Year 3/4 - Newsletter
Dear Parents and Carers,
It has been a busy couple of weeks in 3/4 , and we can’t believe we are more than halfway through the term!
What's happened in Year 3/4 these last weeks?
English – During our Structured Literacy unit, we continued our text study of The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. It is wonderful to see students reading aloud and discussing the text during our lessons.
In our writing last week we had a focus on subordinating conjunctions, which act like glue that sticks sentences together. This week, we have drawn on our learning about persuasive writing from previous weeks and begun planning and writing our draft persuasive letter - arguing that animals should not be used in circuses. Students have completed the introduction and two body paragraphs, and will finish the draft with the conclusion in the coming weeks.
Maths – In Maths, students have continued investigating Place Value, because a strong understanding of number forms the foundation for all mathematical thinking. Our Numeracy approach is based on research about how children learn best, so our lessons are clear, structured, and supportive.
In week 5 students explored decimals. The week began with learning about the language of decimals and building understanding that a decimal is part of a whole. Over the week, students worked to identify, name, represent and order decimals in different ways.
This week, we shifted our focus to money. After a refresher on the different coins and notes of Australian currency and their values, students worked on representing money values in different ways. Using our knowledge of decimals, we also learnt different strategies to add and subtract money.
Over this week, our Year 3 students also completed some NAPLAN practice tests, familiarising themselves with the app and the layout of some of the tests.
Wellbeing - In Wellbeing, we have been learning about our emotions, learning how to identify and name our emotions. After building our understanding of our own emotions, we looked at how our emotions can shift and change and how our emotions and reactions can affect others.
Inquiry - Following our JSC and Enviro Club Representative speeches and votes, the last couple weeks we have jumped into our Inquiry topic for this term - Do you want to be a mayor? Last week we began by learning about rules and laws, what makes them different, who makes them and why we should follow them. This week we furthered our understanding of rules and laws by starting to look at the different levels of government in Australia. Our focus this week was on the Federal government, we learnt all about how it works and the kinds of laws that are made by the Federal government. Over the coming weeks we will continue exploring the Australian government, looking more closely at State and Local government.
Homework - Reading homework continues as the term goes on - students are expected to complete 80 minutes of reading at home each week, bringing their filled out and signed diary on Fridays. If your child has not completed their reading or forgotten to get their diary signed, please email their classroom teacher on Friday morning.
NAPLAN
NAPLAN is coming up next week for our Year 3s. Prior to Tuesday, please ensure your child has the NAP Locked Down Browser installed on their iPad (available on the app store) and headphones that are connected to their iPad. Please also check that your child’s iPad is updated to the latest software to ensure everything runs smoothly on test days. If you have any difficulty finding the app or connecting headphones to your child’s iPad, please contact their classroom teacher.
Things to Remember
- If your child is still missing one, please provide your child with a day-to-day diary and pencil case.
- Term One is a no hat no play term - please ensure your child has a school hat
- Absences: If your child is going to be absent for three or more days, for legal reasons, it is very important you let the school know. Please use the notes section on compass, email us via compass or contact the office.
What’s Coming Up?
- School Photo Day - Tuesday 3rd March
- Labour Day Public Holiday - Monday 9th March
- NAPLAN Begins - Wednesday 11th March (more information to come)
- School Cross Country - Thursday 26th March
- Good Friday Public Holiday - Friday 3rd April
Student Awards
Look out for your class’ individual email Friday afternoon for the Student of the Week & Student Recognition Award shoutouts.
Have a great weekend.
The Year 3/4 Team