24 May 2019

Yr4 Curriculum Update – 24/05/19

Working together to achieve success for every child

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transdisciplinary Theme – Where we are in place and time

Learning about past civilisations helps us understand the present

UOI The students have began to tune into their new unit of inquiry. They have completed an ‘I see, I think, I wonder’ in response to being shown various objects and images from ancient history. They will be exploring this unit through the lens of historians. Through the key concept of form we will be inquiring into the characteristics of civilisations and societies. For the key concept of change our lines of inquiry will focus on ‘How artifacts have changed over time’. We will examine how certain objects become obsolete and why others remain in use, through the key concept of connection.

For the initial provocation for this unit, the Year 4 class will play out simulation games, whereby they become a mini-society and develop an understanding about the structures and organisation that need to be put into place in order to become safe, equitable and sustainable. How does this compare to ancient civilisations?

To promote greater student agency in this unit we have been collecting student ideas and suggestions about how they feel the unit of inquiry should progress. They have come up with some fabulous suggestions, which we will endeavor to incorporate as we progress.

 

Literacy

In literacy for this unit there will be a focus the process of ‘synthesizing’ whereby they acknowledge their prior knowledge of a particular event / artifact from history, then undertake research through the use of EPIC online resources (and others) to deepen their understanding of this event / artifact. They then present this new understanding in the form of their choice. We are therefore expecting that throughout the unit of inquiry the students will be undertaking and developing research skills of notetaking, identifying important information and then making a form of presentation of their new understanding of the topic.

 

Maths

The math focus which we have now moved on to is fractions and the use of fractions in everyday life. The students will develop their knowledge of this by becoming more familiar in how to find the particular fraction values in shapes, numbers and in quantities of items. They will also develop an understanding of reading, writing, comparing and ordering the size of fractions. We would encourage you to provide opportunities to develop your child’s understanding of fractions at home with practical examples, so next time you cut up that pizza, why not have a math discussion about it?

 

Sustainable KJS

The students were provided with a talk on Wednesday morning about the significant issue of food waste generated on a daily basis. If everyone were to make a small change in their habits, it could have a big impact on our future.  The guest speaker spoke about the amount of waste food generated every day in terms of the number of Olympic size swimming pools, or the comparison weight of double-decker buses just here in Hong Kong!

I wonder if the students have remembered the amount of waste generated per day in Hong Kong?

How can you make small changes at home?

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

6th June                       KJS CPD  no school for students

Between June 12 to June 20 – Dental appointments