What on this week...? (Term 4, Week 4)

This week, we begin a new focus in English. For the next two weeks we will be examining and writing poetry. The children will learn about figurative language and many different types of poems. In Maths, we continue to look at shape, area, volume and capacity. On Wednesday, the children will have their first transition session into either a grade 3 or grade 4 class, not their class for next year, but just to experience what it will be like next year. We continue our Heating Up unit and we will investigate the conductivity of different materials when heated by hot water. The children will also continue to work on their MOSCARS movies. Please remember that Friday 31st October is a curriculum day and therefore there is no school on this day. Have a great week...

Homework (Term 4, Week 3)

For the next two weeks we focus on shapes, area, volume and capacity. Complete each of these activities and fill out the homework grid as you complete them.

Weekly Spelling Words
Focus: Spelling.
Task: Learn your 10 words. Can you get 10/10 this week?

Reading
Focus: Reading (15-20 mins).
Task: Read at least 4 times a week. Make sure your parents/adult signs your diary.

Maths
Focus: Shape and area.
Task 1: Complete the worksheet on area.
Task 2: Log onto http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/shape.htm, play the games and learn about 2D and 3D shapes.  Science
Focus: Heating Up
Task: As a part of our topic ‘Heating Up, you need to you need to make a solar oven. It’s easy. Follow the instructions on the sheet to make your solar oven. Bring your solar oven to school on Wednesday 5^th November so we can cook something in it! Please take photos of you making and testing your solar oven.

What on this week...? (Term 4, Week 3)

This week, the students will complete their narrative stories, turning them into books with a front and back cover, blurb, illustrations and, of course, an imaginative story. In maths, we begin a new topic exploring 2D and 3D shapes and the area, volume and capacity that these shapes have. We continue our Heating Up science unit as well as our history topic, exploring change in our community. The students will also complete some more assessments in preparation for end of the year reporting. On Monday, our class has the opportunity to purchase books at Book Fair. So if your child has a book they would like to buy, they can bring their money with them on Monday. Books can also be purchased before and after school until Tuesday. MOSCARS is back for another year, and the students will be making short films focusing on the topic 'Friendship'. To finish off the week, we will re-make our sugar crystals which didn't work as planned the first time! A big week this week. Have a great one!

Homework (Term 4, week 2)

Weekly Spelling Words
Focus: Spelling.
Task: Learn your 10 words. Can you get 10/10 this week?

Reading
Focus: Reading (15-20 mins).
Task: Read at least 4 times a week. Make sure your parents/adult signs your diary.

 

Maths
Focus: Multiplication.
Task 1: Complete the multiplication worksheet.
Task 2: Grade 3 – Revise your 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 times tables. Grade 4 - Revise your 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9 times tables.

Science
Focus: Heating Up
Task: As a part of our topic ‘Heating Up, you need to you need to make a solar oven. It’s easy. Follow the instructions on the sheet you were provided to make your solar oven. Bring your solar oven to school on Wednesday 5th November so we can cook something in it! Please take photos of you making and testing your solar oven.

Smartie Cookies

Today we made Smartie cookies. They were yum!

Homework (Term 4, Week 1)

Here is this week's homework:

Reading
Focus: Reading (15-20 mins).
Task: Read at least 4 times a week. Make sure your parents/adult signs your diary.

Maths
Focus: Multiplication.
Task 1: Complete the multiplication colouring worksheet.
Task 2: Complete at least 2 multiplication tasks on Mathletics.

Science
Focus: Heating Up
Task: Complete the ‘Heat at Home’ project. Refer to the sheet for more information.

There are no spelling words this week.

What's on this week...? (Week 2, Term 4)

We had a great start to the term this, completing lots of work. The students were all happy to be back at school and worked hard. This week, we will continue to work on Multiplication and Division in Maths. We will also do some cooking (biscuits) to use (and eat) as part of a division game. In English, we continue looking at how narratives work, and begin writing our own narratives. We begin our history topic this week, that focuses on continuity and change in our local area. We will run this unit simultaneously with our science unit. We will complete a few assessments over the next two weeks, as we head towards the end of the year. Book fair begins later next week, and our class will be having a preview of what's on offer on Thursday. Another good week. Enjoy it...!

