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Browse by Grade: Year 3

United Kingdom · National Curriculum Attainment Targets

Year 3 Science

A comprehensive science curriculum for Year 3 students focusing on hands-on investigation and critical thinking. Students explore the mechanics of movement, the secrets of the soil, and the biological requirements for life through scientific inquiry.

6 units·48 topics·Ages 7-8

01Forces and Magnets: The Invisible Pull

10 topics·Autumn Term

Students investigate how things move on different surfaces and explore the mysterious behavior of magnetic forces.

Identifying Pushes and Pulls

Students will identify and describe different types of forces as pushes or pulls acting on objects, observing their effects on motion.

Experiential LearningThink-Pair-Share
Observing Movement on Surfaces

Students will investigate how objects move differently on various surfaces, observing how some surfaces make things slow down or stop more easily.

Inquiry CircleStations Rotation
Investigating Friction

Students will design simple experiments to measure and compare the amount of friction on various surfaces.

Collaborative Problem-SolvingProject-Based Learning
Introduction to Magnetic Materials

Students will explore various magnetic objects and identify materials that are attracted to magnets.

Stations RotationGallery Walk
Magnetic Poles: Attract or Repel

Students will investigate the two poles of a magnet and observe the forces of attraction and repulsion.

Inquiry CircleExperiential Learning
Exploring Magnetic Strength

Students will explore the invisible magnetic field around magnets using iron filings and test the strength of different magnets by observing how many paperclips they can hold.

Stations RotationCollaborative Problem-Solving
Earth's Magnetic Field and Compasses

Students will learn about the Earth's magnetic field and how it influences compasses.

Inquiry CircleSimulation Game
Gravity: The Invisible Pull Down

Students will explore the concept of gravity as a force that pulls objects towards the Earth, observing its effects on falling objects.

Experiential LearningInquiry Circle
Air Resistance: Slowing Things Down

Students will investigate how air resistance acts as a force that slows down moving objects, particularly those falling or flying.

Project-Based LearningCollaborative Problem-Solving
Water Resistance: Moving Through Liquids

Students will explore how water resistance affects objects moving through water, observing how different shapes move more easily.

Experiential LearningInquiry Circle

02Plants: The Green Machines

7 topics·Autumn Term

An in-depth look at the functions of different plant parts and the requirements for healthy growth.

Plant Parts: Roots and Stems

Students will identify and describe the functions of roots and stems in supporting the plant and transporting water.

Gallery WalkConcept Mapping
Plant Parts: Leaves and Flowers

Students will investigate the roles of leaves in making food and flowers in reproduction.

JigsawExperiential Learning
Plant Needs: Light and Water

Students will conduct experiments to observe how varying amounts of light and water affect plant growth.

Inquiry CircleCase Study Analysis
Plant Needs: Nutrients and Space

Students will explore the role of nutrients from the soil and adequate space for healthy plant development.

Stations RotationCollaborative Problem-Solving
Plant Life Cycles: From Seed to Plant

Students will observe and describe the stages of a plant's life cycle, starting from a seed.

Experiential LearningTimeline Challenge
Pollination and Seed Dispersal

Students will investigate how plants are pollinated and how seeds are dispersed to grow new plants.

Role PlaySimulation GameStations Rotation
Plant Adaptations for Survival

Students will explore how different plants have adapted to survive in various environments, such as deserts or rainforests.

Case Study AnalysisGallery Walk

03Animals and Humans: Skeletal Secrets

7 topics·Spring Term

Students compare the skeletons and muscles of humans and other animals to understand movement and protection.

The Human Skeleton: Support and Protection

Students will identify major bones in the human body and understand their roles in support and protection.

Case Study AnalysisJigsaw
Animal Skeletons: Variety and Adaptation

Students will compare the skeletons of different animals (vertebrates and invertebrates) and discuss their adaptations.

Stations RotationGallery Walk
Muscles: The Movers

Students will investigate how muscles work in pairs to pull on bones and create movement.

Inquiry CircleExperiential Learning
Healthy Habits: Exercise and Muscles

Students will explore the importance of exercise for muscle strength and overall health.

Collaborative Problem-SolvingThink-Pair-Share
Food Groups and Balanced Diets

Students will learn about different food groups and the importance of a balanced diet for humans.

