Blaydon West Primary School News Feed - Year 3

House point Winners!

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 11:03:58 GMT

Angel of the North

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 16:45:53 GMT

Last week, Year 3 visited the Angel of the North to carry out observational drawings of the iconic North-East landmark.

Angel of the North Sculpture Workshop

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:04:57 GMT

Last week, Year 3 visited the Shipley Art Gallery to take part in a range of Angel of the North themed activities. They then worked in small groups to construct their very own replicas of Antony Gormley’s famous sculpture.

Take a look for yourself…

Field for the Year 3 Classroom

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 16:36:50 GMT

Continuing with their work around sculptor Antony Gormley, yesterday the children carried out a clay-based task similar to a one that Gormley set for 100 volunteers back in 1993, where they had to form 4000 clay figures whilst making sure to adhere to three simple instructions: ‘hand-sized, stand up and have eyes’.

Calligrams

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 16:48:36 GMT

Over the past two weeks, Year 3 have been busy creating their very own animal-themed calligrams.

Take a look for yourself…

Antony Gormley

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:07:02 GMT

To kick-start their sculpture-based art topic, Year 3 have spent the afternoon researching the work of British sculptor Antony Gormley.

Take a look for yourself…

Shadow Puppets (Part 2)

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 16:57:06 GMT

In preparation for putting on their very own traditional-themed puppet show performances, the children have been working in small groups in order to design and construct their very own puppets and props.

Throughout the whole design process they have generated, developed, modelled and communicated their ideas through research, discussion, annotated sketches, prototypes and stencils; whilst also continuously evaluating their ideas and products against their own design criteria, as well as the views of their friend’s, in order to enhance their creations.

Shadow Puppets (Part 3)

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 16:54:56 GMT

Following the children creating their very own traditional tale-themed puppets (including essential props), each group then put on a performance of their chosen fable to the rest of the class.

The children’s choices being:

Rumpelstiltskin
Snow White and The Seven Dwarves
Hansel and Gretel
Little Red Riding Hood
The Three Billy Goats Gruff
The Three Little Pigs
The Gingerbread Man

The children retold their chosen tales fantastically well. They should be very proud of themselves. Well done everyone!

Shadow Puppets (Part 1)

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:08:03 GMT

To kick-start their design and technology shadow puppet unit of work, Year 3 have been exploring a wide range of traditional tale texts in order to help them deicide which well-known story they are going to base their creations on.

Take a look for yourself…

Year 3 and year 5 reading buddies on World Book Day

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 22:40:01 GMT

Year 3 and 5 had a great start to our World Book Day celebration by sharing some stories together!

Cartouches

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 22:41:48 GMT

The children creating their personalised cartouches.

Egyptian Art

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:09:09 GMT

In preparation for creating their very own Cartouches (a cartouche is an oval frame which surrounds the hieroglyphics that make up the name of an Egyptian God or royal person), Year 3 have been experimenting with a range of symbols, patterns and pictures associated with Ancient Egypt.

Take a look for yourself…

Cartouche Designs

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 22:45:49 GMT

In preparation for creating their very own Egyptian-themed artwork, the children have been practising forming their names in hieroglyphics as well as designing their personalised cartouches.

Take a look for yourself…

Hieorglyphic Printing

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 22:43:35 GMT

In preparation for creating their very own Cartouches, today the children have been testing out the personalised printing tiles that they created yesterday.

Take a look for yourself…

Division with Remainders

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 22:51:56 GMT

This morning, Year 3 have been exploring division with remainders through a shape-themed problem-solving activity. For each problem, they would use a specific number of lolly sticks then see how many of the same shape they could create (i.e. equal groups) before calculating the remainders. They explored this for a range of shapes such as triangles, squares and pentagons, before challenging themselves with more complex 2D shapes such as heptagons and octagons.

Well done Year 3!

What is a Fossil?

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:10:03 GMT

In preparation for creating their very own fossil-themed explanation texts, Year 3 have been researching said topic, as well as practising applying some of the skills that they have been developing in English i.e. headings, subheadings, bullet points, diagrams, captions, labels etc.

Watch this space for their final creations.

Chemical Weathering

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:11:46 GMT

Yesterday, Year 3 carried out a range of tests in order to gain a better understanding of how rocks can change due to chemical weathering. As rain often contains acidic chemicals (especially acid rain!), the children investigated dropping a few droplets of vinegar (an acidic substance) onto a range of different rocks (which they selected themselves through applying their knowledge and understanding of metamorphic, sedimentary and igneous rocks), before observing what happened i.e. looking for any physical changes such as fizzing, erosion etc.

Rock Groups (and not of the music kind)

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:10:57 GMT

This afternoon, Year 3 carried out a range of activities in order to help them identify and classify a range of rocks based on their physical properties. First, they carried out a sorting activity which required them to assign an assortment of rocks to the following categories: metamorphic, igneous and sedimentary.

