Class 3/4 Steiner
Celebrating Learning
What we’ve been up to
This week, students participated in a Cyber Safety incursion run by the Preston Pro-active Police Unit. Next week, students will participate in an incursion that will provide them with hands-on experience using available resources for creating buildings and shelters.
Please note, it is a busy period for assessments. We really appreciate your support in having students arrive at school on time. Please notify your child’s classroom teacher if your child is unwell or not able to attend school for an extended period.
Maths
In Mathematics, students have been exploring the concepts of natural and man-made symmetry. They practiced identifying lines of symmetry in various 2D shape patterns in the classroom and located symmetrical objects in the playground. Using digital technology, they designed their own symmetrical image on vertical, horizontal, or vertical and horizontal axes and articulated the reasoning behind their design choices to their peers.
Students then began investigating angles, learning to understand them as measures of turn between two lines. They created their own estimation protractors using coloured circles, which they then used to compare and estimate angles throughout the classroom. 3/4 further explored angles by designing their own pattern block shapes, comparing the angles found within their creations using protractors or folded coloured circles. They then practiced using their knowledge of visual, numerical and written representations of well-known angles with real-world examples.
Literacy
In Reading, students continued to practise the four roles for Reciprocal Reading. We moved onto the role of the ‘Clarifier’, where students clarify unknown and interesting words and phrases while reading. Practising this role required students to explore different definitions of words and phrases to establish their own definition and then consider what the word/phrase meant in the context of the text they were reading. Students also examined the ‘Questioner’ role as they developed their own questions while reading texts. Practising this role required students to consider if their questions were “Thick” or “Thin” to ensure that their questions would promote rich discussion with others.
In Writing, students have continued with the Writer’s Workshop, with a focus on structures of non-fiction texts (Sequential). Students used ‘First Then’ graphic organisers to unpack their thinking as a SEED then developed their ideas into full sentences and paragraphs to explain different solutions to a problem. We have also been looking at ‘signal words’ to make connections between ideas and help with the flow of the writing.
What’s coming up:
- On Tuesday, May 3rd, students will participate in a ‘Buildings & Shelters’ incursion run by Supreme Incursions.
- In Reading, students will continue practicing the various Reciprocal Reading roles and completing online reading assessments.
- In Writing, we will continue exploring different Non-Fiction text types including ‘Sequential’, then moving onto publishing our writing.
- In Mathematics, students will continue exploring angles, then move onto revising the big ideas in number.
Things families can talk about at home:
- Collecting writing ‘seeds’ to use for writing ideas in Term 2 e.g. tickets, photos, drawings, clippings from magazines or newspapers.
- Have a go at ‘Estimating Angles’ using this online tool: https://nrich.maths.org/games/estimating-angles
- Practice adding and subtracting facts up to 20 to build speed and fluency. Here are some online games: https://wordwall.net/en-us/community/math/subtraction/games-adding-within-20
- When reading, ask students to summarise what they have read about by sharing the main ideas, key words and phrases.
- Encourage students to read other types of non-fiction texts such as recipes, infographics, etc.