Apollo

Reading :

This term in reading so far, the students have been exploring a range of different reading and comprehension strategies through texts with the theme of ‘social responsibility’. The students have been learning about identifying the different text structures and language features authors use to support the readers understanding of texts, practising a range of different comprehensions strategies such as making text to text, text to self and text to world connections with their texts, identifying and justifying the authors’ pupose and intended audience, understanding past present and future tenses, investigating how image framing and and overall salience supports the readers understanding of the text and improving reading fluency and understanding as they read through a range of different strategies.

Moving into the rest of the term, the year 4’s will be focusing on a new theme, ‘noticing and appreciating’. Through this lens, the students will be further exploring how the structure and features of texts support the readers understanding, unpack sentence structures, discuss how texts are created and how their storylines and characters develop, and strengthen their comprehension strategies, in particular making inferences. We are so proud of the hard work the students have been putting into their reading so far this term, and can’t wait to see what the rest of the term brings.

Writing:

This term the Apollo students explored the writing process to create imaginative narratives. They planned, drafted, revised and published their work, focusing on sequencing ideas and using figurative language to paint clear imagery for the reader. They also worked on creating poetry booklets showcasing different styles and applied the correct language features, structures and vocabulary for each type of poem. Our students experimented with literary devices, grammar, rhythm and wordplay to shape meaning in both prose and poetry.

Maths:

This term in Year 4 Maths, students have explored a wide range of topics to build their skills, understanding, and confidence as mathematicians. In Measurement, they learned how to measure and compare temperature, capacity, and other attributes using appropriate tools and units, including reading thermometers accurately and understanding why we measure temperature. They also investigated Indigenous perspectives on weather and seasonal changes, making connections between First Nations knowledge and modern measurement tools.

In Number and Fractions, students worked on identifying, representing, and comparing fractions such as halves, quarters, and eighths. They created “fraction families” and connected equivalent fractions to decimals using hands-on measuring tools. Students also practised counting in fractions beyond one whole, representing them on number lines, and converting between mixed numbers and improper fractions. These skills were reinforced through real-life examples and problem-solving activities. In Number Operations, students developed and applied strategies for addition including regrouping (carrying), and used these strategies to solve word problems.

 In 'applied', mathematicians have been exploring 2D and 3D shapes in fun and engaging ways. We’ve gone on shape hunts around the school to find examples in our everyday surroundings and created beautiful artworks using different shapes. Students have also been learning key vocabulary such as vertices, faces and edges to describe 3D shapes. We are so proud of their efforts and can’t wait to see the rest of the learning they do. 

Inquiry:

During Inquiry this term the Grade 4 students have been investigating healthy food and healthy movement for their bodies. They have gathered information about their own eating habits, generated healthy food swaps and learnt about the different food groups.

They have particularly enjoyed learning about nutrients and vitamins and what makes a food healthy or unhealthy. 

The students have been constructing a “Know, Wonder and Learn” where they are recording their learning journey across the many weeks of intense investigation and research.

The students have dived deeper into what they think healthy movement is for their bodies, and how healthy movement benefits their bodies.

In the coming weeks, the students will be using the information they have gathered to come up with a team project to create change at home or at school to improve the health of themselves, their family and their school community.

SEL - Maddy

During SEL this term, our year 4 students have been exploring the idea of seeking help and support from others, as well as ways they can offer help and support to others in their lives who may need it. They have identified different people in their lives that they can ask for help and individuals who they can offer their assistance to. Our students have also been learning about gratitude and what it means to be thankful for the things they have in their lives. We have also investigated different types of problems, both big and small, and how we can react appropriately if these problems arise for us at school or at home.