Boundary Primary School: Year 3: Blog items

Date: 8th Jan 2026 @ 9:19am

The Year 3 and 4 provision group took an exciting step forward in developing their speaking and listening skills during this week’s Oracy lesson, where they focused on structuring their talk using the sequence words first, next, and finally. These sentence starters helped pupils organise their ideas and present them in a clear, easy‑to-follow order. Throughout the session, the children practised making simple, clear points one at a time, using straightforward language and linking each idea to the next to create a beginning, middle, and end in their speech.

Year 3 - Science Rocks

Date: 7th Jan 2026 @ 8:38pm

Year 3 enjoyed their first science lesson on rocks, where we learned how geologists classify rocks into three types: sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous. We discussed how each type of rock is formed and what makes them different.

Each table investigated a rock using magnifying glasses, carefully observing its features. The children used 4–6 rock cards to help them identify which rock they had and explain their reasoning. We explored chalk, limestone, slate, marble and granite, discussing their characteristics and deciding how each should be classified. The children showed great curiosity and scientific thinking throughout the lesson! 🪨🔍

Year 3 - Fitness

Date: 7th Jan 2026 @ 8:34pm

This week in PE, the children enjoyed a fitness lesson focused on the importance of staying active and healthy. We began with a fun warm-up using skipping ropes in groups of three, creating snakes and tunnels. The children jogged around, jumping over the snakes and ducking under the tunnels, while discussing why warming up is important for our bodies.

Next, the children stayed in their trios and took turns completing balance challenges, including balancing a bean bag on their head while standing on one foot, skipping and balancing, and lifting and placing a hoop. We talked about the importance of core strength and using our tummy muscles to help us balance. A great session full of effort and focus! 💪

Year 3 - Oracy

Date: 7th Jan 2026 @ 8:28pm

During the Year 3 oracy lesson, pupils focused on how to structure clear and effective sentences while taking part in group discussions. Each group used discussion roles such as instigator, builder, prober, challenger, clarifier and summariser to help ideas develop and stay focused. The children discussed imaginative and engaging topics, including what they would do if they could stop time for a day, what job they would like to have when they are older, and whether they would rather hop or crawl everywhere. The lesson supported confident speaking, active listening and collaborative thinking.

Year 3 - Elf Run

Date: 18th Dec 2025 @ 9:23am

Year 3 had a fantastic time taking part in a festive challenge circuit to help raise money for Brian House and Trinity Hospice. The children embraced the event with great enthusiasm, wearing elf and Christmas accessories to add to the fun and festive atmosphere.

The circuit included a range of exciting challenges that tested the children’s speed, accuracy and strength. From energetic physical activities to skill-based games, everyone gave their best effort and showed brilliant determination throughout.

Most importantly, the children worked together, encouraged one another and demonstrated a wonderful sense of teamwork and community spirit. It was a fun-filled and meaningful way to support two very important charities.

Well done to Year 3 for their fantastic effort and for helping to make a difference! 🎄👏

Gerry and George: The Cheeky Ginger Elves’ Final Classroom Adventure!

Date: 18th Dec 2025 @ 9:22am

What a whirlwind of festive fun we’ve had with Gerry and George, our mischievous ginger elves! From the moment they arrived, they’ve kept us laughing with their cheeky antics—and today was no exception.

Here’s what they’ve been up to:

🎯 Taped to the Board!
This morning, the elves decided to turn the classroom into their own prank zone. Gerry taped George to the board, and before long, George got his revenge! The children couldn’t stop giggling at their sticky situation.

🔍 Hide and Seek Champions
Later, the elves played an epic game of hide and seek. They popped up in the most unexpected places—inside the pencil pot, behind the books, even peeking out of the tissue box! The hunt was on, and the children loved every second.

🎲 Ball Pit of Multilink Cubes
Who needs a playground when you have maths resources? Gerry and George transformed our multilink cubes into a mini ball pit! It was colourful chaos, and the elves looked like they were having the time of their lives.

🏠 Gingerbread House Creation
Not stopping there, the elves got crafty and built their very own gingerbread house. It wasn’t just delicious-looking—it was a masterpiece of elf engineering!

➕ Cheeky Elf Maths
And of course, they couldn’t resist a little maths mischief. After lots of adding, subtracting, and elf-sized calculations, their final answer was… 67! (Don’t ask us how—they have their own magical methods!)

