Grade 4 Community News
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Over the past two weeks, our Grade 4 students have demonstrated exceptional academic engagement, immersing themselves in a dynamic and interdisciplinary curriculum. Their explorations in Mathematics, Reading, and Writing have fostered critical thinking, creativity, and real-world connections, as outlined below.
Maths
In Mathematics, students have been exploring the properties of three-dimensional shapes, learning about surfaces, faces, edges, and vertices. Using Venn diagrams, they compared and contrasted different 3D shapes, practicing careful and accurate observation. They also took on a challenging drawing task, sketching 3D shapes to strengthen their spatial awareness. Another creative activity asked students to build the first letters of their names using only cubes, helping them understand geometric rules and design.
Through hands-on work with multifix cubes, they tested whether their ideas could be built in real life, connecting their theoretical knowledge to practical experience. These activities not only deepened their understanding of geometry but also allowed them to explore concepts in real world situations.
Reading
In Reading, students have been engaged with our main text, Help Around the House, which has helped them explore complex social ideas. They studied how media works—how it shapes opinions, uses persuasive techniques, and can show bias. Through guided discussions, they learned how media framing affects how people understand information. They also examined the themes of rules and justice, learning the difference between rules and laws, and thinking about how authority figures create them. Students reflected on their own values and sense of right and wrong.
Leadership and politics were other key topics. Students learned about the importance of oaths, such as those taken by members of parliament, and wrote their own oaths to express their personal values. They also discussed corruption and selfishness, considering how these affect decision-making in government. These lessons came to life during a recent incursion, where students took part in a simulated local council meeting. They role-played council members, practiced decision-making, and connected what they learned to real-world government structures. Their enthusiasm showed how well they could apply their classroom learning to real-life situations.
Writing
In Writing, Grade 4 students have worked diligently to refine their persuasive writing skills, focusing on compelling arguments to encourage others to read A Long Walk to Water. Through structured exercises, they honed their ability to construct coherent arguments, employ persuasive techniques, and support their viewpoints with evidence. This task not only strengthened their writing proficiency but also deepened their engagement with the text’s themes, fostering empathy and critical analysis.
Our Grade 4 students continue to impress with their intellectual curiosity and academic rigor. We look forward to sharing further updates on their progress as they excel in their learning journey.
Reminders:
- Grade 4s will be going on an excursion to Kryal Castle on the 7th of November. Please ensure they are at school on time, with their snacks, lunch and water packed in a lightweight bag.
Sincerely,
The Grade 4 Teaching Team