Term / weeks	Teaching focus	Evidence to look for
1–2	Describe exactly who was observed Limit a conclusion to the evidence	Qualified sample statement
3–4	Locate a main conclusion Identify reasons and irrelevant background	Short argument map
5–6	Apply if–then rules forwards Test an invalid reversed inference	Rule and counterexample
7–8	Use fixed positions and adjacency Solve a four-object order	Checked arrangement
9–10	Choose a representation for mixed tasks Explain the check, not just the answer	Term transfer record
11–12	Compare pack and single prices List feasible plans with total costs	Purchase-option table
13–14	Read a network’s permitted links Find and justify shortest link-count routes	Route list
15–16	Trace a repeated two-action block Compare reversed action order	Two algorithm traces
17–18	Compare selected and broader samples Design a more informative question	Small investigation plan
19–20	Work backwards through two operations Verify by running forwards	Checked inverse solution
21–22	Notice alternative causes of a change Suggest a useful comparison	Causal-claim critique
23–24	Use absence of a required consequence Chain two simple rules	Deduction with explanation
25–26	Remove an ordering condition Find and organise alternative cases	Complete small case list
27–28	Distinguish exactly from at least Compare options under changed demand	Revised cost decision
29–30	Complete a short unfamiliar mixed set Revisit its errors after a delay	Error log and recheck
31–32	Redraw a network without changing links Compare two equivalent maps	Connectivity explanation
33–34	Debug the first wrong algorithm state Test the repair on a new input	Verified corrected process
35–36	Compare drawing and table strategies Choose the more useful representation	Strategy comparison
37–38	Design a four-clue problem Have a partner test its clarity	Revised original puzzle
39–40	Complete the Year 3 checkpoint Use the portfolio to choose next units	Component-based learning plan

Term / weeks

Teaching focus

Evidence to look for

1–2

Describe exactly who was observed Limit a conclusion to the evidence

Qualified sample statement

3–4

Locate a main conclusion Identify reasons and irrelevant background

Short argument map

5–6

Apply if–then rules forwards Test an invalid reversed inference

Rule and counterexample

7–8

Use fixed positions and adjacency Solve a four-object order

Checked arrangement

9–10

Choose a representation for mixed tasks Explain the check, not just the answer

Term transfer record

11–12

Compare pack and single prices List feasible plans with total costs

Purchase-option table

13–14

Read a network’s permitted links Find and justify shortest link-count routes

Route list

15–16

Trace a repeated two-action block Compare reversed action order

Two algorithm traces

17–18

Compare selected and broader samples Design a more informative question

Small investigation plan

19–20

Work backwards through two operations Verify by running forwards

Checked inverse solution

21–22

Notice alternative causes of a change Suggest a useful comparison

Causal-claim critique

23–24

Use absence of a required consequence Chain two simple rules

Deduction with explanation

25–26

Remove an ordering condition Find and organise alternative cases

Complete small case list

27–28

Distinguish exactly from at least Compare options under changed demand

Revised cost decision

29–30

Complete a short unfamiliar mixed set Revisit its errors after a delay

Error log and recheck

31–32

Redraw a network without changing links Compare two equivalent maps

Connectivity explanation

33–34

Debug the first wrong algorithm state Test the repair on a new input

Verified corrected process

35–36

Compare drawing and table strategies Choose the more useful representation

Strategy comparison

37–38

Design a four-clue problem Have a partner test its clarity

Revised original puzzle

39–40

Complete the Year 3 checkpoint Use the portfolio to choose next units

Component-based learning plan

Thinking Skills

Not sure where to begin?

Evidence and useful questions: observations, samples and records

Arguments and evaluation: support, assumptions and alternatives

Rules and deduction: testing a one-way implication

Constraints and search: order, adjacency and small cases

Quantitative reasoning: compare complete options

Spatial reasoning: maps, links and equivalent representations

Patterns and algorithms: state, order and nested actions

Strategic and creative reasoning: work backwards and change representation

Year 3 Thinking Skills test

Suggested 40-week sequence