Year 4

Reading

In term 4, students participated in an author study. We looked at the literary works of Margaret Wild. We learned to analyse and comment on how illustrations added to the reader's understanding of the characters, the actions, and the feeling or mood of the story. As a class, studied how an author hooks their audience into a text through their choice of vocabulary, the building of suspense and how they described the characters. Students used textual evidence to identify character attributes and motives as well as character changes throughout a text. Then we focused on a range of nonfiction texts to discuss the similarities and differences between texts on similar topics, compared how textual features such as headings, subheadings, bold type and graphic organisers were used to order and present information. 

Writing

In writing, the students began the term focusing on Narrative writing where they developed their skills to independently plan, draft & publish a narrative text that contained an orientation, problem, events and solution.  We focused on using verbs that revealed what was said, felt or thought and used imaginative adjectives to create images. Students then finished the term creating information reports where they demonstrated their learning and understanding by researching a topic of interest and created a report on the topic of their choice.

Mathematics 

 In term 4, we focused on 3D shape and volume.  Students were able to recognise the 2D shapes that are the faces for 3D objects such as prisms, pyramids, cubes. They were asked to explain the similarities and differences between the properties of 2D and 3D shapes. They learned which metric units for volume are for larger and smaller amounts and used metric units to estimate and measure volume using the most efficient tools. We then recapped and built on the learning students completed in term 1 on time, before moving into a unit on fractions and decimals. The students learned to model, represent and label fractions while understanding the relationship between equivalent fractions in everyday life and recognise and model fractions of a whole and of collections. Students finished the term with patterns and algebra, capacity and place value to make sure they are ready to move into year 5.

Inquiry

 In term 4, we completed a unit called “Roam If You Want Too”. This unit focused on Australian history. Students investigated why the great journeys of exploration occurred, why the Europeans settled in Australia and the nature and consequence of contact between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and early traders, explorers and settlers. They gained the understanding that European settlement had a major and lasting impact on the lives of the indigenous people of Australia. 

ART

It was fun and exciting to be back on site and finally working with the grade 3-4 Students in Art. The students enjoyed some fun activities which got their creative juices flowing. To start the term, the students worked on ‘Street Art’ writing styles, such as “Bubble writing” and tapped into areas that we had previously worked on, such as lines, colour, shape, shading and pattern to create a ‘Bubble writing masterpiece’. The students then explored the 3D Art element -‘Form’, and created small ‘Superhero’ figurines, using air dried clay. The students designed their character writing a short narrative about it, which included its superpower and key characteristics. The students have also been making crafty designs, such as cards and lanterns to take home for special people in their lives and to decorate their trees and houses. It was great to see the kids back at school creating art, after a challenging year for everyone. I wish everyone a fantastic break and a well earned rest.

LOTE -CHINESE

Well done everyone for a fantastic term and end to the year! During term 4, grade threes and fours reviewed topics and vocabulary, such and colours and family members, to reinforce their learning. They also expanded their knowledge with topics and phrases about sports and self-introductions. They learnt communication skills such as self-introductions and talking about their family members. They also learnt about a Chinese holiday called the Mid-Autumn Festival. Have a wonderful holiday!

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

WE MADE IT TO THE END! We started off the term by going over team building activities, because it is important to work together! The Dream work makes the team work! Congratulations to all our different countries for doing well in our 2020 Melton West Olympics! Finally, we ended the year with Bike Ed. Our Grade fours looked at direction and riding on a straight line. Our Grade fives and sixes looked at how to check their bikes before riding and the grade six’s went out for a ride. 

Rest up and we will see you next year! 

SCIENCE

In Term 4, students have explored and developed their understanding of Chemical Science, particularly matter and its properties, focusing on solids, liquids and gases. Through fun and engaging experiments, students have investigated and observed how a change in temperature can affect the state of solids, liquids and gases, for example water changing to ice, or melting chocolate. They explored reversable and non-reversable matter by making playdoh and made Oobleck when we investigated non-Newtonian Fluids. We had a fantastic time conducting experiments to support the learning of Chemical Science.