HOW THE WORLD WORKS

Students will explore how forces affect motion and how simple machines make work easier. They will use the design cycle to plan, create, and improve their own innovations. Students will apply scientific thinking, reflect on their designs, and build self-management skills. They will investigate real-world examples of invention and problem-solving. Through hands-on activities and a field trip to the science museum, students will connect science and creativity to how the world works.

PROCEDURES

Students will learn how to write clear, organized instructions for different audiences and purposes. They will read and analyze procedural texts, noticing features like headings, numbered steps, and diagrams. Students will build vocabulary, explore sentence types, and use linking words to guide readers. They will plan, draft, revise, and edit their writing, improving through feedback. As they write, read, speak, and present, students will grow their ability to communicate ideas clearly using both words and visuals.

SHAPE & SPACE

In this integrated mathematics unit, students will explore shapes, space, and position in real-world contexts. They will name, describe, and classify 2D and 3D shapes using clear geometric language. They will identify angles, lines of symmetry, and transformations like flips, slides, and turns. Students will measure angles, compare them, and describe rotations. They will use coordinates and compass directions to locate objects on grids and maps. This unit builds spatial awareness and helps students see geometry in the world around them.

NUMBER & NUMBER SENSE

Students will explore the base-10 system and understand that a digit’s value depends on its place—thousands, hundreds, tens, or ones, and begin to investigate decimals. They count in steps, compare numbers, and identify patterns with odd, even, and multiples of 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100. Students round numbers, find missing values in sequences, and make general statements about sums and differences. They also learn to double two-digit numbers, building strong number sense and growing confidence.

MEASUREMENT

Students will learn to measure length, mass, capacity, using standard units. They will estimate and record measurements (to nearest 1/2 cm), understand relationships between units, and convert between them. 

STORIES OF IDEAS AND INNOVATION

In this unit, students will strengthen their Portuguese literacy skills through connections with the Year 4 How the World Works Unit of Inquiry. Using forces, machines, inventions, problem-solving, and innovation as meaningful contexts, students will read, discuss, and create narrative texts, exploring how characters respond to problems, develop ideas, and find solutions. They will use dialogue to communicate interactions and consider cause-and-effect relationships within stories. As part of their stand-alone Portuguese learning, students will develop reading fluency and comprehension, narrative structure, dialogue, paragraphing, linking words, descriptive vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation while planning, writing, revising, and improving their texts.

FORCES IN MOTION

Students will develop their skills through Ball Skills, with a focus on force and motion, control, accuracy, speed, direction, technique, and strategy. Integrated with the Year 4 How the World Works Unit of Inquiry, students will explore how forces affect the movement of balls and sporting equipment and how changing the amount or direction of force can influence performance. Through throwing, catching, striking, and other ball activities, they will investigate cause and effect and refine their techniques through practice and reflection. As part of their stand-alone PE learning, students will apply movement and ball skills in small games, use equipment safely and effectively, develop greater control and accuracy, follow rules, make strategic choices, and reflect on ways to improve their performance.