Grade 3/4

Maths

In Maths this week the 3/4s have been been learning about addition. We have been exploring different addition strategies which we can use to solve 2-digit addition problems. Some of the strategies we have practised include the jump strategy, split strategy and bridge to 10. We have also started to use the formal algorithm to solve addition equations. 

We have also continued to develop our understanding of place value, in particular in building our skills with representing and renaming numbers in different ways. For example, we have explored how 432 can be represented as: 4 hundreds + 3 tens + 2 ones, 43 tens + 2 ones, 4 hundreds + 32 ones, or 432 ones!

Problem solving continues to be one of our favourite parts of the week. We love how we can use different strategies to attempt to solve challenging problems. It can be fun to be in the 'struggle pit'! We also love how we can share our ideas and learn from each other!

Reading

In Reading, the grade 3/4s have continued to build their understanding of the comprehension strategy of 'summarising'. We have explored many different ways that readers can summarise a fiction text, including Beginning/Middle/End, 5Ws, Story Map,  and Time Order Words. Next week we will begin to look at strategies for summarising non-fiction texts!

We have also started to explore another text type - Poems! We have looked at different types of poems and discussed the purpose and audience of different poems. We have enjoyed reading lots of different poems aloud together! The grade 3/4s have also started to analyse different language features that poets can use when they write poems, such as rhyme, rhythm, alliteration, personification, onomatopoeia and adjectives.

Writing

In writing, we have continued to write information reports. The first information report we composed was on 'kangaroos'. We are currently publishing our second information reports on 'koalas'. The grade 3/4s have followed the writing process and have researched, planned, drafted, edited/revised and published their writing. We have also learnt about the structure, purpose and audience of information reports. 

SEL

Our focus in Social and Emotional Learning this week has been on mindfulness. Mindfulness can be defined as 'being aware'. So, the opposite of being on autopilot, when we do things without thinking. We have brainstormed different ways of practising mindfulness, such as colouring, meditating or taking a moment to notice what we can see, hear and smell. Even blowing and watching bubbles float away is a great way of being mindful!

Inquiry

This week we have been continuing to explore our inquiry topic of First Nation People and our understanding of Country and Place. We have continued to develop our awareness of the important role of art in community and togetherness. Our collaborative Rainbow Serpent artwork is almost complete! We have also enjoyed learning about Dreamtime stories, such as 'How the Birds Got Their Colours'.