Year 3/4
Welcome
Dear Families,
It has been wonderful to welcome students back after the holiday break and see them settle smoothly into school routines.
Term Four is our final term of the school year, and it is filled with exciting learning opportunities and events. Highlights include our upcoming inquiry excursion to the museum, Italian Day, an Andrew Chinn concert and a cyber safety incursion. October is also Mental Health Awareness month, students will explore their identifying their own emotions in certain situations, recognise which safe people they can talk to as well as developing a toolkit to assist them when they are in need.
In the classroom, students are exploring a range of topics across all learning areas, with a strong focus on developing their reading, writing and mathematical problem-solving skills. We look forward to a productive and enjoyable term of learning together.
Kind regards,The Year 3/4 Teaching Team
Our Learning this Term
English
Year 3 students have begun a novel study of Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. This heartwarming story follows Wilbur, a runt pig rescued by a young girl named Fern. When Wilbur moves to her uncle’s farm, he befriends Charlotte, a wise and caring spider. Through her clever plan to weave words into her web, Charlotte helps save Wilbur’s life. The novel explores friendship, loyalty and the cycle of life.
Year 4 students have begun studying His Name Was Walter by Emily Rodda. This mystery-fantasy novel follows a group of students and their teacher who become stranded overnight in an old house. They discover a handwritten book about a young orphan named Walter. As they read, they uncover connections between Walter’s story and the house around them. The novel explores love, loss and betrayal through a mystery that brings the past and present together.
Our literacy block includes:
- Daily Review: Short activities to reinforce previously taught knowledge and skills.
- Literacy Skills: Explicit teaching of grammar, handwriting, spelling and reading fluency to strengthen students’ core literacy skills.
- Vocabulary: Students explore new and interesting words from their class novels, learning their meanings and using them accurately in spoken and written language.
- Writing: This term, students are developing their narrative writing skills. They are learning to create engaging settings and characters, build problems and develop solutions, while using figurative language and rich vocabulary to bring their stories to life.
Homework: Reading Daily, Weekly Tasks
Students are expected to read for 15–20 minutes each night and record their reading in their diaries using the following format:
Title:Time Read:Pages:Parent signature:
Talking with your child about their reading helps them remember what they have read, organise their thoughts and explore the story’s themes. Asking questions before, during and after reading can support their understanding.
Before reading:
- What do you think this book will be about, based on the title or cover?
- What kind of story do you expect: funny, mysterious, sad or exciting?
During reading:
- What has surprised you so far?
- How are the characters changing as the story continues?
After reading:
- What part of the story stood out to you most, and why?
- If you could ask the author one question, what would it be?
You may also like to visit your local library together and choose books that interest your child.
Homework: Curriculum Tasks
Homework tasks will be presented to each child at the beginning of the week. These tasks are based on the prior week's learning. Tasks are assigned to take no more than 20 minutes per session.
Mathematics
Each day, students participate in a 10-minute Maths Daily Review, revisiting current and previously taught concepts. This gives them regular opportunities to practise, strengthen their understanding and build long-term recall.
Students then engage in a structured maths lesson, beginning with explicit teaching of new concepts. Guided practice follows, before students work independently to apply and consolidate their learning.
We have started the term with Statistics, focusing on data investigations. Students are learning to conduct guided investigations, interpret their results and explain their findings.
Throughout the term, students will explore:
- Statistics: Data investigations
- Space: Location
- Space: 3D objects
- Probability
- Number: Multiplication and division
Religious Education
This term, students will explore how Catholic and other faith traditions approach choice, guidance, accountability and forgiveness. Through Scripture, they will reflect on the life of Jesus and deepen their understanding of God’s love.
As Advent approaches, students will reflect on this season of preparation and hope. They will explore its symbols and traditions, and its connection to the joyful celebration of Jesus’ birth at Christmas.
Inquiry
This term, students are exploring our inquiry unit, ‘Beneath Our Feet’. They are investigating how soils, rocks and landscapes form and change over time. Their learning covers soil composition, the three main rock types and erosion, with real-world examples such as Uluru and the Great Ocean Road. Throughout the unit, students are developing skills in prediction, observation and evidence-based explanation.
To bring their learning to life, we are excited to visit Melbourne Museum this term on the 16th of November. Students will watch the IMAX films The Story of Earth and Volcanoes, before exploring the museum’s exhibits.
P.B.L.
Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) is our whole-school approach to encouraging positive behaviour and building a respectful, responsible and resilient school community.
Each week, students explore and practise a focus topic linked to our core values of Respect, Responsibility and Resilience. Throughout the school day, students earn Dojo Points for demonstrating these values.
Points accumulate at both individual and class levels. Students work towards Bronze, Silver, Gold and Emerald certificates, while classes work together to earn whole
Specialists
Library
Grades 3/4R, 3/4DW, and 3/4N will borrow books on Thursdays and 3/4M on Tuesdays each fortnight on the odd weeks of term. Students must ensure that all books they borrow from the library are returned the week before or by the Monday of their library lesson week. They must also have an appropriate Library Bag (not plastic) to protect their books.
Thursday Recess: For students who are late to return books, an additional time to borrow is on Thursdays at recess. Students can borrow new books once they have returned or reborrowed books not finished.
