Year 4 News 

English

Reading 

In term 4 students are partaking in an author study where they will be analysing and critiquing the works of Margaret Wild. We will be reading many of her published books, where we will learn to look at the different techniques that authors use to engage their audience. Throughout the term we will be analysing how illustrations can add to the reader’s understanding of the characters, their actions and the mood of the story. We will learn about what a hook is and how these are used to draw readers into a book through their choice of vocabulary, description of characters or the build up of suspense. We will also be looking at how a character’s attributes, motives and changes are shown by an author, by looking at the evidence shown in the text. Towards the end of the term, we will move onto nonfiction texts where we will discuss the similarities and differences between some similar texts, as well as comparing them together to see how different text features are used to order and present information.

Writing 

Grade 4 students will begin writing this term by looking at Narratives. Over the next few weeks they will build on their ability to independently plan, draft and publish a narrative text, where they will use language to describe the characters, setting, problem and solution in their story. We will be learning about how to group our ideas together into paragraphs so that our writing is coherent. Students will then be focusing on using different language features to make their writing engaging, such as verbs and imaginative adjectives. For the remainder of the term, we will be focusing on information reports. Students will learn how to plan, draft and publish an information report on their topic of choice, focusing on using the correct structure, technical vocabulary and features of an information report.

Mathematics

In mathematics students will begin the term with 3D Shapes and Volume, where students will work on using their knowledge on 2D shapes that are the faces for 3D objects (e.g. prisms, pyramids and cubes). They will also use this knowledge to look at some of the similarities and differences between 2D and 3D shapes. When moving onto volume, they will learn to identify which metric units for volume are for larger and smaller amounts, and use these units to estimate and measure volume. 

Our Fractions and Decimals unit will then be our next focus. Here, students will learn about how to model, represent and label fractions, as well as learning to understand the relationship between equivalent fractions in everyday life. They will also be focusing on developing their ability to recognise and model fractions of a whole and of collections. Students will then finish the term with Capacity, Place Value and Time before moving into grade 5.

Inquiry

In Term 4, our Grade 4 learners will be exploring a topic 'Oh the place we could go’. The key understanding for this unit is: Life in Australia is both similar and different to neighbouring countries. Students will be examining the similarities and differences between Australia and Australia's neighbouring countries, such as New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, and what it would be like to live in those countries. 

Science

This term students will be investigating chemical science focusing on properties of everyday materials. Students will investigate the properties of natural and processed materials and determine how these relate to its use. They will conduct experiments on different properties such as tensile strength, absorbency and record these findings in diagrams, graphs and tables, then interpret the results from the findings and identify the best material for the job. Additionally, students will look at the properties of materials and how they decompose and the effect this can have on our environment (e.g. single use bags).    

LOTE - Chinese

Welcome to term 4 Grade 4, the last term of 2022. In this term, the main topics for Grade 4 will be sports and pets. Students will not only learn about how to pronounce each word, but they will also be required to learn how to say it in sentences, such as What is your favourite sport? Do you have any pets? For sports topics, students will also learn how to kick the  chinese shuttlecock, and how to do tai chi. While for pets, students will get the chance to introduce their pets, and those who don’t have any pets at the moment can imagine the pet they want to have in the future. 

Art

The Grade 4 students have started the term learning about symmetry. The students are practicing their ‘Mirror image skills’ and draw the opposite side of an image to attempt balanced proportions in their drawing. It is interesting to see the students who enjoy the structured mathematical side of art, as opposed to the free drawing, less structured side to art. The students will also celebrate spring and design beautiful ‘Cherry Blossom’ trees, using a Japanese paint blowing method with ink and crepe paper to represent the blossoms. The students will then tap into their ‘spooky creativity’ for Halloween at the end of October. Moving further into the term students will explore the 3D art; exploring height, width and depth, using materials to manipulate into fun objects. They will also explore weaving techniques and beading. The students will end the term design cards and decorations for someone special and for Christmas. I look forward to a fun term, with a positive end to the year in Art, with the grade 4 students.

 P.E.

For term 4 the grade 4 students will focus on the sports of badminton, hockey, and netball. They will be asked to apply the skills required in these sports for a games-based approach. Students will be engaged in small-sided games (mini games) in each of these sports which will assist them in the development of the relevant skills required. Some of the motor skills being worked on include throwing, catching, striking, running, and dodging. Students will use their prior learning and skill development which will help them engage and play each sport. Students will have ample opportunity to play each of the sports and learn as they play. Knowledge of rules and problem solving are both going to be explored throughout this term and hopefully provide the starting point for grade 4 students as they move into the later years of primary school physical education. This term will be lots  of fun and I can’t wait to work with the grade 4 students again in our final term of the year!