Year 3/4

LITERACY

In 3/4, we have been diving deeply into narrative writing. We have been exploring adjectives and looking closely at how authors carefully choose words to build rich descriptions of their characters. Using the mentor text Rose Meets Mr Wintergarten, we examined how the author builds character through carefully selected descriptive language and subtle details. We have also been exploring how authors use rich language to create vivid settings, helping readers clearly imagine where the story takes place. Using a Story Mountain, we have unpacked each component of a narrative, including the introduction, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution. More recently, we have moved into persuasive writing, exploring the key features and structure needed to create strong and convincing arguments.  Students chose their own topic and created a newspaper opinion piece.

Our literacy reviews continue as we recall previously taught concepts such as nouns, verbs and adjectives, editing and punctuation.  In addition, we continue our phonics explicit teaching and practice reading with fluency with engaging texts such as the Winter Olympics and Capybaras.  During these sessions, we clarify new or interesting words, echo read the teacher, solve missing words (cloze read), buddy read and do a 'performance' read at the end of the week.

NUMERACY

In 3/4 Maths, we have been building a strong understanding of numbers and their relationships. We have been practising renaming whole numbers and ordering them to develop accuracy and confidence. We have also been exploring decimals, focusing on tenths and hundredths, and representing them visually through pictures to better understand their value. To strengthen our skills, we have participated in collaborative games and fluency practice, which have made learning fun while helping us become quicker and more confident with our number knowledge.

We have also been using our daily review time to prepare students for NAPLAN by analysing questions and using effective strategies to solve the problems.

Some of the activities students participated in were ordering world buildings by height, decimal dominoes and odd & even scavenger hunt.

HUMANITIES

In 3/4 Humanities, we have been exploring ways people make a positive impact on their communities. We created a kindness award for someone in our school, explaining how their actions make a difference and promote a caring and supportive environment. We also researched past Australian of the Year recipients, learning about their achievements and contributions to society. In addition, we explored significant First Nations Australians and the important ways they have contributed to their communities, helping us appreciate the diversity and richness of Australian history and culture.  

We looked at how Moriac has changed over time and how technology has advanced farming... we wondered what will come next?

We also watched community messages around healthy eating and created posters for the "Go 2 and 5" campaign to encourage us to eat two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables every day.

WELLBEING

Students have been learning to recognise and understand different emotions, including positive, comfortable emotions such as happiness and pride, and negative, uncomfortable emotions such as sadness and frustration. We discussed ways students can help others feel happy and included in the classroom and playground by showing kindness, using respectful language and supporting their peers.

Students also explored personal and character strengths such as kindness, perseverance, teamwork and honesty, and shared examples of how these strengths can help them in everyday situations and support their learning.

We also discussed respect and perspective, learning about Australia’s history from an Aboriginal perspective and the concept of Terra Nullius. Students learned the difference between a Welcome to Country and an Acknowledgement of Country, and how these practices show respect for the Traditional Custodians of the land.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Monday 9th March- Labour Day Public Holiday

Wednesday 11th March- NAPLAN Testing commences for Year Three students

Thursday 12th March- Photo Day

Thursday 26th March- Curriculum Day (no school for students)

Thanks!

From 3/4 Team

Kerri, Ryan and Kylie