What's on this week (Term 4, Week 1)

Hi there. I hope you've enjoyed your holidays. On Monday, we will be begin the final term for the year. Remember that in term 4, you must wear a hat, so please remember to bring your hat to wear in the yard. The specialist timetable remains the same this term as it was last term. The timetable is outlined below. We begin this week by focusing on Multiplication and Division in Maths and narrative writing in Literacy. We also begin our new science topic which is called Heating Up. I look forward to seeing you all ready to go on Monday.

Term 4 Timetable

Monday
Music
Indonesian (Fortnightly)
Homework Due

Tuesday
PE

Wednesday
Receive homework

Thursday
Art
Library
LAB

Friday
Grade 3/4 Sport
Indonesian (Fortnightly)

End of Term 3

We made it to the end of term 3! Wow how this year has flown by. The kids have worked really hard this term and we have had some fun with camp and swimming and have learnt a lot in Science, Maths and English. I hope you have a wonderful break and return ready to go in term 4! See you on the 6th October...

Mr.Fraser

3/4F Science/Enviro Week Sculpture Complete

3/4F have completed our Science/Enviro Week sculpture! Here it is! It even makes food to 'Fed the future' with a food chute on top.

Footy Colours Day

We celebrated Footy Colours Day at MPS with a footy day parade, making graphs about our favourite AFL footy team and eating pies!!!! Here is some pictures of our day. Go Bombers!!

 

Mr.Fraser's Footy Graph

 

Ashley's Footy Graph

Jordy's Footy Graph

Phoebe's Footy Graph

Hip Hop... Mitcham Style!

Today 3/4F joined other Mitcham students in a hip hop dance lesson. Here's the result. They were fantastic!

Footy Colours Day Mascots

In preparation for footy colours day, 3/4F made their own footy mascots. The designs had to be original and include background details. Here's a movie of the mascots we made.

What's on this week...? (Term 3, Week 10)

Welcome to the last week of term 3! This week, we focus on place value in Maths. We also have our 'Maths Day' on Wednesday. In English, we complete our news reports and supplementary videos of these reports. On Wednesday, the grade 3s and 4s will be participating in a hip hop dancing session. We have our footy colours day on Thursday (if you come dressed in your colours please bring a gold coin). Finally on Friday we finish early (2.30pm) with a final assembly. As this is the last week of term, there will be no homework. Enjoy your week.

Homework (Term 3, Week 9)

This is our last week of homework for term 3! In maths we continue to look at time. Complete each of these activities and fill out the homework grid as you complete them.

Weekly Spelling Words
Focus: Spelling.
Task: Learn your 10 words. Can you get 10/10 this week?

Reading
Focus: Reading (15-20 mins).
Task: Read at least 4 times a week. Make sure your parents/adult signs your diary.

Maths
Focus: Time.
Task 1: Log onto Mathletics. Complete all allocated time tasks.
Task 2: Play ‘Stop the clock’ (http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/stoptheclock/sthec4.html). Can you complete the answers in the quickest time? Write down your time for each attempt in your homework book. Graph your results.

Literacy
Focus: News Reports.
Task: Log onto http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/english/writing/newspapers/read/1/ and read through the content. Play the game and complete the quiz.

Footy Colours Day

Footy colours day is on Thursday 18th September 2014. If your child would like to order food for that day, please return the form and $5 by Friday 12th September. No orders will be accepted after the 12th. I look forward to seeing the children in their favourite footy colours.

The Volcanoes have erupted!

Today, after making and painting our volcanoes over the last couple of weeks, the children erupted their volcanoes using bi-carb soda, red food dye and vinegar. Here is some of the action.

 

 

What's on this week...? (Term 3, Week 9)

Welcome to the second last week of term 3! Wow, how the term has flown by! This week is planning week for teachers to get the activities planned for term 4, so the timetable will be different (see below). This week, the children will continue to learn about time in Maths. In English, we are writing news reports, that will be made into videos just like the real reporters on TV. We will be meeting with our buddies to complete a science activity on Thursday and we will continue to work our way through the Mookii World in LAB.

Happy Father's Day to all those super dads out there!! Have a great Day!

