Year 3
Year 3 National Curriculum
In Year 3, the children will study :
Autumn 1 - Rocks - The children will be looking at different types of rocks and then comparing and grouping these, based on their appearance and physical properties. They will look at how fossils are formed and recognise that soils are made from rocks and organic matter. The children will also complete experiments about the permeability of different rocks. They will be learning about the scientist, Mary Anning and her findings of fossils.
Autumn 2 - Animals including Humans - The children will be looking at animals and humans need the right amount of nutrition and that they get nutrition from what they eat. They will also be looking at the skeletons of different animals and looking at how our muscles help us to move and protect our bones. The children will be completing a STEM activity, where they will be making skeletons out of paper straws. In addition to this, the children will be learning about Marie Curie and how she developed the use of X-rays to help us see skeletons.
Spring 1 - Light - The children will observe that we need light in order to see things and dark is the absence of light. Children will also learn that light is dangerous and the different ways to protect their eyes. Children will learn about how shadows are formed and why the size of shadows can change. They will be learning about the scientist Thomas Eddison.
Spring 2 - Forces and Magnets - The children will be looking at forces and how different things can move on different surfaces. They will be exploring magnets and looking at why they attract and repel and describe them as having two poles. Children will be completing experiments where they group everyday objects, based on whether they are attracted to a magnet.
Summer 1 - Plants - The children will be looking at the different parts of flowering plants and explore what plants need to grow. They will look at how water is transported within plants by completing an experiment with celery and food colouring! Also, the children will explore the requirements of plants for life and growth and how plants disperse their seeds.
Summer 2 - Scientists and Investigations - The children will be looking at a variety of scientists and completing investigations and experiments.
National Curriculum Documents