An Introduction to Fractions

In Mathematics, we have been learning all about fractions. We learnt that fractions are a way to represent parts of a whole number. Imagine you have a pizza for dinner. That pizza can be cut into any number of pieces so that everyone can have a slice. Each piece is a part, or fraction, of the whole pizza. We began learning about fractions by making pizzas for very fussy clients. 

Can you believe, that one client even ordered a pizza that was a sixth pepperoni, two sixths vegetarian and three sixths seafood! 

Luckily, we managed to deliver all of our orders on time and the clients were very happy with their pizzas. 

In another lesson, we made snowmen families which were also divided into different fractions. The children loved designing these and got quite competitive in regards to how many different ways they could split their snowmen.

                                      

Many of the children also managed to create a patterns according to a specific fraction of colours.

Weather around the World

In year 3, we have been learning all about weather around the world. We studied four main climate zones on Earth—tropical, temperate, desert and polar. We looked at these zones by  further dividing them into smaller zones, each with their own typical climate. We found out that a region’s climate, together with its physical characteristics, determines its plant and animal life.

We have had so much fun exploring how to use PowerPoint to create fact files on these climate zones; we created some beautiful artwork in relation to this and we conducted lots of interesting experiments.  
Take a look below to see some of our work...

Examples of our Art Work

We worked hard to decorate our classroom...

Whilst learning about the physical characteristics of different weathers, we learnt about the water cycle. In order to understand how rain and snow were produced, we conducted a number of experiments.

In one of our investigations, we looked at how long a cloud could hold rain for before it became to heavy.

It's been a lot of fun! Well done 3C, you have produced some excellent work this term.

Class Party

On Friday 13th, the children will be rewarded with an end of term party for their super efforts over the past seven weeks. Pupils are allowed to celebrate by bringing in a snack of their choice to share with the class. Happy end of term everyone!

No Homework!

This week, Mr Dyke and I have decided to give the children a week off homework. They have worked so hard over this term that we believe they deserve a break! Well done Year 3.

Regards,

Miss Campbell and Mr Dyke

Chocolate Rocks

During recent science lessons, we have been investigating the formation of rocks. Today, we decided to make our very own rock types; sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous. 
First we discussed how these rocks were formed. Miss Campbell gave each science group three different bars of chocolate. Each group then discussed how the chocolate bars could be used to represent the 3 types of rock.  We shared our ideas and together decided upon a method which we all used. 

We knew that sedimentary rocks were created from sediment layers under the sea so we cut our chocolate into small pieces (sediments) and created layers by spreading each bar on top 
of each other.

                                      

 Then, we applied pressure from above to represent the force of the waves.

After that, it was time to make our metamorphic rocks. We knew that metamorphic rock was sedimentary rock which  had been changed by heat and pressure underground. We broke a piece of our sedimentary rock and squashed it into a ball, applying pressure from all angles. This mixed all the layers together!

Eventually, it was time to make our third and final rock. Igneous rocks are formed from molten rock from underground forced up the surface e.g. through volcanoes. Before it cools and turns into granite or basalt, it is soft and runny. To demonstrate this, the children poured the rest of their chocolate onto clingfilm. Miss Campbell and Kru Bee melted the chocolate in boiling hot water. The children were allowed to feel the melted chocolate (lava or magma) through the clingfilm.

Finally, the time came when each science group was able to assess their work. We studied the three types of rock carefully and felt very proud of the results. Miss Campbell was so impressed with the children, that as a treat, each group shared their chocolate rocks out and were allowed to gobble them up!

Fantastic work 3C, perhaps you could show your parents how this experiment is done at home? It's a great excuse to eat chocolate!

We also went one a rock hunt around the school, we found rocks in all different forms, shapes and sizes!

After our rock hunt, we went to the canteen to celebrate Dria's birthday. We all laughed lots when the cake was cut open and Kylen gasped in excitement exclaiming 'It's a sedimentary cake, look at the layers!'

Who knew you could have so much fun with rocks!?

Homework 2nd of December

Literacy
Miss C - Look at the synonyms on the page and group them according to their meaning.
Mr D- Read 'The Escape King'  and answer the questions provided.

Maths 
Miss C - Read about Alice's morning and fill in the missing times.
Maths Mr D - Complete the reverse addition sums by working backwards!

Science
Miss C - Use this website to investigate different types of rocks and complete the table provided.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/7_8/rocks_soils.shtml

If any of the children have any queries about their homework, please let me know, thank you.