Year 3 Tutoring NZ | Maths, English, Science

Year 3 is where schoolwork steps up, with times tables, chapter books and longer pieces of writing. Our structured programme builds Maths, English and Science skills step by step, using familiar Kiwi examples, from cash rounding at the dairy to soil in the school garden.

Key Topics Covered:

Maths: place value to 1,000, times tables, fractions, NZ money, and area and perimeter.
English: fluency, comprehension, and narrative, information and persuasive writing.
Science: plant life cycles, strong structures, magnets, gravity and soil.

Parent Tip:

Make times tables part of the day. Skip count on the walk to school, play card games at the table and ask your child to explain one science idea in their own words. We make sure each idea clicks before moving on.

Read, write, compare and round numbers to 1,000

Multiply and divide with facts up to 5 by 5

Read year-level fiction and nonfiction with fluency and understanding

Write clear paragraphs, stories, reports and persuasive pieces

Explain what makes a structure strong and stable

Plan a fair test, record results and share conclusions

Year 3 English Page →Year 3 Maths Page →Year 3 Science Page →

No.	Topic	What We Cover
01	Phonics Review and Word Study	Revisit vowel teams, blends and spelling patterns to make reading and spelling more automatic.
02	Multisyllabic Words	Break longer words into syllables to read and spell them, such as fam-i-ly and ad-ven-ture.
03	Prefixes and Suffixes	Use prefixes and suffixes such as un-, re-, dis-, -ly and -ment to read words and work out their meanings.
04	Reading with Fluency	Read year-level text with accuracy, a steady pace and expression, and track your own progress.
05	Main Idea and Details	Find the main idea of a passage and the details that support it.
06	Making Inferences	Use clues from the text and what you already know to work out what the author does not say.
07	Characters, Setting and Plot	Describe who is in a story, where it happens and how the problem is solved.
08	Fables, Folktales and Themes	Read traditional tales from many cultures, including stories from Aotearoa, and name the lesson or message.
09	Responding to Texts	Share opinions and connections to a text and back them up with details from the reading.
10	Term 1 Review	Revise word study, fluency and comprehension. A termly mock test and parent report follow.

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Explore detailed Year 3 English overview & learning plans →

No.	Topic	What We Cover
01	Sentences: Types and Parts	Tell statements, questions, commands and exclamations apart, and find the subject and predicate.
02	Nouns, Pronouns and Verbs	Use common and proper nouns, pronouns and action verbs correctly in sentences.
03	Adjectives and Adverbs	Add detail to writing with adjectives and adverbs and choose precise words.
04	Verb Tenses	Use past, present and future tense correctly and keep tenses consistent in a paragraph.
05	Punctuation: Commas and Speech Marks	Use commas in lists and dates and speech marks in dialogue.
06	Capital Letters and NZ Spelling	Use capitals correctly and learn NZ spelling patterns such as colour, neighbour, centre and favourite.
07	Paragraph Structure	Write a paragraph with a topic sentence, supporting details and a closing sentence.
08	Narrative Writing	Plan and write a story with a clear beginning, middle and end, using details and dialogue.
09	Revising and Editing	Improve drafts by checking ideas, word choice and conventions, alone and with a partner.
10	Term 2 Review	Revise grammar, spelling and paragraph writing. A termly mock test and parent report follow.

No.	Topic	What We Cover
01	Nonfiction Text Features	Use headings, captions, diagrams, maps and glossaries to find information quickly.
02	Main Idea in Nonfiction	Find the main idea of a nonfiction text and summarise it in your own words.
03	Fact and Opinion	Tell facts from opinions and spot words that signal each.
04	Writing an Information Report	Research, organise and write a short report on a topic, such as the kea or the kiwi.
05	Research Skills	Find information in library books and safe websites and note where it came from.
06	Persuasive Writing	State an opinion, give reasons and examples and write a strong closing, such as a letter asking for a new playground.
07	Writing Letters and Emails	Write a friendly letter or email with a greeting, a clear message and a closing.
08	Media Literacy: Ads, Posters and Websites	Look at the message, audience and purpose of everyday media, such as an ad or a poster.
09	Oral Language: Short Presentations	Plan and give a short talk with a clear voice, good eye contact and visuals.
10	Term 3 Review	Revise nonfiction, persuasive writing and media literacy. A termly mock test and parent report follow.

