Year Four News

Term 3 in Grade 4 

Welcome Back!

Welcome back to school as we embark on an exciting journey through Term 3. We hope you had a fantastic holiday break and are ready for all the wonderful experiences this term has in store for us. We wanted to give you a quick update on what your child will be learning and share some friendly reminders from the Grade 4 teaching team.

Wellbeing

In Term 3, we will be placing our focus on developing effective calming and coping strategies when confronted with challenges. We will continue to enhance our understanding of the Zones of Regulation, enabling us to better recognise and understand our emotions on a regular basis. Throughout this unit, students will engage in analysing various scenarios and participating in role plays to reinforce and practise these problem-solving strategies. Additionally, we will be continuing our consent lessons, aligning with the Government's mandatory Consent Education policy.

Reading and Speaking/Listening

In Reading, Our focus will be on further enhancing their reading comprehension skills through the implementation of Literature Circles. By delving deeper into various comprehension strategies, students will gain a deeper understanding of the intricate aspects of each skill.

Literature Circles provide a fantastic platform for students to engage in thought-provoking discussions with their peers, effectively express their ideas, and actively listen to others' perspectives. Through this collaborative approach, students will not only refine their communication skills but also hone their active listening abilities. Furthermore, they will have ample opportunities to put their comprehension strategies into practice by analysing diverse texts. Alongside their exploration of Literature Circles, students will also continue strengthening other essential comprehension strategies, such as questioning and inferencing skills.

Writing

In term 3, the Grade 4 students will be developing their understanding of different sentence types and integrating these into their own writing. They will also continue to develop and further their understanding of the different traits of writing with particular emphasis on conventions, organisation and developing voice. Spelling will also be incorporated into writing sessions, building on students’ phonetic and word knowledge. 

Numeracy

In Numeracy, students will build upon their existing knowledge of the four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) by revising and refining their mental and written strategies. Place value concepts will continue to be a core focus, allowing students the ability to manipulate numbers and continue to develop a strong number sense. Students will further explore the place value system by delving into decimals, specifically tenths and hundredths, and making connections between decimals and fractions. Throughout the term, students will revisit and consolidate their understanding of various mathematical concepts, fostering fluency and mastery in different areas of mathematics.

Geography

This term our unit of work will focus on Geography and Biological Science. Students will have the opportunity to explore countries in Africa and South America, investigating the diverse vegetation and native animals that inhabit these continents, as well as the unique characteristics of their places and environments. As part of this unit, students will develop a deeper understanding of key biological science concepts, including the life cycles of various living organisms and their interdependence on each other and the environment for survival. Alongside these explorations, students will also acquire valuable skills in interpreting and analysing maps, as well as other geographical data and information. Through this integrated approach, students will not only expand their knowledge of geographical and biological concepts, but also foster a greater appreciation for the intricate connections between living things and their environments.

Homework

To support our in-class learning and promote continued growth, we will be continuing weekly numeracy and reading homework for our Grade 4 students, starting from week 1.

The Grade 4 homework will continue include two key components:

• 20 minutes of reading each day. To keep track of their reading progress, each student will need to complete the reading log in their homework book. 
• Students will also be assigned a numeracy task that directly relates to what we are currently exploring in the classroom. This will help reinforce their mathematical skills and boost their confidence.

Homework will be handed out on Mondays, giving students the entire week to complete it. We kindly request that all completed homework is returned by Friday so we can provide timely feedback and celebrate their efforts.

Additional Reminders

• Tissue Box Donations: We would greatly appreciate any donations of tissue boxes for our classroom. 
• Contacting the Classroom Teacher: Should you need to get in touch with your child's classroom teacher, please don't hesitate to use Compass. We are always here to support you and address any questions or concerns you may have.
• Swimming: Exciting news! Swimming lessons will commence in Week 3. To stay updated on important event details and any changes, please remember to check Compass regularly.
• Upcoming Events: Keep an eye on Compass for updates on upcoming events. We have some exciting activities and opportunities planned for the coming weeks, and we don't want you to miss out!

Warm regards, 

Jess, Kris, Tim and Anthea

Grade 4 Team