Grade 4 Community News
Dear Grade 4 Families,
What a wonderful four weeks of learning we have had! A big thank you to all the families who attended our Parent-Teacher Interviews. It was a pleasure to celebrate your child and share their learning progress with you.
We are now well settled into our specialised teaching model for English and Mathematics. Students have adapted quickly to this new structure and have embraced the change with enthusiasm. It has been fantastic to see their confidence grow, and we look forward to watching them continue to thrive as the year progresses!
English
Reading:
We have thoroughly enjoyed reading our class novel, Storm Boy. Students have been exploring the development of each character while making meaningful connections to the text. Throughout our novel study, students have been building their vocabulary and deepening their comprehension of the story by exploring and using new words such as seldom, battered, sedately, and destruction, helping them develop a richer understanding of the text and use more precise language in their own reading and writing.
Alongside this, we have been strengthening our summarising and note-taking skills by identifying the most important information in a range of non-fiction texts. Students have continued using the who, what, when, where, why, and how questions to summarise events and identify the main ideas within each paragraph. Students have also been strengthening their note-taking skills by using symbols and abbreviations to efficiently record key information while identifying and focusing on the most important ideas. These skills have provided a strong foundation as we begin writing our own information reports.
Writing:
Students have begun drafting their Information Reports on the Coorong using the SPO (Single Paragraph Outline) planning model. They have carefully crafted their introductions and first body paragraphs, focusing on explaining what the Coorong is and where it is located. Students have worked hard to include accurate facts, relevant supporting details, and subject-specific vocabulary to engage and inform their readers. Learning efficient note-taking strategies has helped students accurately record supporting details in each paragraph plan. Over the coming weeks, they will continue to plan, draft, revise, and edit their reports before publishing their polished final pieces.
Maths
In the Explicit Maths Program (EMP), students have been working diligently to strengthen their mathematical understanding across a range of number and measurement concepts. In Number, students have been developing their problem-solving skills by working with mixed numbers and applying efficient strategies to solve subtraction problems involving internal zeros.
In Measurement and Geometry, students have been building their understanding of mass and length through estimating, measuring, comparing, and solving real-world problems using formal metric units. They have developed confidence in converting between millimetres (mm), centimetres (cm), and metres (m), while deepening their understanding of when each unit is most appropriate. Students have also explored the properties of three-dimensional objects by investigating the similarities and differences between prisms and pyramids.
Humanities
In Humanities, students have begun an exciting new unit exploring the rich histories and cultures of Australia's First Nations Peoples. Our initial lessons have focused on developing an understanding of the diverse cultures, traditions, and deep connections Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have with Country and Place. As the term progresses, students will investigate the establishment of the first British colonies in Australia, examining these events through both historical evidence and First Nations perspectives. This approach encourages students to develop empathy, think critically about the past, and gain a deeper appreciation of Australia's shared history.
Reminders for upcoming weeks:
- Monday 17th August – STEM Night
- Wednesday 26th August – Book Character Dress-Up Day
Thank You
Thank you again for your continued support and partnership. We look forward to working together to ensure every student has a successful and enjoyable Term 3.
If you have any questions throughout the term, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Kind regards,
The Year 4 Teachers