Expectations
Children in Year 3 are now part of the Velmead school TEAM and will be encouraged and expected to develop greater independence and responsibility, gradually taking on a more leading role in their learning, carrying out roles within class and their module.
At various points in the year the children will have opportunities to take on responsibility and carry out ‘Roles’ in the smooth running of the school requiring them to be excellent role models; through their behaviour, their attitudes and their work. Children who demonstrate this consistently will be rewarded by becoming a Year 3 Ambassador.
It is expected for year 3 children to:
· Listen fully to all information from adults and respond appropriately.
· Be well organised having everything they need for each lesson.
· Be respectful to other children and adults, displaying excellent behaviour.
· Be active learners, always offering ideas, asking questions and trying their very best.
Children should be increasingly familiar with these expectations as we spend the first term introducing, reinforcing and supporting the Velmead Values, enabling them to develop a clear understanding of what is expected of them (page 32 of the pupil planner).
Homework
Each week, children will be expected to complete 2 sets of homework. We encourage them to work in a quiet place where they can focus on what they are doing and establish a routine of doing their homework. This will allow them plenty of time to seek clarification and support should they need it.
Literacy Homework: Friday to Wednesday
This will usually consist of weekly spelling activity and on alternative weeks a reading comprehension tasks. These will take about 20-30 minutes and will be based on work studied at school in the previous week.
Numeracy Homework: Friday to Wednesday
This will be set on alternate weeks and will consist of a number or problem solving task which will take 20 minutes to complete. It will be based on topics covered in class the previous week.
Reading and times tables are always on going.
There will be 5 or 6 projects set during the year, each focused on developing different skills within different curriculum areas. One project each half term. All projects will have at least a 3 week timescale and at times other homework may be lightened when projects are set.
Being Prepared for Learning
To make the most of learning time, we expect children to have everything they need with them in lessons:
Planners, Reading Books & Logs, PE Kit, Writing tools (in small appropriate pencil cases) and sports top water bottles. This will help them stay focused and not be distracted from their learning at any point.
A small rucksack should fit all of this equipment easily, also helping them to keep their lockers/cloakroom space easy to manage.
Morning work begins at 8:45, with tasks to get the brain going or introduce the days work-It is important for children to be at school punctually so as not to miss out on these opportunities.
Reading
In year 3, we are at the stage where children are continuing to develop their reading and comprehension skills whilst beginning to develop habits of reading for enjoyment in their spare time. It is vital children read everyday, discussing their books.
At school we focus on developing a varied reading diet trying different genres, collecting ideas to use in their writing and developing the higher order reading and comprehension skills.
At home we ask you to discuss the books the children are reading with them and hear them read aloud. We also ask that you ensure they read for 15-20 minutes every day at home. This needs to be recorded in their Reading diary. This should ensure children move through their books at an appropriate speed to enjoy the book and maintain their understanding of what is going on.
We ask parents to sign their child’s Reading diary every week to witness they are reading for an appropriate length of time and are understanding the content of their books.
