Year 3 - Perton Primary Academy

Rocks, Relics and Rumbles

Memorable Learning Experience

Year 3 started our first Topic of the Year with a memorable experience. We became geologists for the afternoon. We learnt all about a geologist’s job through a virtual presentation with a real-life geologist to learn more about her career.

We learnt about different rock types and we identified the three main types of rocks and distinguished them using their properties. We used magnifying lenses to check properties and used water to check if the rocks were permeable or impermeable.

Please click below to find out more about the knowledge we focus on during this Topic and please scroll through the slides to view our learning from the term.

knowledge organiser Rocks, Relics and Rumbles

Science

Exploring the properties of rocks and categorisng them as sedementary, metamorphic or igneous

Science

We investigated the different types of soil on the school grounds. We shared and compared our findings. We then concluded if our soil samples were sandy, silty or clay.

Geography/Science

After identifying different volcano types, we explored how volcanos erupt. We demonstrated the difference between an effusive eruption and an explosive eruption using baking powder and vinegar and coke and mentos.

D & T

We learnt about how fossils were created and we designed our own ammonites. We explored their shape, texture and colour. We used clay and clay molding tools and utensils for different purposes to create our designs and then we evaluated them.

Science/Geography

We demonstrated how fossils are created over time naturally from the pressure of millions of years creating a print on sedimentary rock. We used bread, sweets and applied pressure to display how they are created and wrote descriptions using visual stimulus.

Mighty Metals

Memorable Learning Experience

Year 3 started this Topic with a memorable experience at Perton Park. We became scientists for the afternoon and we explored the different forces that were at work on the different park apparatus. We identified pushes, pulls, friction and explained how gravity is always at work.

Please click below to find out more about the knowledge we focus on during this Topic and please scroll through the slides to view our learning from the term.

Knowledge Organiser – Mighty Metals

Science

Exploring forces at Perton Park

Science

We explored friction on different surfaces. We conducted a fair test to see which material created the most friction on the car by measuring the distance the car travelled after driving down a slope on the different materials. We predicted, collected our results, compared them and wrote conclusions based on findings.

Computing

We collected the results from the friction investigation and displayed them in tables after inputting our data into a spreadsheet.

D & T / Science

We explored levers and discussed the functionality of them and how they were fit for purpose. We then conducted an investigation into how to create a functional lever – Does the position of the fulcrum affect how much force is needed? We used Forceometers to collect our results and make conclusions.

D & T

We explored what makes a functional spinning top. We used different materials to create spinning tops and measured how effective they were by the amount of time they spun. We then drew annotated designs of of our spinning tops

Science

We used magnets to identify magnetic objects and then we used a Forceometer to test if different magnets were more powerful. We also discussed how the poles of magnets work in attracting and repelling.

Art & Design

We explored embossing in art. We created our designs and made a colourful design with string, foil and card

Computing

Using Lego WEDO, we created a pulling robot based on our work on forces. We programmed a sequence of algorithms into the pulling robot and we used our logical reasoning to debug the program as we went along.

D & T

We designed, created an annotated our own magnetic board game. We created our own design briefs and chose our success criteria via who our product was aimed at (Consumer).

Science

We tested which liquid would clean a tarnished coin he most effectively. We made predictions, discussed how to make it a fair test, selected how to display our results and wrote conclusions based on our findings.

D & T and Science

We created our own friend for The Iron Man. We had a design brief to stick to. It had to be able to move, had to be magnetic, be appealing and it had to light up. We used our scientific knowledge to make it magnetic and we created an electrical circuit with switches to ensure our designs could light up in the dark.