HELIOLEARN · GRADE 3 · A4 PORTRAIT

Learner practice guide

Six experiences · Build · suggested one experience per week

Try with a partner, then repeat one step independently.

Print on A4 portrait with normal margins. Download the PDF for a ready-to-print copy, or use the browser’s Print or Save as PDF. The learner guide separates each worked lesson from its project-writing page. Answers are in the separate teacher guide.

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Read or watch the example, try three questions, make the project and reflect. Roughly half the session is for creating and explaining. Take breaks and adapt reading support.

All examples are fictional. Use approved tools and adult support where indicated. Project checkboxes are self-review, not automatic assessment or certification.

Name or classroom nickname: ____________________ Date: __________

GRADE 3 · EXPERIENCE 1 · DIGITAL CONFIDENCE

Save, reopen and back up

Distinguish saving, moving and copying a file. · About 35 minutes

Moving changes a file location. Copying makes another file. A backup is a separate copy that can help you recover work.

Save plant-notes.txt in Projects. Copy it to an adult-approved backup location. A second folder on the same device does not protect against losing that device.

Follow the steps

Name: Call the file plant-notes.txt.
Save: Save it inside Projects.
Check: Reopen it and read the first line.
Copy: Make a backup in an approved separate location.

Try these exercises

Which action makes an additional file?
A. Move | B. Copy | C. Rename
Answer: ______________________________________________
Which evidence would best show this skill?
A. Say it is finished without checking | B. Copy an unrelated answer | C. Use a descriptive name and explain or demonstrate it
Answer: ______________________________________________
Put the worked-example steps in order.
Write the letters in order: A. Copy | B. Check | C. Save | D. Name
Answer: ______________________________________________

Create, explain and reflect

Write three plant observations. Show your saved file and explain where the backup is kept. Paper alternative: draw both locations.

My notes or drawing (use another sheet if needed):

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

□ Use a descriptive name
□ Reopen the intended version
□ Explain why a copy is different from a move

What did I learn or change? ___________________________________

Next challenge: Recover a practice copy with adult support.

GRADE 3 · EXPERIENCE 2 · CREATE AND COMMUNICATE

Write for a new pupil

Choose relevant details for a particular reader. · About 35 minutes

A message has an audience and a purpose. Readers may need information you already know.

A welcome note says where the book tray is and who can help, without including private pupil information.

Follow the steps

Audience: Imagine a new pupil reading your note.
Select: Choose three useful classroom facts.
Draft: Write a title and three short sentences.
Review: Ask a partner which part is unclear.

Try these exercises

What should a welcome note mainly include?
A. Private passwords | B. Only your favourite colour | C. Useful information for the newcomer
Answer: ______________________________________________
Which evidence would best show this skill?
A. Copy an unrelated answer | B. Identify the reader and explain or demonstrate it | C. Say it is finished without checking
Answer: ______________________________________________
Put the worked-example steps in order.
Write the letters in order: A. Review | B. Draft | C. Select | D. Audience
Answer: ______________________________________________

Create, explain and reflect

Write or dictate a welcome note for a fictional classroom. Revise one sentence after feedback.

My notes or drawing (use another sheet if needed):

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

□ Identify the reader
□ Include relevant information
□ Make one useful revision

What did I learn or change? ___________________________________

Next challenge: Turn the note into a simple poster.

GRADE 3 · EXPERIENCE 3 · DATA AND DECISIONS

Tally then make a bar chart

Turn a small frequency table into equal-scale bars. · About 35 minutes

A bar chart compares counts. Labels, a title and a scale beginning at zero help the reader.

A fictional club tally has Reading 6, Drawing 4 and Games 2. There are 12 responses.

Follow the steps

Read: Read the labels and values: Reading: 6, Drawing: 4, Games: 2.
Represent: Compare the bars on a scale that starts at zero.
Calculate: Work through the calculation in the example; result: 12.
Interpret: Explain what the result means and what it does not establish.

Try these exercises

What is the total number of responses?
A. 11 | B. 12 | C. 14
Answer: ______________________________________________
Which evidence would best show this skill?
A. Use the supplied values accurately and explain or demonstrate it | B. Say it is finished without checking | C. Copy an unrelated answer
Answer: ______________________________________________
Put the worked-example steps in order.
Write the letters in order: A. Interpret | B. Calculate | C. Represent | D. Read
Answer: ______________________________________________

Create, explain and reflect

Draw a labelled chart of the club tally and write two comparisons.