They were then introduced to an identification flowchart, which they made use of in order to discover the names of the rocks they had grouped in the previous task, as well as to cross-reference with their groupings to ensure that they had assigned them to the correct categories.

The Land of The Pharaohs

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:00:06 GMT

This week, Year 3 visited the Great North Museum to explore their Ancient Egypt exhibition and to take part in an interactive workshop, where they discovered what work and life was like in ancient Egypt through object handling and group work. When doing so, they were challenged to identify objects that would have been used by different people (such as farmers, scribes, embalmers, soldiers and Pharaohs), learning all about the different elements of their lives and roles along the way.

Traditional Tastes

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:14:09 GMT

Last week, Year 3 carried out a tasting activity which required them to sample a range of ingredients associated with traditional Christmas treats. The children explored a number of flavours such as dark chocolate, peppermint (in the form of a candy cane), marzipan, gingerbread, Christmas cake and dates.

Following the sampling session, the children applied their newfound knowledge and understanding of spreadsheets to a data handling activity, where they represented their findings in relation to the most popular traditional taste in Year 3.

Their findings were as follows:

Dark Chocolate – 4
Marzipan – 1
Peppermint – 18
Dates – 1
Gingerbread – 0
Christmas Cake – 1

Traditional Treats

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:03:32 GMT

Following sampling a range of traditional tastes, the Elves, I mean, Year 3, set to work planning and preparing their peppermint flavoured treats (in the form bauble-shaped peppermint creams). When doing so, the children used a range of design techniques and methods such as exploring their own and others’ ideas, creating prototypes, and devising their very own packaging.

Take a look for yourself…

A magical afternoon with a magician!

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:16:00 GMT

The whole school had a fun filled afternoon with Flash the magician!

Coin Cleaning

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:18:53 GMT

Yesterday in Year 3, the children carried out a range of practical experiments in order to help them answer the following question: which substance is the most effective at cleaning coins? First, they were recapped on a range of words such as “substance”, “acid” and “alkaline”, before exploring how to measure a substance’s pH level through the use of litmus paper and a pH scale. Next, they discussed the question: “how do we make a test fair?”, and as a class, agreed on the importance of measuring out the same amount of each substance, as well as making use of the same measuring container when collecting a particular substance.

They then set to work setting up their experiments by gathering the equipment they required and measuring out the different substances (soapy water, vinegar, cola and tomato sauce), before investigating the pH level of each one through the use of a pH indicator pack. Once they had tested each substance and recorded their results in a table, they then submerged a one pence coin in each of the substances on their table, then carried out four observations across a twenty minute period i.e. five minute intervals. Once the time was up, each table removed their coins from the substances and examined the results. They discovered that acidic substances are the most effective at cleaning coins, particularly tomato sauce.

Take a look for yourself…

Pedestrian Training

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:21:25 GMT

Following last week’s interactive classroom tasks, yesterday, Year 3 took part in their very first pedestrian training session.

Take a look for yourself…

Blaydon Vs Edinburgh (Part 5)

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:24:19 GMT

Continuing with their comparative study, today Year 3 have been exploring what makes both Blaydon and Edinburgh unique, when it comes to tourism. First, they discussed what tourism is (when people travel from their home to other places for relaxation and pleasure), and how/why it is good for a destination’s economy (it helps bring lots of money to different destinations each year).

Then, seen as tourists often visit different places to take part in sporting activities such as The Blaydon Race; or attend well-known entertainment events such as the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, they were then given a taste of what it would be like to attend said events through participating in “The Blaydon West Race 2023” (where they all took part in a class race on the KS2 yard); and attending the “Blaydon West Fringe Festival 2023” (where members of the class presented their very own stand-up material).

Colour Changing Potions

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:29:19 GMT

Last week, Year 3 carried out a colour changing potion investigation. First, the children had to test a range of potion ingredients (such as wizard’s wee and dragon’s dandruff), in order to determine what colour(s) they would change the purple potion to (they did this by using litmus paper and recording each substances ph level). Once they had done so, they then carefully selected individual potion ingredients to add to each test tube, as the challenge was to change each potion sample to a colour different to the previous one.

Take a look for yourself…

Bone Bridges

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:26:46 GMT

Last week, Year 3 carried out a structures investigation which required them to work collaboratively to construct “bone bridges” that would withstand the weight of a pumpkin.

Take a look for yourself…

Spooky Science Family Workshop

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:31:26 GMT

This afternoon, Year 3 (and a member of each child’s family) took part in a “Spooky Science” workshop delivered by Gateshead’s Family Learning Team. The children worked incredibly well with their grownups in order to conduct a range of Halloween-themed science investigations.

