Welcome to Year 3

Year 3 at Ascot State School offers friendly and stimulating learning environments led by a team of enthusiastic and caring teachers.  The teachers believe that Year 3 is a critical year in children’s development as they make the transition from the Early Phase to the Middle Phase of Schooling.  There is an emphasis on the consolidation of “the curriculum basics” and skills related to literacy, numeracy, cooperation and independence.

An early years philosophy recognises each child as an individual, with particular strengths, needs and interests, and provides important contexts for student learning.  Children in Year 3 learn through real-life situations, investigations, focussed learning activities, play and routines.   The development of self worth and an optimistic attitude to life’s experiences are actively promoted through learning activities.

Students in Year 3 participate in a range of integrated units of work.  These units have as their focus the major learnings or outcomes across key learning areas of the curriculum.  Ascot State School’s Dimensions of Learning Framework actively promotes the development of lifelong learners with an emphasis on the development of students’ thinking processes and empowering “habits of minds” attitudes and behaviours.  The ability to ask meaningful questions and to see the relevance of “questioning” in the learning process is the HOT Skill focus for Year 3.

Unit topics or general themes include: Celebrations; All Things Australian; Rainforest Rescue; Products and their Promotion; Our Asia-Pacific Neighbours.

Learning experiences in Year 3 are designed to develop key understandings, skills and confidence in the use of ICTs.  In class computer time, exposure to a wide range of age appropriate software, regular visits to the school’s computer laboratory, the use of digital and video cameras, and regulated access to email and the world wide web are whole school priorities which benefit our Year 3 students.

The key learning areas of English, Mathematics, Science and Study of Society and Environment are taught in Year3.  The Year 3 classroom curriculum also has a strong emphasis on the integration of The Arts, Health and Physical Education and Technology.  Children enjoy regular lessons led by specialist teachers in Music and Physical Education.  Excellent opportunities in Music are offered to students in Year 3.  An instrumental music program incorporating string instruments and our Junior Choir are available to students.  Children also love their regular visits to the school’s Resource Centre.  Library visits ensure that our Year 3 students are enthusiastic borrowers of the school’s collection.

Our weekly lower school assemblies celebrate our learning and foster the development of knowledge and skills in English and The Arts.  The children of Year 3 welcome this opportunity to perform for family and friends and display confidence as they address a large audience and share their work.

Year 3 classrooms provide safe and stimulating environments for children to learn.  Bright, colourful classrooms, with access to art and performance areas and physical education play spaces, enhance students’ learning.  Visits by performing artists and guest speakers and year level excursions also make learning relevant and fun.  Excursions to Mount Nebo at Brisbane Forest Park, the Golden Circle Cannery and the Queensland Art Gallery are central to the units of work studied in Year 3.

Students’ learning and development and students’ happiness and general well-being are the focus of parent-teacher discussions and reporting processes.  Written reports are issued at the end of Semester 1 and Semester 2.  A Year 2 Diagnostic Net report, with a focus on students’ literacy and numeracy development, and the results of the Statewide Year 3 Test are also issued at the end of Semester 2.

Regular and open communication with parents and carers is valued and encouraged with parents given the opportunity to meet with classroom and specialist teachers throughout the year.  Year 3 classrooms benefit from high levels of parental involvement.  Parents are invited to assist with morning reading activities, the swimming program, small group activities, special class events and excursions.