Year 4 News
Reading
This fortnight in Reading, Year 4 students have been developing their predicting skills. They have learnt the strategy ‘preview, think, predict’ to help them use clues from the front cover, blurb, title and first few pages to make predictions about the plot or characters in fiction texts, and the information they might learn from non-fiction texts. Students used the stop and jot method to make predictions as they read, and considered how accurate their predictions were. Finally, they decided whether they needed to revise or adjust their predictions to improve them.
“You can make a prediction about what the weather will be like tomorrow.” - Georgeuo 4C
“I predict that we might learn about fun facts in this non-fiction book.” - Sia 4C
“We are looking and seeing from the front cover if we can work out what the story is about.” - Asinat 4B
Writing
During Writing over the past two weeks, Year 4 students have been continuing work on their persuasive writing linked to our Inquiry projects. They have focused on drafting and publishing to create display pieces for our expo. During Grammar lessons this fortnight, students have been learning more about independent and dependent clauses. They have been using -ed words to vary their sentence starters. One example students worked on was ‘Worried about being recognised, the movie star was in disguise.’
“Excited to meet each other again, the girls jumped happily together.” - Chris 4C
“I have made my poster about Timor Leste, my favourite part about it is making the title and adding drawings” - Eleen 4B
Maths
Over the past two weeks in Maths, Year 4 students have continued their learning on multiplicative thinking. They have used known facts (x2 and x5) to help them solve x7 facts, found related division facts using multiplication facts and continued to learn about the commutative property, 7 x 8 = 8 x 7. Students were introduced to area models as a visual method to solve larger multiplication problems. They learned to partition 2-digit numbers into tens and ones, multiply multiples of 10 and use partial products to solve problems. Students discovered that the area model was an easier strategy when multiplying larger numbers!
“It’s going up by 6!” - Anshmeet 4C
“I’ve got better at my times table fluency” - Hasan 4B
Inquiry
This fortnight, Year 4 students have been busy preparing for their upcoming Inquiry Expo, where they will showcase their learning about Australia's neighbouring countries.
Throughout the term, students have explored the rich cultures, unique environments and fascinating landmarks that make each country special.
As part of their inquiry, students selected a country to research and have been creating persuasive posters that encourage others to visit their chosen destination. This task has provided opportunities to develop their research, writing and persuasive language skills while deepening their understanding of the countries within our region. Students have also been constructing detailed dioramas featuring significant landmarks, native fauna and other important aspects of their chosen country.
The Year 4 teachers are incredibly proud of the effort, creativity and enthusiasm students have demonstrated during this inquiry journey. We look forward to sharing their impressive work at the Expo and invite our school community to come along and discover the fascinating countries that surround Australia.
“For my prop, I am creating a city in Indonesia.” - Isaac 4A
“I used paper, streamers and other materials to make a rainforest from my neighbouring country.” - Sifat 4A
“We’ve been making boxing of our neighbouring countries. I’ve used cellophane, some paper, clay to make a volcano” - Holly 4B
Social and Emotional Learning / SWPBS
In SEL, Year 4 students have explored how to ask for help in difficult situations. Students discussed what a good helper looks like and when someone might need support from others. In small groups, they worked through different scenarios and role-played what it looks like to ask for help well, including what to do if the person they ask can’t help or isn’t helpful.
In SWPBS, Year 4 students focused on taking responsibility for their own actions and learned how to give a proper apology. They have also focused on being responsible by following the area expectations during an excursion.
“At Flip Out, it is important to treat the workers with respect.” - Kayan 4A
“Make sure you use the trampolines safely.” - Gurnoor 4A
AUSLAN
This fortnight in Auslan, Year 4 students have focused on developing their fingerspelling recognition and communication skills. They watched a video in which words were fingerspelled at different speeds (fast, medium, and slow) and worked to identify the words. This was a fantastic opportunity for students to practise their alphabet signs and improve their fingerspelling accuracy.
“That spells fan!” - Nina 4A
Special Events
Pyjama Day:
This fortnight, Year 4 students celebrated Pyjama Day. Students came to school dressed in their pyjamas, oodies and cosy winter wear! As it is currently winter, it was a great opportunity for students and teachers to stay warm, comfortable and relaxed while enjoying a fun day of learning together.
“I wore my Minecraft pyjamas!” - Tyler 4A
“It was so fun that we got to wear our pyjamas even though it was a school day.” - Hayley 4B
“It feels cosy and warm at school when I have my pyjamas on.” - Sadie 4C
“It helps me learn, concentrate and stay calm because I feel cosy and snuggly.” - Noah 4C
Flip Out:
Last Tuesday, Year 4 students had their end-of-term excursion to Flip Out! Students engaged in a variety of fun, active team-building activities, strengthening their ability to cooperate and interact positively with their peers. It was fantastic to see students developing their confidence by trying new activities and persisting when challenges arose. Take a look at some of the highlights below!
“I had a really fun time! There were so many activities to do.” - Isabelle 4A
“I liked going on the car.” - Ekam 4A
“I loved the rock climbing and going down the slide.” - Elora 4B
