Foundation Statements Years 3 and 4: Stage 2

English

Talking and Listening - Reading - Writing

Students communicate proficiently ideas and information in classroom, school and social situations for a range of purposes. They explore a range of roles when interacting in pairs and groups, using various listening strategies to gather general ideas from conversations, reports or spoken presentations. Students identify the effect of purpose and audience on spoken texts and they shape and present ideas accordingly. They identify common organisational patterns and language features of predictable spoken texts.

Students independently read and view familiar and challenging texts and justify interpretations of ideas, information and events, using a range of skills and strategies. They integrate a range of skills and strategies efficiently when reading and interpreting texts and visual images. Students recognise and explore the relationship between writers and readers and how writers use language to create different worlds and achieve a range of purposes. They explore the structure and grammatical features for a range of written and visual texts.

Students write well-structured literacy and factual texts in terms of topic, purpose, audience and language by drafting, revising and proofreading. They use accurate sentence structure, grammatical features and punctuation conventions to produce various texts and spell familiar and unfamiliar words using knowledge of letter-sound correspondence, common letter patterns and a range of other strategies. Students use joined letters when writing in NSW Foundation Style and develop basic desktop publishing skills. Students explain how they structure their writing to achieve intended purposes.

Mathematics

Working Mathematically - Number - Patterns and Algebra - Measurement and Data - Space and Geometry

Students ask questions and use appropriate mental or written strategies, and technology, to solve problems. They use appropriate terminology to describe and link mathematical ideas, check statements for accuracy and explain reasoning.

Students count, order, read and record numbers up to 0000 and use mental and written strategies, including the formal written algorithm, to solve addition and subtraction problems involving numbers of up to four digits. They use mental strategies to recall multiplication facts up to 10 x 10 and related division facts and use informal written strategies for multiplication and division of two-digit numbers by one-digit numbers. Students model, compare and represent simple fractions and recognise percentages in everyday situations and they model, compare, represent add and subtract decimals to two decimal places. Students perform simple calculations with money and conduct simple chance experiments.

Students generate, describe and record number patterns and relate multiplication and division facts to at least 10 x 10.

Students estimate, measure, compare and record length, area, volume, capacity and mass using some formal units. They read and record time in hours and minutes in digital and analogue notations and make comparisons between time units. Students gather and organise data to create and interpret tables and graphs.

Students name, describe and sketch particular 3D objects and 2D shapes. They compare angles using informal means and describe a ‘right angle’. Students use coordinates to describe position and compass points to give and follow directions.

Science and Technology

Investigating Scientifically - Designing and Making - The Natural Environment - The Made Environment

Students independently implement aspects of a scientific investigation, such as observing, questioning, predicting, testing, recording accurate results, analysing data and drawing conclusions. They demonstrate an understanding of a fair test and identify variables. Students select and safely use equipment, computer-based technology and other resources throughout the processes of investigation.

Students develop and evaluate design ideas recognising the needs of users or audiences. They implement the design process and evaluate solutions using functional and aesthetic criteria. Students select and safely use equipment, computer-based technology and other resources throughout the processes of design and production.

Students identify and describe structures and functions in living things and how they interact with each other and their environment. They identify various form and sources of energy and identify ways which energy causes change. Students identify features of the solar system and describe interactions that affect conditions on Earth. They describe how the properties of materials affect their use.
Students identify the ways built environments, products and services are constructed or produced. They use a range of techniques, media and information and communication technologies to communicate design ideas to specific audiences. Students explore the properties and uses of both natural and made materials and components.

Human Society and Its Environment

Change and Continuity - Cultures - Environments - Social Systems and Structures

Students explore change in communities from different perspectives and evaluate the effects of change on individuals and groups, including Aboriginal peoples, and the environment. They understand key events related to the British colonization of Australia and identify the changes and consequences for Aboriginal and other peoples and the continent.

Students explain how different cultures and traditions contribute to Australian and community identity. They examine a variety of local and other communities, investigating similarities and differences including ways of living, languages and belief systems.

Students identify, locate and describe natural, heritage and built features in the local area and in other parts of Australia and explain their significance and management. They locate the four compass points and other significant features on a map and develop skills to locate and evaluate information from a variety of sources.

Students examine roles, responsibilities, rights and the decision-making processes in schools and local government. They participate in the planning, implementation and evaluation of school and community programs recognizing how participation in these contributes to the quality of school and community life. They examine how technologies affect the provision of goods and services, lifestyles, the environment and monetary exchange. Students use a variety of texts and media to communicate information and data.

Creative Arts

Visual Arts - Music - Drama - Dance

Students make artworks that represent a variety of subject matter and make choices about the forms and techniques used to best represent the qualities of the subject matter. They discuss reasons why artists make particular artworks and why different interpretations are possible, recognizing similarities and differences in how subject matter is represented.

Students sing, play and move to music, demonstrating a basic understanding o musical concepts. They organize musical ideas into simple compositions and use understood symbols to represent these. Students listen to a range of music, identifying key features and they make some informed judgements about musical preference.

Students use movement and voice to build the action and roles of a drama in a variety of situations. They devise and sequence drama to create meaning. Students experience and interpret a range of drama forms and elements by making, performing and appreciating drama.

Students perform dances demonstrating a range of performance qualities and increasingly complex movement skills. They explore the elements of dance in their own works and how these can be selected and combined to convey meaning. Students discuss the meaning and purpose of dance works and the roles of the creator and performer.

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education

Fundamental Movement and Physical Activity - Healthy Choices - Self and Relationships

Students apply movement skills in dance, gymnastics, games and sports, and practise manipulative skills in a range of minor games. They perform movement sequences with consistency and control and demonstrate cooperation, effort and practice in physical activity. Students demonstrate proficiency in the fundamental movement skills of static balance, spirit run, vertical jump, catch, hop, side gallop, skip and overarm throw through practice and application in different games and sports. They participate in physical activity and investigate how it contributes to a healthy and active lifestyle.

Students describe the factors that influence healthy lifestyle decisions and demonstrate an understanding of the decision-making process. They examine how the use of drugs such as tobacco and alcohol can cause harm. They investigate nutritional choices relating to cultural beliefs, special dietary needs and ‘fast-food’. Students demonstrate behaviours to stay safe at home, on and near roads, when travelling to and from school, and near water. They demonstrate the capacity to deal with unsafe situations including abuse, bullying and harassment.

Students recognise individual strengths and limitations and they identify characteristics that make them unique. They explore body changes that occur during life, including puberty. Students explain how positive relationships are formed and the importance of effective communication of feelings and needs in maintaining relationships. They recognise the rights, values and feelings of others and devise strategies to solve problems, recognise and accept differences and mange conflict.