Concept MappingPeer Teaching
Animal Diets and Food Chains

Students will investigate the dietary needs of different animals and introduce simple food chains.

Stations RotationCase Study Analysis
The Human Digestive System

Students will learn about the basic parts of the human digestive system and their roles in processing food.

Simulation GameConcept Mapping

04Rocks and Fossils: Tales from the Earth

7 topics·Spring Term

An exploration of rock types, how fossils are formed, and the composition of soil.

Rock Properties and Observation

Students will observe and describe the physical properties of various rocks, such as texture, hardness, and permeability.

Stations RotationInquiry Circle
Classifying Rocks

Students will observe and describe the physical characteristics of various rocks, such as their colour, texture, and whether they are hard or soft, and begin to classify them.

Stations RotationInquiry Circle
Weathering and Erosion

Students will investigate how rocks are broken down and moved by natural forces like wind and water.

Simulation GameExperiential Learning
Fossil Formation: A Step-by-Step Guide

Students will describe in simple terms how fossils are formed when living things are trapped within rock.

Role PlaySimulation Game
What Fossils Tell Us

Students will explore how fossils provide evidence about animals and plants that lived millions of years ago.

Gallery WalkCase Study Analysis
Soil Layers and Components

Students will investigate the different layers of soil and identify its components, including rocks, sand, clay, and organic matter.

Experiential LearningInquiry Circle
Soil and Plant Growth

Students will explore how different types of soil affect plant growth and the role of decomposers.

Case Study AnalysisCollaborative Problem-Solving

05Light and Shadows: Chasing the Sun

7 topics·Summer Term

Students explore the necessity of light for vision and the formation of shadows.

Sources of Light

Students will identify natural and artificial sources of light and understand that dark is the absence of light.

Inquiry CircleThink-Pair-Share
Light and Vision

Students will recognize that light is needed in order to see things and explore how light interacts with objects.

Experiential LearningSimulation Game
Reflection and Reflective Materials

Students will investigate how light reflects from different surfaces and identify good reflectors.

Inquiry CircleStations Rotation
Sun Safety and Protection

Students will learn about the dangers of direct sunlight and the importance of protecting their eyes and skin.

Carousel BrainstormProject-Based Learning
Shadow Formation and Properties

Students will explore how shadows are formed when light is blocked by an opaque object.

Inquiry CircleExperiential Learning
Changing Shadows

Students will investigate how the size and shape of shadows change depending on the light source and object position.

Decision MatrixCollaborative Problem-Solving
Light and Colour

Students will explore how white light is made up of different colours and how objects appear to be different colours.

Experiential LearningInquiry Circle

06Working Scientifically: The Young Researcher

10 topics·Summer Term

A capstone unit focusing on the skills required to plan, conduct, and report on scientific investigations.

Formulating Scientific Questions

Students will learn to turn their curiosity into testable questions that can be answered through investigation.

Carousel BrainstormInquiry Circle
Making Predictions and Hypotheses

Students will learn to make simple predictions and form hypotheses based on their scientific questions.

Think-Pair-ShareConcept Mapping
Identifying Variables

Students will identify the independent, dependent, and control variables in simple practical inquiries.

JigsawCollaborative Problem-Solving
Conducting Fair Tests

Students will plan and set up simple practical inquiries and comparative tests, ensuring conditions are fair by changing only one thing at a time.

Project-Based LearningProblem-Based Learning
Collecting and Recording Data

Students will collect data accurately and record it using simple tables, tally charts, and drawings.

Stations RotationExperiential Learning
Interpreting and Presenting Results

Students will interpret their results and present findings using scientific language, drawings, and simple graphs.

Museum ExhibitPeer Teaching
Drawing Conclusions and Evaluating

Students will draw simple conclusions from their results and suggest improvements for future investigations.

Case Study AnalysisInquiry Circle
Safety in Science

Students will learn about important safety rules and practices when conducting scientific investigations.

Think-Pair-ShareRole Play
Using Scientific Equipment

Students will practice using basic scientific equipment safely and accurately, such as measuring cylinders, thermometers, and magnifiers.

Stations RotationExperiential Learning
Communicating Scientific Ideas

Students will practice communicating their scientific ideas and findings to others using appropriate vocabulary and methods.

Museum ExhibitPeer Teaching