Welcome

It has been wonderful to get the year underway and see our Grade 3 students settle so well. We have spent time getting to know each other and setting up routines as we excitedly jump into 2026.

English

This term, we will be spending time talking to students about good-fit books. A number of  students will have moved from reading levelled PM books into reading books of their choice and our focus is on teaching students to have a reason for picking a particular book as well as choosing one that fits their skill level. For students still developing their reading, they will be supported to continue working with texts appropriate to their needs. We encourage you to continue listen to your child read and ask them questions about their reading to develop their comprehension skills.

In the classroom, students will have opportunities to read independently and as part of a small group. Each week we will focus on a different strategy that will allow students to develop their skills in that area and expose them to a wide variety of genres.

In writing students will begin to dive deeper into their personal thinking during our Writer’s Workshop. They will be learning about what kind of writers they are, what they like to write about and what styles/purposes they like to write for. Students will learn how to broaden their thinking when provided with a writing seed (prompt), and will be given the opportunity to create written pieces guided by their own thoughts and interests. As well as establishing a writing community we will be focusing on persuasive and narrative text types.

As part of spelling students will purposefully investigate words through 3 different lenses. These include what words look like (visual), what words sound like (phonemic), and the meaning or words (etymology and how words are built).

Mathematics

During the term we will have a focus on place value. We will be exploring odd and even numbers, expanding numbers, renaming numbers, rounding numbers, partitioning numbers, skip counting using number lines and recording and identifying numbers using both digits and words. Students will use hands on materials to help them build their understanding of place value throughout the term. We will be finishing the term with some work on measurement – exploring length, height, width, mass and capacity. Our maths lessons will include lots of open ended tasks to allow students to explore their knowledge and develop their mathematical understanding.

Integrated Studies

This term we will be looking at Civics and Citizenship as we learn about the role of local government along with rules and laws. We will be exploring this through many meaningful experiences including an incursion learning about waste management, an excursion to Miller’s Homestead, and a visit from Cr Paige Kennett – Mayor of Knox City Council.

Homework

Homework will commence in week 3. It will be set on Tuesday and be due back on the following Monday. This will generally consist of a reading and a maths component. Students will be expected to complete the set activities along with practising their times tables, and nightly reading.

NAPLAN

For those families new to Grade 3, NAPLAN (National Assessment Program- Literacy and Numeracy) is an annual assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The tests cover skills in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy. The assessments this year will be held in Term 1, from Wednesday March 11. Your child’s teacher will spend some time prior to the assessment discussing and explaining what each assessment will look like. All assessments are in an online format for our Grade 3 students except for writing. If you have any queries or concerns about NAPLAN please speak to your child’s teacher.

We are looking forward to the learning opportunities in the term ahead.

Thank you for being involved in your child’s education and as always please see your child’s teacher if you have any questions, queries or concerns.

Robyn Durrand, Liana Ellis, Jacki Iuliano and Nicki Stephens

TERM 1 SPECIALIST TIMETABLE

Term 1 Newsletter