Year 4 News 

Maths 

In Maths, the Year 4 students have been busy learning all about data and chance! 

The students have been learning how to collect, display and interpret data using tally charts, bar graphs and pictographs. They have been developing their understanding of what makes a clear and effective graph, including adding an appropriate title and axis labels, using an even scale, and ensuring that bars are evenly spaced and accurately represent the data. 

The students have also been exploring the difference between categorical and numerical questions. Today, they put their learning into practice by creating their own survey questions and collecting responses from Year 4 students. They then used Excel to turn their data into digital graphs, giving them the opportunity to see how data collected from a real survey can be represented and interpreted. 

We have also been investigating chance and probability through a range of hands-on experiments. The students have been flipping coins and rolling dice while thinking about what makes an experiment a fair test. They have been considering how chance affects the results and comparing what they expect to happen with what actually happens. 

To make our learning about chance even more engaging, the students have been playing Greedy Pig. This fun game has helped them explore the unpredictable nature of dice rolls and understand that, while we can make predictions about chance events, we cannot know exactly what will happen each time. 

Text Study 

Our current Text Study has been centred around the powerful and thought-provoking book Always Was, Always Will Be by Aunty Fay Muir and Sue Lawson. 

Through this text, the students have been developing their understanding of the rights and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout Australian history. We have explored significant events and changes over time, including the 1967 Referendum, and discussed how laws, policies and social attitudes have impacted First Nations peoples. 

It has been wonderful to see the empathy, respect and thoughtful perspectives the students have demonstrated throughout our learning. They have engaged in meaningful discussions, considered different perspectives and developed a deeper understanding of the importance of recognising and respecting the history, rights and contributions of Australia’s First Nations peoples. 

Alongside our comprehension and discussion of the text, students have also been working on using text-specific vocabulary in their writing. They have been challenging themselves to use new words accurately and meaningfully, including referendum, census, constitution, laws, regulations, civil rights, discrimination, pave the way and overwhelming. 

The students have been incorporating this vocabulary into their own writing while discussing real-life historical events and ideas. This has provided an excellent opportunity for them to strengthen both their vocabulary and writing skills, while communicating their understanding of important aspects of Australian history. 

It has been wonderful to see the students approach this unit with curiosity, maturity and empathy, and we look forward to continuing to build on their learning as our Text Study progresses. 

RUSTIE Incursion  

Our Year 4 students had a fantastic time taking part in the RUSTIE Incursion! RUSTIE stands for Regenerative Upcycling Solar-Powered Trailer with Interactive Education and provides students with a hands-on opportunity to learn about sustainability, renewable energy and the importance of reusing materials. 

During the incursion, students explored how everyday items that might otherwise be thrown away can be given a new purpose. They learnt about upcycling, recycling and renewable energy, while discovering how small changes can help reduce waste and look after our environment. 

The highlight of the experience was getting to make and take home their very own carabiner, created by reusing bottle tops. Students were able to see first-hand how a material that is often considered waste can be transformed into something useful and fun. 

The interactive and practical nature of the RUSTIE experience made learning about sustainability engaging and memorable for our Year 4 students. It was wonderful to see them getting creative, asking questions and thinking about how they can make more environmentally friendly choices in their everyday lives. 

Book Week Photos

Inquiry 

The students have been thoroughly enjoying our current Sustainability unit, with a particular focus on the 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. 

As part of our learning, each student set a personal goal for each of the three R’s. They thought carefully about how they could make small, practical changes in their everyday lives. For example, one student’s goal was, “I will reduce rubbish by using a container for my sandwich instead of glad wrap.” These goals have encouraged the students to recognise that even small actions can make a positive difference to our environment. 

We have particularly focused on ways we can reduce the amount of waste in our lunch boxes. The students investigated alternatives to single-use products and then had the opportunity to make their own reusable beeswax wraps. They thoroughly enjoyed the hands-on experience and are excited to put their wraps to use! 

We are hoping that this small action will help to reduce the amount of glad wrap used across Year 4 and encourage students to think about the choices they make each day. 

Next, our learning will move towards exploring renewable resources. The students will investigate what renewable resources are, where they come from and how they can help us create a more sustainable future. 

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