Is there a big jump from yr 2 to the juniors yr3?

[charliecat]

Not sure if there is...wonder if dds going to get a shock!

[nutcracker]

I was wondering the same thing Charlie.

[Kayleigh]

My ds starts year 3 in sept too. I know they get quite a bit of homework in year three but apparently it is introduced quite gently over the year.

[sunnyside]

Used to teach year 3 and I would say that it depends entirely on the school and individual teachers. Most now have lots of liaison between year groups so big jumps are not so marked.
I'd say if they move from an infant school to a junior then difference in style is much more obvious but more in terms of responsibility and behaviour expectations rather than level of work difficuly....I'm sure someone will disagree totally but that's what I've found.

[Janh]

From what I recall the big change at my kids' school was....no home corner! In Y2 when they had finished their work they could go and play - I think in Y3 they could read a book if they wanted, but no floor cushions or toys.

They also started using proper exercise books with lines; in Y2 they still had those big books with plain paper.

I suspect it varies a lot from school to school, as sunnyside says. Mine never had any homework to speak of apart from spellings and reading (and reading homework ended once they were choosing their own books).

[Ameriscot2005]

My DD went through this last year. There was quite a big difference in her school, and they held a parents' meeting to go through them all.

They had a uniform change - ties and jumpers rather than polo shirts and sweatshirts.

They were in bigger class sizes, with infant cap of 30 removed.

The teaching was more formal - desks faced the teacher/smartboard rather than being in round tables.

They did not get an afternoon playtime.

They were able to join in lunchtime and afterschool clubs.

Boys and girls had seperate cloakrooms.


But....they are generally ready for the change and take it in their stride.

[homemama]

Lol MaloryTowers, I also taught Y3 and that was the biggest thing I noticed too. Some didn't even go onto the next line because I hadn't told them they could!
So, in answer to your question Charliecat, I'd say a main difference is that they're expected to be a lot more independent.
Also, many schools drop afternoon break in Y3, or don't build in 'free' time to the curriculum.
Teaching is also more structured IMO (not suggesting teaching in infants is poor, just that junior curr. demands it to be more rigid.)

[troutpout]

My son has just finished year 3
These were the main differences:
Going to the toilet during lesson time was discouraged.
No afternoon break
No free government inititive fruit snack (only for infants)

[homemama]

Oh yes, forgot about the fruit. How we laughed at infant teachers spending their break time peelign carrots!

[homemama]

peeling obv.