Topic Summary
Why is Henry VIII such an important historical figure?
The children will be stepping back in time to explore the fascinating world of Tudor England. Our learning will be centred around Henry VIII and the powerful influence he had on Britain, the Church, and the Navy. The children will be using a range of historical sources to investigate the period and bring the past to life through storytelling and drama. Through the key text The Queen’s Token, children will step into the shoes of the character Hal. They will be imagining life from his perspective and writing their own diary entries to reflect what life might have been like during this exciting and sometimes turbulent time in history. To deepen understanding, we will also be visiting a real castle, where the children get to experience Tudor life first-hand and explore how people lived, worked, and defended their homes in the 1500s.
In the topic we will be teaching the children the following key concepts:
- Power - How did Henry VIII Portray himself as a powerful man?
- Reliability - How can we trust the sources that we find?
- Influence - How did the Tudors influence and shape religion within the British Empire?
- Empire - How did the British Empire develop during the Tudor period?
Trips/Experiences
- 2.2.26 - Outnumbered Maths Week
Subject Information
English
In English the children will study The Queen’s Token by Pamela Oldfield, developing skills in prediction and inference through their reading. They will explore the characters of Hal and Henry VIII, writing detailed character descriptions using expanded noun phrases and rich vocabulary. Pupils will rehearse and compose sentences orally, extending their range with varied conjunctions. They will use dialogue to create conversations between characters and apply these techniques to write an additional chapter for the story, demonstrating creativity, accurate punctuation, and a strong sense of character voice.
During guided reading we will focus on the text ‘The Secret Railway by Wendy Meddour' further developing our love for reading through shared storytelling and comprehension questions.
Key Texts
- The Queen's Token - Pamela Oldfield
- Secret Railway - Wendy Meddour
Maths
This half term we will be focusing on our multiplication and division skills by: recalling and using multiplication and division facts for the 3, 4 and 8 multiplication tables.
We will be writing and calculating mathematical statements for multiplication and division using the multiplication tables that we know, including for two-digit numbers times one-digit numbers, using mental and progressing to formal written methods.
Finally, we will be using our skills to solve problems, including missing number problem and involving multiplication and division.
Science
This term in Science, Year 3 will be learning about rocks, fossils, and soils. The children will explore different types of rocks, comparing them by their appearance and simple properties such as hardness and texture. They will discover how fossils are formed when plants and animals are buried and preserved in layers of rock over millions of years. We will also learn that soil is made from tiny pieces of rock mixed with organic matter, which is important for plant growth. Through hands-on activities, the children will develop skills in observation, classification, and simple testing.
History
This term in History, we will be exploring the fascinating Tudor period. The children will investigate a variety of sources to understand why the Tudors were so important in shaping Britain. They will create a timeline of Tudor monarchs and learn about the lives of the Kings and Queens of this era. A key focus will be Henry VIII—his six wives, his break from the Catholic Church, and how this changed religion in England. Finally, we will look at how exploration during the Tudor period marked the beginnings of the British Empire.
PSHE and MUSIC
In PSHE this half term we will be exploring the enquiry question: What are families like?
The children will discuss what makes a family and they will talk about the features of family life. They will recognise that there are different types of relationships and will read the No Outsiders text King and King which helps children understand that love and care are what make a family, no matter who is in it. Through discussions and activities, we aim to celebrate diversity and teach respect for all families.
In Music, the children will develop their knowledge of pitch, rhythm, tempo and beat through the theme of Latin Dance music.
Design Technology
The children will focus on their structure skills to design, make and evaluate a Tudor house. They will identify suitable materials to be selected and used for a house, considering weight, compression and tension. We will then use a wide range of tools and equipment to perform tasks such as cutting, shaping, joining and finishing.
Computing
In computing we will be using Lego Coding to help build and control models. Lego coding involves using block-based programming to control carefully built LEGO models, teaching fundamental coding concepts (algorithms, debugging, sequencing) through fun building challenges. The children will follow careful instructions learning to program motors and sensors to make their creations move, react, and solve problems.
PE
The children will have PE lessons on a Monday Tuesday and Friday for the next few weeks. (This extra PE session is to help prepare the children for a special rugby festival.)
- On Monday's lessons they will be focusing on handball with passing and catching skills.
- On a Tuesday the children will be learning some tag rugby skills with a rugby coach.
- On a Friday they will have an opportunity to continue their yoga sessions focusing on their physical and mental wellbeing.
If you would like any further details about this half term's curriculum in Year 3, please speak to your child's teacher.