Year 4 Update

Learning Outlook for Week 1 & 2

🧠 Maths

This week students have begun a fractions unit. Students are working with hands on materials when learning about fractions and how they represent parts of a whole. 

They are developing an understanding that the denominator shows how many equal parts the whole is divided into, and the numerator shows how many parts are being counted. Students are also exploring different ways to represent fractions, such as using numbers, words, and by saying “out of.” 

Throughout our lessons, we will discus how fractions are used in everyday life, helping students make real-world connections to their learning.

📚 English 

Students are learning how to write persuasive text that aims to convince the reader of a particular opinion. They are exploring the structure of a persuasive piece, which includes an introduction, reasons supported by examples and evidence, and a conclusion.

Students are learning to use connectives such as because, therefore, and for example to link their ideas and make their writing flow smoothly. They have also been building their vocabulary around key terms like opinion, reason, example, evidence, persuade, and convince.

Through class discussions and writing tasks, students are developing strong arguments supported by examples and evidence rather than just opinions. They are also learning how cohesion helps their writing flow and keeps their ideas connected.

To make their writing more powerful, students are experimenting with persuasive devices such as exaggeration, emotional language, and repetition. They are comparing different arguments to identify which are the most convincing and are practising how to plan, draft, and revise persuasive paragraphs that clearly express and support their opinions.

💬 SEL 

Students have been exploring their personal and cultural strengths. They are learning to recognise what makes them unique and how these strengths can be used in everyday situations to help them learn, grow, and build positive relationships. Students have been sharing examples of their own strengths, as well as learning about the different qualities that help people thrive in school and life.

Students will also learn from Aboriginal perspectives about the history of how white people came to the land and declared it ‘Terra Nullius’. Through discussions and activities, they will develop an understanding of the importance of respect and connection to Country. They will learn about the difference between a Welcome to Country and an Acknowledgement of Country, and how these practices help us show respect for the Traditional Custodians of the land.

🌏Humanities

This term our new topic is about sustainability and how the community could benefit from a more sustainably lifestyle. Students began learning what sustainability was this week. We also explored how we are already sustainable at school and discussed ideas for how we could be more sustainable. In week 2 they will explore design technology jobs and  explain how these jobs can help make communities more sustainable.