Yr4 Curriculum Update – 10/05/19
Working together to achieve success for every child
Transdisciplinary Learning – It’s all connected!
Simple machines help people do work..
UOI
One of the learning engagements over the last two weeks has been inquiring into the chromebook app Wevideo. This will be used to record the summative assessment which is to design a machine to carry out a task such as:
- carry an egg across the classroom
- lift an egg from carpet to table
- pop a balloon
- ring a bell
Some students are designing a chain reaction machine inspired by Rube Goldberg. The students will create a video using the elements of photographs, video footage, background music and voice overs to explain how their machine works giving particular information of home the simple machines within it work. This enables them to utilise the knowledge that they have learned throughout the unit. The students have been learning how to use maker skills such as using box cutters and glue guns safely when building their machines. It has been interesting to see design plans changing as the started putting them into action.
Literacy
In writing the students have been developing their ability to write explanation texts. They will apply this knowledge when they write the voiceover script for their videos explaining how their machines work. A particular focus has been writing ‘cause and effect’ sentences (a language feature of explanation texts) to enable students to fully explain the simple machines used in their machines. Students are finalising their research using information books and EPIC to answer questions they have formulated whilst planning their machines.
Keywords: machines, lever, pulley, wheel, axle, screw, wedge, fulcrum, inclined plane, work, mechanical advantage, newtons, design, engineering, hypothesis, test, predict, measure, force, friction, load, pull, push, torque, tool, spring, curiosity, experiment, distance, knowledgeable, variables
Consider exploring these keywords in your children’s mother tongue to help comprehension.
Maths
The focus on the strands of measurement and data handling has continued over the last two weeks. The students have been developing the concepts of perimeter and area when tackling open-ended tasks such as ‘If the perimeter is 18 cm, what could the shape look like?’ and ‘Draw shapes that have the same area but different perimeters’. In some classes students have been tasked with deciding how to improve the classroom environment so that emotional well being is more of a focus. They have formulated questions and collected data to find out what choices can be made.
Key maths vocabulary:
Visualise – Can you create an image in your head which shows the problem?
Connections – How does the problem/situation connect to other things?
Questions – What questions can you ask to deepen your understanding?
Mandarin
In the Chinese classrooms, we continue to focus on the concept of wellbeing and providing different learning opportunities for children to explore their own interests and promote agentic learning.
Here is a glimpse of some of our classrooms:
Important Dates
10th May PTA Bingo Night
13th May PUBLIC HOLIDAY
6th June KJS CPD no school for students
