Year 4 News 

Reading

During the first week back of Term 4, Year 4 students explored a range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander texts. Students learnt how to compare different texts by identifying similarities and differences in storylines, themes, relationships, vocabulary and illustrations. They had the opportunity to read a variety of texts, learn new vocabulary and explore how authors and illustrators communicate ideas and perspectives through their storytelling. 

“We’ve been learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander words.” - Isabelle 4A

“In Reading we have been drawing overlap circles, then we write similarities and differences about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories.” - Kayan 4A

“I liked learning about the new words from different Indigenous languages and learning the Aboriginal names for animals.” - Elora 4B

“I enjoy reading books from cultures different from mine.” Pouniu 4B

Writing

In Writing, Year 4 students have been getting creative with Blackout Poetry! Students have selected interesting words from another text and combined them to create their own poem and theme. They have also created illustrations to complement their poems and share the ideas behind their creativity. Take a look at some of their fantastic pieces below!

“Writing our blackout poetry was super fun.” - Sifat 4A

“I liked how we just had random words to choose from a different story and then made it into our own poem.” - Eleen 4B

“We picked out words we found interesting, I chose ‘green eyes’ and ‘black hair’ to make an image.” - Holly 4B

Maths 

To begin Term 4 learning in Maths, Year 4 students have begun their new unit on Addition and Subtraction within 100,000. Students have explored equivalent number sentences, relational thinking and inverse operations. They have used addition and subtraction to discover unknown numbers, explain their thinking and notice the relationships between operations. 

“In Maths we are learning about adding numbers using mental strategies.” - Isaac 4A

“We are learning about finding missing numbers in number sentences.” - Francesca 4A

“I thought it was hard but then it became easier.” - Aidan 4B

Inquiry

In Inquiry, Year 4 students have begun their new unit on Civics and Citizenship. Students had the opportunity to discuss what a community is, the different types of communities they belong to and how they are active citizens in these communities. They also explored the roles of community helpers and the important role they play in our society. 

“It’s good to learn about community because we are in one.” - Nina 4A

“SES and other emergency services are community helpers.” - Ashutosh 4B

“Lunch Club is a community!” - Guntaj 4C

“A mailman is a community helper.” - Sia 4C

Social and Emotional Learning

In the first week of Term 4, Year 4 students have revisited classroom expectations. Students reviewed the CPS Matrix and, as a class, discussed a weekly focus. Individually, students also chose a personal SEL goal to focus on for 3 weeks. They also came up with success criteria to assist them with achieving the goal that they have set for themselves. 

Year 4 students have also begun their new SEL topic on Positive Gender Relationships. Students discussed the term violence and worked collaboratively to develop their own definition. They have also learnt about the differences between verbal, physical and emotional violence and identified examples of each. 

“We picked a new goal to work on for SEL.” - Olivia 4A

“It was fun picking a goal and then trying to achieve it.” - Nabil 4A

“I found explaining the different types of violence interesting, and now I understand how people might be affected.” - Elora 4B

Auslan

In Auslan, Year 4 students have learnt how to sign and identify signs about planning and packing for a holiday. Students revised some of the clothing signs that they previously learnt and have used constructed action (mime) to pack for a holiday. They learnt signs such as holiday, travel, caravan, pack, ticket, passport, journey, trip, and various clothing signs. 

“We learnt how to sign to prepare for a holiday. It was really fun, I really enjoyed it.” - Asinat 4B

“This is how we’d sign for ticket.” Leo 4B