Level 3/4

It’s been a wonderful first few weeks of Term 4 for the Year 3 and 4 students, and as always there has been a lot happening! 

Reading workshops in level 3 have focused on identifying cause and effect, and distinguishing between fact and opinion. Students have practiced not only identifying cause and effect in their ‘Just Right’ books, but have also experimented with creating their own scenarios and made predictions. Distinguishing between fact and opinion has been a very useful skill, and has enhanced our understanding of persuasive techniques. 

In Writing, both year levels have been busy working on our persuasive speeches, using the topic ‘If I Ruled the World’. The year 3 students have been focusing on the structure of their speeches and adding voice and persuasive devices to their writing. The Year 4s have been lucky enough to have some volunteers from the local Toastmasters group come to work with them for a few sessions, teaching them all about ways to present an engaging speech. We have been using various gestures, emotions and voice intonations in our sessions, and have had a lot of fun along the way too! We are looking forward to hearing everyone’s speeches in the next week. 

In Mathematics, Year 3 students have been exploring measurement, mass and capacity. It has been a very hands-on few weeks, as students have used scales, rulers and been introduced to the concept of hefting. Students have also been practicing their rounding skills daily, and the level 3 teachers couldn’t be prouder of their efforts and growth. Level 4 students have just finished up our classroom focus on times tables, which we have been working on for quite a few weeks now. It has been great to see the persistence and determination students have shown as they have worked to improve their recall of the tables. It would be great to see students continue to practise these at home throughout the remainder of the term. We are also using our Mathematics sessions to learn all about shape transformations and symmetry, as well as revise and practise our addition and subtraction strategies.  

Level 3 and 4 students have commenced the Term 4 Inquiry unit, ‘Explorers and Navigators’. This has included learning about some famous world explorers and the journeys they took around the world. A very exciting part of this has been all Level 4 students receiving a copy of the book ‘The Goat Who Sailed the World’ by Jackie French. The Year 4s have been enjoying reading along about the adventures of the Endeavour and tracking its course on a world map. Year 3 students have been following along as their teachers have read the book, and have also begun mapping the journey of the Endeavour. 

Over the next few weeks as part of Mathematics and Inquiry lessons, we are working on designing and creating our very own boats. We are aiming for them to be able to hold at least 100g while floating in water. Level 3 students have begun gathering materials to create their boats, while Level 4 students have already completed their designs and are currently working on the construction process. We are looking forward to testing out how successful our designs are once we have finished! 

In Week 2, Level 4 students were lucky enough to have Hands On Science visit to run an incursion on forces and motion. We learnt all about Isaac Newton and his laws, and got to see these in action through a range of experiments. We explored gravity, magnetism and friction, along with a range of other concepts. It was a fantastic session and had a great time. 

In week 3, the Level 3 students participated in a swimming program at Aquanation. Students should be commended on their exemplary behaviour, and in particular how quickly and efficiently they got ready for their activities. Students had the opportunity to extend their pre-existing swimming abilities, as well as learn about water safety and what to do in an emergency situation. Students capped off a fantastic week with a fun day on Friday, which was thoroughly deserved and enjoyed by all. 

We’re looking forward to another exciting few weeks ahead! 

Level 3 & 4 Teachers