Grade 3/4 News

Week 8 Term 3
Welcome back to the Grade 3/4 page!

Reminders and Upcoming Events:

Footy Colors Day (Whole School)- Friday 12th September
Campaspe Downs Camp - Wednesday 17th - Friday 19th September
End of Term - Friday 19th September 2:15 dismissal

Just a friendly reminder, you're always welcome to reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or even some positive feedback (which we love to hear!).You can contact our team via the following emails:

Rohan Daenke: rohan.daenke@education.vic.gov.au
Daniel Lidgett: daniel.lidgett@education.vic.gov.au
Lauren Schulz: lauren.schulz@education.vic.gov.au
Alisha Mitchell: alisha.mitchell2@education.vic.gov.au
Brooke Ingram: brooke.ingram@education.vic.gov.au

Camp Reminders

Payment: All payment fees are due tomorrow, the 12th of September.
Arrival at school: Students come to school at the normal time and take their bags (school bag or other small bag) and luggage straight to their classrooms.
Casual Clothing: Students will not be required to wear their uniform for this event.
Morning activities: Students will complete some pre-camp activities before departing for camp at 10:00am.
Food for the day: On Wednesday, students will eat from their lunch boxes (morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea). Please ensure your child has plenty of food packed, along with a drink bottle. Dinner will be provided once we arrive at camp.
Medication:
- All medication must be placed in a clear plastic sealed bag with the student’s name, medication name, time and dosage clearly written on a provided medical sheet.
- Medication sheets were handed out at the start of this week.
- All medication is to be handed in at the office on Monday or Tuesday of camp week. This is so they can be packed and organised in preparation for camp.
- Any other medication that is used on the morning of camp can be handed in to Mr Trezise at the 3/4 library/shared space when students drop off their bags in the morning.

Maths Challenge

Congratulations to 3/4 Mitchell for winning our final Maths Challenge of Term 3!

We will be posting our next challenge in the first newsletter of Term 4.

What we are learning...

In Literacy, our Grade 3/4 students have been exploring the genre of historical fiction. They have been learning to identify the key features of historical fiction, such as being set in the past, including real historical events or figures, and weaving in fictionalised characters and details. Using mentor texts like Finding Winnie and 'I Survived' stories by Lauren Tarshis, students have practised finding clues about time and place, and noticing how authors build tension and emotion. They are now applying these skills to their own writing by researching real historical events, creating fictional characters to live through them, and using descriptive language to bring their stories to life.

In Applied Maths, students have been learning how to read and interpret different types of graphs, including bar graphs, pictographs, line graphs, and tables. They have been practising how to find and compare information, explain patterns, and describe what the data shows in their own words.

We have also been exploring transformations, including translations (slides) and rotations (turns). Using movement activities and grid maps, students practised following and recording a series of steps, such as sliding forward or making quarter-turns. They then took part in a “Transformation Treasure Hunt,” where they followed instructions around the classroom and recorded their paths. To extend their thinking, students designed and tested their own transformation paths, challenging their peers to follow them.

In Problem Solving, we have been learning how to read and interpret timetables. Students have been practising calculating elapsed time between events and using Newman’s prompts to help them break down and solve timetable problems. Students then applied these skills by creating their own camp day timetable, (preparing us for our exciting, upcoming trip), making sure the activities made sense in order and duration. To extend their thinking, some students worked with 24 hour time and wrote their own timetable questions for others to solve. This has helped students strengthen their reasoning and problem-solving skills in real-life contexts.

TOPIC:

In our Into the Unknown inquiry unit, Grade 3/4 students are working towards completing their major project by reviewing their goals and using the assessment rubric to guide their progress. Over the next few weeks, they will be finalising three key elements: researching a famous explorer, investigating a national day, and presenting their own “principal voyage” research project. This project encourages students to build research skills, think critically, and present their findings creatively.

UPSTANDER EDUCATION:

In Upstander Education, students have been learning how to take action by planning a school-wide campaign that encourages kindness, respect, and inclusion. Working in small groups, students have designed creative ways to spread positive messages, such as posters, pledges, performances, and lunchtime challenges. They have been practising how to share ideas, plan for an audience, and give and receive feedback respectfully. This project empowers students to be leaders of change, inspiring others to stand up for what is right and make our school a more caring and inclusive place.

RENEGADES VISIT:

We had a wonderful time meeting the Melbourne Renegades players recently. They shared inspiring stories about their cricket journeys and passion for the game. We were also thrilled to receive some merchandise, which they kindly signed for us. A big thank you to Mr Smith for organising this special experience!