During Year 3 the children will be taught to and investigate the following topics:

Autumn – Forces and Magnets

Forces and Magnets:

compare how things move on different surfaces

notice that some forces need contact between two objects, but magnetic forces can act at a distance

observe how magnets attract or repel each other and attract some materials and not others

compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of whether they are attracted to a magnet, and identify some magnetic materials

describe magnets as having two poles

predict whether two magnets will attract or repel each other, depending on which poles are facing.

 

Spring -Animals/Humans and Rocks

Animals/ Humans:

 

identify that animals, including humans, need the right types and amount of nutrition, and that they cannot make their own food; they get nutrition from what they eat

identify that humans and some other animals have skeletons and muscles for support, protection, and movement.

Rocks:

compare and group together different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties

describe in simple terms how fossils are formed when things that have lived are trapped within rock

recognise that soils are made from rocks and organic matter.

 

Summer-Lights/Plants

Light:

 

recognise that they need light in order to see things and that dark is the absence of light.

notice that light is reflected from surfaces

recognise that light from the sun can be dangerous and that there are ways to protect their eyes

recognise that shadows are formed when the light from a light source is blocked by a solid object

find patterns in the way that the size of shadows changes.

 

Plants:

 

identify and describe the functions of different parts of flowering plants: roots, stem/trunk, leaves and flowers

explore the requirements of plants for life and growth (air, light, water, nutrients from soil, and room to grow) and how they vary from plant to plant

investigate the way in which water is transported within plants

explore the part that flowers play in the life cycle of flowering plants, including pollination, seed formation and seed dispersal.

 

Working Scientifically

Working Scientifically:

Asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them by:

• setting up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests
• making systematic and careful observations and, where appropriate, taking accurate measurements using standard units, using a range of equipment, including thermometers and data loggers
• gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions
• recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams, keys, bar charts, and tables
• reporting on findings from enquiries, including oral and written explanations, displays or presentations of results and conclusions