My notes or drawing (use another sheet if needed):

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

□ Use the supplied values accurately
□ Show a calculation or count with its meaning
□ State a fair comparison or limitation

What did I learn or change? ___________________________________

Next challenge: Invent a different table with the same total.

GRADE 3 · EXPERIENCE 4 · COMPUTATIONAL THINKING

Use a repeat block

Replace repeated actions with a counted loop. · About 35 minutes

A repeat block runs its instructions a stated number of times. Count the executions, not just the number of blocks.

Repeat Right 3 performs three right moves, ending at (3,0) from (0,0).

Follow the steps

Start: Set the counter at (0,0).
Repeat 1: Move Right to (1,0).
Repeat 2: Move Right to (2,0).
Repeat 3: Move Right to (3,0).

Try these exercises

How many right moves does Repeat Right 3 perform?
A. 1 | B. 3 | C. 4
Answer: ______________________________________________
Which evidence would best show this skill?
A. Say it is finished without checking | B. Copy an unrelated answer | C. Choose the repeated action and explain or demonstrate it
Answer: ______________________________________________
Put the worked-example steps in order.
Write the letters in order: A. Repeat 3 | B. Repeat 2 | C. Repeat 1 | D. Start
Answer: ______________________________________________

Create, explain and reflect

Write one path in full and with a repeat. Show that both reach the same endpoint.

My notes or drawing (use another sheet if needed):

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

□ Choose the repeated action
□ Use the correct repeat count
□ Compare both paths

What did I learn or change? ___________________________________

Next challenge: Add one Down after the repeated moves.

GRADE 3 · EXPERIENCE 5 · RESPONSIBLE TECHNOLOGY

Separate fact and preference

Identify a checkable claim and a personal opinion. · About 35 minutes

A checkable claim can be tested with evidence, but it may be wrong. An opinion expresses a preference or judgement.

There are six books is checkable by counting. This is the best book is a preference.

Follow the steps

Read: There are six books on the fictional shelf.
Check: Draw six book shapes on paper, then count them.
Compare: This is the best book expresses a judgement.
Explain: Tell how evidence differs from preference.

Try these exercises

Which statement is a preference?
A. This is the best story | B. The box is 10 cm long | C. There are six books
Answer: ______________________________________________
Which evidence would best show this skill?
A. Copy an unrelated answer | B. Distinguish claims and opinions and explain or demonstrate it | C. Say it is finished without checking
Answer: ______________________________________________
Put the worked-example steps in order.
Write the letters in order: A. Explain | B. Compare | C. Check | D. Read
Answer: ______________________________________________

Create, explain and reflect

Write two checkable claims and two opinions about a fictional classroom. Name evidence for one claim.

My notes or drawing (use another sheet if needed):

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

□ Distinguish claims and opinions
□ Name relevant evidence
□ Allow different preferences

What did I learn or change? ___________________________________

Next challenge: Find a checkable claim that could turn out to be false.

GRADE 3 · EXPERIENCE 6 · DESIGN AND LIFE SKILLS

Compare two paper bridges

Run a small fair comparison and record results. · About 35 minutes

Change the feature you want to investigate while keeping relevant conditions the same. Record actual results.

Compare flat and folded paper using the same paper size, gap and light counters. Record how many counters each supports.

Follow the steps

Prepare: An adult sets a short gap between stable supports.
Compare: Make flat and folded paper bridges of the same size.
Test: Add the same light counters one at a time.
Record: Write actual results; mark an unrun plan Not yet tested.

Try these exercises

Which should stay the same when comparing folds?
A. Only the title | B. Paper size and gap | C. The result you want
Answer: ______________________________________________
Which evidence would best show this skill?
A. Keep relevant conditions the same and explain or demonstrate it | B. Say it is finished without checking | C. Copy an unrelated answer
Answer: ______________________________________________
Put the worked-example steps in order.
Write the letters in order: A. Record | B. Test | C. Compare | D. Prepare
Answer: ______________________________________________

Create, explain and reflect

Draw two bridge designs and a results table. Test with an adult or make a clearly labelled test plan.

My notes or drawing (use another sheet if needed):

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

□ Keep relevant conditions the same
□ Use light materials safely
□ Report actual evidence

What did I learn or change? ___________________________________

Next challenge: Repeat a trial and look for variation.

Keep the learning going

Choose one work sample, explain an improvement, and name the next skill to practise.

These original activities use an editorial grade progression. They are not formally endorsed or aligned to a particular examination board.