Week 9 Timetable

Monday
Homework Due
Assembly

Tuesday
Library
Receive homework (one day early).

Wednesday
PE
Indonesian
Music
Art

Friday
Grade 3/4 Sport
LAB

Homework (Term 3, Week 8)

Spelling
No spelling words this week.
Reading
Focus: Reading (15-20 mins).
Task: Read at least 4 times a week. Make sure your parents/adult signs your diary.

Maths
Focus: Time
Task: Complete the maths sheet about time. Make sure you read the hand correctly (eg. the small hand is the hour hand).

Science and Literacy
Focus: The Earth Beneath our Feet.
Task: Visit this web site: http://www.kidsgeo.com/geology-for-kids/. Choose one of the geology topics and write 10 facts about it. Write in your neatest handwriting. Include a diagram to help you describe the facts. Remember to label the diagram.

Father's Day Stall - Thursday and Friday

The Father's Day stall will be held on Thursday and Friday this week. Children who want to purchase something for their Dad are asked to bring a shopping bag with them.

Volcano Eruption

We have been investigating volcanoes over the last two weeks. Here is one in action! A volcano has erupted in Papua New Guinea recently. Here are some links to check it out some pictures:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28978089

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/29/papua-new-guinea-volcano-erupts-diverting-some-international-flights

What's on this week...? (Term 3, Week 8)

This week we will be completing our science unit 'Beneath our Feet'. In Maths we will begin our unit on time. The students have published Information Reports. Now we in move onto News Reports. The aim is to write them and then publish them electronically (in video format). We continue Mookii World in LAB and we will also complete a top secret Father's Day mission! Our paper mache volcanoes will be dry next week so we will paint them and then explode them!!! YAY!! Have a great week!

Fraction, Decimal and Percentage Pizzas - Yum!!!

Today we made and ate out fraction, decimal and percentage pizzas. I think that there were some very happy children!!! Here are some snaps. Thanks so much to Jo and Tracey for your help.

Fraction, Decimal, Percentage Pizzas

The last two weeks we have been learning about decimals, fractions and percentages. Just wanted to make you aware that to complete this mini unit, we will be making fraction, decimal and percentage pizzas on Thursday this week. The children have designed their pizza (eg 1/4, 25%, 0.25 of this) and we will be making them on Thursday during the hour before lunch. All ingredients were chosen by the students and I in consultation with the cooking notices (allergies/intolerances) provided to me. I will purchase the ingredients for the students. It should be fun and yummy!!!!

Mr.Fraser

Investigating Erosion

Today, as a part of our science unit 'Beneath Our Feet', we simulated erosion in the environment. The children made their own 'mini ecosystems' and then worked out what would happen when you simulated a rain event. Here is a video. We will do some more investigating about erosion later this week.

What's on this week...? (Term 3, Week 7)

It's hard to believe we are already in week 7 and that there are only 4 more weeks to go!!!! This week we will continue to look at decimals, fractions and percentage in maths. On Friday we will make percentage pizzas (I will buy all the ingredients based on what the children choose), so please make sure you have returned your cooking form by Wednesday. In English, we will finish our topic on Information Reports by publishing one of the three draft reports we have written over the last two weeks. We continue our mini unit on volcanoes by making paper mache volcanoes and then erupting them on Friday. We will also continue to look at the world Beneath our Feet in science, taking a close look at erosion and making mini ecosystems to simulate the process of erosion. There is also the usual LAB time (which has been swapped to Thursday), where we will continue our way through the Mookii World. A jam packed week. Looking forward to it... Have a great one!

Book Week Dress Up Day

Monday is our school's dress up day to celebrate book week. I look forward to seeing many of children dressed up as their favourite book characters. Remember to bring book that your character comes from with you.

Photos from this week...

This week we continued to learn about the world 'Beneath our Feet' in science. We also began our unit on decimals, percentage and fractions. Here are pics of some of the kids at work...

 

Work on the 3/4F Science/Enviro Week Sculpture Begins

Work has begun on the 3/4F Science/Enviro Week sculpture. It is starting to take shape. The students will complete this 'food producing' robot (designed to 'Feed our Future) next week.

Term 3, Week 6 Homework

Weekly Spelling Words
Focus: Spelling.

