Year 4 Term 1 Overview 2017
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MATHS
Is it living?
In this unit students will understand what constitutes a living thing and understand that they can be
distinguished from non-living things. They justify groupings of living and non-living things according to
observable features including never living things, once living things and products of living things. Students will
use their science knowledge to explain the effects of actions by people in local environments. They identify
questions that can be investigated scientifically, make predictions and participate in investigations to answer
these questions. Students identify and use safe practices to make scientific observations and record data about
living and non-living things to help answer the investigation question. Students use scientific language and
representations to communicate their observations and findings.
Exploring similarities and differences in places near and far
In this unit students will investigate the inquiry question identified from the Australian Curriculum: Geography
• How and why are places similar and different?
• What would it be like to live in a neighbouring country?
In this unit, students will draw on studies at the local scale, including representations of Australia and the
location of Australia’s neighbouring countries, understand the different climate types and their influence on the
characteristics of places, and review unit inquiry questions. They will recognise that a ‘place’ is a form of
bounded space with each place having a location on the surface of the Earth and that places are important to
Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait peoples, and how they are represented.
Students will also record data and information to identify similarities and differences between the climates of
different places.
TECHNOLOGY
In this unit students apply a variety of mathematical concepts in real-life, lifelike and purely mathematical
situations.
Through the proficiency strands - understanding, fluency, problem-solving and reasoning students have
opportunities to develop understandings of:
Number and place value - make connections between representations of numbers; partition and combine
numbers flexibly; recall multiplication facts; formulate, model and record authentic situations involving
operations; compare large numbers; generalise from number properties and results of calculations; and
derive strategies for unfamiliar multiplication and division tasks.
Fractions and decimals - communicate sequences of simple fractions.
Patterns and algebra - use properties of numbers to continue patterns.
Using units of measurement - use appropriate language to communicate times, compare time durations
and use instruments to accurately measure lengths.
Chance - compare dependent and independent events, describe probabilities of everyday events.
Data representation and interpretation - collect and record data, communicate information using
graphical displays and evaluate the appropriateness of different displays.
SCIENCE
In this unit students read a narrative and examine and analyse the language features and techniques used by
the author. They create a new chapter for the narrative for an audience of their peers.
GEOGRAPHY
ENGLISH
GEHAM STATE SCHOOL
The technology unit is connected to this term’s geography unit. In this unit students will design a house to suit
the climate of a particular country. They will be given information about 3 different countries and their
climate zones and materials that are readily available within them. Students will need to pick one of the
countries and design a house for a family of four (mother, father and two children) to live in, keeping in mind
the climate of the country and the appropriate and available materials. They will also need to think about the
design elements of their house and whether they suit the climate.
EVENTS
EXCURSIONS
HOMEWORK
HPE
JAPANESE
THE ARTS
GEHAM STATE SCHOOL
Year 4 Term 1 Overview 2017
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VISUAL ARTS
This art unit will be connected to this term’s English unit. In this unit, students will design and draw illustrations
to match the new chapter they have written for the novel ‘The Twits’.
MUSIC
Students will be developing their aural skills by exploring, imitating and recognising elements of music including
dynamics, pitch and rhythm patterns in celebratory and commemorative songs. They will be playing
instruments and listening to music including music of Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Students will be introduced to Japan and the Japanese language. In their unit, Who am I? they will learn to
introduce themselves, count and say Japanese greetings and phrases. They will also be introduced to the
Japanese alphabet, Hiragana.
This term our focus is on fitness in preparation for the end of term cross country and the following athletics
season. Students will be encouraged to develop a plan and encouraged to continue this daily at home during
athletics season.
Reading, Spelling, English Skills, Maths and Number Facts will be the focus for homework.
Amaroo – ‘Mighty Mini Beasts’ – Tuesday 21st February
Cross Country – Thursday 23rd March