Year 4

English

Reading

In term 4, students took part in an author study where we analysed and critiqued the works of Margaret Wild. The students explored many of her well-known published books, where we learnt to look at the different techniques that authors use to engage their readers. We analysed how illustrations add to the reader’s understanding of the characters, their actions, and the mood of the story. We learnt about what a hook is and how these are used to draw readers into a book through the author’s choice of vocabulary, description of characters or the build-up of suspense. We also explored how a character’s attributes, motives and changes are shown by an author, where we looked closely at the evidence shown in the text. Each week we reviewed a nonfiction text related to the topic of the Margaret Wild text. We analysed the nonfiction texts to see how different text features are used to order and present information: for example, headings, subheadings, bolded words or images. Great work grade 4s!

Writing

In writing, grade 4 students started the term by looking at Narratives. We spent the first few weeks building on our ability to independently plan, draft and publish a narrative text, where we used language to describe the characters, setting, problem and solution in our story. We learnt about how to group our ideas together into paragraphs so that our writing is coherent, while also focusing on using different language features to make our writing engaging, such as verbs and imaginative adjectives. We then finished the term learning about information reports. We learnt how to plan, draft and publish an information report on a topic of our choice, focusing on using the correct structure, text and language features of an information report. We focused heavily on how to “hook” our readers into our written texts. The grade 4s have used this term to improve their engaging starts and paragraph writing.

Mathematics

In mathematics, our big focus for the term was learning about Fractions and Decimals, where we learnt how to model, represent and label fractions, as well as understand the relationship between equivalent fractions in everyday life. We developed our ability to recognise and model fractions of a whole and of a collection. Finally, we learnt to count in fractions along a number line (we learnt ½, ⅓, ¼, and ⅕).

During the term we had mini units focusing on 3D Shapes and Volume, where we were able to identify and explain the 2D shapes that are the faces for 3D objects (for example, prisms, pyramids and cubes). We also used this knowledge to look at some of the similarities and differences between 2D and 3D shapes and objects. We learnt about how to identify which metric units for volume are for larger and smaller amounts, and how we can use these units to estimate and measure volume. We also looked at measuring capacity and how to tell time to the nearest minute. We revisited some earlier learning on Place Value to make sure that we are ready to move into grade 5!

Inquiry 

In Term 4, our Grade 4 learners explored the topic 'Go Green’. The key understanding for this unit is: The environment is an important natural resource essential for supporting humans and animals. It needs to be respected and cared for.  Students examined the 6Rs - recycle, reduce, rot, reuse, rethink and refuse - and created an action plan for reducing the amount of rubbish we create at Melton West PS. We had plans to reduce the amount of rubbish generated by bringing in cleaner (less plastic) lunches and making sure we put materials in the correct bins at school. We also collected recyclable materials (cans of drink and plastic juice bottles) to return to the collection points at the council to save money to buy a worm-farm for the school (which is now housed behind the science classroom). Well done grade 4!

Science

This term in Science, Grade 4 students have focused on the Chemical Science strand. Students in Grade 4 have looked at natural and processed materials, investigated their range of physical properties and how these properties can influence the use of these materials. They have explored and worked with different materials, tested their properties through experimentation and observation. During these investigations students have continued to develop the following science inquiry skills – questioning and predicting, planning and conducting, processing and analysing data and information, evaluating and communicating.

LOTE = Chinese

In term 4 Grade4s did the main cities in China in Chinese, such as Beijing , Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou; 4 directions in Chinese and 4 animal signs (tu 兔 long 龙 she 蛇 ma 马). We practised those Chinese characters in mini whiteboards and typed into iPad Book Creator. We also practised those characters in iPad Blooket game.

 There will be a big group project( 3 weeks’ time) presenting their 6 topics we learnt in 2023. At the end of the term, kids will get the opportunity to watch a Chinese movie to finalize the big term before Christmas holiday.

At the end of the term, kids will get the opportunity to watch a Chinese movie to finalize the big term before Christmas holiday.

P.E.

In term 4 our students in grade 4 have been looking at the sports of badminton, hockey, and rugby and have been able to develop their game sense when participating in these sports. The games-based approach to Physical Education learning was evident during this term as all our grade 4 students participated and played in various sporting games where they were able to learn about skill development and develop their problem-solving skills when working with others. Through this learning, students have continued to work on their fundamental movement skills and have been successful in translating skills into gameplay. This has been a fantastic year with the grade 4’s and I look forward to seeing them all in grade 5 next year when there are plenty of exciting opportunities for each student in sport and Physical Education.