In Term 4, our Years 3 and 4 Library lessons encourage students to develop a love of reading and explore the many different types of books available in the library. Students are encouraged to choose books that interest them, while also discovering new authors, genres and topics that broaden their reading experiences. Regular quiet reading time is helping students build reading stamina and develop positive reading routines. Through book sharing, discussions and simple reflection activities, students are learning to talk about their books, share their opinions and make connections with what they are reading. Our goal is to help students become confident, enthusiastic and independent readers who enjoy discovering new books and reading for a range of purposes.
In Library lessons, students will explore how authors come up with ideas and turn them into interesting stories. By reading and discussing a range of fiction books, students will look at how characters, settings, events and themes can inspire new ideas. They will discover how everyday experiences, things they notice, their interests and other books can spark a story. Students will experiment with different ideas and begin developing their own story concepts, while thinking about the choices authors make to capture a reader’s interest and bring a story to life.
Best wishes,
Mrs Nicole Milne
L.O.T.E. Italian
Ciao a tutti e bentornati a scuola.
Dear parents, welcome to Term 4.
The students will begin the term by revising previously-learnt language through quizzes and games.
They will be using familiar language and expressions to write a conversation between themselves and a shopkeeper in a shop of their choice which they will then rehearse and present to the class.
The students will also be introduced to the Italian currency – L’euro. They will compare the euro to the Australian dollar and thus gain an awareness of what is the same and what is different; they will also learn to compare values and learn about the exchange rate.
A particular focus will also be on correct pronunciation and expression of key phrases in Italian and on oral communication. During the lessons the students will continue to participate in singing songs and playing language and grammar games to reinforce new vocabulary and language structures.
They will also continue to build on their vocabulary knowledge through the online program Duolongo.
Cordiali saluti,
Signora White
Art
A huge thank you to all our Grade 3/4 students and families for your wonderful support of our Art Show! It was a great success, and it was fantastic to see our students so proud to share their artwork with our school community. Thank you for helping make it such a special event.
This term, we are bringing Inquiry into the Art Room! Students will explore the work of contemporary artist Grant Haffner, drawing inspiration from his bold colours, simplified landscapes and unique perspective. We will combine these ideas with the beautiful colours and landscapes of Victoria’s Great Ocean Road to create our own artworks.
We will also explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and culture, creating hands-on artworks while learning about the importance of Country, connection, colour, pattern and storytelling.
To finish the year, we will get into the festive spirit with some fun Christmas-themed art activities!
Thank you for your continued support of the Visual Arts program. We look forward to a fantastic Term 4 filled with creativity and exploration!
Warm regards,
Milena Santoro - Art Teacher
Physical Education
Welcome to Term 4!
As we head into Term 4, students will continue to develop their fundamental movement skills, physical fitness and confidence through a variety of fun and engaging physical activities. Our focus will remain on participation, skill development, teamwork and demonstrating positive sportsmanship during PE lessons.
Students will be encouraged to challenge themselves, work collaboratively with their peers and demonstrate resilience when learning new skills and participating in different sports and activities.
Students will have opportunities to practise and refine skills such as passing, catching, throwing, kicking and moving into space, while learning how to apply these skills in game situations.
Students will also be encouraged to develop their understanding of game rules, tactics and strategies, helping them become more confident and effective participants in a range of sports.
Mr Alex Heenan - P.E.
Performing Arts
Welcome to Term 4!
This term, students will revisit the treble clef with instruments and voice. They’ll learn about solfege note names, individual note names and some simple melodies. The 3/4 ‘s will bey learning pneumonic phrases to help remember the treble clef notes, using the following:
(the lines) Every Good Boy Deserves Fruit
(the spaces) The notes in the space spell the word face. We’ll be using these notes to play using recorder, piano and other tuned percussion instruments to improvise or play short melodies. This teaches students to listen to each other, cooperate whilst developing their musical skills.
The 3/4 ‘s have also started learning the butterfly dance, again working together to keep in time and coordinate with each other. Using this dance and examples of others, we’ll be analysing the elements of dance using the acronym BEATS (Body, Energy, Actions, Timing and Space) and applying this knowledge to improvised and choreographed dance moves. I can’t wait to see what the students come up with!
Later in the term, I’m excited to start learning some Christmas carols and songs with the students on a variety of instruments. We’ll revisit concepts in song, such as volume and tempo, to really give the music meaning.
Happy performing!
Mrs Emma Cooper
Key Dates
As dates can be subject to change, please check the school newsletter weekly.
October Monday 5 Term 4 commences
Wednesday 21 Italian Day
Wednesday 28 Sushi Day
November Monday 2nd School Closure Day
Tuesday 3rd Melbourne Cup
Friday 13th School Closure Day
Monday 16th Excursion to Melbourne Museum
Monday 30th St Andrew’s Mass 9.15pm
December Monday 7th Move up Session 1
Tuesday 8th Move up Session 2
Wednesday 9th Move up Session 3
Wednesday 11th Learning Celebrations
Tuesday 15th End of School Year Mass 9 am
Guard of Honour 1.15pm School finish 1.30
How to Contact Us
All of the 3/4 team members can be contacted at the following emails. When sending emails, we politely request that there is an understanding that emails will be responded to within a 48 hour time frame and within the hours of 8.00am-4.45pm.
Sarah De Guzman - sdeguzman@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au
Joachim Min Fa - jminfa@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au
Han Nguyen - hnguyen@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au
Rosemary Restaino - rrestaino@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au
Emma Cooper - ecooper@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au