Year 4 Newsletter 

Dear parents,

Wow! Term 4 here we are… We hope you had a relaxing break and enjoyed the beautiful sunshine as much as we did.

We have had a settled start to the term with lots of children coming back sharing some exciting holiday stories. 

Term 4 is a no hat, no play term. Please check with your child to ensure they have a school type bucket or broad brimmed hat to wear when outdoors. The no hat, no play rule will be enforced as of Monday. If your child does not have a hat they will not be able to participate in Yr 4 Platoon Activities or PE.  We also recommend applying sunscreen each morning and have sunscreen available in our classrooms if needed.

What's happened in year 4 this week?

English – We have dived into our literacy program using the text ‘Matilda’ by Roald Dahl. Over the course of the term, students will be exposed to new and exciting vocabulary, brush up on their grammar skills and investigate a range of strategies to expand sentences and write a narrative and persuasive text.

Maths – This week we have conducted statistical investigations. Students have investigated data from animal observations recorded by a video camera. Students took on the role of ‘researchers’ and used secondary data about an endangered Australian marsupial. Students visualised and interpreted the data recorded of their animal observations. Next week students will create and interpret grid reference systems using grid references and directions to locate and describe positions and pathways.

Inquiry - Our Inquiry unit for term 4 is titled: What are the unique characteristics and ecological diversities of Africa and South America? We will be answering the following key Inquiry questions:

1. Where is Australia in relation to its neighbouring countries and what are their diverse characteristics? 
2. How are Australian states and territories represented, and what are Australia’s major natural and human characteristics?
3. Where is Africa and South America and what are the characteristics of these continents?
4. What is everyday life like in Africa and South America compared to Australia? 
5. What is the relationship between climate, vegetation, people and animals in Africa and 
   South America?
6. What are the climates of the world and the similarities and differences between the climates of different places.
7. What are the similarities and differences in individuals’ and groups’ feelings and perceptions about places, and how they influence views about the protection of these places 
8. What are the similarities and differences between places in terms of their type of settlement, demographic characteristics and the lives of the people who live there? 

We began this week by investigating where Australia is in relation to its neighbouring countries and what some of their diverse characteristics are. We located Australia and its neighbouring countries on a world map and created a classroom display of posters about our neighbouring countries.