Year 4

English

What an achievement to have made it to the end of term 2! The Grade 4s have managed successfully to remain resilient and work hard both in the classroom and remotely. 

During reading in term 2, our Grade 4 students learned about inferring. Students learned about how to use clues within the text to support their inferences, and how to infer the causes and effects of characters' feelings, traits and motivations. 

In Writing, students delved into learning about persuasive texts. They learned how to write convincing and well-structured persuasive texts using the correct structure and devices such as emotive language, exaggeration and facts. Students have successfully been able to complete the writing process of planning, drafting, editing and publishing their persuasive pieces. During remote learning, the grade 4s have explored  the use of persuasive techniques used in advertising. We looked at the way advertisements use exaggeration, slogans and logos to persuade their audience. The students have enjoyed creating advertisements. Well done grade 4s

Maths

In Mathematics, our Grade 4 learners  have being busy learning mathematical concepts such as angles, 2Dshapes, addition and subtraction and money. 

To start off the term, students learned how to compare angles as being larger, smaller or equal to right angles. Students also learned  about 2D shapes and their features and about the similarities and differences between 3D objects. We then looked at how to measure the area of regular and irregular shapes by using metric units. 

Later in the term we learned to solve simple purchasing problems with and without the use of digital technology. 

Lastly we  looked at Addition and Subtraction. Students explored various strategies for adding and subtracting numbers of up to four digits, and choosing which method they found most useful and efficient. 

This term has being busy and productive. Students have worked  very hard in term 2 and have shown progress in Mathematics. Keep up the great work grade 4s! 

Inquiry

In Grade 4 Inquiry, our learners have been exploring a topic titled, ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World’. The students have been building their understandings on why rules and laws are necessary in a community to provide for safety, respect and fairness. Our learners have also been exploring the difference between rules and laws and the consequences of not having rules or laws in a community. Students have been encouraged to deepen their thinking by considering whether regulations are fair and thinking about what rules or laws they would create or change in different contexts.

Well done Grade 4 on a great term of Inquiry!

ART

Term 2, has been all about colour theory for the grade 3/4 students. The students have completed their complementary colour activity featuring ‘Monsters’, and have been learning to enhance the appearance of their  artwork by using ‘opposite’ or ‘complementary’ colours together, to make their work ‘POPOUT’! In line with this activity, the students have been learning about ‘POP ART’ legend Andy Warhol who was popular in the 60’s and still is to this day with his work selling for $90,000,000 on average. The students, now inspired by Andy, have created designs using the PicCollage app on the iPads. This was a treat for the students to use technology for Art and they really embraced it and created some fabulous designs (Below)! The 3/4 students have also been getting messy with acrylic paint; firstly mixing  tertiary tints and shades and then creating warm and cool colours to create a design. They have created sunsets over water and will add reflection and a night time element in Term 3. Due to lockdown, finalising this activity and our ‘line’ unit will carry over into Term 3. I have had a fun and creative time in the art room with the grade 3/4  students this term, and I look forward to working with them again next semester. 

LOTE-CHINESE

Well done for another fantastic term! In term two, the grade threes and fours developed their language skills in Chinese Mandarin, including listening and speaking and recognising words in Pinyin. They learnt about some Chinese festivals such as the Tomb Sweeping Festival and the Dragon Boat Festival. They learnt new vocabulary focused on topics such as clothing and verbs. They were involved in actions games, songs, books, arts and crafts as they study the new topics. The grade three to four students integrated technology in their lessons by using their iPads to complete tasks and research given topics. Some students also participated in some optional remote learning tasks.

PE

What a great term we had between grade 3&4 cohorts! We were able to learn the game of soccer through playing a game, understanding where it originated from and the rules associated with it. We got to have some fun with the frisbees inside and outside and learn several techniques when throwing the frisbee and were finally able to finish off with our athletic component where we were able to break down the triple jump technique. Great work grade 3&4 looking forward to next term!

SCIENCE

Congratulations to the Grade 4’s on a fantastic effort for term 2! We have explored how our planet’s surface changes over time due to weathering and human activity, investigating topics such as how soil is created and how erosion can change the physical landscape. Learning about erosion was particularly fun, as we were able to do some hands-on experimentation with different soil and rock samples. 

Unfortunately, due to the lockdown, the Design & Engineering unit has been postponed to the start of term 3 - I hope you’re all looking forward to it, it’s going to be a lot of fun.Once again, great work in term 2 everyone, enjoy the mid-year holiday break and I look forward to seeing you all in term 3.

We look forward to Term 3 and continuing to work in partnership with you to ensure high  levels of learning for all. Have a wonderful and safe term break. :)