Year 4 Update

It has been another busy and exciting two weeks in Year 4! We marked National Reconciliation Week, continued our Poetry unit, and cheered each other on at the Athletics Carnival. Read on to find out what we have been up to!

A Snapshot of Our Learning in Term 2: Weeks 7 & 8

English

• We are continuing our Poetry unit. Students have been reading more poems and exploring new ideas. We read a fun poem called ‘Dog Days’ — written from a dog’s point of view! Students found sensory words in the poem that show what the dog can see, smell and feel. We used our new learning to write our own sensory poems. 
• We read two poems about nature — ‘Rainforest Song’ and ‘My Country’. Students compared the two poems, finding what was the same and what was different about how the poets feel about the land.
• In our literacy skills lessons, we have been learning about synonyms (words with a similar meaning, like happy and joyful) and antonyms (words with the opposite meaning, like happy and sad). This helps students choose more interesting words in their writing.
• We continue to practise reading aloud with a partner every day, working on reading smoothly and with expression.

Maths

• We have finished our multiplication unit — well done to all students for their hard work and effort! 
• We have now started a new unit on Time. Students are learning to read the time on analogue clocks (clocks with hands).
• Students are becoming familiar with important time words: o’clock, half past, quarter past and quarter to.
• We are practising reading clocks and matching them to the correct time. 

SEL (Social and Emotional Learning)

• Students have been learning that everyone is unique. We played a ‘This or That’ game — for example, “Do you prefer summer or winter?” or “Do you prefer reading or sport?” Students noticed that everyone makes different choices, and that is something to celebrate!
• We talked about the different parts that make us who we are — things like our interests, our family, our culture and our personality. We called these our ‘facets’ — like different sides of a diamond.
• Students are learning to recognise and respect the things that make each person different.

Inquiry

This term, students are exploring how individuals and groups contribute to their communities, and how those contributions are remembered, celebrated, and commemorated. In Weeks 7 & 8 we have:

• Learned about National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June) and National Sorry Day (26 May). Students talked about why saying sorry is important and how it helps us build trust.
• Explored two important moments in Australian history: the 1967 Referendum (when Australians voted to recognise Aboriginal peoples in the national census) and the Mabo Decision (1992), which recognised Aboriginal land rights for the first time.
• Looked closely at all three flags of Australia: the Australian flag, the Aboriginal flag, and the Torres Strait Islander flag, and learned about the symbols on each one.
• Investigated different cultural celebrations and our own experiences of them.
• Researched national holidays in different countries such as Independence Day (India) and Bastille Day (France).

Events this Fortnight

On Wednesday 10th June, our Year 4 students joined the Year 5 and Year 6 students for the Athletics Carnival. It was a wonderful day of sport, teamwork and school spirit. Tune in to the next edition of The Link for more on this!

Upcoming Events and Reminders

• Tuesday 16th June: Marine Ambassadors Excursion. More details have been sent via Compass.

• Friday 19th June: SRC Fundraiser — PJ Day! Students are invited to wear their comfiest pyjamas to school and bring a gold coin donation. Please make sure your child still wears appropriate outdoor footwear for playtimes.

   

Homework Reminders

Reading

Please continue to encourage your child to read every night and to record the book title and number of minutes read in their diary. Diaries need to be brought to school on the day specified for teacher checking.

Spelling

Spelling words are being sent home each week. Students should practise daily and will be tested on the day specified by their classroom teacher.

Thank you, as always, for your wonderful support. 

Enjoying our hands-on Maths activities!