WELCOME TO Prep 3
Miss Johnson teaches Prep 3. Ms Connolly also works in the Prep 3 classroom.
Term 1
Topic 1: Dinosaurs
Within our Dinosaurs topic, we explore the fossilisation process, excavate our own dinosaur ice eggs in a partnered science experiment and learn about interesting people from the past like Mary Anning and how they impacted the world of palaeontology. We enjoy sorting dinosaur models for a range of criteria, including size, shape, type and diet. Using life-sized tyrannosaurus footprints, we measure areas around the school. On Recyclosaurus day, we use recyclable materials to plan, construct and paint our own dinosaur model. Prep 3 also enjoy the opportunity to participate in the ‘Dinosaurs and More’ workshop at the Ulster Museum, Belfast, where we handle real fossils and delve deeper into our topic knowledge. |
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Topic 2: Celebrations
In our Celebrations topic, we look at how people in different countries celebrate Christmas. We learn all about Diwali and how it is celebrated and expand our vocabulary and knowledge in this area. In Art, we use oil pastels to create beautiful firework displays and have a go at making our own rangoli patterns with chalk outdoors. Prep 3 also reflect on celebrations in their own lives and what these mean to them, bringing in photographs and tokens from home. During this time, we are also working hard on our Key Stage 1 Christmas Showcase, so there are lots of exciting poetry, drama, dance and singing rehearsals taking place behind the scenes! |
Term 2
Topic 1 Chocolate
In Term 2, our Chocolate topic takes over! We have great fun immersing ourselves in our class novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and taking part in lots of Drama lessons in connection to this. We consider the conditions required to successfully grow a cacao tree, explore the journey of chocolate from bean to bar and learn about the rich history of its discovery. Climates around the world, as well as our own climate, are also focused on. Prep 3 step into the shoes of Willy Wonka, by inventing their own magical chocolate creations. We explore what ‘Fairtrade’ means and how this benefits people around the world through a guaranteed fair wage and safe working conditions. One of our favourite Activity Based Learning Stations is the hot chocolate taste test, where we make, taste and predict which hot chocolate is Fairtrade, before recording written observations. |
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Topic 2 Space
In our Space topic, we explore the different planet names, sizes and conditions. We learn about amazing, real-life astronauts like Tim Peake and consider what it would be like to embark on such an incredible adventure. Within Literacy, we write detailed information reports on an area of our choosing, with titles ranging from the ‘International Space Station’ to ‘Galaxies’. Our role play area becomes a Space Station, where we can navigate space for ourselves, bumping into an alien or two on the way. In Art, we create beautiful galaxy paintings using the sponges to apply paint in soft layers. |
Term 3
Topic: Victorians
Our final topic in Prep 3 is Victorians. We learn all about the amazing ‘firsts’ that took place in Victorian times, from the invention of ice-cream and the stamp to the first ever FA Cup Match. We discover that some Victorian children had to work and learn about the various jobs they would have had, including miner, scullery maid and chimney sweep. We even have a go at writing our own Victorian worker child diary. Beatrix Potter is also focused on within our Victorians topic, where we read her classic tales and paint her beloved characters. In Art, we also use watercolour paints to create William Morris patterns. |
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