No.	Topic	What We Cover
01	Poetry: Rhyme, Rhythm and Imagery	Read and write poems that use rhyme, rhythm and sensory images.
02	Figurative Language	Spot and use similes, metaphors and onomatopoeia to make writing more vivid.
03	Context Clues and Vocabulary	Work out new words from context and build a word bank for reading and writing.
04	Synonyms, Antonyms and Homophones	Choose between words with similar, opposite or same-sounding meanings, such as their and there.
05	Comparing Texts	Compare two texts on the same topic or theme and discuss how they are alike and different.
06	Reading Chapter Books	Track characters, plot and questions across chapters and keep a reading log.
07	Responding in Writing	Answer questions about a text in full sentences with evidence from the reading.
08	Reading and Writing Test Practice	Practise timed reading and writing tasks in the style of school assessments.
09	Publishing a Writing Project	Plan, draft, edit and publish a longer piece, then share it with an audience.
10	Year 3 Review and Year 4 Readiness	Revise the year and preview Year 4 reading and writing. A termly mock test and parent report follow.

No.	Topic	What We Cover
01	Place Value to 1,000	Read, write and show numbers to 1,000 with place value blocks and charts. Practise telling 408 from 480.
02	Number Lines and Skip Counting	Count forward and back by 2s, 3s, 5s, 10s and 100s on number lines and hundreds boards.
03	Expanded Form and Number Names	Write numbers in standard form, expanded form and words, such as 536 = 500 + 30 + 6.
04	Comparing and Ordering Numbers	Compare and order numbers to 1,000 using place value and the words more than, less than and equal to.
05	Rounding to the Nearest 10 and 100	Round numbers using number lines and place value, such as rounding 347 to 350 and 300.
06	Addition Strategies Within 1,000	Add three-digit numbers using place value, compensation and open number lines, then check with estimates.
07	Subtraction Strategies Within 1,000	Subtract three-digit numbers by counting up, breaking tens and using open number lines.
08	Estimating Sums and Differences	Estimate before you calculate and decide whether an answer makes sense.
09	Addition and Subtraction Word Problems	Solve one-step and two-step problems and write a number sentence for each, such as the distance on a road trip from Auckland to Rotorua.
10	Term 1 Check-In and Review	Revise place value, rounding and addition and subtraction through mixed tasks. A termly mock test and parent report follow.

No.	Topic	What We Cover
01	Equal Groups and Arrays	Show multiplication as equal groups and rectangular arrays, such as 4 rows of 6 seats in a classroom.
02	Repeated Addition and Skip Counting	Connect repeated addition and skip counting to multiplication sentences, such as 5 + 5 + 5 = 3 x 5.
03	Multiplication Facts for 2, 5 and 10	Build quick recall of the 2, 5 and 10 times tables with number lines, arrays and patterns.
04	Multiplication Facts for 3 and 4	Learn the 3 and 4 times tables using doubles, halving and known facts.
05	Multiplication Facts Up to 5 by 5	Reach fluency with facts up to 5 by 5 using strategies such as doubling and near facts.
06	Division as Sharing and Grouping	Share items equally and make equal groups to understand division, such as dividing 24 stickers among 4 friends.
07	Division Facts and Fact Families	Link multiplication and division facts in fact families, such as 3 x 5 = 15 and 15 / 3 = 5.
08	Multiplication and Division Word Problems	Choose the right operation for one-step problems and write a number sentence to match.
09	Patterns in the Multiplication Table	Spot patterns, such as even products and skip counting rows, and use them to remember facts.
10	Term 2 Review	Revise multiplication, division and word problems. A termly mock test and parent report follow.

