Willow Year 3

Welcome to Willow Class!

Welcome to Willow Class! We are an awesome team of 20 children and 2 adults. Our teacher is Miss Raheem and wonderful teaching assistant is Mrs Johansen.

On this page you will find information about how things work in Willow Class and some useful resources that we can use to help us in our learning.

We have started our new project ‘The Tempest’ by William Shakespeare. First, we discussed what we thought a tempest is. Willow class had lots of imaginative ideas including money, a nurse, and a clown just to name a few. In groups they created their own tempest dance.  We also created a soundscape, exploring our voices and bodies for sounds (clapping, clicking, stamping). We had lots of fun creating a storm together. In English, we have been using drama to explore characters thoughts and feelings. In Geography, we learnt how to use Google Maps and plan a journey to places mentioned within the Tempest. We explored Milan and then Naples. We learnt how to use the directions button and found directions from Milan to Tunis. We used the navigation keys to look along the route. We zoomed in and made suggestions as to which island could be the setting for the Tempest. We used Google Earth to explore our chosen island further.

At Fir Tree's 50th Birthday Extravaganza, Willow class performed a poem written by Jack Ousby called ‘Gran…can you rap?  They were split into groups, boys and girls. They took it in turns to perform a verse each in their best rapping style. The children came up with their own dance moves to go with the words. They had great fun. This is the first time they have performed poetry and they did an absolutely amazing job. Well done Willow Class! 

This week, Willow Class had a taster of Year 4. They started the day working in pairs and answering questions on a First News article, ‘Insects for tea?’ In Maths, they were given a problem solving task. Each group had fifteen cards, numbered 1-15. They had to pick 7 cards randomly and put them face down on the table in a row. The first two cards had to add up to 15 and the second and third card had to add up to 20. They worked in groups to tackle the problem. Through this task they learnt about trial and improvement and working systematically. In the afternoon, we learnt about the brain and what happens when we learn something new. It was very interesting! Later on, the class took part in some activities designed to strengthen teamwork skills. They had a great afternoon.

This term Willow class have been learning the story of The Bird in the Forest. We have been telling the story to each in pairs and as a class in a story circle. To help us to learn the main events in the story we used story stepping and came up with our own actions. In our quest to become storytellers we have been practising using expression in our voices and storytelling language to tell the story. In Literacy, we have been learning how to describe the characters and the setting using powerful vocabulary. Next, Willow will be rewriting their own version of the story! Here are some photographs of them in action.

Willow class were very excited to spend Monday morning in the forest. As a class we discussed the steps to success and the importance of looking after the forest and each other. Willow class were excited to learn that they were allowed to climb trees! Not all trees but those with branches thicker than their wrists. They were given 2 rules when climbing trees to ensure their safety. The first rule, not to climb higher than the height of any adults. The second rule, only one at a time up the tree. Willow class can't wait until their next visit next term!

To aid our learning we used fraction strips to helps us compare fractions. We also created our own fraction wall for our working wall. We used strips of A3 paper and cut it up into different fractions. We used different colours of paper for each fraction, this helped the children to compare them and show equivalence. The wall reinforces the concept that fractions are different parts of a whole. 

In Geography, Willow class have been learning about the rainforest climate. They have learnt the difference between weather and climate. They can also tell you that between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, the weather is hot all year round and rainfall is consistent. To extend their learning further, Willow class were given climate information for different countries in the rainforest area. In pairs, they used the information provided and weather symbols to prepare and present a weather report. They had the world map as their background! They did a great job!

We have also learnt about the different layers of the rainforest and the types of plants and animals that live in the different layers. To help us learn the names of the layers we used actions!

In Science, we have been learning all about plants. We first learnt the names of the different parts of plants. Then, we had an interesting discussion on whether plants are living things. We learnt the mnemonic, MRS GREN, to help us remember the seven characteristics of living organisms. Movement, Reproduction, Sensitivity, Growth, Respiration, Excretion and Nutrition.  This week, we have carried out an investigation into the murder of the marigolds. Here is a picture of when they were last seen!

We visited the Pumpkin Tent on Monday 20th May.  We didn't have to travel far as the tent was located on the field! We were entertained by Izzy who was our storyteller. She told us an amazing story from China about dragons and an king. The king was very evil, he had stolen all the water from the villagers. Willow class really enjoyed listening to the story and seeing props being used to bring the story to life. They also had the opportunity to retell their own stories at the end which was great fun! We hope they visit us again!

Willow and Ash class trip to the Living Rainforest! We had a wonderful day at the Living Rainforest. Our project this term is global gardens. As part of our project, we have been reading the ‘The Great Kapok Tree’ by Lynne Cherry and learning about different rainforest animals. We have learnt all about the different layers of a rainforest too. It was amazing to see the rainforest birds, animals and insects up close. Willow class really enjoyed watching the Goeldi monkeys as they were very cute.  Also, it was great to experience what a rainforest feels like. We definitely want to go back again!

This term, Willow have been studying, ‘The Snowman’ by Raymond Briggs. The children have consolidated all of their literacy work using the book. So far the children have learnt how to create captions and use speech within writing. Also, we have used drama to step into the characters shoes. We have closely looked at a single image in the story and had to decide what the characters were thinking and saying to each other. The children worked in groups acting out building a snowman. Following on from this they were able to write step by step instructions on how to build a Snowman. Willow class are looking forward to watching the film version at the term and making comparisons!

Happy New Year from Willow class!

We started Term 3, by investigating a piece of music from the BBC's Take 10 Pieces. Willow class explored a piece by Edvard Grieg called ‘In the Hall of the Mountain King’. As a class we discussed what we thought the title could be and what instruments we could hear. We also discussed what we thought the story behind the piece of music might be about. Then, we worked in groups recreating our own version of the story. To investigate the life of the composer, children were put in the hot seat and asked questions about the life of Edvard Grieg. Finally, Willow class had the opportunity to create their own version of this piece using percussion instruments. Here are some photos.

This term in RE, we have been learning about Islam. We have learnt about the origins of Islam and the main beliefs. We had the opportunity to work in groups and act out the Five Pillars of Islam. We are looking forward to learning about the special festivals celebrated next week. Here are some photos.

In English, we are learning how to write an explanation text. To get warmed up, we played the explanation game. In pairs, children took it in turns to explain the following questions. Some children even invented their own questions!

Why are bananas curly?

Why do dogs bark?

Why do rainbows stay still in the wind?

Why does the moon change shape?

Why does it get colder when you go up a mountain?  

The aim of the game was to be as inventive and creative as possible and not let lack of knowledge about the questions get in the way. There was only one rule, to use key phrases used in explanation texts. Willow class had lots of fun doing this, here are some photos.