Around the Classrooms

Good Afternoon Families,

The students in 3/4G have had a lovely and exciting end to the year! Here is a snapshot of our recent learning that they have been engaging in.

English

Students have opened the term with a focus on Explanation texts. Some topics we looked at were: How Cyclones are Formed, How Volcanoes Erupt, and Why Some Animals Migrate. The structure of each text includes The Title (introducing the topic), the Identifying Statement (What is to be explained), the Explanation Sequence (How does it happen? Why does it happen?) and the Summary Statement (What has the text explained?) Over the last couple of weeks, we have revisited specific genres we focused on throughout the year, including Narrative Texts, Persuasive Advertisements, Information Reports and Poetry. The students have been creative with their vocabulary words for each week, shared interesting sentences, worked out the number of sounds and syllables in each word, and played games where their classmates asked for clues to guess a specific word.

 Mathematics

We started the term revising Multiplication and Division and focused on answering word problems and using the area model to solve equations. We moved on to Fractions and Decimals, and the students were introduced to Improper Fractions, Decimals including Tenths and Hundredths and Mixed Numbers. For Mass, Volume and Capacity, we looked at the actual amount an object can hold and then compared this to how much it was holding. The class built objects using 1cm cubed squares and calculated the volume of their design. Chance has been a very engaging unit, and the class has had many laughs in determining the probability of events occurring, including Impossible (This will not happen), Unlikely (Probably won’t happen), Even Chance (Equal chance of happening), Likely (Probably will happen) and Certain (Definitely will happen). Last week, we studied Angles and focused on half and quarter turns and locating right angles in the classroom. The students have been eager to participate in The Daily Review during each session as they revise previous mathematical concepts. 

Religion

In RE we have been exploring how Catholic Social Teaching helps guide our decisions by making positive local and global decisions. A good local decision could be participating in a clean-up day at a nearby park. A thoughtful global decision could be donating clothing and food supplies to people in need. We have moved on to the teaching of Advent, and last week, the focus was on the first candle of Hope for the coming of Jesus and the light that He will bring. We then moved on to the second violet candle of Peace. This week, the Year 3/4 Advent Liturgy is about Joy, God’s love and the coming of Christ. We will light the rose pink candle demonstrating the third week of Advent.

Inquiry

Our Beautiful Planet has been the title of this term’s Inquiry topic. The students have been investigating Earth Science and the relationship between the Earth, Moon and Sun. There have been several “hands-on” tasks, including the class making models of the Earth, Sun and Moon and investigating how day and night occur through the 24-hour rotation of Earth on its axis. They have been learning about extreme weather conditions and droughts, coastal erosions, volcanoes, and cyclones' effects on the Earth’s surface. Interestingly, volcanic eruptions are helpful to the Earth in a number of ways, including creating new land and making fertile soil. Our excursion to Scienceworks was last Friday, and it was a terrific chance for students to participate in further learning about our planet through a guided tour through our solar system and a lesson in the Earth, Sun and Moon Energy Lab. 

A huge thank you to all 3/4 G families for all of your help and support of your children throughout this year. Have a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year!

Rachel Gurvich - Grade 3/4G Teacher