What's Happening in Grade 4? 

We have an exciting term of learning ahead, with students challenged to think, communicate, problem-solve and collaborate as they build their skills across English, Numeracy and Civics and Citizenship.

English

This term, students will be learning about exposition texts – a type of writing used to express opinions and persuade the reader to agree with a particular point of view or take a certain action. They will explore how to structure their ideas with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion, and how to use persuasive language such as modal verbs and adverbs to make their arguments stronger. They will be working on developing cohesive paragraphs within their writing and using time connectives to link ideas. Through reading examples and writing their own pieces, students will learn to present their opinions clearly and back them up with reasons and evidence. Where possible, we will be making  connections to our Inquiry topic on Civics and Citizenship, encouraging students to write about fairness, rules, and responsibilities within communities. As their confidence grows, students will begin to use these techniques in their own writing to persuade their readers.

Numeracy

We will be completing our multiplication and division unit in the next few weeks.  Throughout the unit, students developed their ability to choose efficient calculation strategies, interpret mathematical problems, and communicate their solutions clearly in relation to real-world contexts. As we move into the remainder of the term, the focus will shift to fractions. Building on their earlier learning about decimals, students will explore how fractions and decimals are connected. They will learn to find equivalent representations of fractions using related denominators and deepen their understanding of how these concepts apply in everyday situations. Students will be making a Fractions Tool Kit, which will be used to help them model, compare, and solve problems involving fractions. 

In our non-number strand of Numeracy, Grade 4 students will be exploring 3D objects. Through hands-on activities, they will investigate the properties of prisms. Following this unit, students will be learning about capacity and will use scaled instruments and everyday objects to measure and compare capacities. Looking ahead, our next focus will be on probability. Students will begin to explore the language of chance and likelihood, learning to describe everyday events as ‘certain’, ‘likely’, ‘unlikely’, or ‘impossible’. This unit will encourage them to think critically, make predictions, and understand how probability applies to real-life situations in a fun and engaging way.

Inquiry

Our inquiry focus for this term will be on Civics and Citizenship, where students will explore how decisions are made democratically. Grade 4 students will continue to explore the important role that local government plays in their community. They will learn about the purpose of rules and laws, how they differ, and why they are essential for maintaining fairness and safety. Students will also investigate what it means to be an active and responsible citizen by learning about the rights and responsibilities we all share, and how individual and community identities are shaped. Additionally, they will explore current civics and citizenship issues, deepen their understanding of democratic systems and institutions, and practise making group decisions through discussion, collaboration, and consensus-building activities.

We look forward to another exciting term of learning, growth, and success together!

Kerry Pasharis 4A

Maria Tomanoska 4B

Rebecca West  4B