Year 4 Update

Welcome Back! 

We’d like to congratulate Miss Maund on her new role as the Maths Learning Leader! As a result, there have been some changes to the Year 4 team this term. We warmly welcome Mrs Ahlgren, who will be joining 4A and teaching on Mondays and Tuesdays, with Miss Maund continuing in the classroom for the remainder of the week.

We’re also pleased to share that Mr Turvey has been appointed as our new Learning Leader for the rest of the year. This means that Miss Howe will now be teaching in 4D full time.

Learning Outlook for Week 1 and Week 2 

English 

Over the past fortnight, Year 4 students have been busy building on their literacy skills across a range of engaging activities. In handwriting, we have been working on joining letters fluently and neatly. Our spelling focus has been on contractions. Learning how to recognise and use them accurately in both reading and writing. In writing sessions, students have explored narratives and recounts, with a particular focus on identifying and using present, past, and future tense words. During reading, we have been learning to make predictions and have begun our new class novel, Stuart Little, which has already sparked some great discussions and excitement in the classroom.

Maths

In Maths, we have been working on different ways to solve subtraction problems in our heads. Students have been using number charts to help check their thinking and practising how to count backwards in tens and ones. We’ve also looked at real-life situations to help make subtraction more meaningful, like working out the difference between two amounts. To show their thinking, students have been using open number lines and place value blocks to help them understand and explain their answers clearly.

SEL

This term, we are taking part in a special program called Carlton Respects: Road to Respect. Over four weeks, we’ll be learning about how to understand and manage our emotions, recognise and respond to bullying, and explore what it means to be a respectful friend and classmate. We’ll also be talking about stereotypes, values, and why respect is so important in our classroom and community. As part of this program, we’ll learn about our rights and responsibilities, and how we can make kind, fair, and respectful choices every day.

Humanities

In Humanities this term, we are learning all about Geography! So far, we’ve been exploring what Geography is and how it helps us understand the world around us. We’ve been discussing what makes a place special and why different places are important to different people. Students have also been learning to locate Australia on a map and describe what it’s like, as well as finding out who our neighbouring countries are and how they compare to Australia. Later in the term, students will be working on an information report project and will have the opportunity to present their work to the class.

Hillsmeade Heros!!!

Congratulations to the students recognised this fortnight for demonstrating Hillsmeade’s core values of Kindness, Respect, and Resilience. We are proud of your efforts and the positive example you set for others.

National Tree Planting Day

To kick off Term 3, our Year 4 students teamed up with their Year 2 buddies to celebrate National Tree Planting Day. Together, they enjoyed planting a seed in a pot together. In a small pot students added soil, then students carefully placed their seeds, added more soil on top, and gave their pots a refreshing drink of water. It was a wonderful opportunity for the Year 4 students to connect with their buddies and contribute to a greener future!