Task: Learn your 10 words. Can you get 10/10 this week?

Reading

Focus: Reading (15-20 mins).

Task: Read at least 4 times a week. Make sure your parents/adult signs your diary.

Maths

Focus: Decimals, fractions and percentage.

Task: Make a decimal, fraction and percentage number line to help you find equivalent (the same) decimals, fractions and percentages (eg. 0.5 = ½ = 50%). See the example below. Decorate your number line with pictures of decimals, fractions and percentages from the newspaper, magazines or printed from the Internet. Bring this to school to use as a resource in class.

 

 

 

Volcano Cloze Activity

Focus: Construct meaning from the text.

Task 1: Complete the cloze activity about volcanoes. Insert a word from the word bank into the correct blank space to complete the sentences.

Task 2: Draw a picture of a volcano that includes some of the facts you learned from these sentences.

Curriculum Day on Monday 18th August

Please remember that Monday is a curriculum day, so students are not to come to school on that day. See you Tuesday...

What's on next week...? (Term 3, Week 6)

This week is a shorter week due to a curriculum day on Monday. We will begin a new focus in maths for the next two weeks, looking at decimals and percentages. We will continue writing information reports in English. As part of our inquiry topic (Beneath Our Feet), we will examine volcanos and write an information report about them. Our focus is on vocabulary this week, so we will learn some new scientific language around the creation of mountains and volcanos and how the Earth works! We will continue the 'Beneath our Feet' inquiry unit, this week focusing on how rocks change over time, using hard mud balls to simulate the process of erosion and change. On Tuesday we will meet with our buddy class and get stuck into the vegetable garden, preparing it for the summer harvest (depending on the weather). We will also have lunch with our buddies. In ICT we continue to work our way through the Mookii World activities in eduPLEX, developing the children's ICT skills and knowledge of MS Office products. Over the next two weeks we celebrate Science and Enviro Weeks and we will be building our scientific food producing sculpture using recycled materials. A busy week ahead!!! Enjoy it!

Week 5 Homework

Here is the homework for week 5. This is due on Monday:
 
Weekly Spelling Words
Focus: Spelling.
Task: Learn your 10 words. Can you get 10/10 this week?

Reading
Focus: Reading (15-20 mins).
Task: Read at least 4 times a week. Make sure your parents/adult signs your diary.

Maths
Focus: Multiplication.
Task: Complete the multiplication sheet.

Types of Rocks
Focus: Information Report.
Task: You might just think that all rocks are the same. However, there are three different types of rocks: Igneous, Metamorphic and Sedimentary. Research these types of rocks and write an information report about them. Remember the format of an information report:

·      Title.

·      General statement (about the subject).

·      Description (describe the types of rocks, use paragraphs and try for 3 sentences for each paragraph).

·      Evaluation (how you feel about the topic).

This website has some good information: http://www.kidsloverocks.com/html/types_of_rocks.html.

3/4F Robot Sculpture

During the next two weeks, we celebrate Science Week and then Enviro Week. We have decided to combine these two weeks and, as you may have read in Mitchat, have a competition to make a sculpture made from recycled products that portrays a suitable environmental message about 'Food for our Future'. To add another scientific element, the sculpture is to be 'robot like'. This week, groups of children designed their robots. We voted on the preferred robot to make as a class. There were many clever ideas on how a robot could help us produce food for the future. We will be making this sculpture in class during science and enviro weeks and submitting it into the school competition. Here are the designs. The winning design is the first one.

 

What's on this week...? (Term 3, Week 5)

Firstly, well done to all the swimmers. You all worked really hard to learn or improve a very important skill. This week we are back to the normal timetable (see below). We will be continuing our science unit, and we turn our attention from soil to rocks. In maths, we continue to look at number patterns as well as multiplication. We will be learning a new writing genre this week - Information Reports. We are already half way through the term!!!!! Have a great week.

