The Egyptian Wesekh
Term 4 is always the most exciting for our Year 3’s. This is because they have seen previous Year 3 “Egyptian’s” strutting the school grounds in all their Egyptian finery and they just can’t wait to start learning about Ancient Egypt. We kicked off the term investigating Egypt’s geographical features, the pyramids, Nile River, Egyptian civilization, Pharaohs, as well as their gods and goddesses.
Our Year 3’s have also already begun planning for Egypt Day and have created a beautiful jewellery accessory known as a Wesekh that they can wear on the day. The jewellery of ancient Egyptians held religious and symbolic significance and was treasured for its beauty and power against evil and death. It was buried with men and women because the Egyptians expected to enjoy wearing their finery in the afterlife.
We started our Wesekhs by looking at various real examples and discussing their features and designs, looking in particular at shape, symmetry and colour. Students then went ahead and designed their necklace by first deciding on a shape and then layout. The next step was to decorate the Wesekh by using anything that sparkled including old costume jewellery, glitter, beads and precious stones that the students collected. The results were stunning!
Be sure to keep an eye out for these amazing accessories on the 12th of November when Year 3 steps out in style on Egypt Day!
Mandy Goch
Year 3 Teacher
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Back To School Is Cool!
After 3 long weeks of fun, fun, fun.
Our holidays are over and done.
Time to go back to school
And yes, this can be very cool!
A week of online learning you see.
(It’s really not for you and me)
But 3MG took it in their stride,
And oh my heart will burst with pride!
Each student on time every morning
Although, there was a little yawning.
Heaps of energy and full of beans!
Excited and very chatty it seems!
Lots and lots of holiday news,
A race to talk and share ensues!
But hang on Year 3, there is time to tell
Please hold your tongue and do not yell.
First a cube you must design
And then you’ll have your chance to shine!
On each face, you should draw
A holiday snap of what you saw
And when you’re done, a turn you’ll get
To roll your cube and then you’re set!
To tell us about that holiday snap
A chance to chat and chat and chat!
And when your news has come to an end,
You’ll have to listen to your friend!
Mandy Goch
Year 3 Teacher
Our Senses – Year 3
During the last few weeks of Term 1, we have been discussing and experimenting with our five senses. Although many of the students knew what their five senses are, they learnt so much more about them, using practical ways to explore them further and discover their importance.
Hearing:
Each student made a telephone using Styrofoam cups and fishing gut. They took them outside and learnt why it works so well. This is because the gut is dense, and the sound of our voices travels down the line and into the cup on the opposite side. Thus, allowing the recipient to hear what we have to say, even from a distance.
Sight:
The students learnt who invented Braille and why it is so important. They saw what Braille looks like and had to use a Braille Alphabet to decipher words in a ‘Mystery Challenge’. Each student managed to write their name and surname using this amazing technique that many visually impaired people use all over the World.
Touch:
Each student was given a chance to choose an item while their eyes were closed. They had to describe it to the children in the class, and guess what they think it is without looking. It was rather interesting to see what a daunting task it can be to describe something using words, without seeing the actual item.
Taste and smell:
The students were asked to bring in small containers, containing something that tastes sweet, salty, bitter, sour and spicey. They had the opportunity to first smell each one and describe how it smells. Each student then had to fill in a table to say if they liked the taste or disliked it. The tasting bit was super fun! Just not bitter and sour. Those flavours received a number of thumbs down.
Next, the students will be making ‘Taste Monsters’ to complete their tasting experience. I am looking forward to seeing how those will turn out.
We hope that our Year 3 students will continue to experiment using their five senses, and always remember why they are so important.
Wendy Menton
Year 3 Teacher
Year 3 Mummies
In History and Geography this term, the Year 3’s have been learning about the Ancient Egyptians and their country. This has been a thoroughly exciting topic to learn about and one that the students have embraced with great enthusiasm.
This past week, the Year 3 students had the opportunity to make their own mummy by drawing the outline of one and using their cold glue skilfully in creating its bandages. After this, the students learned about the many steps to the mummification process and included these steps beneath their mummy creation.
Even though this activity got quite messy, much enjoyment was derived from it!
Alexia Holmes
Year 3 Teacher
Australia in Year 3
‘G’day mate!’
This term, Year 3 are focusing on Australia in Geography and History! We are looking at their indigenous people, historical development and the differences between South Africa and Australia. This is a very exciting unit and the students have already started designing Aboriginal dot paintings and will also be delivering a poster and short oral on an Australian animal of their choice.
In the meantime, students have gone ahead and designed their very own Australian flag. They had to make particular use of significant elements in the current flag and Aboriginal flag and then combine these with their individual, creative flair. We then roped in another teacher to choose the top 5 designs and each student had a chance to ‘pitch’ and explain their designs to the class. The students had a democratic vote to choose their favorite flag and ended off by making a tally chart recording the results of the class vote.
Well done Year 3’s! Some very ‘ace’ Aussie designs indeed!
Mandy Goch
Year 3 Teacher