Independence Centre

Curriculum

Welcome to 2021 in the Independence Centre! We are so excited to be back in the classroom, especially after spending time in our new classes last year. The 3/4 teachers are looking forward to hearing about everything you have been up to over the break!

This week, we will spend time getting into the routines of learning in the Independence Centre. It is important that students make their way into their classrooms at 8:50, ready to begin classes at 9am. Students will need to bring hats, water bottles, headphones and iPads from the beginning of Term 1. Before we begin using our iPads, we will complete our Cyber Safety Day (Thursday 4/2) to ensure that students are aware of the important responsibilities involved with having a device. This day will cover our Acceptable Use Agreement, Digital Footprint, balancing life and technology, coding and apps required for school this year. 

In Literacy last week, we set SMART goals for the term. Students have each set four goals - a maths, reading, writing and personal goal - and will record evidence as they work towards achieving them. You might like to have a discussion about goal setting at home too! In Reading, we will be looking at choosing ‘Just Right Books’ that are both interesting and challenging for us to read. We expect students to read for 20 minutes each night and record the name of their book in their student diary. Student diaries must be signed by parents once a week and will be collected by teachers at the end of each week. 

In Mathematics, we begin to look at Place Value and odd and even numbers. Grade 3 and 4 are important years for students when developing their understanding of numbers and their relationships. We find that students who solidify they understanding of times tables through regular practice feel more confident when working with more complex problems. Practising times tables at home is a great way to help students feel more confident with maths in the classroom!

Our Guided Inquiry topic this term is ‘First Contact’, where we explore the lives of Australia’s First Peoples before and after the arrival of European Settlers. If you have any resources or stories that you would like to share with us within the theme of this unit please contact your classroom teacher. 

We are so excited to be back at school and are looking forward to an exciting term! 

Wishing you a wonderful first week back, 

Mr Dix, Miss Gasowski, Mrs McCoy, Miss Molloy, Mr O’Connor and Miss Richardson :)

Student Voice

Maushuf - "I am looking forward to playing soccer.”

Jude - “I am looking forward to the swimming carnival.”

Tonya - “I was happy to come back to school to go to specialists!”

Reminders

• Students need headphones
• iPads should be brought to school every day from Thursday 4/2
• Students need hats and water bottles each day
• Message your classroom teacher on Sentral if you have any questions