Year 4 News
Reading
This fortnight in Reading, the Year 4 Cohort has been focusing on key comprehension strategies. Students have been practising retrieval skills by locating information directly from fiction texts, and applying skimming and scanning techniques to find key words and details efficiently. They are also learning to make inferences, using clues from the text alongside their own knowledge to deepen understanding of characters, settings, and events. These strategies are supporting students to become more confident, independent readers.
“I learnt that when you need to figure out something in the text you need to use clues” - Eliana 4C
“I enjoyed reading different texts and answering questions” - Abigail 4C
Writing
This fortnight in Writing, Year 4 students have been diving into the world of persuasive texts. They explored the big question of “Why should each class have a pet?” and worked on developing strong reasons, persuasive language, and convincing arguments to support their point of view. Students also enjoyed linking their learning to literature through The Day the Crayons Quit, writing letters from the perspective of a crayon with their own persuasive complaints. These activities encouraged creativity, empathy, and the use of powerful language techniques to engage an audience.
Maths
This fortnight in Mathematics, Year 4 students have been developing their understanding of measurement through hands-on activities. They have estimated and measured length using rulers and metre wheels, compared and recorded mass with balance and digital scales, and investigated capacity and volume by reading scales on jugs and containers as well as counting cubic units. Students are building confidence in selecting appropriate units and tools, converting between them, and explaining their reasoning.
At home connection: Encourage your child to estimate and then measure the length of a room, weigh items in the kitchen, or compare the capacity of different containers. Ask them to explain which units they used and why.
“My favourite part of measurement was when we were doing the worksheets on lengths and widths” - Grady 4C
“I enjoyed when we got to measure different objects in the classroom” - Elena 4C
Inquiry
This fortnight in Inquiry, the Year 4 Cohort has been exploring the importance of environments and the different ways people connect to them. Students began with games and discussions to reflect on their own special places and why these are significant. They are now considering how environments hold recreational, cultural, agricultural, and commercial value. Using case studies such as the Mataranka Springs fracking threat, students have been investigating how communities are affected when environments are under pressure.
They are also comparing natural features in Australia with those in Brazil while examining sustainability and environmental threats. Through this unit, students are developing an appreciation for the importance of protecting natural environments both locally and globally.
Auslan
This fortnight in Auslan, Year 4 students have been expanding their vocabulary by learning signs for things around the house and sea animals. They practised everyday items such as chair, table, bed, and book, as well as ocean animals including fish, dolphin, shark, and octopus. Through interactive activities and video lessons, students explored how to use these signs in context. They are developing confidence in their Auslan communication and enjoy connecting signs to familiar objects and themes.
“I learnt how to sign sea animals and things in the house” - Kayaan 4C
“I can sign a jellyfish and a shark!” Joseph 4A
Social and Emotional Learning
This fortnight in SEL, the Year 4 Cohort has been learning about the values and behaviours that help create a positive classroom and playground. Students have explored what makes a great teammate, how kind words can strengthen friendships, and strategies for managing strong emotions. They have reflected on the importance of focusing on their own actions, respecting personal space, and showing gratitude by creating cards for Father’s Day. The Cohort has also discussed why respect matters, and how to show it in different settings. Finally, students have practised resilience by identifying when and how to ask a yard duty teacher for help in the playground. These lessons are helping students build strong social skills and positive relationships.
Special Event
Fathers Day Stall
To celebrate Father’s Day, Year 4 students had the opportunity to visit the Father’s Day Stall and choose a gift for their dads, grandfathers, or another special person in their lives. Card-making was also a highlight, with some students taking part in an after-school session while others created cards during class time. These thoughtful gifts and handmade cards gave students a meaningful way to show their appreciation for the important father figures in their lives.