YEAR 4

Term 1

The Olden Days

The focus of this unit is the changes in lifestyle since the settlement of Australia. The children take great delight making their own models of early homes. The excursion to a historic museum is a highlight where the children may experience any or all of the following: pumping water, washing clothes, gem sieving or an old fashioned day at school, including a sports day with three legged races, sack races and egg and spoon races. They may also have the opportunity to watch a spinning and weaving display or a blacksmith at work.

Wool spinning	A sharpening wheel

Term 2

Physical Features of the World
What is the difference between a continent, a country and a state? This is just one question asked in this unit. The children look at physical features of the world, how they were formed, and how they are constantly changing.

Scientists will be visiting to work with the students looking at how physical features are formed and at rocks and minerals. Science experiments will also be undertaken to look at erosion. The children will be asked to create a model of the different landforms they have learnt about.

A volcano diorama	Niagra Falls!

A coral reef	Urluru!

Term 3

All Creatures Great and Small
This unit is centred on Endangered Creatures and the Life Cycle of Insects.
We are all amazed at how many creatures have become extinct. Most have become extinct since the Industrial Revolution – the main cause being Humans. We look at ways in which we could help endangered creatures avoid extinction.

As part of our unit centred on the Life Cycle of Insects, we see insects at different stages of development within their natural environment. We learn that if we take out or alter one component of the food chain, then the whole environment becomes unbalanced and changes.

Term 4

How Great We Are
This term we are looking at a healthy balanced lifestyle incorporating food, fitness and our body.
The children also gain an understanding of how their digestive system works through a variety of fascinating science experiments. The students create their own balanced menus, look at food content, and investigate healthy ways to store food.

During this unit we use computers to design our own healthy magazine covers. We also visit a restaurant to look at food preparation, and of course the highlight is also sampling the food.