Take a look for yourself…

Big Bold Flowers

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:39:03 GMT

Yesterday, Year 3 visited the Shipley Art Gallery to take part in two flower-themed workshops. In the first session, the children were required to explore the gallery to identify any floral features that appear in/on any of the artwork on display, before setting to work on their very own largescale floral creations.

The children went “big and bold” in this workshop, using an array of resources such as scissors, glue, straws and lots of colourful paper, to create their pieces! They experimented with a range of techniques such as creating layers of paper shapes and playing around with composition to create a unique floral design.

Take a look for yourself…

Felt Flowers

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:36:58 GMT

To support their recent Charles Rennie Mackintosh work, yesterday Year 3 visited the Shipley Art Gallery to take part in two flower-themed workshops. One of them being a felt making workshop, where they also had the opportunity to explore a range of different textiles and learn a range a of fantastic fabric facts.

Take a look for yourself…

Blaydon Vs Edinburgh (Part 4)

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:33:45 GMT

This afternoon, Year 3 embarked on a virtual tour of Edinburgh (via Google Maps) in order to identify some of the capital city’s well-known human and physical features. When doing so, they visited a range of historical landmarks such as the following: Edinburgh Castle, Arthur’s Seat, Greyfriars Bobby Memorial, Scott Monument and The Fourth Bridges.

Take a look for yourself…

Blaydon Vs Edinburgh (Part 2)

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:45:33 GMT

In preparation for making comparisons between Blaydon and Edinburgh, Year 3 have been using their prior knowledge (Y1 fieldwork) to carry out a range of map-related tasks. First, they mapped out the route that they took on a previous fieldwork trip before assigning a range of landmarks to their correct location on a birds-eye view map of Blaydon. They then used a selection of different maps to carry out a data handling task, where they were required to identify Blaydon’s most popular feature through a symbol identification activity i.e. pound sign – bank; shopping trolley – supermarket; knife and fork – restaurant etc.

Blaydon Vs Edinburgh (Part 1)

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:44:10 GMT

To kick-start this term’s Geography topic, today Year 3 made use of a range of atlases and digital maps in order to help them correctly identify the location of Edinburgh and Blaydon on a blank map of the United Kingdom. You could say the activity was a bit like a geographical version of “pin the tail on the donkey”.

First, they recapped on their prior knowledge in relation to the United Kingdom i.e. countries, capital cities, famous landmarks etc. They were then introduced to the following vocabulary and its relevance to our current topic: city, town, district and county, before working with a partner to pinpoint both Edinburgh and Blaydon’s exact locations.

Variation and Inheritance

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:52:14 GMT

To help celebrate Jeans for Genes day, and promote awareness of individuals and families affected by genetic disorders, Year 3 have been busy exploring what makes everyone unique i.e. characteristics/traits (hair colour, eye colour etc.) as a result of their genetic makeup, through a Mr Men and Little Miss-themed variation and inheritance activity.

Take a look for yourself…

Digital Art

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:55:23 GMT

Today, Year 3 have been replicating their Mackintosh-inspired geometric sketches through a digital art activity.

Take a look for yourself…

Geometric Art

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:58:14 GMT

This week in Year 3, the children have been exploring both their own and Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s ideas through a geometric sketching activity. First, they all took part in a step-by-step tutorial in order to perfect the infamous “Mackintosh Rose”, before then setting to work creating their very own. Once they had done so, they then created a range of straight and curved lines in order to design a shape-themed background to surround their flower(s). They then finalised their masterpieces by applying colour.

Watch this space for the digital versions of their artwork…

Rennie Replications

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 00:04:02 GMT

In preparation for creating their very own geometric-style artwork in the style of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the children have been busy replicating some of his masterpieces. Before doing so, they explored a number of his creations and generated discussion around their different features and how he made use of lines and shapes to create a range of patterns and designs, before each selecting their favourite(s) and replicating them in their sketch books.

Take a look for yourself…

Perfecting the Infamous Mackintosh Rose

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 00:01:37 GMT

In preparation for designing and creating their very own Charles Rennie-themed digital-art, the children have been busy perfecting his infamous “Mackintosh Rose”.

Take a look for yourself…

Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 00:06:34 GMT

To kick-start their “Digital Art” unit of work, Year 3 have been exploring the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. First, they were provided with a brief history of his life and work, before carrying out their very own research tasks in order to find out further information in relation to who he was and what he is/was famous for. When doing so, they each created a research-themed page in their sketchbooks, which they will make use of throughout the topic when they experiment with both their own and Mackintosh’s ideas and design their very own geometric-inspired prints.

Take a look for yourself…

What’s the Time Year 3?

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 00:10:05 GMT

This afternoon, Year 3 took part in a time-themed treasure hunt which required them to locate a number of clock faces and correctly identify the times displayed on them. To do this, they had to use their knowledge of telling the time (quarter to and quarter past) to be able read the clocks, before representing the times they had identified through drawing the hands on a selection of blank clock faces as well as recording the time in words i.e. “quarter past three”.

