Year 4

Welcome to Week 5!

It has been amazing to get to know the Grade 4 students and the wider St. John's Community as I feel I have been warmly welcomed!

This year in our class we have Lisa Crowe as our Learning Support Officer.

This year has brought about big changes in our curriculum and our ways of learning at St. John's and across the whole Diocese of Sandhurst. We are implementing the Magnify Sandhurst Program, OCHRE Education and Knowledge Society.

Read on to find more about all of the wonderful things that we are learning about this term!

My email address is jtunks@sjeuroa.catholic.edu.au if you need to contact me.

Jake Tunks- Grade 4 Classroom Teacher

Magnify Sandhurst

Magnify Sandhurst focuses on enhancing teacher knowledge through explicit curriculum design, it ensures that all learners can engage with the curriculum at their appropriate level, supported by the best educational research available.

At Grade 4 Level we are using OCHRE Education for Literacy and Numeracy. We will be using Knowledge Society as our behaviour curriculum to ensure we have a calm, ordered and reliable classroom.

MAGNIFY Sandhurst is committed to ‘Every Student, Every Teacher, Every School, Every Day’.

MAGNIFY supports a structured and adaptable approach and teachers will create a learning environment that is supportive and challenging, helping all students achieving their full potential. Teachers will ensure that students are actively engaged in their learning and can apply their knowledge in meaningful ways. They will focus on being responsive to student engagement and guided practice, providing a strong foundation for learning before advancing to complex tasks.

Curriculum Evening

Our Curriculum Evening will be happening on Wednesday the 12th of March 2025- Starting time TBA. This is a great opportunity for families to learn about the MAGNIFY and OCHRE programs in more detail and ask any clarifying questions they may have about the curriculum.

Literacy

READING IS A HUGE FOCUS!

Students will read two novels as a class this term, the first novel we have been reading is Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo.

The second novel that we will start later in Term 1 is Leo and Ralph by Peter Carnavas.

These novels are a part of the OCHRE Education program under Magnify Sandhurst. Students will complete novel studies looking at vocabulary and comprehension, as well as, writing and spelling that is very closely linked with our class texts. Each student has access to a copy of the texts to read along with in class.

Students have access to borrow books through the school library. This term we will be focusing on the many aspects of reading including decoding, fluency, comprehension, and expanding vocabulary.

Writing - This term in writing, students will be exploring the topics; writing to persuade as well as creating imaginative texts using characters, settings and events from their own experiences. Students will also focus on sentence level writing, using conjunctions and expanding their sentences to include more detail.

Independent Reading - Reading a book that is familiar to you helps improve fluency, comprehension and decoding skills.

Small Group Reading - During reading activities, students are taught a variety of strategies to support comprehension and decoding.

Handwriting - There is a strong focus on handwriting in the Grade 4. Students all work towards receiving their pen licence. They begin on their ‘L plates’. They need to earn 10 stars on their L plates to receive their P plates (pen licence).

WHAT CAN I DO TO SUPPORT MY CHILD IN LITERACY?

Students need to be reading at least 4 times a week with a range of just right texts. Reading is a skill that needs to be practised in order to master.

When you are reading with your child, please record what you have read and the date in your child’s diaries. We check diaries each day to see how home reading is going. This is a vital part of the children’s schooling.

If your child takes home a classroom text can you please ensure you look after these and return them to school weekly.

Students are also sent home spelling lists each Monday to practice nightly.

Read at least 4 times a week with your child.
Fill in the diary, date, name of book, notes (teachers and LS’s check this daily).
Encourage them to sound out, not guess.

Numeracy

This term we are covering the following concepts:

Addition and Subtraction
Fractions
Time
Multiplication and Division

In addition and subtraction we have focused on various strategies such as compensation, written algorithms and worded problems. In fractions we have been identifying fractions as a part of a number, as a part of a group and also counting by halves, quarters, thirds and tenths.

We are using OCHRE Education in mathematics which provides a comprehensive program in teaching mathematics aligned with the Victorian Curriculum. Students have access to concrete materials in class to help assist their understanding of various mathematical concepts.

Students work in whole class, small groups and independently during our maths sessions.

Ways you can support your child at home with maths;

Practising times tables and related division facts
Encouraging your child to use maths in everyday life at home. E.g helping add up the cost of things, measuring in the kitchen or outside etc.

Inquiry

This term in Inquiry students will complete two units. The first unit is called Government and Society. Students will be immersed in the essential elements of community life, the functions of their own local government and the significance of rules and laws.

The second unit is called Before Contact. In this unit, students learn about what life was like for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples before their first contacts with European explorers.

Inquiry this term involves research and investigation through a series of engaging and interactive lessons.

Religious Education

This term students will explore the topics of Prayer and Lent and Easter

In the unit of Prayer, students will be invited to deepen their relationship with God through prayer. They will have opportunities to be involved in different prayer experiences as individuals and in community. Students will begin to connect the purpose of different forms of prayer.

In the unit of Lent and Easter, students will be introduced to Lent and Easter as part of the liturgical year. They will explore the significance of Lent and Easter for Christians and will develop an awareness of the signs and symbols associated with Lent and Easter.

The Resilience Project

The Resilience Project in schools aims to empower students with the tools and mindset necessary to face challenges, manage stress, and adjust to change. These programs often include activities that enhance emotional intelligence, problem-solving skills, and effective coping mechanisms. By creating a nurturing environment, resilience programs help students build self-confidence, perseverance, and a growth mindset. This not only improves their academic success but also promotes their overall mental health. Through interactive workshops, group discussions, and real-world scenarios, students learn to cultivate healthy relationships, set achievable goals, and approach setbacks with a positive attitude.

Specialists

Art is on a Monday.

STEM and Japanese are on a Wednesday.

Physical Education is also on a Wednesday.

Please ensure your child wears the correct sports uniform on a Wednesday.

Library

Grade 4 students will go to the Library to borrow every second Friday afternoon (when assembly is not on).

Could all students please bring their satchels and books on our Library day so that they can borrow/return. If any students have outstanding books from the library, can they please return these. Happy reading!!