Electrical Kaleidoscopes  Design and Technology Autumn 1 2016

For the first half of the Autumn term, Year 3 have been designing and making their own Electrical Kaleidoscopes! We started this Design and Technology topic by disassembling torches and investigating electrical circuits. Next, the children each made at least 2 different switches and added these to their circuits. Then came the part everyone had been waiting for...making our own kaleidoscopes! Finally, we added everything together and - Hey Presto! - working Electrical Kaleidoscopes!  Each group's model works and Miss Blake is extremely proud of our excellent designs!

Erupting Volcanoes! Design and Technology Autumn 2 2016

Initially, Year 3 researched the three different types of volcanoes (Composite, Cinder cone and Shield) using the Ipads. They then used mod-roc to sculpt their volcano models and painted them using realistic colours. The children who made the composite volcano model also added a diagram to show a cross-section of the layers and parts of the volcano. Finally, the moment came that we had all been waiting for ... time to make some eruptions! By combining everyday household chemicals (such as vinegar, baking soda and washing-up-liquid) we were able to create bubbling lava, which poured out from the inside of our model volcanoes! It was great fun to watch our volcanoes erupt!  We demonstrated our understanding of what we'd learned about different volcanoes to the Reception class.  These younger children were very impressed with our knowledge. You did a super job Year 3! Well done!

Spring term 1 - Art and Design - Egyptian Masks

Year 3 have been investigating Ancient Egyptian art and architecture, as part of their Geography topic. As well as making sketches of giant sculptures, such as the Great Sphinx and the pyramids, Year 3 have researched the symbolism and different styles of death masks. The children have made sketches and used different graded drawing pencils to experiment with shading and tones. We have also drawn self-portraits with head-dresses, using fractions for the proportions of the face, and gel pens for metallic colours.

When creating our own sculptures, we used mod-roc to create life-size death masks and had great fun getting messy! When the death masks were dry, Year 3 painted them with their chosen designs, mixing colours, choosing patterns as a group and adding metallic colours. 

The finished death masks look really effective and I'm sure that any modern day Pharaohs would be proud to wear our masks! Take a look for yourselves...

Spring 2 term, Art and Design, Ancient Egyptian Pattern

This half term, we continued our Egyptian theme and experimented with printing techniques.

Initially, Year 3 investigated what pattern is - a repeated motif - and then researched the elements used in Egyptian patterns, such as plants, animals and gods. The children used these elements to inspire their own designs, and carved these patterns on to polystyrene tiles. The next step involved rolling printing ink on to these tiles, with brayers, and pressing them down on to paper, repeating this process to create block prints. 

Also, Year 3 used the IT programme Textease to design symmetrical patterns, which was great fun!  

Summer 1 term  Design and Technology: Cooking Mediterranean Savoury Food - Pizza

This topic is linked to Geography.

Initially, Year 3 investigated the Mediterranean food pyramid to discover why it is healthier than the typical British diet. After making comparisons with traditional British ingredients, the children then designed their own Mediterranean meals.  We then researched good hygiene practice and food safety.

On "Topping tasting day", Year 3 tried a selection of ingredients based on the Mediterranean diet, such as mozzarella cheese, olives, tomatoes and basil. When slicing the toppings with sharp knives, Miss Blake demonstrated safety skills by using the bridge and claw holds. It was great fun and some children even discovered new favourite tastes! 

Then it was COOKING DAY! After practising good food hygiene, Year 3 weighed and then mixed the ingredients together to make the dough base. We then split the dough into portions and rolled it out to form a flat surface.  The toppings were arranged carefully on the bases to make them look appetising, and finally cooked in the oven. 

As you can see from the photos below, our pizza slices looked and tasted delicious. 

"Masterchef" here we come!