Year 3: From Fossil Art to Fantastic Writing

During STEAM Week, Year 3 explored the extraordinary observational fossil drawings of 19th Century artist and marine biologist Ernst Haeckel. We looked closely at shape, pattern and form. Using careful observation and drawing techniques we created our own detailed fossil artwork.

Next, we transformed our ideas into three dimensions by sculpting models of fossilised ammonites using play dough. We paid close attention to the spiral forms and textures, thinking like artists and scientists as we shaped our models. Explore just a few our wonderfully imaginative artwork below.

In Science, we have been researching the fascinating process of fossilisation—how once-living things become preserved in rock over millions of years.

Like a chain reaction, our learning in art and science has transferred and energised our writing in English. Using paragraphs to organise each stage, we have been writing our own explanation texts to answer the question ‘How are Fossils Formed?’ With the help of precise technical vocabulary, powerful prepositions and amazing adverbs, our writing is bringing the fossilisation process to life. Did you know, ‘fossil’ comes the Latin word ‘fossilis’ which means ‘dug out of the ground’?

Following a quick survey – it’s no surprise that Year 3 have a new collective career goal: everyone wants to be a palaeontologist!

Finally – have a look at the curious collection of fossils shared at one of our STEAM weak ‘show and tells’. Can you spot an ammonite? What else can you identify?