Year 4
In English, learners will continue to develop their writing and speaking and listening skills through the powerful study of speeches. They will engage with speech writing, analysis and performance exploring how words can inform, inspire and influence others for the better. This unit supports students to grow as thoughtful global citizens, building an understanding of how strong communication can create positive change at a local, national and global level.
In STEAM, students will explore how humans use both renewable and non-renewable resources, examining the advantages and disadvantages of each type of energy generation. They will then investigate different methods of producing energy through an engineering challenge, where they will collaborate in groups to design and create their own energy solution, before pitching it to a simulated government body. Next, learners will deepen their understanding of computer programming by experimenting with writing code via the use of single board computers.
In Mathematics Innovation, students will investigate the concepts of divisibility, factors and multiples while undertaking a range of mathematical explorations applying the divisibility rules up to ten. They will participate in the Australasian Problem Solving Mathematics Olympiad (APSMO) Maths Games, during which they will focus on applying the skills and strategies to solve challenging worded problems effectively. By reviewing and discussing solutions, they will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding through the sharing of ideas to learn from others’ perspectives and ideas.
In Drone Innovation, students have enjoyed learning about the manual flight of drones within our school gymnasium. Implementing safety rules and knowledge of flight, our drone operators were able to demonstrate their skills in manually controlling the drones in a series of challenges. After this, students have been learning how to code a drone with a simulated aerial flight path. Aerial maps have been viewed and discussed along with possible scenarios that drone flights could be used for in a simulated real-life scenario. Students have used measurements, communication and collaborative partner skills to develop a flight path that could be coded with block-based coding. There are many opportunities for students to reflect on their code and refine their commands as they explore this amazing technology.
In Languages Innovation class, students will continue to embark on an exciting journey into the world of Chinese folk tales and shadow puppetry, combining history, creativity, and performance. Through engaging storytelling, they will explore the cultural significance of traditional stories such as Nüwa Patching the Sky, Hou Yi Shooting the Sun, the legend of Nezha, and the 12 Zodiac Animals.
Working collaboratively, students will research, design, and create their own shadow puppets, developing an appreciation for this ancient art form. They will showcase their learning through group performances, bringing their stories to life while demonstrating their creativity and storytelling skills, and celebrating the rich heritage of Chinese folk traditions.
In Art Innovation, students will develop their drawing skills by focusing on shading techniques. They will learn how to create tone by showing light and dark areas to add depth to their work. Students will explore how to identify and place highlights, mid-tones, and shadows to make their drawings look more realistic. They will practice a range of shading methods, including hatching, cross-hatching, stippling, and blending, and discover how each technique can be used to create different effects. Students will then apply these skills to their own chosen drawing, using shading to improve detail and enhance realism.
In Music Innovation students will be exploring the world of rhythm and instruments. They will do this through a range of engaging games, movement activities and hands on learning experiences. These activities will develop students understanding of steady beat, rhythm patterns and basic music notation. Students will be using instruments such as the xylophone, glockenspiel, drums and percussion instruments. Throughout the term, students will practise reading and performing simple rhythms using a steady beat while working up to playing as an ensemble. At the end of the term students will have the opportunity to create and perform their own short rhythms and songs using either body percussion or instruments. Sharing their musical ideas with the class builds their confidence when performing for small groups and encourages their creativity through music.
In Animation Innovation students will apply the learning from Term One as they explore what makes an engaging and believable animation. As they investigate the ’12 Principles of Animation’ coined by Disney, they will evaluate and enhance their modifications to increase the impact of their creations. Additionally, students will investigate the techniques and methods used to create stop-motion animation and generate storyboards to clarify their intent, improve the flow, ensure the purposeful development of characters. They will celebrate their knowledge and understanding by transferring their learning into a range of unique stop-motion sequences.