Year 4

English

Reading

In term 4, students took part in an author study where we analysed and critiqued the works of Margaret Wild. The students explored many of her well-known published books, where we learnt to look at the different techniques that authors use to engage their readers. We analysed how illustrations add to the reader’s understanding of the characters, their actions, and the mood of the story. We learnt about what a hook is and how these are used to draw readers into a book through the author’s choice of vocabulary, description of characters or the build up of suspense. We also explored how a character’s attributes, motives and changes are shown by an author, where we looked closely at the evidence shown in the text. Towards the end of term 4 we then moved onto nonfiction texts where we discussed the similarities and differences between similar texts, where we also compared them together to see how different text features are used to order and present information: for example, headings, subheadings, bolded words or images. Great work grade 4s! 

Writing

In writing, grade 4 students started the term by looking at Narratives. We spent these first few weeks building on our ability to independently plan, draft and publish a narrative text, where we used language to describe the characters, setting, problem and solution in their story. We learnt about how to group our ideas together into paragraphs so that our writing is coherent, while also focusing on using different language features to make our writing engaging, such as verbs and imaginative adjectives. We then finished the term learning about information reports. We learnt how to plan, draft and publish an information report on a topic of our choice, focusing on using the correct structure, text and language features of an information report.

The grade 4s have worked really hard this term. Well done everyone! 

Mathematics

In mathematics, we started the term learning about Fractions and Decimals, where we learnt about how to model, represent and label fractions, as well as understanding the relationship between equivalent fractions in everyday life. We also developed our ability to recognise and model fractions of a whole and of collections. 

After this, our next unit focus was around 3D Shapes and Volume, where we were able to identify and explain the 2D shapes that are the faces for 3D objects (for example, prisms, pyramids and cubes). We also used this knowledge to look at some of the similarities and differences between 2D and 3D shapes and objects. We learnt about how to identify which metric units for volume are for larger and smaller amounts, and how we can use these units to estimate and measure volume. Students finished off the term with Capacity, Place Value and Time, ensuring that they are ready to move into grade 5.

Inquiry 

In Term 4, our Grade 4 learners explored the  topic 'Oh the place we could go’. The key understanding for this unit is: Life in Australia is both similar and different to neighbouring countries. Students examined the similarities and differences between Australia and Australia's neighbouring countries, such as New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, and what it would be like to live in those countries. 

Science

It has been an exciting year in the STEM room with students getting to complete many hands-on activities. In term 3, students investigated how forces act on objects causing them to accelerate, change direction or stop completely. Students also learned about friction and gravity while completing fun and engaging experiments and discussed the different forces acting on aeroplanes (drag, thrust, lift). In term 4, students explored natural and man-made materials such as wood, cotton, silk, glass, plastics and leather and the properties they possess. Students conducted experiments related to absorbency, by dropping water onto various materials and counting how many drops they held.  As the end of year fast approaches, I hope all students enjoyed their time in the STEM room and remember that “an annotated diagram needs to include labels”! Merry Christmas to one and all and enjoy the break!

LOTE = Chinese

Congratulations on such a fantastic term Grade 4, and amazing work throughout the whole year. In term 4, the main topics for Grade 4 were sports and pets. In this term, students learnt how to pronounce a variety of different sports and how to ask and answer others about their favourite sports. For fun activities, they explored how to kick Chinese shuttlecocks. While, for the pet part, they not only learnt how to pronounce pets, they also learnt how to ask and answer questions about the pets they had. In the last few weeks, students were getting the chance to practice how to type both Chinese characters and Pinyin with assistance. Have a look at the photo that Grade 4 students did, aren’t they amazing? 

Art

The Grade 4 students have been learning about symmetry and practicing their ‘Mirror image skills’, by completing the opposite side of an image to find balance and proportion in their drawing. It has been interesting to see students who enjoy the structured mathematical side of art, as opposed to the less structured side to art, such as free drawing. We have also just celebrated spring and the beautiful ‘Cherry Blossoms’. The students have learnt to use a Japanese paint blowing method with ink, and crepe paper to represent the beautiful blooms. We have also dabbled in some ‘spooky creativity’ for Halloween at the end of October, and the students had fun using paper to create pumpkins, lanterns and masks. To wrap up the year, we are currently exploring depth and dimension through designing Graffiti block lettering, shapes and shading, to create the illusion of depth in a design, and creating design cards and decorations for someone special or for Christmas. It has been a fun and creative end to the year in Art, with the grade 3/4 students. I wish them a very happy holiday break! They have had some very creative moments this year!

P.E.

This term the grade 4 students have focussed on the sports of badminton, hockey, and netball, being able to learn the skills linked to each of these sports and use them in a games-based approach. The students have had the opportunity to develop skills related to these sports and have been applying them in game-based situations. Our students have continued to learn the rules of various sports and use strategy to help them problem-solve with their peers. This was best seen during the mini games that the students participated in for each sport. They included kicking, handballing, and marking. Students have made the connection between the skill development phase and then being able to transfer the skills to game play. Students during the term were able to showcase the sport specific skills and then apply them in games. The fundamental movement skills linked to each of the sports include throwing, catching, running, jumping, dodging, and striking. Our aim is for students at grade 4 level to link skills with game play and learn about the rules relevant to the sport. The Grade 4 students have continued to participate in class games throughout the term to demonstrate their ability to follow rules and instructions, these take the form in not just sports-based activities but also ICT resources using different interactive videos to assist the students. This term has been a great conclusion to the year. Congratulations grade 4’s and I look forward to seeing you continue to grow and thrive in PE next year!