Welcome to Term 4 at MSPS. Once again it is shaping up to be a very busy term.
Unit- This term, our unit is called ‘Simple
Machines – Making Life Easier” This unit
investigates how simple machines, such as the inclined
plane, the wedge, the lever, the screw, the pulley, the
wheel and axle make work easier. The students are
beginning to look at the features of a design brief
and understand that their designs have to meet a
range of different requirements. They are learning to
make realistic plans for achieving their aims and
recognise that the availability of resources affects
the types of machines that they can produce. They
use words, labelled sketches and models to
communicate the details of their designs.
Students are currently working on their homework
project where they are
designing and making a
new
invention,
using
materials that they have
found at home. Students
need to include labelled diagrams, write a procedure
explaining how they made their invention, test their
invention to see if it works and then make any
necessary changes. They will then present their
invention to their classmates in week 8.
This unit will culminate in an excursion to
Scienceworks on Friday December 6. Permission
forms have already been sent home. Please ensure
that they are returned to school along with the
payment of $15 by Monday November 11.
Write to Read Spelling approach
As you may be aware, the 3 /4 area is trialling an
exciting new spelling program. As part of this
program students will learn the 70 phonograms
(codes representing the 45 basic sounds of English)
by hearing, saying, seeing and writing them. A
phonogram is a single letter or combination of 2, 3 or
4 letters that is a written symbol for a sound in a
word.
To support these new practices at school we have
changed our weekly spelling homework. This new
format encourages students to be ‘code spotters.’
Each sound in a word has a written symbol (or code).
In order to read, write and spell correctly, students
must make a sound-symbol connection.
You will now see that words are divided into syllables
(multi syllable words have syllable breaks). Syllables
are an important part of spelling as some of the
spelling rules are based around syllables and syllable
breaks, and they can dictate the sound a vowel
makes.
This first activity asks students to sound out the
word in sounds or chunks (syllables) rather than
individual letters (sound-symbol connection). If the
word is a single syllable word the students would put
a red dot for every sound they read at the top of the
box. Then they match the codes to the sounds.
The second activity asks students to blend the word
back together. It is important that students still
sound (segment) the word into syllables or chunks as
they are writing the phonogram rather than individual
letters.
The third activity is Say – Pronunciation and Use
word in a sentence (understanding). Correct
pronunciation is an important part of reading and
spelling. Understanding the meaning of a word
creates a connection with the word and helps build on
a student’s vocabulary. For this activity students
need to say the word and verbally use the word in a
sentence showing that they understand its meaning.
Students may have assistance with this or use a
reference (dictionary or online dictionary) to support
them
The fourth activity is Write. The students practise
writing this word. Again if this word is not in their
automatic file it is important that they still sound
(segment) the word into syllables or chunks as they
are writing the phonogram rather than individual
letters.
SOME REMINDERS
**Please ensure that your child has their drink bottle
and hat at school each day.
**Tissues – Could children please bring a box of
tissues to school as we have exhausted our classroom
supply.
As always, if you have any concerns please come in
and discuss them with your child’s teacher.
Thank you, the 3/4 team
COMING EVENTS
November 4
November 5
November 6
November 11
November 14
November 19 - 26
November 28
Friday December 6
Monday December 16
Friday December 20
Pupil free day
Melbourne Cup holiday
HG 16 visit to BUPA Aged
Care
Movember – gold coin
donation
Last day for excursion
payments
3 /4 Hooptime – regional
final at Mill Park stadium
HG 15 visit BUPA Aged
Care
Book Fair
HG 13 visit BUPA Aged
Care
Excursion
to
Scienceworks
Christmas carols on the
turf
End of term 4