Year 4 Spotlight

Reading – Book Week

We loved celebrating Book Week during reading this term. Each day we read a different book that was nominated for various awards, and followed up with an activity to match. Some of our favourite books were Franks Red Hat, Tiny Wonders and There’s No Such Book.

For Book Day at FPS we had a day where we dressed up as our favourite book character. We all enjoyed the big parade in the morning and loved seeing all the amazing costumes. 

 

After recess we went off to do an activity in mixed year groups. We read a nominated book and after that we completed an activity based on the book.

 

~ Maddie and Erin, 4B

Writing

This term, Year 4 focused on writing realistic fiction. Students worked on expanding and elaborating their narrative in order to entertain a reader. They used text features such as adjectives, similes, and verbs to add imagery and detail to their writing. 

Here are some excerpts from our stories:

Ring, Ring!

“I’ll get it!” I shouted.

The phone was like a tiger roaring. When I answered it, it was the hospital. I wondered why the hospital was calling me? But then I stopped in my tracks. They said Lisa Greenbury, aka my mum, had the dreadful, horrible, life-threatening cancer. At the speed of lightning, I started to cry like my life depended on it. 

 

~ Parker, 4B

“Ivy,” my dad pauses, “Those clouds aren’t any old clouds.”

“I know that!” I interrupt. 

“But how will this,” I gesture around with my now dripping hands, 

“But how will this protect us from a flood?” I asked him.

“That’s the thing,” Dad sighs, “It’s the opposite of a flood, it’s a fire!” 

Dad has a look on his face like his mother just dropped dead. The news hits me like a bullet.

“Fire?” I whisper in fear. “Fire, Fire, Fire?” my voice rises in pitch and volume. 

 

~ Annabel, 4B

Noises are caving in, as I am rushing to the windowless corridor that connects the mayhem to the silence. 

I get to the tunnel and rush through. I am three minutes early. My heart is pounding like a jackhammer. I get onto the plane.

 

~ Jonah, 4A

The carpet is impressively spotless. It is all silent. All you can hear is the familiar sound of music. It feels so unusual to be packing when you don’t know you are moving. It’s overwhelming!

 

~ Alexandra, 4A

“You have wrecked all the pillows,” she thundered.

Bella scampered off, terrified.

 

~ Rosie, 4C

A few minutes later Tom was sweating, the hill was as tall as a giant. Anyway, Tom thought he would have to climb it.

 

~ Lucas, 4C

Mathematics

This term, Year 4 students have learnt about division and fractions. Students created halves, thirds, quarters and fifths through paper folding, and investigated equivalent fractions used in context e.g. half a pizza equals two-quarters of a pizza. They also counted by fractions such as quarters, halves and thirds, including improper and mixed numbers, and located these fractions on a number line.

Here are some reflections from students about Maths:

I learnt how to recognise equivalent fractions. I learnt that the numerator is the top number of a fraction, and the denominator is the bottom number of the fraction.

 

~ Nadia, 4C

I learnt that the middle line separating the two numbers of a fraction is called the vinculum. I learnt that when you add fractions that have the same denominator, you just add the numerators.

 

~ Andy, 4C

History

This term, students have been busy understanding, acknowledging and learning the ancient knowledge of Aboriginal cultures and beliefs. They have also researched explorers and the reasons around the establishment of convict colonies.

A culmination of this learning is the visit to CERES for an Indigenous Perspectives excursion.

~ Year 4 Teachers (Chiara, Jade & Elise) and Students