The children have absolutely loved having Gerry and George in the classroom. Their laughter and excitement have made this festive season extra special. But tomorrow, our cheeky elves have important work to do back at the North Pole. Santa needs his helpers to get ready for the big day!

Thank you, Gerry and George, for bringing so much joy and sparkle to our classroom. Safe travels back to the North Pole—we’ll miss you!

Year 3 - Christmas Nativity Art

Date: 18th Dec 2025 @ 9:21am

Year 3 have been busy creating beautiful stained glass nativity scenes as part of their Christmas art. The children explored the nativity story and looked at examples of stained glass windows, noticing the bold outlines and bright colours used.

Using black card and foil, the children designed and created their own nativity scenes, carefully choosing shapes and colours to represent the Christmas story. The foil created a striking stained glass effect, especially when light shone through the finished artwork.

The completed pieces look fantastic on display and the children were very proud of their creative work. Well done, Year 3!

Year 3 - Christmas Gift Boxes

Date: 18th Dec 2025 @ 9:16am

This term, Year 3 have been learning about shell structures in Design and Technology. As part of this unit, the children designed and made Christmas gift boxes using nets created from cardboard.

We began by exploring what shell structures are and how packaging is made using nets. The children looked at different box shapes and discussed how flat nets can be folded to create strong, three-dimensional structures.

Using this knowledge, the children designed their own Christmas gift boxes, thinking carefully about the shape and size they would need. They then created their own cardboard nets, accurately measuring, cutting and folding to form their boxes. This activity helped the children to develop their practical skills and understanding of how 2D shapes can be transformed into 3D structures.

Once assembled, the gift boxes were decorated with festive designs, making each one unique. The children showed great concentration and perseverance throughout the process and were very proud of their finished boxes.

KS2 - Parliament Assembly

Date: 16th Dec 2025 @ 1:43pm

🏛️ A Quick Look at Today’s Assembly

We had a visitor come in for a 30‑minute assembly to explain what Parliament is and why it matters. They broke it down simply: Parliament is where laws are debated and decisions about the country are made. It’s made up of the House of Commons, where elected MPs sit, and the House of Lords, who review and improve proposed laws.

The speaker reminded us that Parliament shapes everything from education to national policies, so understanding it helps us understand the world we live in. A short Q&A at the end let students ask about elections, debates, and how young people can get involved.

A brief session, but a surprisingly engaging one that made politics feel a lot more relevant.

Year 3 and 4 Disco

Date: 11th Dec 2025 @ 9:17am

Year 3 and 4 had a fantastic time at the school disco this week! The hall was buzzing with excitement as the children enjoyed classic party games like pass the parcel, cheering each other on as each layer was unwrapped. The dance floor was full of energy, with everyone showing off their best moves to festive Christmas songs and their new favourite tracks from KPop Demon Hunters.

A highlight of the evening was joining Mrs Darwen for some lively Zumba dances, which had everyone laughing and moving together. Children also loved choosing treats from the Tuck Shop, and a special mention goes to those who showed wonderful kindness by buying snacks for friends who didn’t have any money. A brilliant, joy-filled celebration!

Year 3 - Christmas Lunch

Date: 11th Dec 2025 @ 9:13am

This week, the Year 3 children gathered in the school hall for a festive Christmas lunch, and the excitement was contagious! Tables were decorated with bright crackers and sparkling tinsel, creating a magical atmosphere. Laughter and chatter filled the room as plates were piled high with a traditional roast and all the trimmings. After enjoying a sweet treat for dessert, the children leaned back in their chairs with full tummies and happy smiles, ready to share jokes and stories. It was a wonderful celebration that left everyone feeling warm, joyful, and ready for the holidays.

Year 3 - Yoga

Date: 11th Dec 2025 @ 9:12am

Year 3 enjoyed a calming yet energetic yoga session this week, focusing on strength poses to build balance, control and confidence. The children practised a range of positions including downward dog, high plank, side support plank, high lunge, boat, bridge, chair and back support. Everyone showed great determination as they held each pose with growing strength and focus.

To finish, the children worked in pairs for a fun communication challenge: one partner described a pose using clear instructions while the other tried to recreate it. This led to lots of concentration, teamwork and giggles. A brilliant session full of movement, mindfulness and cooperation!

