Year 3
World Book Day
Year 3 have had such an amazing "World Book Day"! We started off the day with a whole-school character parade and then headed to Pre-School for Buddy Reading time. We loved sharing the books whilst sitting in the Pre-School outside area on rugs and cushions. Both classes were so engaged that the staff have decided to make Buddy Reading a regular occurrence.
We walked to Crossways Library and enjoyed looking at all the new books in the different sections. We learnt that the Library is hosting several fun activities in the coming weeks, such as a Science event next Saturday. Before returning to School, we listened to a funny story called, "Don't trust fish!" read by two "Where's Wally?" librarians. Thank you so much to all the volunteers who accompanied us on our trip; we couldn't have done it without you.
In the afternoon, we had a workshop with author Linda Webber who told us what inspired her to write and illustrate a children's book, published in 2024, called "The cute, green octopus and the sparkly flip flop". The story, which has an eco-friendly, "green" theme, is set in local Dorset locations including Swanage Bay and Studland.
RE - Why Do some Hindus want to collect good Karma?
Most Hindus believe that humans are in a cycle of death and rebirth called samsara. When a person dies, their atman (soul) is reborn in a different body. An atman can go into the body of any living thing, such as a plant, animal or human, depending on their Karma from their previous life. To try to understand this cycle, we played a game similar to snakes and ladders, where good choices (good Karma) would allow us to move to a "better" body, but bad choices (bad Karma) would move us to a lesser body.
Local History Week
In Year 3, we are learning about the important role that Crossways played during WWII. Pilots flying from RAF Warmwell (an airfield near Crossways) helped to win the Battle of Britain. Nazi aircraft losses were so high that they knew they could not defeat the RAF and proceed with an invasion of Britain.
To remember the vital role played by RAF Warmwell pilots and ground crew, year 3 pupils visited the Village Hall, where we were enthralled by the many stories that Andrew Brewer (Chair of the Parish Council) told us. The Village Hall was originally used as a cinema, theatre, NAFFI and small chapel during the war.
We also walked to the War Memorial, where Rev. Peter Stevens read a section of the Remembrance service that is dedicated to the brave servicemen and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
There are super photos and lots more information about RAF Warmwell on the following websites:
https://www.crosswaysdorset.info/history/raf-warmwell
https://www.ukairfieldguide.net/airfields/Warmwell
https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/19579938.remembering-warmwell-airfield-pilots-battle-britain-day/
Discover Ballet
Following the success of the previous Royal Ballet and Opera live lessons, Year 3 were delighted to join in with the Royal Ballet once again. We travelled in a time machine to various eras and places, including the time of the dinosaurs, the Palace of Versailles, Alice in Wonderland and Swan lake. The children loved performing the movements and facial expressions, led by real dancers and choreographers.
In addition, we learnt about how ballet shoes and costumes are designed and made, and looked behind the scenes at the props department, lighting and scenery design. We even watched a prop sword being fabricated. I wonder if any of these jobs might inspire the children in their future careers.
Mrs Ashby kindly brought her own ballet pointe shoes into school so that the pupils could see how they look in real life.
(Dino) Saur-iously Cool!
Thank you so much to one of our keen-to-be palaeontologist parents who lent us a replica T-Rex skull. It was a one-fifth scale model, which the children were thrilled to see and touch.
A full size T-Rex skull would exceed 1.5 metres (5 feet), making them among the biggest land animal skulls ever.
Year 3 children (and staff!) are loving our PE lessons on Mondays.
We are lucky that Alex, a skateboarding coach, has returned to Frome Valley to teach us how to skateboard. This week, unfortunately, the rain meant that we had to be in the hall, but it didn't dampen our enthusiasm! We practised balancing on one foot while occasionally pushing along with the other. We also learnt a new skill, which involved tipping the board by leaning our weight one way and then the other. The most courageous pupils also tried to spin on the spot, either by making half-turn or repeated mini-turns. Well done Year 3!
Science lab for "Perfect Pets"
Our classroom has been transformed into a science lab where "perfect pets" are made and sold. Before we could enter the lab, we had to make (oversized!) safety goggles. What is going on?
I wonder which pet you would choose.
