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.

Topic Plan

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.

Topic Plan

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.