Hello BCPS Community,

It has been another busy and exciting fortnight in our 3 /4 classrooms. We are incredibly proud of the effort and growth shown across all areas of learning.

Mathematics
Over the past fortnight, students have been exploring maps through a range of engaging Geography activities. They investigated different types of maps, with a particular focus on birds-eye-view maps, and discussed how symbols, scale, and legends help readers understand information. Students then applied these skills by creating their own birds-eye-view maps of a familiar environment.

This week, students will work through a range of creative and hands-on learning experiences focusing on Angles. They will create colourful “Angle Art” pieces, using straight lines to design stained-glass-inspired artwork while identifying and labelling acute, right, obtuse, and, where appropriate, reflex and revolution angles. Students will also consolidate their understanding of angle types through movement activities, discussions, and an angle-colouring challenge that encourages them to apply their knowledge independently. These rich tasks will provide opportunities for students to explain their reasoning, justify their decisions, and showcase their mathematical learning in preparation for the upcoming Learning Expo.

Writing
Over the past week, students have begun exploring the text Trapped in the Ice. They worked on identifying the key events in the beginning, middle, and end of the text and used illustrations and labels to demonstrate their understanding. Students also analysed the author’s language choices, identifying how nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and punctuation work together to create meaning. Building on this knowledge, students participated in patterned writing activities, using the author’s sentence structures as a model to create their own detailed and purposeful sentences.

Students will begin planning a historical narrative linked to their Inquiry learning about explorers. They will learn about the features of historical narratives and explore how authors combine real historical facts with fictional events. Students will use their research to plan a story based on a significant event from their explorer’s voyage, incorporating real people, locations, and dates while creating imaginative situations to engage the reader. This planning will form the foundation for their historical narrative writing in the coming weeks.

Reading
Over the past week, students have been developing their fluency and expression through Reader’s Theatre. They explored the features of scripts, identified character roles, and practised reading aloud with expression, appropriate pacing, and character voices. Working collaboratively in groups, students rehearsed their scripts and refined their performances before presenting them to the class. This provided valuable opportunities to build confidence, improve oral reading skills, and deepen their understanding of how authors convey meaning through dialogue.

This week, students will focus on punctuation and speech within texts. They will revise and practise using a range of punctuation marks, including full stops, question marks, exclamation marks, commas, apostrophes, and quotation marks. Students will then explore direct speech, learning how quotation marks show a character’s exact words and what dialogue can reveal about a character’s thoughts and feelings. To build on this understanding, students will investigate indirect speech and practise changing between direct and indirect speech forms. These lessons will support students in becoming more accurate readers and more effective writers.

Wellbeing
Over the past week, students have continued developing their personal and social capabilities by exploring the importance of following instructions. Through class discussions, students considered why instructions are necessary at school and how they help keep everyone safe, organised, and ready to learn. They identified situations where instructions are commonly given, such as during lessons, transitions, excursions, and group activities, and reflected on the role that following instructions plays in creating a positive learning environment.

This week, students will have opportunities to put these skills into practice through a range of activities and games that require careful listening and following directions. They will focus on responding to instructions the first time they are given and reflect on how these behaviours support learning, safety, and respect within the classroom. These activities will continue to strengthen students’ understanding of their role in contributing positively to our school community.

Learning Expo
On Tuesday next week, our school is holding its learning expo; Family Math games night! The 3 / 4 cohort are excited to demonstrate some of the amazing skills they have learnt this term! Please make sure you can come along to support them.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to another fantastic fortnight of learning ahead.

Kindest wishes,
The Grade 3/4 Team