From the 3/4 

Classrooms 

Literacy:

Mentor Text:

Students continued their study of the mentor text, 'Strangers on Country', by identifyingm connecting and comparing the perspectives and key messages of  belonging, survival and cultural practices for the following historical recounts:

• 'The Night Islanders and the Cabin Boy' (Princess Charlotte Bay, Queenslang, 1858-1875
• 'The Kaurareg Islangers and the Ghost Girl' (Torres Strait, 1844-1849)

Students found different examples from the text, including words and quotes to further their understanding of the perspectives of each characters' story. Revisiting the key messages in the text students will prepare us for writing a text response in Week 9-10, showing our comprehension of the stories and the significance of the events for each character.

This term, we have also been exploring how we construct historical recounts in first person ourselves.  Over the course of the term we have explored the structure, language features and the trait of 'voice' to develop and redraft their initial 'Cold write' in Week 1.  This week, students worked on using all their new-found knowledge and skills to craft a final, published version of their writing.  This is something they will share with their families at Expo, showcasing all their hard-work and learning in writing sessions over Term 2!

Numeracy

This week students have learning all about subtraction, building their toolkit of strategies to aid them when solving mathematical problems. Students have used Jump/Mountain Strategy, Compensation method, regrouping using base 10 materials, and learning the subtraction algorithm.

In our applied mathematical sessions have been learning all about identify and classifying angles, as well as estimating them, using a right angle as a benchmark.

Integrated Studies:

Over the last two weeks students have presented their home learning interview task with the class, sharing who they interviewed, the object they share with them and the story of the object.  They had to think like historians and write a paragraph explaining all about their object.  Following on from this, students are working on creating a presentation to share the story of the object from the perspective of the person who owns it, and this will be shared with all of you at our upcoming Term 2 Expos in Week 9 (Friday 19 June). Some students have decided to present the task orally, others may present a video clip.

We look forward to sharing these with you at the Expos!

STEM:

Over the term, our students have been exporing robotics, through the use of the Spheros.  After a range of hands-on skill building lessons, students were then tasked with developing passion projects to explore how robots and coding are used in the real world.  Our students worked in small groups to research how robots and coding make life easier, safer or more exciting for people by answering the focus questions:

1. What is your robot/coding technology?
2. How does it work?
3. What problems does it solve?
4. How does coding help it function?
5. Why is it important or useful?

6. What surprised or interested you most?

    

Each group is currently working on presenting their findings to their class in a creative way, so we further everyone's understanding. They were asked to include facts from their research, images or diagrams to show the parts of their robot and how they work and coding or robotics vocabulary.  We can't wait to view their presentations in Week 10!

Upcoming Excursion Reminder:

As families are aware, our planned excursion to Polly Woodside was unfortunately cancelled. We are pleased to announce that an alternative excursion has been organised for Wednesday 17 June 2026.

Grade 3/4 students will visit IMAX and Melbourne Museum to support their learning in Integrated Studies and Literacy, particularly their studies of First Nations history and historical perspectives.

Students will watch Australia 3D at IMAX and complete a self-directed trail through the First Peoples Exhibition at Melbourne Museum. They will also have opportunities to explore:

• Melbourne Story
• Our Wondrous Planet
• Milarri Garden

This excursion will further support students in thinking and acting like historians as they investigate:

• How and why the British colony was established in Australia
• How historians tell stories about the past
• The effects of first contact on First Nations Australians
• Why it is important to listen to different perspectives

A reminder that permission and payment details are available via Compass. Parent helpers with a valid Working With Children Check are warmly welcomed.

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:

• Week 9 - Melbourne Museum and IMAX excursion - Wednesday 17th June
• Week 10 - Parent/Teacher Interviews - Wednesday 24 June
• Week 10 - Whole School Expo - Thursday 25th June

Prepared by the Grade 3/4 Teachers