In the first five weeks of Term 2, Year 4 students have been immersed in the world of poetry, focusing on Diamante and Haiku forms. The first 2 weeks focused on Diamante poems, known for their diamond shape, taught students about contrasting ideas and parts of speech. This structured approach enhanced their grammar skills and expanded their vocabulary.

Overall, this poetry journey will hone in on their creative expression but also fostered confidence in sharing their unique perspectives. As we continue exploring various poetic styles, we aim to cultivate a lasting love for poetry, empowering these young minds to express themselves with creativity and flair.

Thank you to the students who brought a poem from their culture to be shared with the classroom. 

As part of our literacy block, we have also started breaking down some morphemes. We explored and researched the morphemes 'meter' and 'gram/graph.' 

During the initial two weeks of Term 2, Year 4 students have embarked on an exciting word-collecting mission for their Diamante poems. The focus has been on expanding their vocabulary by discovering new and interesting words.

In their quest to enrich their poems, students delved into the world of synonyms and antonyms. Understanding these word relationships not only enhanced their grasp of language but also added depth and variety to their writing.

Through this word-centric approach, students are not just memorizing definitions but actively building a toolkit of expressive language. As they continue to gather and integrate these newfound words, they are laying a strong foundation for crafting vibrant and engaging Diamante poems.

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In the early weeks of Term 2, our Year 4 students have been diving deep into the world of addition and subtraction. With a hands-on approach, they've been utilizing MAB (Multibase Arithmetic Blocks) blocks to visualize and understand mathematical concepts.

The vertical addition and subtraction methods have also been introduced, allowing students to organize numbers neatly and perform calculations efficiently. Alongside these techniques, the number line strategy has proven invaluable in helping students visualize number relationships and solve problems with ease.

But it's not just about mastering mathematical operations; it's also about developing problem-solving skills. Through a series of engaging tasks and challenges, students are encouraged to think critically, analyze situations, and devise strategies to tackle complex problems.

As they continue to explore and practice these addition and subtraction strategies, our Year 4 students are not only building a strong mathematical foundation but also cultivating resilience, critical thinking, and teamwork skills that will serve them well in all areas of their education and beyond.

A huge shout out to the students working on their My Numeracy apps at home!

In our Year 4 classroom, curiosity is in full swing as students embark on an inquiry-based exploration of Australia. Armed with captivating pictures and intriguing short videos showcasing the beauty and diversity of the land Down Under, students were tasked with asking themselves thought-provoking questions.

This exercise aimed to spark their curiosity and encourage them to reflect on what they already know about Australia, as well as what they wish to discover further. From the bustling cityscapes to the serene Outback, each visual stimulus ignited a myriad of questions and wonderings.

The overarching goal of this inquiry journey? To answer the big question: What makes Australia unique? As the term progresses, students will delve deeper into their questions, conduct research, and collaborate to uncover the essence of Australia's uniqueness.

By engaging in this self-directed inquiry, our Year 4 students are not only honing their research and critical thinking skills but also cultivating a deeper appreciation and understanding of Australia's diverse landscapes, cultures, and histories. It promises to be an exciting and enlightening term of discovery!