Year 4 News
Reading
Our Reading focus this fortnight has taken Year 4 students beyond the surface of stories to explore their themes and messages. They have been learning how authors reveal ideas such as kindness, perseverance, friendship, courage, and being yourself. Students have also focused on making connections by linking what they read to their own experiences (text-to-self), to other books (text-to-text), and to the wider world (text-to-world). Together, these skills are helping students think more deeply about what they read and recognise that stories can both entertain and teach powerful life lessons.
“I have enjoyed learning about themes” - Rayan 4C
“We can use the pictures and read the story to find themes like kindness and perseverance”-Millie 4B
Writing
This fortnight in Writing, Year 4 students have been diving into the world of explanation texts. They began by exploring visual explanations, such as the life cycles of frogs and butterflies, before moving on to structured written examples. Students enjoyed reading a variety of explanation texts and discovering how writers use features and language to clearly explain how or why something happens. Building on this, they then became researchers themselves, choosing their own topics, collecting notes, drafting their ideas, and finally publishing their very own explanation texts.
“I enjoyed when we got to research about our own topics and write an explanation” -
Elena 4C
Maths
The Year 4 students have been exploring division. They have been learning how to share numbers equally and solve word problems, applying their multiplication knowledge to strengthen their understanding of division.
Students are growing in confidence as they recognise the connection between multiplication and division and apply these strategies to different mathematical situations. We have also begun our introduction to the topic of measurement.
In our classrooms, we brainstormed what comes to mind when we hear the word “measurement,” and students shared great vocabulary such as centimetres, metres, kilometres, millimetres, ruler, measuring tape, depth, and mass. These are all ideas we will continue to explore together as a cohort.
“In maths, we got to measure objects in the classroom with measuring tapes and we learned the different the units of measurements such as mm, cm, m, km” - Charlotte 4C
Inquiry
In Inquiry this fortnight, Year 4 students have been broadening their understanding of the world around them. They explored artificial landmarks and local industries, learning how these shape communities and connect people.
Students also investigated the importance of natural environments and sustainability, discussing why it is vital to care for the land and its resources. As part of Science Week, students took part in an activity called Be a Sundial, where they measured shadows throughout the day and noticed how they changed with the movement of the sun. This hands-on experience helped them connect their learning in science to real-world observations about time and the environment.
“In science week, we traced over our partners shadow and an hour later we went back to see if the shadow has moved” - Eliana 4C
“I liked researching about natural environments in Asia. I researched Mount Everest” .
“In maths, we got to measure objects in the classroom with measuring tapes and we learned the different the units of measurements such as mm, cm, m, km” - Charlotte 4C
Auslan
In Auslan this fortnight, Year 4 students have been expanding their communication skills through sign language. They have been learning everyday greetings such as hello, goodbye, good morning, and what’s your name? as well as practising signs for common places and objects around the house, like kitchen, fridge, TV, and stairs. Students enjoyed using the signs in short conversations with each other, helping them to see how Auslan can be used in daily life.
“I know how to sign good morning and good afternoon to my friends and teacher.”
Social and Emotional Learning
This fortnight in SEL, the Year 4 Cohort have been continuing to explore identity and what makes each student unique. They have been discovering more about themselves as well as learning about their peers.
The Cohort have also been engaging with the school-wide positive behaviour strategies. A particular focus has been on the value of being responsible. Students discussed how to walk around the school safely, using the school map to identify which areas are out of bounds and the correct ways to move through shared spaces.
There was plenty of laughter as students participated in role plays, acting out incorrect behaviours and then correcting them. These activities helped reinforce expectations in a fun and memorable way.
Special Event
Science Week:
It has been a busy and exciting few weeks at school, filled with special events and learning experiences.
As part of Science Week, our Year 4 students explored the movement of the sun by revisiting the use of sundials. This time, instead of creating sundials from paper plates, students had the chance to take their learning outdoors. Working in pairs, they traced each other’s shadows on the ground and recorded the time.
Throughout the day, they returned to the same spot each hour to check their shadows. To their amazement, the shadows had shifted, showing how the sun appears to move across the sky during the day.
Book Week:
Last week our whole school celebrated Book Week, with this year’s theme being Adventure.
The Year 4 cohort joined in the fun with a range of engaging activities. Students enjoyed listening to a shared reading, researching stories, and creating their own bookmarks. Together, they also worked on a special Book Week poster, where each student contributed by drawing a character or book that reminded them of adventure.
