From the 3/4
Classrooms
What a big few weeks we have had in Team 3/4!
STEM and Science:
In Science/STEM our students finished off their science experiements relating to plants, and had the opportunity to share all their learning with their families on Friday 14th August at our Science Showcase. It was so lovely to see so many families there!
Over the last two weeks, our Grade 3/4s have also experimented with thermal conductivity and exploring melting points! Students learnt about themal conductivity using spoons of different materials, and discovered changing states of matter as they conducted a test to observe the melting points of different types of chocolate. They also learnt about the importance of a fair test!
Reading – The Sugar Cane Kids and the Red-bottomed Boat:
This week our students continued to follow the clues to work out who framed Jacob Wilson, to help prove his innocence! Students analysed new clues from Chapter 9 and wrote a paragraph explaining the group’s next steps, including a warning about Sebastian. They explored how the group responded to doubt and setbacks, devising a plan for how the Sugarcane Kids should question Jacinta and described what the team observed during the stake-out. We explored the half-truths Andy told his dad and pondered whether his actions were right or wrong and explored the group’s plan to befriend Harvey. Team 3/4 drafted diary entries from Fletch’s point of view, explaining how the plan was going, and analysed Harvey’s reasons for helping. We look forward to the next installment in Week 7 where we will disover new clues that will support the investigation!
Book Week Reminder:
Just a reminder next week is Book Week and as part of our celebrations students will be attending a session with our visiting guest author, Davina Bell, on Tuesday 25th August! Our students will also have the opportunity to visit the Book Fair in either Week 7 or 8, but if you'd like to order one of Davina's books please use the QR code below.
On Friday 28th August, students will be attending our Book Week Celebration Parade, so please encourage your child to dress up as their favourite character from a book or its author! We can't wait to see everyone's fabulous costumes!
Writing to Inform:
Over the last few weeks our students have been continuing to learn about a range of information text. In week 5 students developed scientific reports, based on the plant experiment 'Grow Towards the Light' conducted over week 3 and 4! Students included an aim and hypothesis, listed the materials they used and the steps they followed as part of the method, analysed the results and came to a conclusion! We have also been learning all about the purpose, structure and language features of an explanation text.
Numeracy:
As part of our fractions work we looked at equal parts and counting, using lego and unific to build mini towers. We also enjoyed a healthy maths lesson, breaking apples, mandarins and organges into halves, quarters and eighths and practised using number lines! Students also enjoyed a great lesson using skittles as a means of identifying fractions within collections.
Our work on time continued, with students telling time to the nearest minute, renaming the time and understanding how the hour hand moves as the minutes pass on an analogue clock. Have a go at this challenge below to see if you can tell time to the minute and recognise the matching digital time!!
At home, try and encourage your child to identify the time on both analogue and digital clocks, practising their developing skills at telling time to the minute!
Home Learning - Continues:
To support our learning at school, we ask that students complete the following home learning each week:
- Read for 30 minutes each night
- Complete the weekly activity from the Maths Home Learning Grid that was sent home earlier in the term.
- Practise weekly spelling words each night (Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check)
Multiplication Practice - sent home each week
The maths, spelling and multiplication sheets are glued in Home Learning books, and students should bring these each Monday to receive new home learning for the week ahead and to submit their homework for the previous week to their teachers.
Important Dates:
Wednesday 19th August - ICAS Science
Week 7 & 8 - Book Week Celebration (Book Fair)
Tuesday 25th August - Author Visit
Wednesday 26th August - ICAS Maths
Friday 28th August - Book Week Dress Up Parade, 9:15am in the Stadium
Friday 19th September - Last Day of Term 3 - Final Assembly (Morning) and 2.30pm dismissal
Prepared by the Grade 3/4 Teachers