Middle (grades 3 & 4)

In grades 3 and 4 we strive to give each student the opportunity to develop to their highest potential in a caring and stimulating environment. They are encouraged to be much more responsible for their own learning, as they move towards becoming independent learners in their senior primary school years. Being more responsible includes looking after their own belongings and we ask for your help with this. If your child has left something at home that is their responsibility to bring eg their school diary, please do not feel it necessary to bring it up to school. They will learn to problem solve their way through the situation and in the process, develop their resilience and become more responsible learners.

Within the new Victorian Curriculum, English has the three language modes of Reading & Viewing, Writing and Speaking & Listening. Throughout the year, students will read and discuss a range of texts at their ability level in small reading groups. Developing their comprehension strategies is focussed upon. Reading is a very important part of each child’s homework and it should be for at least 15 minutes for four nights each night. We want them to be voracious readers, so please help your child enjoy their home reading. In Writing we are using the VCOP (Vocabulary, Connectives, and Openers and Punctuation) program to continually enhance their writing skills. There is also a focus on editing and ‘up levelling’ work to provide extra interest. Expanding the word knowledge of students and continually improving their spelling and grammar skills are also actively taught across the curriculum. Speaking & Listening is studied in a variety of both formal and informal learning opportunities.

The Victorian Curriculum for Mathematics is organised into the three strands of Number & Algebra, Measurement & Geometry and Statistics & Probability. In the middle school, Number and Algebra includes studying place value, fractions and the ability to manipulate numbers and problem solve using the four processes: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Maths concepts are taught using a variety of learning approaches including whole grade, small ability based groups, peer learning, individual work, use of ICT programs and hand-on activities.

Humanities and Science are usually taught as focussed units of work that often integrate with students’ literacy and mathematical learnings. ICT is integrated across the curriculum. Students undertake Indonesian (LOTE), Art, Music and Physical Education with specialist teachers.

If you have any queries about the curriculum or any other matters that need discussing, please contact your child’s teacher. Other than personal contact, school-home individual communication is encouraged through ClassDojo and the student diaries.

Exciting start to Term 1 for years 3/4

After a busy week of swimming, we have ‘hit the ground running’ in the middle school as we work toward fitting in the maximum amount of learning to this term. A variety of pre-testing in English and Mathematics has been undertaken, so that we have the clearest possible picture of each child’s educational levels and needs.

The ability to work co-operatively in reading groups is focussed upon in term 1, with students in both grades also working on improving their reading stamina and comprehension strategies. Using the VCOP program (Vocabulary, Connectives, and Openers and Punctuation), recounts, narratives and persuasive writing pieces are focussed on this term. Students in grade 3 are honing their letter formation skills prior to starting joined writing. Joined script is being taught and practised in year 4, with students already excited at the prospect of getting their pen licence later in the year.

The maths focus in both grades 3 and 4 this term is on understanding the place value of numbers, understanding of formal times tables, and developing their automatic responses to the full range of times tables and other number facts. Help at home is often needed at both grade levels to improve times tables skills. This term the middle school will also be investigating lines and angles, including where we see these in our world, mapping and looking at the properties of 3D shapes.

Our Integrated Studies unit this term is looking at the role of rules and laws in the groups they belong to, culminating in a visit from our local Federal minister, who will be talking with them about democracy. These units link well with the whole-school Tribes approach which incorporates: Personal Best, Attentive Listening, Right to Participate (Right to Pass), Mutual Respect and Appreciation (No Put Downs).

We are also excited to continue our Living Eggs Ready Hatch program, as the students experience the hatching of the chicken eggs and explore the growth of the chicks. Always a very exciting time in the middle school as the students take on the responsibility of caring for their new classmates!

Grade 4 Camp in August is already on the radar for the grade 4s and the teachers look forward to it being a special experience for your child. Grade 3 students will also be involved in an exciting school sleepover to be held in term 4.

Grade 3/4 sport this term is on Wednesday afternoons. The emphasis is on demonstrating good sportsmanship and therefore playing fairly, being a good loser as well as a good winner and encouraging all team mates.

The BNPS photo day is on Tuesday 20^th of February.

Our canteen days have changed this year and are now Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at lunchtime.

Please make contact if you would like more information about your child’s schooling or if there is something about your child’s life we need to know about. We look forward to an exciting and stimulating term of learning!

Melissa Billson, Kathy Ward, Cathy Stirling & Caroline Akaruru

After an Integrated Unit of work on Aboriginal life, grade 3 students enjoyed producing Aboriginal dot paintings.