In DT, the children will be designing and making their own chocolate bar and wrapper. Science will be exploring the skeleton and muscles of humans and animals, that link to nutrition and health. In RE, the children will be learning about festivals and their deeper meaning.
Summer 1 The Hodgeheg
WOW! Factor: Make hedgehog homes for the wildlife area – Forest School
Fantastic Finish: Make hedgehog art
Book: Hodgeheg Author: Dick King-Smith
In science, the children will be observing reflections and shadows, gathering and recording information. The children will be naming and locating counties and cities in the UK, whilst developing an understanding of the eight points of a compass. In DT, we will be designing a torch. The children will be learning about Passover in RE.
Summer 2 – Down with the Romans
WOW! Factor: Children will make Roman shields
Fantastic Finish: Trip to Celtic Harmony
Book: Down with the Romans Author: Jeremy Strong
This story introduces the children to the transition from the Celts to the Romans. In history, the children learn how the Romans conquered Britain in AD43, its empire and its impact on Britain. In Art, we will be creating a background using a wash, and explore different effect by using a variety of brushes. Geography lends its self to research the differences between living in the UK and a Mediterranean country. Science will include grouping and comparing rocks, fossils and soil.