Year 3 - Christmas Jumper Day

Date: 11th Dec 2025 @ 9:06am

The Christmas spirit is in full swing at school today as the children arrived bursting with excitement in their bright and cheerful Christmas jumpers. Sparkles, reindeer, and festive colours filled the classrooms, bringing a wonderful sense of warmth and celebration. To make the morning even more magical, the children headed out to the playground for some lively Christmas Zumba with Mrs Darwen. Laughter, music, and dance moves filled the air as everyone joined in the festive fun. It was a joyful start to the season and a lovely reminder of the happiness and togetherness that Christmas brings to our school community.

Year 3 + 4 - Tree dressing

Date: 5th Dec 2025 @ 10:27am

Tree dressing is celebrated in different cultures all over the world. It’s a tradition that brings people closer to trees and highlights the important role they play in our lives. It’s also a great way of showing gratitude for all the benefits trees provide.

We loved dressing one of the trees in our outdoor area. It's so lovely to look outside and look at..

Find out more here:

Tree Dressing - Ideas for Decorations - Woodland Trust

Gerry and George the Cheeky Ginger Elves!

Date: 4th Dec 2025 @ 9:35am

This week in Year 3, the twin elves Gerry and George have caused wave of mischief! On Monday, they introduced themselves via a balloon ride into the classroom! By Tuesday, the book corner was a jumble of toppled shelves and scattered stories after the elves turned it into their secret fort.On Wednesday, they started by throwing snowballs across the classroom, leaving giggles and icy splats everywhere. On Thursday, they brought even more chaos as they managed to break the screen during a wild game of hide-and-seek.Though their tricks were cheeky and messy, Gerry and George have filled the classroom with joy, laughter, and a sense of magical wonder that made every day unforgettable. Come back next week to see what else those cheeky elves have been upto!

Year 3 - Music Through Time

Date: 4th Dec 2025 @ 9:29am

Exploring Nationalistic Music in This Week’s Lesson

This week in music, our students have been learning all about Nationalistic Music. As part of the lesson, the children used a range of percussion instruments to create their own musical patterns inspired by Morse code.

They had a wonderful time exploring this era of music, especially enjoying the hands-on experience of playing the instruments. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to combine creativity, history, and rhythmic skills in a fun and memorable way.

Year 3 - Scientists

Date: 4th Dec 2025 @ 9:27am

This week, we conducted an investigation into magnetic strength. We wanted to find out if the size of the magnet affected its strength. We measured the distance that a magnet could attract a metal ball, metal ring and paperclip from. From the magnets we used, we concluded that the largest magnet had the strongest magnetic pull. We also found out that a magnetic force can act from a distance so it doesn’t need to be touching a magnetic object to attract it.

Year 3 - Christmas Kindness

Date: 4th Dec 2025 @ 9:22am

🎄 The Christmas Kindness Challenge: Small Acts, Big Joy

This week, our Christmas Kindness Challenge has encouraged pupils to spread festive cheer through simple, thoughtful actions.

Day 1: Make a card for your teacher

Students created colourful, heartfelt cards to show their appreciation. A lovely start to the week!

Day 2: Hold the door open

A small act with a big impact—our corridors were full of smiles and good manners.

Day 3: Say something nice to a friend

Kind words filled the classrooms as pupils shared compliments and encouragement.

Day 4: Tidy the classroom

Everyone pitched in to make our learning spaces clean, organised, and welcoming.

A little kindness goes a long way—especially at Christmas! Let’s keep the festive goodwill flowing. 🎅✨

Year 3 Cave Baby Role Play

Date: 27th Nov 2025 @ 9:56am

In this lesson, children explored oracy skills by immersing themselves in the story Cave Baby. After listening to the book, pupils became different characters from the story, such as Cave Baby, the mammoth, and the parents. They used key phrases from the text alongside their own imaginative ideas to bring the narrative to life through role play. This activity encouraged expressive language, turn-taking, and active listening, while promoting confidence in speaking. By adopting character perspectives, children practiced using tone, gesture, and vocabulary effectively, deepening their understanding of the story and enhancing their ability to communicate creatively.

Year 3 - Reading into Writing

Date: 27th Nov 2025 @ 9:49am

This week, our children have been developing their Oracy skills, focusing especially on tone and intonation as they read aloud the opening of their own traditional tales. Our new class story is set at Christmas, following a main character who adores the festive season—until a miserable goblin appears, determined to destroy Christmas and dampen their joyful spirit.

As the children shared their stories so far, they experimented with using warm, excited tones to capture the magic of Christmas, then shifted to grumbly, low voices to bring the goblin’s gloomy personality to life. It was wonderful to see them thinking carefully about how their voices can enhance meaning, atmosphere, and character.

