YEAR FOUR
Grade Bulletin - Term One, 2023
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Primary School provides a range of holistic learning experiences to enable students to:
- Participate in the life and mission of the school.
- Deepen their knowledge and engagement with the Catholic faith and tradition.
- Build capacity to continuously reason, reflectively, logically and critically.
- Embrace interdependence of human existence as global citizens, who are responsible to and for themselves and others.
- Engage in learning in a multitude of ways, through personalised and self-paced learning.
Religious Education
In our first unit the students explore ‘Living the Law of Love’. It begins by recalling with students the purpose of rules in groups and communities. Then students examine the Ten Commandments, focussing on their purpose and principles for living in relationship with God and each other. This forms the basis for introducing and exploring Jesus’ ‘new commandment’ with reference back to the Commandments. The unit leads to a deeper understanding of how these Commandments and Jesus’ ‘new commandment’ guide us in living in relationship with God and others.
Our second unit this term focuses on the Liturgical Season of Lent as a time to reflect on how we live our lives. It explores our choices and their impact on our growth and conversion. It teaches students about the sacrament of Penance. The unit reviews the events of Holy Week through the Scriptural Stations of the Cross.
English
This term we will focus on a selection of literature, including Informative books, giving students the opportunity to respond and think critically about print. Students will be taught explicit skills in relation to grammar, punctuation and vocabulary. Students will develop their writing skills with a focus on Information reports.
Guided reading groups will give the students opportunities to read and write around a selection of purposes. Each child is expected to read for at least 20 minutes each night and record their text title into their homework diary.
Speaking and listening skills will be assessed in a variety of opportunities including presentations to small and large groups.
The Soundwaves Spelling program will be taught daily and it can be accessed online at home using the student code that is unique to each class;
- 4 Gold is hang474,
- 4 White is party164 and
- 4 Blue is kiss263.
Mathematics
This term we will be focusing on the following units; Data, Addition and Subtraction, Multiplication and Division and Fractions and Decimals. These units will be explored further throughout the year. The students will engage in differentiated tasks in their Mathematics groups. These groups will remain fluid as we cater for the needs of individuals and their understanding of a variety of Mathematical concepts. Please continue to practise the instant recall of two, three, four, five and ten times table facts with your children at home as this is an essential skill they will require.
Science and Technology
This Semester we will be focusing on the Earth’s surface and how it changes over time. Students will investigate natural processes and human activity in order to develop a view in relation to sustainable practices. Students will also explore the effect of the interactions between the Earth and the Sun. A study on rocks introduces the unit and we will investigate the effects of the Sun and moon on the Earth. The students will question, plan and conduct scientific investigations, collect and summarise data and communicate using scientific representations. They will select and use technological equipment to develop solutions.
Mandarin
This term Year 4 students will continue the Chinese language program called the Meg Language Program. The Meg Curriculum is written by the co-author of the Australian Curriculum. All students and teachers will participate in the digital learning platform via Zoom weekly sessions.
Geography
We will explore the climate, natural vegetation and native animals of places in Australia and Asia. We will also examine the importance of natural vegetation and natural resources to the environment, animals and people,as well as learn about the ways people value environments, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Year Four students will identify sustainable practices and examine different ways that sustainability can be achieved.
Amadeus Music Program
This year students from all grades will be involved in the Amadeus Music Education program, introduced by Sydney Catholic Schools providing students with a high quality music education program. The program offers students expert classroom music lessons, ensemble lessons, and for primary students, group tuition.
Students will participate in activities in listening, performing and organising sound (Kindergarten to Year 6), within their regular Classroom Music lessons. Within these lessons, students will:
- Sing in unison and in parts
- Play tuned and untuned percussion instruments
- Play available instruments such as Ukulele, Guitar and Keyboard (Grade appropriate)
For students in Years 3- 6 the program has three essential elements:
- Classroom Music: Whole-class music lessons taught by specialist Music tutors for up to 1 hour per week.
- Small Group Tuition: Students in groups of five to seven, will spend 30 minutes per week learning to play on a string, woodwind or brass instrument.
- Ensemble Rehearsal: Students will play their instrument in a string ensemble, orchestra or concert band (whole of class) for up to 1 hour per week.
Small Group Tuition (Grades 3-6)
Students from Year 3 - Year 6 are required to attend weekly small group tuition lessons with their Instrumental Tutor.
- Small group tuition lessons are 30 minutes in length and occur during the school day.
- Students are required to attend all scheduled lessons.
- Students will be given a music timetable at the start of each term and are responsible for being on-time and prepared.
- Students are responsible for catching up on any work missed in class. They must speak to their teacher to ensure they understand any missed content.
- It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they:
- Arrive on time for each lesson
- Bring their instrument and required accessories to every lesson
- Bring their Essential Elements* music book
- Bring a lead pencil and eraser
*Each student will be issued an Essential Elements Music Book with their instrument. This contains all of the repertoire and material they need for their ensemble and tutorial lessons.
Creative Arts
Visual Arts lessons will be integrated with our literacy focus on the novel ‘The Phasmid’. Students will sketch and paint artworks around the themes of Phasmids and the sustainability of Earth’s natural resources.
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
A new program titled Open Parachute will be implemented K-6. Open Parachute aims to provide practical support on mental health to students. The program aims to reduce stigma and generate authentic dialogue in classrooms about the real issues students face. The psychological skills-building exercises aim to increase empathy, self-compassion, self-awareness, mental health literacy, and self-efficacy in students.
In Sports sessions this term, Year 4 will be involved in a range of fun and engaging activities that aim to improve their fundamental movement skills. They will be participating in a variety of different games and working together as a team to overcome challenges and fitness tasks. Students will also be exploring various dance components, focusing on building their movement skills and confidence. Students will be asked to remember to bring their hats and water so they are able to move and groove on Tuesday mornings.
Homework
Reading at night is a compulsory activity. It is expected that the children will read for at least 20 minutes each night as part of their 40 minutes of nightly homework. Reading will be recorded in the student diaries.
The Google Classroom will be the platform for the homework grid. A Homework book will be used to record set tasks throughout the Term.
A Maths Plus mentals workbook and lined homework book will be provided to all students. A weekly task will be set and we ask that this be returned each Friday. Maths Plus follows a graded and spiralling approach, allowing for revision of concepts throughout the year. It will provide students with opportunities to sequentially develop, practise and master their skills and knowledge.
We look forward to continuing to work with you and your child this term. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher via a note or by appointment via the office.
Mr Michael Faber (4Blue)
Mrs Lisa Mann and Miss Belle Reid (4Gold)
Mrs Margaret McCarthy (4White)
Important Dates for Year 4
Sport, Music and Art will take place on Tuesdays for Year 4.
School Term - Friday 27th January - Thursday, 6th April 2023