Year 4 Term 1 Overviews

Year 4 Curriculum Newsletter

Womenjeka Year 4 Families!

Welcome back to school for 2025! The Year 4 students have had a smooth return to school and we are excited for the year ahead.

This year we have eight Year 4 classes and the teachers are: 

4A - Madi Gagovska

4B - Shanelle Diker

4C - Emily Grull

4D - Natasha Galea

4E - Mugdha Nagpal

4F - Maddy Chapman

4G - Amber Sharman

4H- Victor Pergolis

4I- Linda Sacco

Curriculum:

Literacy 

In Reading this term, Year 4 students will investigate a range of different fiction texts and will explore the following comprehension strategies: visualising, summarising, investigating genre and text features, inferring solutions to stories and analysing character perspectives. We will build on your child’s skills of decoding (solving the words) and fluency (notice and using punctuation to make meaning) through individual reading conferences and guided reading sessions. To support the development of reading, students will engage in daily independent reading, and regular guided reading sessions and reading conferences.

This term in Writing, Year 4 students will be making connections with reading and exploring how to write a narrative, imaginary as well as factual through the use of 6+1 Writing Traits. We will begin with finding ideas by setting up our Writer’s Notebook and using the funnel analogy to add details to ideas in preparation for writing. The traits of organisation, voice and word choice will help your child to produce creative pieces of writing, improve their vocabulary and take risks in their writing. There will be a constant focus on conventions (spelling, grammar, punctuation) and presentation throughout this term. 

Numeracy

This term, Year 4 students will make connections to maths in their everyday lives with a focus on chance and data. Your child will be explicitly taught the vocabulary required and the difference between an everyday event and a practical activity (that they have control over). Students will collect data and present it by creating tables, column graphs and picture graphs.

We will also investigate the properties of 2D shapes and 3D objects through describing and comparing their geometric features and developing the necessary vocabulary. During our unit on area and length, we will explore how to estimate before measuring and use metric units.  

Throughout the year, the Year 4 students will have an ongoing focus on multiplicative thinking - our ‘big idea’. This will build their understanding of flexible strategies and number properties by exploring number patterns and developing efficient mental and written problem solving strategies.We are running number sense workshops regularly to allow students to practise multiplicative thinking through a variety of maths games while teachers undertake individual student conferences to assess and communicate goals.

SEL

To support the transition back to school,  this term in SEL we have a  strong focus on learning routines and procedures in the classroom. We will explore how to uphold the school values of teamwork, integrity, respect, kindness, learning and what this looks and feels like at school. We will unpack the schoolwide expectations of striving for excellence, respect and being safe. In addition to Respectful Relationships,  our SEL program will focus on personal strengths and emotional literacy, teaching students the skills and dispositions that will benefit their social wellbeing and ability to learn and succeed while at school. Students will reference the Zones of Regulation to communicate their feelings and explore strategies to regulate their emotions. The PATHS program will continue this year, with a new PATHS Kid selected each day. 

Inquiry  

This term, Year 4 students will be exploring the driving statement ‘Understanding yourself gives you insight into understanding others’. This theme places a strong focus on Identity and citizenship as well as celebrating diversity. Starting by bringing in artefacts to share a glimpse of their lives and what is important to them, students will identify personal strengths and connections they have with their community and classmates. Exploring how a sense of belonging can promote health and wellbeing, they will be encouraged to question and make connections to their classmates' experiences and values. Lastly, students will use critical thinking and problem solving to consider the impact that our words and actions have on others. 

BYOD Program

Last year the School Council made the decision to extend the BYOD program to Year 3/4 in 2024. The digital curriculum for Years 3-6 includes the development of a range of IT skills from coding to research to presentation. Having the time and opportunity to build children’s understanding systematically and with intent supports the students using laptops in a controlled environment where skills are taught responsibly and in a timely manner. 

The students will learn to use Google Drive/Classroom; access their work, save and store documents and have access to their work both at school and remotely. This gives parents the opportunity to see their work, development and progress at any time. Part of the program will be dedicated to learning about how to manage looking after their devices, use them responsibly in the online spaces and manage their time when using electronic devices. The curriculum program is a balanced one, utilising both the online space and hands on resources for optimum learning opportunities. 

Thank you so much to those parents who have already provided a device for their child. Students do not need to have a new or expensive laptop. Many students are using an older device and a number of families have invested in inexpensive devices. There will be plans in place for students with individual circumstances, however we do encourage each student having their own. You can contact your child’s teacher if you have any further questions around devices.

Ways to Help Your Child At Home:

Home Reading - We have started our Home Reading program. The expectation is for your child to read 5 nights a week, answer some comprehension questions that a family member asks them and record the title, date and a comment in the green reading journal themselves. We will have ‘take home’ books available as well as Wushka and books borrowed from the library. Home Reading is meant for enjoyment and for your child to practise their reading strategies, and should not be a challenging task for your child. 

Maths Games - To practise our multiplicative thinking, students can play maths games at home. You can find a range of games on the Love Maths website - https://www.lovemaths.me/ - or ask your child to teach you a game that they play in their number sense workshops.

We look forward to working with you and your child this year. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns. 

Thanks, 

Year 4 Team