Year 4 Newsletter

Important Dates
Term 2
Week 4
National Walk to
School Day
Week 5
Grandparents Day
Week 6
World Environment
Day
Week 7
Queens Birthday
Holiday
Class & Individual
Photos
Week 10
Junior School Music
Recital Evening

The Great Cream

Whip Off!

Term 2 2015

Week 2

Unit of Inquiry

Literacy

We continue on with our Unit of Inquiry

this term investigating the properties of
simple machines; looking at levers,
pulleys, wheel and axles and inclined
planes. There was much fun being had
during our incursion at the end of last
term, with Alan and his toy museum,
Students learnt how simple machines are
used in toys, particularly toys from a
generation or two ago. Last week we
looked at simple machines in the kitchen
when the Year 4 teachers, Mrs Dowdell
and Mrs Pearson engaged in a feisty
competition called The Great Cream
Whip Off. Four different simple machines
were used to whip cream in one minute,
with Mrs Pearson and her beloved Swift
Whip taking out a narrow victory over
Miss Simons Tupperware whipper.
Students have also had the opportunity to
work with each simple machine in hands
on type workshops within the classroom.

This term our focus is on different poetry

Their learning during this unit will

culminate in an information report about
an invention to gain a clear understanding
of how to write a report as well as using
the appropriate vocabulary.

Mrs Jackaman & Ms Bramley

structures such as acrostic, haiku, couplets, limericks and free verse. We will be
incorporating grammar features throughout our poetry writing so students can
practice those skills too. As culminating
activities, 4JB will be creating a class
poetry book and 4AS will be performing
their poems in a poetry slam.

Numeracy
In 4JB we are learning about telling the
time using analogue and digital clocks.

Year 4 Homework Expectations

We have looked at using terms such as

Homework guidelines are in place to

ensure there is a consistent approach to
homework across the year level.

'to' and 'past' and the difference between

Homework is set at the beginning of the

week for the entire week and students are
expected to do 30 minutes a night
(MondayThursday), some of which will
be reading. Students are expected to read
aloud to a parent at least once a week.
The focus for homework is on spelling,
reading, physical activity and times tables
although unfinished work may be added
occasionally.
It is preferable the homework is done
nightly but the expectation is that its done
over the week (to accommodate out of
school activities).

am and pm. Please practise telling the

time with your children at home.
Mrs Jackaman
In 4AS we are learning mapping skills,
focusing on grid references, cardinal
directions, scale, using GPS and giving
directions. We will be putting together a
map of the Junior School to be used on
Grandparent's Day.
Ms Bramley
The classes will swap units later in the
term.