Year 4 Update

It has been a wonderful two weeks in Year 4! The biggest highlight was our excursion to the Shrine of Remembrance and the Royal Botanic Gardens. We are so proud of our students. Read on to find out what we have been learning!

A Snapshot of Our Learning in Term 2: Weeks 6 & 7

English

• We have started a new unit on Poetry. Students are learning how poets use special words to create pictures in the reader’s mind. For example, words that describe what you can see, hear, feel or smell. We read the Australian poem ‘Waltzing Matilda’ and talked about the pictures it creates.
• Every day, students practise reading aloud with a partner. They focus on reading smoothly and with expression. In handwriting, students have been practising how to write numerals correctly.
• We finished our class novel, The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. Students thoroughly enjoyed the book and, enjoyed using thoughts and ideas it gave them to write their own stories

Maths

• We completed our addition unit, with students learning new strategies including the split strategy, switch strategy and the jump strategy.
• We have now started our multiplication unit. Students are practicing different strategies for solving multiplication problems as well as earning their "multiplication ninja belts"!

SEL (Social and Emotional Learning)

• Students have been learning about the importance of treating people and property with respect. This is important every day at Hillsmeade PS and the students showed respect and kindness to the people and places we encountered on our excursion.

Inquiry

This term, students are exploring how individuals and groups contribute to their communities, and how those contributions are remembered, celebrated, and commemorated. In week 5 & 6 we have:

• Explored the meaning of ANZAC Day and the importance of the Shrine of Remembrance 
• Learned about the courage of those who have made great sacrifices for Australia in the past and, the people in our lives today who show courage
• Enjoyed finding out all about native plants and animals, and how native Austalians used these things in their daily lives to make food, weapons and show respect to Country.

Events this Fortnight

On Thursday 21st May, Year 4 students visited the Shrine of Remembrance and the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne. At the Shrine, students learned why we remember and honour people who served our country. This connected to our Inquiry learning about communities and commemoration.

The Year 4 teachers were so impressed by the kindness and respect shown by our students that we gave every student who attended the excursion a Hillsmeade Hero Award.

They were kind and respectful to each other, to the teachers at the Shrine, and to other people they met during the day. You should be very proud of your children. We are!

Upcoming Events and Reminders

• Monday 8th June: King’s Birthday Public Holiday
• Wednesday 10th June: Years 4–6 Athletics Carnival
• Tuesday 16th June: MarineAmbassadors excursion

Homework Reminders

Reading

Please continue to encourage your child to read every night and to record the book title and number of minutes read in their diary. Diaries need to be brought to school on the day specified for teacher checking.

Spelling

Spelling words are being sent home each week. Students should practise daily and will be tested on the day specified by their classroom teacher.

Thank you, as always, for your wonderful support. 

Some photos from our wonderful excursion