Learning In My Level

Level 3/4 News! 

What a great start to the year for the 3/4 teachers and students! Students have enjoyed completing the whole school Start Up program and have now settled in well to the classroom routines and expectations.  

E-Smart  

In the last few weeks Level 3 and 4 has learnt how to create a long and strong password. Students had a go creating their own strong passwords using a combination of special characters (i.e. *, @, !, &), capital letters, numbers and lower case letters. We have also looked at the different spaces online and how safe or public your information may be in each one. This includes a personal online space (for your eyes only e.g. your own private passwords), private space (where you control who you invite to join e.g. a game server) and public space (where everyone can comment and engage e.g. YouTube).  

Next lesson we will be looking at how to communicate effectively online, specifically via email.  

E-Safety webinars for parents 

If you are interested in gaining more information and tools to support your child online, the following parent/carer webinars are available:  

• eSafety 101: how eSafety can help you - 21st March 7:30 - 8pm  
• Setting your child up for success online – 14th March 12:30 -1pm 
• Getting the most out of gaming – 14th March 7:30 – 8:15pm  
• Navigating online friendships – 29th March 7:30 – 8pm 

These are free and run by the eSafety Commissioner. Please visit:  https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars 

Mathematics 

In Mathematics Level 4 has looked at using a growth mindset, place value, rounding, odd and even numbers. Level 3 students have also explored place value, specifically the ability to order and represent numbers in different ways. They have also been learning how to measure various objects, and the language associated with measurement (length, width, formal/informal units). Students have developed their data and graphing skills too by interpreting a set of data and drawing a picture graph. 

Students have consolidated and practiced their understanding through Maths games, hands on materials such as dice, MAB blocks, SeeSaw activities, Mathletics booklets and more.  

This year we have an Enrichment program running where once a week each Year 3 and 4 class receives 1 hour of extra place value and number learning from another classroom teacher. Year 3 students will commence this program after NAPLAN and have been learning how to use laptops during our enrichment sessions for the first 6 weeks. 

Reading 

In Reader’s Workshop Level 4 has focused on apostrophes of possession, our favourite books, contractions, reading accuracy, how to choose a just right book and monitoring comprehension. Class teachers have started conferencing with each student and begun setting reading goals for students to be working on. Next week we will be looking at making predictions.  

Level 3 students have learned how to identify a ‘Just Right’ book and have focussed on making predictions and different types of connections whilst reading. These include text-to-world, text-to-text and text-to-self and encourage students to engage further with their reading by relating what they’re reading to their own experiences. They have learned how to borrow books by themselves in the library with the assistance of Mrs Ellis and have thoroughly enjoyed our Flashlight Friday reading sessions. 

Writing 

In Writing Level 4 students have created their own SMART goals for the year, written a recount from their holidays, created poems explaining themselves and started to look at persuasive writing. This term there has been a big focus on the writing process; planning, drafting, editing, revising and publishing. Last week students chose a persuasive topic they are passionate about. Students have brainstormed and are now in the process of drafting their introductions and body paragraphs following the OREO structure. Level 4 has also started their cursive handwriting practice in preparation for pen licences.  

Level 3 students have explored persuasive writing with a big focus on the structure of their texts. They have examined the introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion of a persuasive text and understand that high modality words can be used to make writing more persuasive. Year 3 students have learnt about the OREO structure for a body paragraph which includes their opinion, a reason, an example and their opinion restated once more. They are now in the middle of a unit of narrative writing, where they are learning about the 7 Steps to writing a great narrative with a focus on planning for success and writing a sizzling start to engage the reader. 

Inquiry 

Our topic for inquiry is ‘Celebrations Around the World’. Level 3 and 4 students learnt about various celebrations by participating in rotations run by the different class teachers. Whilst they visited each classroom teacher they received a snapshot of information about the Songkran water festival, Holi, La Tomatina and the Moon Festival. Level 3 students have also participated in rotations exploring the Songkran water festival, Obon festival, Holi and Australia Day. They have been learning about the differences between a celebration and a commemoration and have engaged in rich discussions in their classrooms. 

Students have now been introduced to the Inquiry Research Project. Soon students will present to the class their research and facts on their chosen celebration. We encourage students to think about creating an online presentation, iMovie, poster or Book Creator to engage their audience. Some might even like to bring an artefact if they have one from home. We can’t wait to hear all about the amazing celebrations from around the world! 

Resilience Project  

Level 3/4 has begun the Resilience Project and completed activities in their journals. We have learnt about gratitude, emotional literacy, empathy, mindfulness, identified our character strengths and how we can practice these regularly to live happier and healthier lives. We have learnt that the best way to get better at these strategies is to practise them as often as we can and encourage students to share their experiences with their families. 

Sport 

“The Year 3s and 4s have been participating in ¾ Sport in rotations such as long jump, high jump, triple jump, hurdles, 100m and 800m” - Edie 3/4S 

This is in preparation for the House Athletics Carnival coming up on Monday 27th March. 

Level 4 has also had Lacrosse clinics running every Wednesday by Gecko Sports. Students are learning how to use the lacrosse stick, pick up and throw the ball to a partner.  

Thank you 

It was so lovely to meet so many parents and carers during the ‘Getting to Know You’ interviews. We look forward to working together to ensure your child has a great year in Grade 3/4.  

Term 1 photo highlights