Year 4 Snapshot of Learning

Central Idea:

The dynamic changes of the Earth have an impact on people’s lives.

An inquiry into:

• The structure of the Earth (Form)
• The effect of the Earth’s continuous changes (Causation)
• People’s responses to the Earth’s changes (Connection)

Each class has tuned in to the unit by thinking about the structure of Earth and its place in the solar system. Students will use non-fiction books, videos, photographs and demonstrations to explore Earth’s dynamic changes.

Students form research teams to investigate the causes and effects of a natural disasters and how communities can prepare and respond to these events. Earth’s dynamic changes include earthquakes, volcanoes, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, droughts, avalanches, landslides, tsunamis and of course, typhoons. In their expert groups they will present their findings and solutions through different mediums, including information reports, diagrams, data, storyboards and scientific models.

Teachers will support the development of the students’ oral communication skills as they learn to speak clearly so they make sense to others.

We would like parents to be a part of this important process by inviting you to the classrooms to attend an interactive exhibition of learning on Thursday, 23rd of November from 11:20am - 12:20pm. More details will follow but please add the date to your diary if you are able to join.

Teachers will carry out pre-assessments to determine the students’ readiness to learn the following strategies.

Key learning objectives include:

• Model addition and subtraction of whole numbers

• Solve addition & subtraction problems (including real life and word) using a range of efficient mental and written strategies

• add and subtract numbers with up to 4 digits using the formal written methods of column addition and subtraction where appropriate.

• estimate and use inverse operations to check answers to a calculation

• solve addition and subtraction two-step problems in contexts, deciding which operations and methods to use and why

Students will be working towards these targets:

• I know my number bonds to 100

• I can mentally add & subtract 3 digit numbers and 2 digit

• I can model addition of three digit numbers using trading game with base 10 blocks

• I can mentally add three or more two digit numbers

• I can model subtraction of whole numbers using tokens, bundling sticks and/or base 10 blocks

• I can solve addition and subtraction problems using a range of strategies, including:

• I can add & subtract whole numbers using a formal written strategy