No.	Topic	What We Cover
01	Fractions of a Whole	Name and show halves, thirds, quarters and other equal parts of shapes, such as slices of a pizza.
02	Fractions on a Number Line	Place fractions between 0 and 1 on number lines and see that each part is equal in size.
03	Fractions of a Set	Find a fraction of a group of objects, such as 1/4 of 12 stickers.
04	Comparing Fractions	Compare fractions with the same numerator or the same denominator using models and number lines.
05	NZ Money	Count coins and notes, including $1 and $2 coins and $5, $10 and $20 notes, to find a total.
06	Making Change and Rounding Cash Totals	Work out change and round cash totals to the nearest 10 cents, as shops do now that the 5c coin has gone.
07	Telling Time and Elapsed Time	Tell time to the minute on analogue and digital clocks and find how much time has passed, such as the length of morning tea.
08	Length: Millimetres, Centimetres and Metres	Measure and estimate lengths in metric units and choose the best unit for the job.
09	Mass and Capacity	Measure and compare mass in grams and kilograms and capacity in millilitres and litres, such as a 2 litre bottle of milk.
10	Term 3 Review	Revise fractions, money, time and measurement. A termly mock test and parent report follow.

No.	Topic	What We Cover
01	Perimeter	Find the distance around shapes by adding side lengths, such as the edge of the school field.
02	Area with Square Units	Cover shapes with square units and count them to find the area, then link to rows and columns.
03	2D Shapes and Their Properties	Sort and describe polygons by sides, corners and angles.
04	Line Symmetry	Find and draw lines of symmetry in shapes, letters and designs.
05	3D Objects and Their Attributes	Describe cubes, prisms and pyramids by faces, edges and corners.
06	Patterns, Equations and Coding	Extend patterns, find missing numbers in equations and write simple coding sequences with repeats.
07	Bar Graphs and Pictographs	Collect data, build bar graphs and pictographs with a scale and answer questions about them.
08	Chance and Likelihood	Describe events as certain, likely, unlikely or impossible and test them with spinners and dice.
09	Mixed Problems and Test-Style Practice	Practise multi-step problems and explain your thinking, with test-style questions to build exam confidence.
10	Year 3 Review and Year 4 Readiness	Revise the year's key skills and preview Year 4 maths, including multi-digit multiplication. A termly mock test and parent report follow.

No.	Topic	What We Cover
01	Plant Parts and Their Jobs	Name roots, stems, leaves and flowers and explain what each part does.
02	What Plants Need	Predict and test whether plants need light, water and air to grow.
03	Plant Life Cycles	Follow a plant from seed to adult plant and back to seed.
04	Seeds and Germination Investigation	Plan and run an investigation with bean seeds and record how they sprout and grow.
05	Plants in New Zealand	Explore native trees, ferns and crops across NZ, such as the pōhutukawa, silver fern and kiwifruit.
06	Plants and the Seasons	Compare how evergreen natives such as kauri and deciduous trees such as oaks change through the seasons.
07	How People Use Plants	Look at how plants give us food, shelter, clothing and oxygen.
08	Caring for Plants	Learn how to grow and look after plants in a garden, school grounds or community garden.
09	Plants and Animals Working Together	See how pollinators, seed spreaders and plants depend on each other, such as tūī and kōwhai.
10	Term 1 Review	Revise plant parts, needs and life cycles. A termly mock test and parent report follow.

No.	Topic	What We Cover
01	What Is a Structure?	Sort structures into natural and human-made and describe what each is for.
02	Loads and Forces	Explore how weight and other forces act on a structure and what happens when it is too much.
03	Strong Shapes	Test triangles, squares and arches to see which shapes hold the most weight.
04	Materials for Structures	Compare materials such as wood, steel and paper for strength and flexibility.
05	Stability and Balance	Show how a wide base and a low centre of mass make a structure more stable.
06	Paper and Straw Challenge	Design and build a tall, stable structure using only paper and straws.
07	Bridges and Towers	Study famous structures, such as the Sky Tower or the Auckland Harbour Bridge, and how they are built to be strong.
08	Test and Improve a Structure	Test a structure, find its weak points and redesign it.
09	Structures in Our Communities	Spot structures near you, such as bridges, shelters and playground equipment, and how they stay safe in wind and earthquakes.
10	Term 2 Review	Revise structures, shapes and stability. A termly mock test and parent report follow.

