Level 3/4

Learning makes your world more colourful

Welcome to Term 1, 2022

It has been wonderful to see the students bounce back into school for the start of another big term. All classes were given the time to participate in the Positive Start program and build expectations and behaviours through the HEPS values of respect, resilience, teamwork and growth. It was great to share time learning together about our character strengths, growth mindset, green light thinking and the 5 ways to wellbeing.

Literacy

READING: Level 3/4 students are immersed in reading and a love of reading will continue to be promoted during our Reader’s Workshop sessions. This term, students will be taught that understanding and thinking about what they read is important. Students are taught to think about their thinking while they read.

Students are explicitly taught reading strategies and then given the chance to practise them. They are taught to read accurately and fluently. They are taught to think about what they read, to ask questions as they read, to make predictions and to evaluate their thinking.

WRITING: This term we look forward to expanding our learners' knowledge around Narrative and Persuasive writing. We will be focusing on writing our own personal narratives then moving on to writing myths and legends. As students learn about Narrative and Persuasive writing they will also follow a writing stages model becoming independent young authors to plan, draft, conference, revise, edit and publish their writing.

We also use The 6 + 1 Writing Traits. These traits used alongside the writing stages are a way of teaching, modelling, and assessing the instruction of writing. The 6 + 1 Writing Traits of writing are Voice, Ideas, Presentation, Conventions, Organisation, Word Choice, and Sentence Fluency. It creates a common vocabulary and guidelines for teachers to use with students so that they become familiar with the terms used in writing.

SPELLING: Jolly Phonics is HEPS' whole school approach to spelling and grammar. Jolly Phonics is a multisensory synthetic phonics system and this term will see students continuing to follow the Jolly Phonics spelling and grammar handbook. Level 3 / 4 activities are differentiated for Level 3 and 4 and students are able to complete activities that cater for their own individual needs. Spelling activities and lists will be provided each week for Level 3 and Level 4 students. Our focus this term is a range of letter digraphs (letter combinations) that form a range of spelling rules. Grammar lessons continue to be a mixture of introducing new information and revising previously learned skills.

Maths

This term the students in Levels 3 / 4 will be extending on their place value knowledge before exploring time, data and number patterns involving addition, subtraction and multiplication later in the term. They will work on telling the time to the nearest minute and solving problems involving time duration. There will be a focus on incorporating the four maths proficiencies of understanding, fluency, reasoning and problem solving, as well as hands on, open ended tasks and differentiation to support all levels of learners. We look forward to continuing our students' growth with Mathematics this term as well as extending our students ability to question and think independently to solve real world maths problems.

Homework

Homework will begin mid Term 1. Classroom teachers will explain what is expected and students will receive a homework grid. Level 3/4 will have ownership and choice with their homework as they work their way through a variety of tasks on the grid. We aim to build healthy homework habits in our learners, encouraging a discipline of practice and effective time management skills. Homework is to be completed at home and returned to school on a weekly basis. Individual classroom teachers will communicate more when appropriate.

Students are encouraged to read at home every night as part of their routine. Unlike the early years at HEPS Level 3 / 4 borrow books from the library that they use in class and we do not have take home readers. The HEPS library is resourceful and a great place to start as students attend library once a week and have an opportunity to borrow up to 4 books each visit. If your child requires more books, local Eastern Regional Libraries offer free borrowing on a wide range of texts.

Inquiry

This term our Inquiry focus will guide the students towards developing an understanding of Australia’s First People and what life was like before the arrival and settlement of Europeans. Students will learn about the arrival of the First Fleet and what life was like as a convict. Students will use the inquiry skills of predicting and questioning, analysing data and information, reflecting and responding.

We will study the diversity and longevity of Australia’s first peoples and the ways they are connected to Country and Place.

We look forward to introducing an Inquiry showcase at the end of every term. Stay tuned for more information on this.

Communication

You are welcome to email your class teacher and we will respond as soon as possible during business hours. You are also welcome to call the school office and make an appointment with your child's teacher.

Mrs. Kim Holmes : kimberley.holmes@heathmonteastps.vic.edu.au

Mrs. Terri McClare: terri.mcclare@heathmonteastps.vic.edu.au

Mrs. Caroline Tait : caroline.tait@heathmonteastps.vic.edu.au

Miss. Genevieve Edgell: genevieve.edgell@heathmonteastps.vic.edu.au

Mrs. Kelly Veness: kelly.veness@heathmonteastps.vic.edu.au

Mr. John Exton: john.exton@heathmonteastps.vic.edu.au

Mrs. Michelle Wridgway: michelle.wridgway@heathmonteastps.vic.edu.au

Mrs. Ruby Whitfield: ruby.whitfield@heathmonteastps.vic.edu.au

Miss. Tahlia Oluc: tahlia.oluc@heathmonteastps.vic.edu.au