Year 3 Summer Term

Rocks, Relics and Rumbles - Summer 1
 

This topic will begin with a BANG! Together, we are going to make an explosive volcano model using kitchen ingredients! 

 

Once again, we are looking at some fantastic texts this half term. To link with our topic, we will look at the life of Mary Anning, the world’s best known fossil-hunter. We will look at a story based on her life, ‘Stone girl, Bone girl’ by Laurence Anholt, and use the events of this text to produce a diary entry. We will also create an information report on fossils, inspired by Mary Anning. Towards the end of this half term, the children will write a narrative of a wonderful journey, based on ‘Rhythm of the Rain’ by Grahame Baker Smith. 

 

In science, children will have the opportunity to observe and classify rocks according to their characteristics. They will be able to identify igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. They will discover how rocks and fossils are formed, as well as discovering more about soil. The children have the opportunity to observe rocks from afar and close up, and will test different rocks and soils for their properties. This topic will be accompanied by a fantastic trip to Think Tank. 

 

In our topic this term, we will be finding out about volcanoes and earthquakes around the world. In geography, we will delve deep into the layers of the earth, to find out how volcanoes and earthquakes are formed.  

 

In art lessons, we will practise the block printing technique to recreate patterns found in rock formations across the world.  We will explore the lines and patterns found in spectacular rock formations and use the block printing technique to produce a piece of art inspired by our observations. 

 

By the end of this unit, children will be able to use the correct subject-specific vocabulary to discuss and explain different types of soils and rocks, and their importance in the eco system. They will be able to explain how volcanoes and earthquakes are formed, by discussing the layers of the earth.