Reading into Writing Journey
The curriculum is planned in such a way that the children are immersed into the whole class text through a range of reading strategies, such as role play, graphic organisers, role on the wall and character analysis. The children are taught to understand the text they are reading through VIPERS where they are exposed to a range of reading skills. Examples of these questions can be found here.
VIPERS skills include:
VOCABULARY
INFER
PREDICT
EXPLAIN
RETRIEVE
SUMMARISE
Grammar
Grammar is a major aspect of the school curriculum. Children need to be able to show understanding of different grammatical terms and be able to use them in their writing.
Year 3 children are assessed on their knowledge of these grammar terms through termly SPAG Tests (Spellings, Punctuation and Grammar). We have designed a Jargon Buster specifically for the key themes within Year 3. Click here.
Super Sentences
Super sentences are used in each year group and have been designed to encourage and help the children use a range of skills within their writing.
Below is a list of the super sentences taught in Year 3:
| Super Sentence | Explanation | Example |
| Coordinating conjunctions
FANBOYS |
for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so show coordination. Each part of the sentence is a main clause. | I like Sarah yet she does not like me. |
| Subordinate clause | Adding a subordinating clause using before, after, while, because. | Before I dance, I normally warm up. |
| Adverbials | To show how or when an action happens. | Early in the morning, I read my book.
I shall be having lunch soon. |
| Prepositions | To show where an action happens. | In the garden, there was a wasp.
I threw the ball on to the roof. |
Word of the Day
Each day, a new word is chosen to be The Word of the Day. This could be related to the topic or book that the class are learning about or could be an interesting word that the teacher feels would be useful or fun. The word is then displayed in the classroom for the rest of the year for the children to use in their speaking and listening and, in turn, their written work. Teachers encourage the children to use these words in their writing – and reward them when they do – as it helps to extend their vocabulary.
Spellings
At Sneyd Academy, we teach the No Nonsense Spelling Scheme and cover the Curriculum Must Know words lists.
Each child is given a My Must Know Word list with all the words for their year group. The children are tested on these throughout the year and they are crossed off the list when they can spell them confidently. These words are taught as part of spelling lessons and during afternoon registration work. To see the keywords for Year 3 please click here.