English / Year 4 / Language / Language variation and change

Curriculum content descriptions

Understand that Standard Australian English is one of many social dialects used in Australia, and that while it originated in England it has been influenced by many other languages (ACELA1487)

Elaborations
  • identifying words used in Standard Australian English that are derived from other languages, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, and determining if the original meaning is reflected in English usage, for example example ‘kangaroo’, ‘tsunami’,’ typhoon’, ‘amok’, ‘orang–utan’
  • identifying commonly used words derived from other cultures
General capabilities
  • Literacy Literacy
  • Intercultural understanding Intercultural understanding
ScOT terms

Language conventions,  Standard Australian English

Video

AERO Ochre English Year 4 Unit 2 - Mulga Bill’s Bicycle: Ballad

This sequence of five lessons unpacks the features of a ballad using Banjo Patterson’s ‘Mulga Bill’s Bicycle.’ Students are guided through the process of analysing a poem before using it as a model to create a version of their own.

Video

AERO Ochre English Year 4 Unit 1 - A Christmas Carol: Narrative text

This sequence of fifteen lessons supports students to unpack the features of a narrative using Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’. They will then work through the process of planning and composing a narrative text.

Interactive

Wonderful words, creative stories: pets

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Tell Me Why: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book Tell Me Why. Author Sarah Jackson shares her journey of self-discovery as she connects with her Aboriginal heritage. The text incorporates the Stolen Generation in a way that is relatable to younger audiences. This unit includes practical ideas for using this book in ...

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Silly Birds: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book Silly Birds. This is a modern reinterpretation of a traditional story that was previously handed down to children from their parents and elders to highlight behaviour and to teach the consequences of good and bad choices. This unit includes practical ideas for using ...

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Shirley Purdie: Ngaginybe Jarragbe, My Story: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book Shirley Purdie: Ngaginybe Jarragbe, My Story. The narrative of the book is told in English and Gija. It is about Shirley Purdie’s life story, told alongside her paintings. This unit includes practical ideas for using this book in your classroom.

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Seahorse: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book Seahorse. The book Seahorse is an adventure about family, traditions and being truly appreciative for the luck and opportunities that come along the way. This unit includes practical ideas for using this book in your classroom.

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Work sample Year 4 English- The spacey elephant

This work sample demonstrates evidence of student learning in relation to aspects of the achievement standards for Year 4 English. The primary purpose for the work sample is to demonstrate the standard, so the focus is on what is evident in the sample not how it was created. The sample is an authentic representation of ...

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Work sample Year 4 English: Adventure narrative

This work sample demonstrates evidence of student learning in relation to aspects of the achievement standards for Year 4 English. The primary purpose for the work sample is to demonstrate the standard, so the focus is on what is evident in the sample not how it was created. The sample is an authentic representation of ...

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The Mark of the Wagarl: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book The Mark of the Wagarl. The book tells the story of Maadjit Walken, the Sacred Rainbow Serpent, mother spirit and creator of the Nyoongar Country of south west Western Australia. The story shares how a young boy receives the Maadjit Wagarl for his totem. This unit includes ...

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Art in Advertising

In this teaching activity, students will explore how visual artwork supports key messages in advertising and the concept of a “call to action”. They will apply elements and principles of design to create original advertisements for an audience.

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Character Sketches

What techniques do storytellers use to create characters? In this lesson, students will analyse how a character's personality traits, actions and motives influence the plot of a story. They will use their senses to create character sketches, then dramatize the character for an audience.

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Fairy Tale

How does culture influence fairy tales from storyteller to storyteller? Students will compare and contrast culturally distinct variations of the fairy tale, Cinderella. Students will also research the cultures represented in the fairy tales and create a visual art piece.

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Focus on Japan: Cross Curriculum Connections in Primary Schools

Ideas and resources that connect the learning of Japanese language with other learning areas.

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Focus on Indonesia: Cross Curriculum Connections in Primary Schools

Ideas and resources that connect the learning of Indonesian language with other learning areas.

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Focus on China: Cross Curriculum Connections in Primary Schools

Ideas and resources that connect the learning of Chinese language with other learning areas.

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Grey Whales Newscast

In this 3-5 lesson, students will research information about grey whales and work in groups to write, produce, and perform a newscast about grey whales using the essential qualities of a news anchor.

Online

Create a board game that uses an Ozobot

Create a game board where the player is provided with a number of decisions. Using Scratch and Makey Makey, students add multimodal elements to the story. These elements are activated using an Ozobot.

Video

Writing drafts with Sally Rippin

Listen as Sally Rippin describes how her reading feeds into her writing. Why does she sometimes stop reading when she's in the early stages of writing a new story? Do you write a few drafts of your stories before you get to your final version? What does Sally say about the first draft of a story?

Online

Cats, Dogs and Us: Lesson Plans (years 3-4)

This teacher resource is an International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) resource designed to encourage students to examine the physical characteristics and natural behaviours of cats and dogs, and discuss the various ways we live with and care for cats and dogs around the world. It consists of nine lesson plans, two worksheets, ...