Nativity Service
We loved joining in with the whole-school Nativity service! The Year 3 song was, "Knock, knock, Knock at the door." We sang on stage and demonstrated the actions that we had devised.
We even tried to sign, "Sorry" in British Sign Language for the Innkeepers' replies.
DT - Sewing
As part of our DT, we made handmade felt decorations. The blue background represented the night's sky with the white stars dotted around. We filled them with stuffing and hung them on the class Christmas tree.
Active Citizens
As part of our Active Citizens, we made Christmas cards and hand-delivered them around the village. It was lovely to wave and shout, "Happy Christmas" to any residents who we saw. One member of the community was so delighted to receive a handmade card, that she wrote us a letter to thank us!
Royal Ballet and Opera Lesson
This week, Year 3 joined the Royal Ballet and Opera for an online lesson about opera. The Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO) presented a fantastic online lesson based on Mozart's "The Magic Flute". We were taught opera basics, experienced singing famous arias like Papageno's and even explored stage design. This interactive session featured real Royal Opera House artists. Year 3 loved listening to and joining in with the opera in our classroom.
Christingle Service
Thank you to the Church community for helping us to make a Christingle and to understand what each part represents. The orange represents the world, with the candle being Jesus, the light of the world. The four wooden sticks are the four seasons with sweets and dried fruit representing the fruits of the earth. Finally, the red ribbon is a symbol of God's love around the world, as it reminds us of the blood that Jesus shed when he died upon the cross.
Science – How do humans move?
We have been learning about our skeleton, joints and muscles. We made a model of a hinge joint, with elastic band biceps and triceps. As one muscle contracted, the other relaxed. Muscles can pull, but not push.
Relax Kids PE Lessons
We are delighted to welcome back Sian from Relax Kids! This week, we enjoyed pretending to be melted chocolate as we lay calmly and peacefully. We also have been learning about massage - either on ourselves or on a partner.
Who is the mysterious and invisible Tear Thief?
This morning, Year 3 received this letter in the post. We are excited to find out more. To be continued...
Year 3 have been learning about why the Stone Age is called the Stone Age!
We were so lucky to have the opportunity to handle real Stone Age artefacts and tools, borrowed from the Museum of East Dorset in Wimborne.
We noticed how the tools became more refined over the three periods of the Stone Age. Large hand axes became sharper with smoother surfaces. Spear and arrow heads became smaller and sharper. We handled flint scrapers that had been knapped from larger stones, as well as items that may have been used as spiritual or decorative items.
The amazing thing about the Stone Age people is that they could do so much without any electricity or technology.
However, we only have artefacts to give us clues about how they lived, as nothing was written down – that is why it is called "Prehistoric"!
On Tuesday, Year 3 went on their first school trip of the academic year.
We travelled by train to Dorchester South and then walked to Holy Trinity Catholic Church. The reason for our visit was to find out how different Christians are reconciled with God.
We were warmly welcomed there by Father Francis and Deacon Jonathon, who told us about confession, which means asking for forgiveness.
We enjoyed hearing about the different features of the church, such as the sanctuary lamp and the confessional screen. After some activities to help us understand about washing away sin (mending mistakes and saying sorry) and a treasure hunt around the church, we were delighted (and surprised) to be given cake and squash to sustain us on our return trip!
It was lucky that we had eaten an extra snack, as our return train was cancelled due to a barrier fault further up the line! Thankfully, the clerk at the ticket office in Dorchester South sprang to our rescue with activity books and crayons for each pupil, as well as access to the disabled toilet so that we didn't have to use the general public toilet.
After waiting for about an hour, a kind guard (on a train heading in the correct direction) managed to secure us an unscheduled stop at Moreton! What an adventure!
Thank you so much to our three parent helpers - We couldn't have done it without you.
Mystery in Year 3
The children arrived at the Year 3 classroom to find it had turned into a cave and could only be entered through a tunnel. We all clambered through the narrow opening, only to find the cave was full of cave paintings and, in the middle, there was a child-sized footprint.
Who could have left these paintings?
What do they represent? How old might this person be? All the children compared the footprint with their own to see if it belonged to someone in the class, but it remains a mystery!