Monday
Music
Indonesian (alternating fortnights)
Assembly

Tuesday
PE

Thursday
Library
Art

Friday
Indonesian (alternating fortnights)
Grade 3/4 Sport
LAB

Studying Soil

Today, 3/4F took a good look at soil! The students examined three very different types of soil and wrote down what the features of the soil were. Some of the features were sandy, clay, brown, lumpy, hard, soft, gritty and many others. This generated some good discussion about why soils are different and why this is important for scientists. Here are some pics:

What's on This Week...? (Term 3, Week 4)

This week, our super star swimmers continue to wade their way through their lessons. I'm sure they're all looking forward to their Friday Fun Day! Today we examined three soils, each from different locations, to determine their different features and why soils are different. We made soil solutions from the soil brought in from home ready for next when we will examine them again in detail when the solutions have settled to see what different soils are made up of. In Maths, we look at number patterns and in English we finalise our camp recounts, typing them on the computer and adding some pictures of this fun event. This week's timetable remains the same as last week's due to the continued swimming program. Have a great week!

Science Homework Reminder

As part of the first week's homework, students were asked to collect approximately 1 cup of soil (taken from a natural area) and bring it to school, preferably in a glass jar. Students were also asked to bring in different types of rocks (small in size) and bring these to school. Both these elements are important to this week's science activity, so could parents please remind children to collect these items and bring them to school on or before Thursday.

What's on This Week...? (Term 3, Week 3)

After a wonderful camp experience last week, we are moving straight into swimming this week and next week. In Maths, we focus on addition and subtraction. In Literacy we will write a recount of camp, continuing with explanation writing and some of us (those not going swimming) will begin writing and learning about the Commonwealth games. We also continue our new science topic (Beneath our Feet) looking at soil samples the children have brought in (please bring these in on Tuesday 29th July). Swimming week also brings about another timetable change for the next two weeks. The new 3/4F timetable now looks like this for the next two weeks:

Tuesday
PE
Music

Wednesday
Indonesian

Thursday
Library
Art

Friday
LAB

Have a great week.

Camp is here!

There is only one more sleep until camp! YAY! There were some very excited kids this afternoon as we talked about all the amazing things we will be doing over the next three days at camp! Please remember to arrive at 8.30am and make your way to the hall and find your class. The buses will not wait for late comers so please be on time! Remember also to pack morning tea and lunch for your child for tomorrow as the camp does not provide this.

I look forward to seeing you all in the morning ready for heaps of fun!

Mr.Fraser

3/4 Swimming

Just a reminder to parents that the 3/4 swimming program begins next week (Monday 28th July 2014). If your child is participating in this event, and you have yet not paid in full, please do so by the end of this week so your child will be able to attend every session. Our session time is from 11:45am and we will return at 1:30pm.

What to Bring:
- Swimming uniform (please have this on under your school uniform in the morning).
- A towel.
- Thongs (to change into before they go to the pool).
- A plastic bag (to put wet bathers and towels in after swimming).
- Spare underwear to change into after swimming.
- Goggles.
- A bag to carry it all in.

What's on this week...? (Term 3, week 2)

This week is camp week!! We will leave for camp on Wednesday and return on Friday. It will be a lot of fun! There are some reminders about camp below. Your child should have brought a reminder notice home on Thursday. On Monday and Tuesday before we go to camp, we will continue to look at place value in maths and continue our literacy rotation activities which focus on the Commonwealth Games and Geology. In Week 3, we begin the swimming program. Please prepare your child for this.

Camp Reminders:

On the departure day of the camp (Wednesday 23^rd July) students need to arrive at school at 8:30am.

Pack morning tea and lunch for the first day (no lunch will be provided by the camp this day).

Water bottle with water in it.

Medication (if required) – in a container that is clearly labelled with name and dosage instructions. This must be given to Miss Ellis on the day of departure.

Waterproof coat or jacket.

Pillow case and sleeping bag (or sheets and doona).

Slippers (outdoor shoes are not allowed inside at the lodge).

All personal items (including underwear) and baggage should be clearly labelled with your child’s name.

 

Please note

NO mobile phones, portable music devices, UMPCs, tablets or personal game consoles are to be brought on camp.

Chewing gum, chocolate, lollies or any other food are NOT PERMITTED and may place other children with allergies at risk.

If your child suffers from travel sickness, barley sugars or other similar lollies, are permitted but must be placed in a sealed bag with your child’s name. Your child needs to have this in their backpack on the bus and then give to Miss Ellis on arrival at the camp.

