Grade 4 News
Important Reminders & Dates
Upcoming dates/Important Info
Friday 27th March: House Aths
Thursday 2nd April: Happy Hat Parade
Last Day Term 1 - 2.30pm dismissal
- Hats - As per our school's SunSmart policy, all students are required to wear hats till the end of April 2025.
- Icy Poles will be sold outside the senior school Monday & Tuesday lunch times
Looking Ahead to the Year:
Monday, October 5th - Wednesday, October 7th: Grade 4 Camp - ADANAC
Weekly Timetable
Homework
📖 Literacy
During Word Work this fortnight, the Grade 4 students wrapped up their learning about the Latin base words strue and struct. They have now started investigating Greek number prefixes, linking this new learning to the Latin numbers they explored earlier in the year and recognising these roots within everyday words.
In Literature, we have continued our class novel, Kensuke’s Kingdom. Students have been discussing how Michael gradually adjusts to living on the island and how he and Kensuke learn to coexist despite not sharing a common language. They have also been analysing Michael’s efforts to escape the island and the obstacles he encounters along the way.
As part of this unit, students will be writing a persuasive text. To prepare for this task, we have started learning about deforestation and developing background knowledge that will support their ideas. This topic closely connects to the themes within Kensuke’s Kingdom, helping students make meaningful links between the novel and real-world environmental issues.
Preview - Students will be completing their persuasive writing pieces on deforestation, to continue to work towards creating their own persuasive texts on the topic of sailing around the world or protecting orangutans.
Looking ahead to Term Two, we will begin reading the novel Storm Boy. Throughout this unit, students will focus on developing information report writing skills while exploring the themes and ideas presented in the text.
➗ Maths
The Grade 4 students will be exploring many units this year that involve using their timetables knowledge and think in multiplicative way. From our daily reviews, we’ve noticed that many students are finding multiplication challenging. Any practise that can be done at home to support the students with their timestables would be greatly appreciated.
If you need ideas, please see the Grade 4 Homework Options pdf under the homework section of this newsletter.
During Mathematics this fortnight, the Grade 4 students finished their learning about 'Time', focusing on calculating start and finish times as well as determining the elapsed time between events. They have now begun exploring multiplication and division, with a focus on the 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 times tables. Through a variety of activities, students have been practising recalling these facts and understanding the connection between multiplication and division.
Preview - Students will continue developing their multiplication and division skills by learning the 9 times tables and exploring number sequences. They will also begin working with powers of 10 and practise multiplying and dividing multiples.
🧠 Knowledge-Rich Units
This fortnight in Knowledge Rich, the Grade 4 students have continued their World Mountains unit. Throughout this learning, students have been exploring the animals that live in mountain environments, the natural barriers mountains can create, and the actions people and animals take to survive in these challenging landscapes. Through a range of activities, students have been building their understanding of how living things adapt to mountain environments and the important role mountains play around the world.
Preview: The next unit the students will begin learning about is called 'Values of Service, Courage, Mateship, and Loyalty'. Through this unit, they will start discussing war and the important roles these values have played throughout history.
🌿 Wellbeing
During Wellbeing lessons this fortnight, all Grade 4 students explored Friendology and learned about recognising and managing “Friendship Fires.” Through class discussions and activities, students practised strategies for solving small problems, communicating respectfully, and supporting one another. They also learned that many small friendship problems can be resolved by using calm words, listening carefully, and showing kindness. These lessons helped students build skills to maintain positive friendships and confidently navigate social situations.
🏅 Sport in Grade 4
During Sport this term, the Grade 4 and 3 students have been developing and practising their tee-ball skills. Students have been focusing on important skills within the game such as throwing, catching, and hitting, while also learning how these skills work when playing a game. Through a range of activities and small games, they have been improving their coordination, accuracy, and confidence.
Students are looking forward to the completion of the tee-ball round robin, where they will have the opportunity to continue applying their skills to help their team in winning the round robin.
🔬 John Monash Science
A small group of Grade 4 students had the exciting opportunity to participate in a special science program. In this program, they explored hands-on experiments and investigations, deepening their understanding of scientific concepts and processes. The students were able to ask questions, test their ideas, and learn how scientists work to solve problems, gaining practical experience that extended their classroom learning.
Congratulations to our three SVC representatives - Poppy, Zac & Riley!
We know you will do an amazing job speaking for our cohort, showing responsibility in meetings, and listening to everyone’s ideas. You all demonstrated fantastic bravery by presenting your speeches in front of your peers, and you impressed them with your confidence and thoughtfulness.
Grade 4 Teaching Team
Bek Emonson, Will Robinson, Chloe Flack & Hayley Ward