YEAR FOUR

Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Primary School provides a range of holistic learning experiences to enable students to:

• Participate in the life and mission of the school.
• Deepen their knowledge and engagement with the Catholic faith and tradition.
• Build the capacity to continuously reason, reflectively, logically and critically.
• Embrace interdependence of human existence as global citizens, who are responsible to and for themselves and others.
• Engage in learning in a multitude of ways, through personalised and self-paced learning.

Religious Education

In our first unit, the students explore ‘Living the Law of Love’. It begins by recalling with students the purpose of rules in groups and communities. Then students examine the Ten Commandments, focussing on their purpose and principles for living in a relationship with God and each other. This forms the basis for introducing and exploring Jesus’ ‘new commandment’ with reference back to the Commandments. The unit leads to a deeper understanding of how these Commandments and Jesus’ ‘new commandment’ guide us in living in a relationship with God and others.

Our second unit this term focuses on the Liturgical Season of Lent as a time to reflect on how we live our lives. It explores our choices and their impact on our growth and conversion. It teaches students about the sacrament of Penance. The unit reviews the events of Holy Week through the Scriptural Stations of the Cross. 

English

This term the students will engage in a reading and writing unit focused on Poetry. Students will read and analyse Australian and Indigenous poetry and write their own poems based on the knowledge they have gathered throughout the unit. The student will be revising descriptive writing techniques and visual literacy. They will be taught explicit skills about grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, and specific concepts about print.

Students will continue practising their reading strategies in Reading Groups. They will also engage in the ‘Soundwaves’ spelling program, which is encouraged to be used at home. The students will be tested on their content words throughout the Term. Each child is expected to read for at least 20 minutes each night and record their text title into their homework diary.  

Speaking and listening skills will be assessed in a variety of opportunities including presentations to small and large groups.

The Soundwaves Spelling program will be taught daily. 

Mathematics

This term we will be focusing on the following units; Data, Representing Number/Mass, Additive Relations/Two Dimensional Space, and Additive Relations/Area. These units will be explored further throughout the year.  This term students will engage in differentiated tasks in their Homerooms. These class groups will remain fluid as we cater to the needs of individuals and their understanding of a  variety of Mathematical concepts. Please continue to practise the instant recall of two, three, four, five, and ten times table facts with your children at home as this is an essential skill they will require. Mrs Ross and Miss Ingram will be supporting students across Year 4. 

Science and Technology

This semester we will be focusing on the Earth’s surface and how it changes over time. Students will investigate natural processes and human activity to develop a view in relation to sustainable practices. Students will also explore the effect of the interactions between the Earth and the Sun. A study on rocks introduces the unit and we will investigate the effects of the Sun and moon on the Earth. The students will question, plan, and conduct scientific investigations, collect and summarise data, and communicate using scientific representations. They will select and use technological equipment to develop solutions. 

Geography

We will explore the climate, natural vegetation, and native animals of places in Australia and Asia. We will also examine the importance of natural vegetation and natural resources to the environment, animals and people, as well as learn about the ways people value environments, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Year Four students will identify sustainable practices and examine different ways that sustainability can be achieved. 

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education

Open Parachute will continue K-6. Open Parachute aims to provide practical support on mental health to students. The program aims to reduce stigma and generate authentic dialogue in classrooms about the real issues students face. The psychological skills-building exercises aim to increase empathy, self-compassion, self-awareness, mental health literacy, and self-efficacy in students.

For sport students will be provided opportunities to develop their skills and build confidence in using their Fundamental Movement Skills. In Stage 2, students should be consolidating and/or proficient in specific Fundamental Movement Skills. Students will practise and apply these skills through various activities and games including soccer, oz tag, and basketball. Students will also be exploring different dance components involving various movement patterns and sequences. 

Amadeus Music Program

Students will continue with the Amadeus Music Education Program and participate in activities in listening, performing, and organising sound within their regular classroom Music lessons. 

• It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they:
  • Arrive on time for each lesson
  • Bring their instrument and required accessories to every lesson
  • Bring their Essential Elements* music book
  • Bring a lead pencil and eraser

Creative Arts

In Term 1, students will embark on a journey integrating artistic expression with the realms of science, poetry, and religion. Students will delve into these subjects, using sketching and painting as their primary mediums of exploration. Artworks will be infused with elements of poetry and religion allowing students to convey emotions, thoughts, and reflections.  

Mandarin

Our students continue to enjoy participating in the Chinese language program called the Meg Language Program. The Meg Curriculum is written by the co-author of the Australian Curriculum. All students and teachers will participate in the digital learning platform via Zoom weekly sessions with educators in China.

Homework 

Reading at night is a compulsory activity. It is expected that the children will read for at least 20 minutes each night as part of their 30 minutes of nightly homework. Reading will be recorded in the student diaries. The homework grid will be shared with the students via Google Classroom. A Homework book will be used to record set tasks throughout the Term. 

A "Maths Plus" mentals workbook and lined homework book will be provided to all students. A weekly task will be set and we ask that this be returned each Friday. "Maths Plus" follows a graded and spiraling approach, allowing for the revision of concepts throughout the year. It will provide students with opportunities to sequentially develop, practise and master their skills and knowledge.

Mr Michael Faber and Mrs Drazena Prsa (4Blue)

Mrs Lisa Mann and Mr Ethan Parlato (4Gold)

Mrs Margaret McCarthy (4White)

Important Dates for Year Four

Music classroom lessons and Library Day for Year 4 are on Mondays. Each week, students will have the opportunity to borrow books from our school library. Please ensure your child brings their Library Bag to school on this day.

Sport 

4G - Monday and Thursday

4B & 4W - Monday and Friday

Students are to wear their sports uniform on these days. 

2024 - School Term 1

 Parent calendar available at this link