Year 3/4 curriculum newsletter

Term 1 Curriculum Newsletter

Writing

In writing, the 3/4s will be looking at one of the following text types:

Narrative - We will be working through the steps beginning with sentence structure through to creating a final published writing piece. Students will be experimenting with their use of statements, commands, questions, and exclamations in their writing – as well as working on proper structure and using appropriate language features.
Information Reports - We will be discussing different types of texts that’s purpose is to inform the reader. Students will be exploring how to collect and structure research to produce an informative text.

Wellbeing

In Wellbeing, we are excited to be beginning our Resilience Project work. The Resilience Project teaches positive mental health strategies by working on lessons about Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness.

Reading

In Reading, students will be learning to make connections between:

the texts they read and their own personal experiences
two different texts
the texts they read and events that are happening in the world.

They will be learning to identify the main idea in fiction and nonfiction texts and distinguish the difference between the ‘topic’ and the ‘main idea’. Students will learn to understand the importance of visualising as they read and how it can assist them to comprehend the text.

Mathematics

In Mathematics, students will be focusing on units involving Number and Algebra and Measurement and Geometry. Students will be learning about units of time and telling time to the minute. They will measure, order and compare objects in length using centimetres and metres. Students will learn about place value of numbers to enable them to recognise, represent, order, partition, regroup and rearrange them.

Inquiry

Students will be exploring two topics as part of their inquiry unit. These will focus on health: identities and emotions and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures (HASS). In health, students will be focusing on the main concepts of diversity, respect and empathy. Students will explore the key characteristics of how these concepts can positively influence relationships, as well as researching and identifying strategies to respect and value diversity. In HASS, students will be focusing on country and place by exploring indigenous people and their cultures. Students will investigate the diversity of the First Nations Australians, their social organisation, and their continuous connection to country/place.

Specialists

VISUAL ARTS

This term students investigate the tools of drawing, creating artworks using pencils, markers, crayons, and oil pastels. Students learn the elements of art – line, shape, and colour.

Line- When exploring line, students will learn that lines can be combined and repeated in patterns.
Shape - When learning about shape, students will learn that imaginary shapes are called abstract shapes. Students will explore making marks for texture, shape, and colour; and drawing with rubbings for texture and shape.
Colour - When learning about colour, students will identify primary and secondary colours and they will discover that images might be coloured realistically or in an imaginative way.

This term we will be focussing on Motor skills including running, jumping, hopping and skipping. Students will be working on long and short distance running to improve their fitness levels. They will play tag games where they will need to be able to run and be aware of their personal space. (spatial awareness).

PERFORMING ARTS

During Term One in Performing Arts, Grade three and four students will be learning the basics of reading music, including notes that sit ‘on the line’ and ‘in the space’ on a musical stave when playing a ‘The Ribbon Game’. By the end of the term, students will be able to read enough sheet music to begin playing the recorder and keyboard. Students will also be exploring the concept of ‘Tableaux’ which is story telling through frozen images. Students will explore the use of facial expression and body language when creating performances with no words to share to their peers.

JAPANESE

This term in Japanese the Year 3/4 students are learning about the importance of Japanese New Year and that this year is the year of the Rabbit through a craft activity. They are creating ‘About Me’ bunting where students are writing facts about themselves and what they like. Students are practicing reading and translating the Japanese words on the bunting including name, age, family, birthday, pet, and favourite food. Students are continuing to develop their vocabulary through various learning activities such as games.