Dhumbadjirri "Talk Together"

Class 3/4 Steiner 

Celebrating Learning

What we’ve been up to

This fortnight, we have been preparing for and conducting student-led conferences, which have been hugely successful.  Students confidently shared a compilation of portfolio work from Semester 1 of this year and came away feeling accomplished. Some classes commenced gardening this week, 3/4S will have gardening during the last session on Friday. As we move into Week 3, we are preparing for NAIDOC Day.  

 

Main Lesson

In Main Lesson we have begun exploring the history of writing “Clay, Ink, Paper, Pen”. Students have looked at the origins of writing as being a sacred activity carried out by scribes and how this has gradually been adapted for more practical purposes. We’ve looked at the picture scripts of ancient Egypt and the Sumerians, which were carved into stone and clay. Students created secret messages using Cuneiform (one of the oldest written languages) and practised transcribing each other's texts. Additionally, they created clay tablets and treasures, and caved messages into them using Cuneiform. 

 

Maths

In Maths, students have been learning about the concept of mass through both informal and formal measurement. We began by estimating and comparing the weight of everyday classroom objects using balance scales and informal units, such as blocks, soft toys, and stationary. This hands-on exploration helped build a strong sense of measurement and comparison.

As our understanding developed, we moved into measuring mass using standard units (kilograms and grams)  and learned how to read and use real measuring tools. Students also worked on problem-solving tasks that required them to think critically about combined mass and simple conversions.

Some of the questions that have guided our thinking are:

  • How can we estimate the mass of an object before measuring?
  • What objects are the same size but have different masses?
  • How can we record mass using standard units?
  • What happens when we combine the mass of several items?
  • How do we convert between kilograms and grams?

This unit has provided a meaningful connection between number, measurement, and real world applications, laying the foundation for further learning in problem-solving and interpreting data.

Literacy

Through Writer’s Workshop, students have continued to hone their own editing skills through individual and peer revising and editing sessions.

 

What’s coming up

  • In Literacy, students will be looking at First Nations perspectives in varying literature.
  • In Maths, students will be learning about multiplication and division, exploring both mental and written strategies to solve problems efficiently and deepen their understanding of number relationships.
  • In Main Lesson, students will be creating their own pieces of paper using recycled materials. We will be exploring the modern day process and discussing ancient techniques.  A big thank you to Rani’s family for lending us their paper making frame! As this Main Lesson unfolds, the Grade 4 students will have the opportunity to work towards receiving their pen licences. 

 

Things families can talk about at home

  • NAIDOC Day and the celebration of achievements made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait people and communities. 
  • Use the multiplication and division practice links that will be available on Google Classroom next week, providing fun and interactive ways to reinforce times tables and division facts.
  • Multiplication and division in the real-world: cooking, shopping, sharing, making. 
  • Timelines, perimeters and area talk!