Grade 4
Welcome to Term 1 2020!
TERM 1 2020
Welcome to Term 1 2020!
The teachers in Grade 3/4 are Garrison Grigg, Rachel Lehrner, Linda Perkins and Tayla White.
The Albert Park Way and Learning Dispositions
The Albert Park Way of Be Kind, Act Safely, Respect Others’ Rights, One Voice at a Time and Keep Trying will be revised and students will determine what that looks like, sounds like and feels like in Year 4. They will also explore how the 5 Learning Dispositions of Self Regulate, Collaborate, Reflect, Persist and Create enhance our daily life in Year 4.
Literacy
In Reading, students will learn the importance of choosing a just right book that puts them in the stretch zone and will continue to work towards their individual reading goals. They will explore narrative texts and interpret their features. Students will identify, describe and discuss similarities and differences between a range of text types, strengthening their understanding that reading is thinking. Students will use comprehension strategies to analyse narrative features and persuasive texts whilst linking ideas from their own perspective, making connections to other books they have read, real life experiences and what they know about the world.
In Writing, students will develop their own Writer’s Notebook. This is a place for collecting their writing ideas as well as a place to practise the crafting of writing. Throughout Term 1, students will revise the elements of the Writing Process. Narrative and persuasive texts will be two particular text types that the students will explore in Term 1 whilst strengthening their understanding of the 6+1 Traits of Writing. Students will continue to work actively throughout the term on their individual writing goals..
Opportunities to develop Speaking and Listening skills will be integrated throughout all our units of work. During guided reading groups, reading and writing conferencing, literature circles, small and large group discussions and writing about reading in their reading journal; students will develop their skills of
-Active listening and questioning - asking questions to clarify any content that is confusing or unclear
-Forming a point of view and explaining reasons for it based on evidence
-Public speaking – build confidence to contribute actively to class and group discussions
-Discuss literary experiences with others, sharing responses and expressing a point of view
-Planning, rehearsing and delivering presentations with the audience in mind
Numeracy
The topics students will work on in Term 1 are
-Place Value
-Statistics and Probability
-Addition and Subtraction.
Students will consolidate their mathematical knowledge by relating what they learn to real life problems and to other areas of the curriculum. They are encouraged to use a variety of problem solving strategies to solve mathematical problems.
The Grade 4 teachers will work with students to develop skills and concepts through explicit teaching in both whole class and small focus groups. There will be a focus on mental calculation, fluency and the teaching of problem solving strategies to develop a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. In Numeracy, the proficiencies of Understanding, Fluency, Problem Solving and Reasoning underpin all we do.
Inquiry
Our inquiry topic is Best of Me. This unit will focus on well-being, what it means to be healthy, how we can keep ourselves healthy, the daily choices we make and the interactions with others that have an impact upon our health. This topic delves into personal, social and emotional health, exploring what it takes to be the best me for each student. Across the term, the students will be exploring personal, social and community health in addition to strengthening personal and social capabilities and continuing to build their critical and creative thinking.
Student Diaries
Students have a 2020 Diary. This diary provides students with the opportunity to plan their school week, homework, extracurricular activities and record special events. Students will be expected to have their diaries at school each day. All home reading will be recorded in this diary. Students will write down the book they are reading, title and author and the pages they read. Please note that student absences still require the office to be contacted in a timely manner.
Homework
Students read a book of choice at level for at least 20 minutes each night for a minimum of 4 nights per week. Each night, students need to record...
Title of the book
Pages read (pg 35-40)
Time spent reading (20 min)
3 Mathletics tasks a week: 3 tasks will be assigned, differentiated towards students’ ability. Students must get a 10/10 on each task and must try the task again until they are successful. Students should use a piece of paper to help them work out the problems.
Diaries need to be signed by a parent/carer at the end of the week and will be handed in Friday morning and checked by the teacher.
Parent Communications
Student diaries are an invaluable tool for collaborating between the school and the home. Parents are encouraged to use their child’s diary to communicate important information to their child’s teacher.
Information, regular updates, and resources will be posted through the app Konnective and on the school website at www.albertparkps.vic.edu.au. All forms and notices are available in their PDF form on the school website.
Parents will receive updates on their child’s learning and areas for improvement in all areas of the curriculum via the Seesaw app.