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Year 3 • Key Stage 2Ages 7–8 (Year 3 UK)
Year 3 English Language & Reading Curriculum UK
Year 3 English introduces formal paragraph organization, punctuating direct speech with inverted commas (speech marks), using conjunctions, adverbs, and prepositions to express time and cause, and mastering prefixes (un-, dis-, mis-, re-) and suffixes.
Statutory Key Aims & Expected Attainment:
- Group related material into cohesive paragraphs around a central theme
- Use inverted commas to punctuate direct speech correctly
- Express time, place and cause using conjunctions (when, before, after, while, so, because), adverbs (then, next, soon) or prepositions (before, after, during, in, because of)
- Read chapter books fluently and demonstrate understanding through structured written answers
🇬🇧 Crown Copyright • OGL v3.0 Free License100% Free & Open Source Educational Access
Curriculum Specification & Statutory Documents
Source: UK DfE Primary National Curriculum — Mathematics Guide (OGL v3.0)No login required • Free distribution under Open Government Licence
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Essential Formulas, Key Rules & Frameworks for Year 3 English Language & Reading
Direct Speech Punctuation Rule: Open quotes (") → Capital Letter → Spoken Words → Punctuation (, / ! / ?) → Close quotes (") → Reporting clause ("said Emma.")
Prepositions of Time & Place: under, over, beneath, through, during, before, after
Conjunctions of Cause: because, so, as a result, since
Term-by-Term Units of Study & Learning Outcomes
Term 1
Autumn Term: Direct Speech & Dialogue Punctuation
Inverted Commas & Reporting Clauses
Placing spoken words inside inverted commas, capital letter at start of speech, and punctuation comma inside the quote (e.g. "We need to leave now," whispered Jack).
Statutory Learning Outcomes:
- Punctuate direct speech accurately with speech marks, commas, and capital letters
#Inverted commas#Speech marks#Reporting clause#Dialogue
Term 2
Spring Term: Paragraphs & Cohesion
Paragraph Organization & Time Conjunctions
Organising stories and non-fiction reports into paragraphs using chronological connective words.
Statutory Learning Outcomes:
- Break written work into distinct paragraphs with clear topic sentences
#Paragraph#Topic sentence#Cohesion#Preposition
Term 3
Summer Term: Prefixes, Suffixes & Character Empathy
Prefixes (un-, dis-, mis-) & Root Words
Understanding how prefixes change the meaning of root words to negative or opposite.
Statutory Learning Outcomes:
- Apply prefixes accurately in spelling tests and vocabulary generation
#Prefix#Suffix#Root word#Antonym
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Free Open-Source Learning Resources & Video Masterclasses
Handpicked curriculum resources aligned with UK Department for Education standards.
Self-Assessment CheckInstant diagnostic questions
English Language & Reading Key Concept Drills
Q1.Which sentence punctuates direct speech correctly?