Class 4 News

Hello Families!

Term 1 has been off to a wonderful start!  We are beginning with The History of Writing.  We are delving into the fascinating timeline of how symbols were created, assigned meaning, and the evolution of formed letters that represent sounds, which in turn create the words we use today to communicate. We will spend some time creating writing tools and emphasising beautiful handwriting.  Students have enjoyed creating paint from stone, although we substituted glue for the animal fat that would have been used!  We have also persevered through the tricky thinking that would have been required in the early stages of developing symbols that have a meaning attached to them.  It really is quite remarkable that humans have been able to establish a complex system of letters, sounds, words, numbers, ways of recording our lives.  

From Steiner Education Australia: "When students are connected to their world and the technology they use and have made the tools themselves, they learn to be more careful and respectful of their own and others belongings. In addition, modern research suggests that the earlier educational focus on handwriting, with its stress on beauty and perfection of form, practice of different styles and fluidity may have had a beneficial effect on cognitive function. Students learn the art of fluent handwriting and calligraphy which builds an ability for calm focus and inner as well as outer balance and harmony of form." 

We are continuing to reinforce the meaning of place value in Maths and are beginning to work on expanding our writing by adding juicy adjectives and adverbs.  Students have been given a book to read for our weekly book club meetings which will be beginning soon.  

The enthusiasm is strong, and it is delightful to see the students' joy for learning and giving it their best effort.   

Have a wonderful weekend,

Brittany