Magnets

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 00:13:00 GMT

Over the past few weeks, Year 3 have been learning all about magnets and forces. They have explored such things as contact and non-contact forces, and carried out a range of tests/investigations in relation to magnets and their properties.

Take a look for yourself…

Healthy Eating Workshop

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 00:17:29 GMT

Yesterday, Year 3 took part in a Healthy Eating workshop delivered by a team from Newcastle University’s Medical Science Faculty. During the session, the children explored the following:

Reasons for healthy eating
The Eatwell Guide (i.e. which foods fall into each food group and why our body needs nutrients from each of these food groups).
The digestive system
Food myths
Sugar facts

Take a look for yourself…

Summer Reading Challenge

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 00:15:02 GMT

Today, two members of the Gateshead Library Service visited Year 3 to introduce this year’s “Summer Reading Challenge” to them. During the session, the children were each provided with a temporary library card, a “Ready, Set, Read!” passport (which they add to every time they successfully complete an aspect of the challenge), along with two texts (which they chose themselves) to kick-start their “six books in six weeks” challenge!

Happy reading everyone!

Mayans Workshop

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 00:22:03 GMT

Yesterday, Year 3 took part in a fact-filled whole-day Mayans-themed workshop. The morning session was drama-based and focused on the following: the creation story, Mayan architecture and Maya gods and beliefs. The afternoon session was of an art focus, and involved the children creating their very own woven Mayan charms through a combination of scratch art and circular weaving.

Take a look for yourself…

Young Scientists

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 00:19:40 GMT

Today, Year 3 took part in a “Young Scientists” workshop delivered by Newcastle University’s Street Scientists. The session consisted of a wide range of investigations linked to science strands such as the following: psychology, marine engineering, physics (electricity and sound), computer science and biology (animal classification).

Take a look for yourself…

Cartouches

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 00:25:04 GMT

Over the past week, Year 3 have been busy designing and creating their very own Cartouches. During this process, they have created their very own personalised printing tiles, printed their names in Hieroglyphic form (on to sheets of Papyrus) and constructed textile-based frames to enclose their artwork. Well done everyone!

Hieroglyphic Printing

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 00:28:35 GMT

In preparation for creating their very own Cartouches, today the children have been testing out the personalised printing tiles that they have created, ready for printing their names in Hieroglyphic form.

Take a look for yourself…

Egyptian Art

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 00:31:13 GMT

In preparation for creating their very own Cartouches (a cartouche is an oval frame which surrounds the hieroglyphs that make up the name of an Egyptian God or royal person), Year 3 have been experimenting with a range of symbols, patterns and pictures associated with Ancient Egypt.

Take a look for yourself…

Angel of the North

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 00:34:46 GMT

Today, Year 3 visited the Angel of the North to carry out observational drawings of the famous North-East landmark.

Angel of the North Sculpture Workshop

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 00:32:59 GMT

This afternoon, Year 3 visited the Shipley Art Gallery to take part in a range of Angel of the North themed activities. They then worked in small groups to construct their very own replicas of Antony Gormley’s famous sculpture.

Take a look for yourself…

Blaydon West Primary School News Feed - Year 3

House point Winners!

Angel of the North

Angel of the North Sculpture Workshop

Field for the Year 3 Classroom

Calligrams

Antony Gormley

Shadow Puppets (Part 2)

Shadow Puppets (Part 3)

Shadow Puppets (Part 1)

Year 3 and year 5 reading buddies on World Book Day

Cartouches

Egyptian Art

Cartouche Designs

Hieorglyphic Printing

Division with Remainders

What is a Fossil?

Chemical Weathering

Rock Groups (and not of the music kind)

The Land of The Pharaohs

Traditional Tastes

Traditional Treats

A magical afternoon with a magician!

Coin Cleaning

Pedestrian Training

Blaydon Vs Edinburgh (Part 5)

Colour Changing Potions

Bone Bridges

Spooky Science Family Workshop

Big Bold Flowers

Felt Flowers

Blaydon Vs Edinburgh (Part 4)

Blaydon Vs Edinburgh (Part 2)

Blaydon Vs Edinburgh (Part 1)​​​​​​​

Variation and Inheritance

Digital Art​​​​​​​

Geometric Art

Rennie Replications

Perfecting the Infamous Mackintosh Rose

Charles Rennie Mackintosh

What’s the Time Year 3?

Magnets

Healthy Eating Workshop​​​​​​​

Summer Reading Challenge

Mayans Workshop

Young Scientists​​​​​​​

Cartouches

Hieroglyphic Printing

Egyptian Art

Angel of the North

Angel of the North Sculpture Workshop

Blaydon Vs Edinburgh (Part 1)

Digital Art

Healthy Eating Workshop

Young Scientists