No.	Topic	What We Cover
01	Forces Make Things Move	Explore how pushes and pulls start, stop and change the movement of objects.
02	Magnetic Force	Test which materials are magnetic and how a magnet pulls at a distance.
03	Magnets: Poles and Attraction	See how like and unlike poles push and pull, and map a magnet's strongest parts.
04	Static Electricity	Rub a balloon on hair and observe how static electricity attracts light objects.
05	Gravity	Find out how gravity pulls objects toward Earth and test dropping different objects.
06	Friction	Compare how different surfaces slow or speed up a moving object.
07	Contact and Non-Contact Forces	Sort forces by whether they need touching, such as a push versus a magnet.
08	Planning a Fair Test with Forces	Change one thing at a time, such as ramp height, and measure how far a toy car travels.
09	Forces in Everyday Life	Spot forces in sport and play, such as a netball bouncing or a scooter rolling downhill.
10	Term 3 Review	Revise magnets, static electricity, gravity and friction. A termly mock test and parent report follow.

No.	Topic	What We Cover
01	What Is Soil Made Of?	Look at the parts of soil: rock pieces, air, water and bits of dead plants and animals.
02	Types of Soil	Compare sand, silt, clay and loam by texture and how they hold water.
03	Soil Layers	Explore topsoil, subsoil and bedrock and how soil forms over a long time.
04	Soil and Water	Test how fast water drains through different soils and what it means for plants.
05	Living Things in Soil	Meet worms, insects and fungi and how they help soil stay healthy.
06	Soil and Farming	Find out why soil matters for farms and orchards across NZ, such as dairy pasture and kiwifruit.
07	Soil Erosion	Model how wind and water wash soil away, as on hill country after heavy rain, and what protects it.
08	Caring for Soil	Explore composting, mulching and other simple ways people look after soil.
09	Mini Science Project	Choose a question, test it fairly and share the results in a short presentation.
10	Year 3 Review and Year 4 Readiness	Revise the year's science and preview Year 4 topics. A termly mock test and parent report follow.

Student in a tutoring session with their tutor

Warm-up (5 min)

A quick mental maths, word or science question, plus a recap of the last session

Core Teaching (25 min)

The new idea from the lesson eBook, explained with examples and guided practice

Guided Practice (15 min)

Your child works through tasks with the tutor close by to help

Independent Practice (10 min)

Your child completes the in-class quiz on their own

Wrap-up (5 min)

A short summary, two take-home quizzes and a preview of the next lesson

NEXT YEAR

Year 4 Tutoring

Build on Year 3 with Year 4 Maths, English and Science, 40 live lessons per subject aligned to the New Zealand Curriculum.

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Year 3 Maths, English and Science Tutoring in New Zealand

By Term 4 of Year 3, Your Child Will...

Year 3 Curriculum: Maths, English and Science

Try a Free Lesson to See the Full Programme

Try a Free Lesson to See the Full Programme

Try a Free Lesson to See the Full Programme

Try a Free Lesson to See the Full Programme

Try a Free Lesson to See the Full Programme

Try a Free Lesson to See the Full Programme

Try a Free Lesson to See the Full Programme

Try a Free Lesson to See the Full Programme

Try a Free Lesson to See the Full Programme

Try a Free Lesson to See the Full Programme

Try a Free Lesson to See the Full Programme

Try a Free Lesson to See the Full Programme

What a Typical Lesson Looks Like

Warm-up (5 min)

Core Teaching (25 min)

Guided Practice (15 min)

Independent Practice (10 min)

Wrap-up (5 min)

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Year 4 Tutoring

Clear NZD Pricing

Ready to Help Your Child Excel?

Year 3 Maths, English and Science Tutoring in New Zealand

By Term 4 of Year 3, Your Child Will...

Year 3 Curriculum: Maths, English and Science

Year 3 English - Term 1

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Year 3 English - Term 2

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Year 3 English - Term 3

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Year 3 English - Term 4

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Year 3 Maths - Term 1

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Year 3 Maths - Term 2

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Year 3 Maths - Term 3

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Year 3 Maths - Term 4

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Year 3 Science - Term 1

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Year 3 Science - Term 2

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Year 3 Science - Term 3

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Year 3 Science - Term 4

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What a Typical Lesson Looks Like

Warm-up (5 min)

Core Teaching (25 min)

Guided Practice (15 min)

Independent Practice (10 min)

Wrap-up (5 min)

Keep Exploring TutorExel

Year 4 Tutoring

Clear NZD Pricing

Ready to Help Your Child Excel?