Australia · ACARA Content Descriptions
Year 4 English
This course develops advanced literacy skills through the exploration of diverse text types and media. Students analyze how authors use language to influence readers while building their own capacity to communicate complex ideas through creative and informative writing.
The Art of Storytelling
Exploration of narrative structures and the use of descriptive language to build character and setting.
Analyzing how authors use dialogue and action to reveal character traits and motivations.
Examining sensory language and its role in creating a specific mood within a story.
Mapping the rising action and climax of traditional and modern stories.
Fact and Opinion in the Digital Age
Investigating the features of informative and persuasive texts to distinguish between objective and subjective content.
Using text features like headings, captions, and glossaries to locate information efficiently.
Identifying high modality language and rhetorical questions in advertisements and speeches.
Learning the inverted pyramid structure and the importance of the Five Ws in journalism.
The Power of Poetry
Exploring rhythm, rhyme, and figurative language to express complex emotions and observations.
Using similes and metaphors to create vivid mental pictures for the reader.
Analyzing the use of alliteration, onomatopoeia, and meter in spoken word and written verse.
Comparing structured forms like haiku and limericks with the flexibility of free verse.
Language Mechanics and Precision
Refining the use of grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary to improve clarity and impact in writing.
Moving beyond simple sentences to use coordinating and subordinating conjunctions effectively.
Mastering the use of apostrophes, quotation marks, and commas in complex lists.
Investigating prefixes, suffixes, and Greek and Latin roots to decode unfamiliar words.
Speaking with Purpose
Developing confidence in oral communication through formal presentations and collaborative discussions.
Learning how to paraphrase, ask clarifying questions, and provide constructive feedback.
Focusing on eye contact, volume, and the use of visual aids to engage an audience.
Participating in group roles to solve problems and reach a consensus through talk.
Exploring Different Worlds
Examining how culture and perspective influence the creation and interpretation of diverse texts.
Reading and responding to stories by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors.
Comparing myths and legends from around the world to find universal human themes.
Exploring how a story changes when it is moved from a book to a film or a play.