Term 4
Science & Technology
Everyday we see or use things that have been melted or frozen, heated or cooled. In Science and Technology this term we will be exploring the concept of melting and the way materials can change their state under a range of different conditions. Students will learn that matter exists in various states such as solid, liquid and gas and will look at how a liquid or solid’s exposure to temperature can alter the materials appearance. Through discussion, multimedia, collaborative experiments and hands-on investigations, students will explore the concept of melting and develop their skills in applying scientific language to explain their understanding of concepts.
English
In Term 4 students will continue to borrow from the Library, read at school and at home every night to improve their comprehension and fluency. Reading is also encouraged to help learn new things, find new interest areas and improve spelling and writing. Students will continue to practise their speaking and listening skills at school through a variety of tasks including Talking Topics, sharing work and class discussions.
Our English focus this term is on similarities and differences and will focus on building cultural understanding alongside literacy skills. Students will read a variety of texts and are encouraged to form opinions, make predictions and justify their thinking through a variety of written, spoken and reflective tasks. They will work through the Writing Process to independently plan, draft, edit and refine and publish both imaginative and informative texts. Through exploring the Mem Fox texts I’m Australian Too and Whoever You Are, the students are introduced to the concept of what makes us different as well as what makes us similar as humans. We will look at how their lives are both similar and different to other children across the world through a range of digital and print texts. They will learn about Australia as a multicultural nation and look at texts from different cultures and backgrounds including Anh Do’s biography The Little Refugee. With a focus on Asia, students will look at a traditional fable and another biographical text, The Peasant Prince. The unit will come full circle with a connection between The Peasant Prince, The Little Refugee and the characters in I’m Australian Too, who all come to Australia seeking a better life.
These texts allow students to recognise the diversity of Australian people and the value of multiculturalism. Students are building the skills to make comparisons between their lives and the lives of others. We hope these texts can build empathetic understanding and allow our students to gain the skills to be culturally and socially conscious global citizens.
Mathematics
During Term 4 students will be consolidating their maths skills and continuing to improve their mental maths ability through a variety of class tasks and games. Throughout the term they will also continue to explore and extend their number knowledge, particularly multiplication and division. We will continue to look at fractions as well as a variety of measurement concepts such as length, area and perimeter, volume and capacity as well as mass. We will continue to build skills in telling the time and using money – two skills we encourage students to practise at home. Students will also explore the concept of position by looking at grids and maps, study the language required to describe the position of objects and build their skills to think spatially. Continual practise of number facts, skip counting and times tables at home are encouraged throughout the term.
Pastoral Care
Students continue to explore concepts of resilience, self-esteem, bullying and positive thinking. They will continue to read and explore the world of Doug Dragster to learn about positive thinking and making sure they are in control of their wheels – their emotions, body, thinking and actions.
Visual Arts
In Term 4 the students will learn about Aboriginal dot painting and why Aboriginal people used and continue to use dots to create art works. They will use their imagination to finish a cut out image in order to complete a picture in a realistic manner.
They will develop skills on colour blending and colour matching. The students will learn about kinetic art and create their own kinetic piranha. They will be able to create intricate patterns and show that in their work. The students will learn about artists Theo Jansen, Anthony Howe and other artists that create kinetic art.
In Year 3 the students continue to develop colour blending skills and learn how to blend colours using oil pastels. They will learn how to draw facial features using correct facial proportion and discuss the artist Frida Kahlo and her self-portraits. At the end of the term the students will compare their portrait from the beginning of the year to the end of the year and reflect on their artistic development.
Geography
While Term 3 unveiled thousands of years of Australian history with our unit on First Contacts, in Term 4, students will look at Australia from a geographical point of view. They will continue to build on knowledge of Australia and its geographical features as well as recognise Australia’s geographical position within a wider world context. When looking at Australia in a global sphere, students will look abroad to Australia’s closest neighbours and will learn about some of the countries in Oceania and South East Asia. Students will be focussing on identifying similarities and differences between their own lives and those of our closest neighbours in Asia and Oceania.
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden
This term the students will be preparing a Warm Vegetable Salad, Baba Ganoush, Rosemary Focaccia, Pizza scrolls, Rhubarb and coconut slice and Christmas Biscuits. The lunchtime garden club will be making the most of the warmer weather and planting lots of fresh seasonal produce.
Religious and Values Education
Mr Martin looks forward to teaching Year 3 RVE this term, replacing Mrs Paul. Students will build upon their understanding of who Jesus is and consider what it looks like to pray to God, thank God and honour God in order to live God’s way. Through various modes of instruction, students learn the value of meeting together in Christian community. They will be looking at the Apostle Paul and Silas from the New Testament and how they were joyful despite experiencing great trials. We will conclude the term with a focus on Jesus, the King of Christmas.
Students made a wordless book in their first lesson. Maybe they could tell you the story and what the six colours represent. Some students have also chosen to attend the voluntary Christian lunchtime group on Wednesdays, called JAFFA – Jesus A Friend For All.
PDHPE
Term 4 PDHPE looks to develop Year 3 students competence and confidence in a broad range of hand invasion with a focus on Football, Cricket and T-Ball. They will be learning important fundamental movement skills such as ball handling, kicking, marking, handballing, throwing, catching, hitting targets and fielding including strategic tactics such as attacking and defending, as well as developing spatial awareness and working in a team. Physical activity in the form of games plays a vital role in promoting the physical, social and emotional growth and development of individuals. Students will be relating positively with others in the context of game situations and learn skills, while at the same time experience feelings of success and enjoyment in a non-competition environment that enable students the confidence and skills to participate in games and sports programs with confidence and competence. The importance of sun protection and safety in our skills and games as well as being inclusive and positive to assist our learning and experiences in PDHPE will be a focal theme throughout the Term.
Music
In Term 3, students continued working through their structured theory program and further developed their skills for playing recorder. In small groups and with a backing track, students performed a range of simple melodies.
This term, students will complete their theory workbook and also learn songs to sing, dance and perform at the Primary Carols on the Lawn (TBC).
Italian
Buongiorno a tutti!
In Term 4, the following theme will be studied in Italian classes "il gioco preferito = favourite games".
Mrs Rachael Tonkin will be away for the next four weeks of term and we wish her all the best for her four week placement! In bocca al lupo Maestra Rachele!
Homework
Students will continue to complete set weekly homework tasks due on a Friday. Spelling words go home on Mondays and they are tested on Friday and should be practised throughout the week. Talking Topics are delivered fortnightly and an overview of topics can be found in their homework book.
Students are working on building their speaking and listening skills and are encouraged to prepare and practise delivering their presentations. Nightly reading is required to continue to improve and build reading skills.