YEAR FOUR

Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Primary School provides a range of holistic learning experiences to enable students to:

• Participate in the life and mission of the school.
• Deepen their knowledge and engagement with the Catholic faith and tradition.
• Build the capacity to continuously reason, reflectively, logically and critically.
• Embrace interdependence of human existence as global citizens, who are responsible to and for themselves and others.
• Engage in learning in a multitude of ways, through personalised and self-paced learning.

Religious Education

4.3 – Easter: A Time to Live the Good News.

We will continue with our Easter unit that explores the presence of the risen Jesus in the parish community and in the Word of God. The unit focuses on the celebration of Easter and on the Liturgy of the Word. 

4.4 - Pentecost: The Holy Spirit Gives Us Courage.

This unit explores the courage needed to bear witness to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. It is the Holy Spirit, alive and active in our lives, who gives us the courage to follow Jesus. The unit focuses on exploring examples of people (apostles, saints and heroes) who demonstrate courage in their lives.

English

This Term the Students will focus on Persuasive Writing. Students will have opportunities to listen to, read, view and interpret spoken, written and multimodal texts in which the primary purpose is to persuade. Texts will include Aboriginal stories, non-fiction texts, picture books, various types of print and digital texts inclusive of advertising, debates, arguments, discussions and articles. Students will gain an understanding of how different types of texts vary in the use of language choices depending on their purpose and context. Students will identify and apply characteristic features used in persuasive texts when planning, drafting and publishing persuasive texts.

Students will continue practising their reading strategies in Reading Groups. They will also engage in the ‘Soundwaves’ spelling program. The students will be tested on their content words throughout the Term. 

Speaking and listening skills will be assessed in a variety of opportunities including presentations to small and large groups.

Mathematics

This term we will be focusing on the following units;

• Partitioned Fractions
• Additive Relations (Length)
• Representing Number (Money)
• Geometric Measure (Position)

Students will engage in differentiated tasks in their Homerooms. These class groups will remain fluid as we cater to the needs of individuals and their understanding of a variety of Mathematical concepts. Please continue to practise the instant recall of two, three, four, five, and ten times table facts with your children at home as this is an essential skill they will require. 

Science and Technology

This Semester we continue our focus on the Earth’s surface and how it changes over time. Students will investigate natural processes and human activity in order to develop a view in relation to sustainable practices. Students will also explore the effect of the interactions between the Earth and the Sun. A study of rocks introduces the unit and we will investigate the effects of the Sun and moon on planet Earth. The students will question, plan and conduct scientific investigations, collect and summarise data and communicate using scientific representations. They will select and use technological equipment to develop solutions. 

Geography

Students will continue this term with the unit ‘Earth’s Environment and its Sustainability’. The students will continue to explore the climate, natural vegetation and native animals of places in Australia and Asia. They will examine the importance of natural resources and learn about the ways people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, value environments. Students will identify sustainable practices and recognise that there are differing views on how sustainability can be achieved.

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education

Open Parachute will continue to be implemented K-6 on Fridays. Open Parachute aims to provide practical support on mental health to students. The program aims to reduce stigma and generate authentic dialogue in classrooms about the real issues students face. The psychological skills-building exercises aim to increase empathy, self-compassion, self-awareness, mental health literacy, and self-efficacy in students.

In Sport lessons this term with Miss Reid, there will be a focus on providing opportunities for students to develop their skills and build confidence in Athletic activities using Fundamental Movement Skills. Students will practice and apply these skills through activities and traditional Indigenous Games. Games are encouraged to build teamwork, communication, strategy, resilience and cultural awareness. 

Amadeus Music Program

Students will continue with the Amadeus Music Education Program and participate in activities in listening, performing and organising sound within their regular Classroom Music lessons. 

• It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they:
  • Arrive on time for each lesson
  • Bring their instrument and required accessories to every lesson
  • Bring their Essential Elements music book
  • Bring a lead pencil and eraser

Creative Arts

Visual Arts will be taught this term by Classroom Teachers. Artworks will complement our Religion, Science and Geography units. Students will be focusing on the elements of design, exploring ideas and using multi media.

Drama will be taught by Mr Parlato with a focus on improvising and role play that will culminate in a series of Theatre Sports opportunities. 

The students will be exploring musical concepts through singing, playing and listening to a range of music with Mr Parlato. There will be a focus on the acoustic guitar as well as a range of percussion instruments. They will learn basic musical notation and will learn to recognise the musical features in the songs they perform.

Mandarin

Our students continue to enjoy participating in the Chinese language program called the Meg Language Program. The Meg Curriculum is written by the co-author of the Australian Curriculum. All students and teachers will participate in the digital learning platform via Zoom weekly sessions with educators in China.

Homework 

Students in Year 4 are expected to complete 30 minutes of homework nightly. Twenty minutes is expected to be dedicated to reading. The homework grid will be shared through Google Classroom. A weekly Maths Mentals task will be set and we ask that this be returned each Friday. Maths Plus follows a graded and spiralling approach, allowing for revision of concepts throughout the year. It will provide students with opportunities to sequentially develop, practise and master their skills and knowledge.

We look forward to continuing to work with you and your child this term. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher via a note or by appointment via the office. 

Mr Michael Faber  and Miss Jade Warton (4 Blue)

Mrs Lisa Mann and Mr Ethan Parlato (4 Gold)

Mrs Margaret McCarthy (4 White)

Important Dates for Year Four

Sports Days for Year 4 

4G Monday and Thursday

4B and 4W Monday and Friday

Students are to wear their sports uniform on these days. 

Library 

Each week, students will have the opportunity to borrow books from our school library. Please ensure your child brings their Library Bag to school each Monday.  

2024 - School Term 2

Parent calendar available at this link