 

Welcome to Term 3

Hi 3/4F Families,

Welcome back to school! I hope you all had a wonderful, fun and relaxing holiday with your kids. This term we will be doing some exciting. Next week, we head off for camp and the following two week we have our swimming program. This term we once again have a science and history focus for inquiry. 'Beneath our Feet' is an Earth Science topic which looks at rocks and soils and related areas and 'From Flinstones to Star Wars' is our history topic that looks at the history of transport. Should be a lot of fun! The timetable remains the same this term. The 3/4 newsletter will be sent out shortly with more details about what is happening this term. I hope you enjoy the term.

Mr.Fraser

Have a Great Holiday

Hi All,

I hope you all have a great holiday. The students have worked very hard this term and deserve the break. Next term is busy with camp, swimming and all the other bits and pieces we will be doing. I look forward to seeing all the kids back here on Monday 14th July.

Regards,
Mr.Fraser

Balloon Science

Today our mini science lesson was on Force and Friction. The children learnt about these concepts during our balloon races. Here is some of the fun:

Final Day of School Arrangements

Tomorrow is the last day of term. We will be finishing earlier than normal at 2:30pm.

Swimming Forms and Deposit Due Back Tomorrow (Fri 27th June)

Just a reminder that if your child will be participating in the swimming program next term, to return the form and the deposit tomorrow (Friday, 27th June 2014).

34F Trivia Night Hamper

Just a reminder to donate items for the 3/4F trivia night hamper. The theme for our hamper is 'Pamper Package' so we are looking for products such as soap, candles, towels, hand cream etc. We only have a few items so your help would be appreciated.

What's on this week...? (Term 2, Week 10)

We have made it to the last week of term 2!! This week in Maths, we will revise time, money, place value and multiplication. In Literacy we begin to look at Explanations and will continue these in term 3. We will complete a fun science activity later in the week and continue to work through Mookii World in LAB. We finish early on Friday, so stay tuned to Mitchat for finishing times. Have a great final week.

Term 2, Week 9 Timetable

This week is planning week. As a result, the timetable is different. The grade 3/4 teachers are planning for next term's activities on Monday so all the specialist classes will be held on Monday. Here is what this week looks like:

Monday
PE
Indonesian
Music
Art
Assembly

Tuesday
Library

Wednesday
LAB
CRE

3/4F Chance Games

This week, we have focused on chance and how this effects the outcomes of games. We have made board games to demonstrate our understanding. Here are some of the finished products. We will test them all next week.

What's On This Week...? (Term 2, Week 9)

This week is the second last week. This week is also planning week, so the timetable will be different with all the specialist classes on the one day. I will let you know the timetable as soon as it comes to hand. This week in Maths, we will finish and play our chance games. These are looking great and the kids have demonstrated an improved knowledge of chance events. We will also look at collecting and recording data. In Literacy, we complete our focus on procedural writing and begin to look at explanations. We complete our science unit (Melting Moments) and continue to work through the MookiiWorld in the computer LAB. Nearly holiday time - Two weeks to go!

What's on this week...? (Term 2, week 8)

This week we celebrate the Queen's birthday with a day off on Monday! For the remainder of the week, we continue working on our self evaluations and finish off procedural writing in literacy. In maths we look at chance and begin by looking at how chance games work, playing lots of these games and then making our own chance game. On Thursday we will run our second last lesson of the 'Melting Moments' unit called 'Break it up'. In this lesson, students will implement their new conceptual understandings developed throughout the unit about how materials are affected by heat. Even better, this lesson involves chocolate!!! On Friday, we have grade 3/4 sport and LAB (in which the children will continue to work on their Mookii World activities. Have a great week.

3/4F's Homophones Pair Tree

3/4F have been learning about homophones over the last couple of weeks, and finally our 'pair of pairs' tree has fruited. Check out all the homophones that have grown!

Tessellation Ties

We continued exploring tessellations today by making tessellation ties (something that Dads would be proud to wear)! Here are some of the results... Can you see what 2D shapes have been used?

Tessellation Fun

This week we are learning about 2D shapes and how they can be used to make tessellations. Yesterday, the students began by playing with a range of shapes to make tessellated patterns. Here are some examples.