The classroom was filled with expression, confidence, and creativity. We can’t wait to continue developing our tales and see how our young storytellers bring their festive adventures to life!

Year 3 - Science

Date: 26th Nov 2025 @ 9:30pm

In this week's science lesson, we carried out a comparative test to explore friction. We wanted to find out which surface—carpet, foam, wood, sandpaper, bubble wrap or foil—would create the least friction so a toy car would travel the furthest.

We discussed fair testing, kept everything the same except the surface, and made our predictions. Using a ramp, we released the car and measured the distance it travelled before stopping.

We found that rough surfaces, like carpet and sandpaper, slowed the car down, while smoother ones, such as foil and wood, helped it travel further. A fun and simple way to see friction in action!

Year 3 - Together Time

Date: 26th Nov 2025 @ 9:27pm

This week, we were delighted to welcome our wonderful parents and carers into school for Together Time—a special opportunity for families to join their children in the classroom and experience learning side by side.

Our focus for the session was Design and Technology, and more specifically, 3D nets. This forms an important step in our DT journey as we work towards designing and creating our very own gift bags from nets.

Parents, carers, and children explored a range of hands-on activities together. They examined real-life packaging nets, experimented with magnetic tiles to build 3D shapes, and took part in a sorting activity to identify different types of nets. One of the highlights was investigating existing products—carefully deconstructing them to reveal the nets inside, then reassembling them to understand how each shape fits together.

It was wonderful to see families collaborating, problem-solving, and talking through ideas. The classroom buzzed with curiosity and creativity as everyone discovered just how much thought goes into turning a flat net into a 3D object.

A huge thank-you to all the parents and carers who joined us. Your involvement makes these learning experiences truly memorable for the children, and we can’t wait to share the next stage of our DT journey with you!

Year 3 - History Museum Loan Box

Date: 19th Nov 2025 @ 4:56pm

This week, we had an exciting opportunity to dive deeper into our History topic through a museum loan box, filled with fascinating artefacts from the Stone Age to the Iron Age. The children were captivated as they explored each item up close, discussing what it might have been used for and how life would have been very different thousands of years ago.

Inside the box, we examined a range of tools and everyday objects, including an antler tool, sewing kit, hand axe, blades and scrapers, fire kit, sickle, spoke shave, pot, coins, bone needle, and a purse. The children were especially intrigued by how people created tools from natural materials and used them for hunting, preparing food, building shelters, and making clothing.

This hands-on experience really helped us visualise how early humans lived, survived, and adapted. The artefacts sparked brilliant discussions and thoughtful questions, showing just how engaged the children are with this topic.

We look forward to continuing our journey through prehistoric Britain over the coming weeks!

Year 3 - Yoga

Date: 19th Nov 2025 @ 4:45pm

Year 3 PE: Finding Balance and Calm Through Yoga

This week, Year 3 took part in a peaceful yet powerful PE session focused on yoga. The children explored a range of poses including Fox, Warrior 3, Tree, Boat, Dancer, Side Bend, Three-Legged Downward Dog, and Half Moon. Each pose challenged them in different ways—testing balance, strength, and body awareness.

One of our key learning points was how to flow smoothly from one pose to another, connecting movements with control. The class enjoyed experimenting with gentle transitions, discovering how shifting their weight and engaging their core helped them stay steady.

We also practised holding each pose for four seconds, using a few simple tips:

Focus on a still point to help with balance
Spread toes or fingertips to create a strong base
Keep the core tight and muscles engaged
Breathe slowly and steadily

Breathing was a big part of our session. The children learned how deep, calm breaths can help settle the body, reduce wobbles, and support a sense of grounding—skills they can use both in PE and during the school day.

Year 3 showed fantastic concentration and enthusiasm, and it was wonderful to see their confidence grow as they moved, balanced, and breathed with purpose. A beautiful, mindful session!

Year 3 - Antibullying Week

Date: 13th Nov 2025 @ 4:26pm

This week in Year 3, we’ve been diving into the important topic of bullying as part of Anti-Bullying Week. Using the fabulous PolEd resources, the children learnt how to spot the difference between a bullying situation and a simple falling out. They discovered how to respond when they see or experience bullying, and we discussed the crucial distinction between a bystander and an upstander. To cap it all off, the children created some stunning informative posters to showcase their learning. Well done, Year 3!

Year 3: Blog items