Year 4 English – Term 1 (WA Curriculum): Term 1 Language Skills

What this unit covers

In Term 1, Year 4 English in the WA Curriculum centres on the unit “Term 1 Language Skills”.

Term 1 English for Year 4. Writing (24 lessons), Reading (16 lessons), Speaking & Listening (40 lessons).

Lesson sequence (80 lessons)

The unit breaks down into the following lesson-by-lesson sequence — each title below is a teachable lesson, in order:

1. Exploring the features of narrative texts
2. Planning a personal narrative using story maps
3. Writing engaging story openings with strong characters
4. Using descriptive language to create vivid settings
5. Developing dialogue to bring characters to life
6. Building tension and conflict in story plots
7. Writing satisfying story conclusions
8. Editing and publishing our narrative stories
9. Understanding the structure of factual recounts
10. Writing a personal recount of a memorable experience
11. Using time connectives to sequence events clearly
12. Adding descriptive details to enhance recounts
13. Exploring different types of procedures and instructions
14. Writing clear step-by-step instructions
15. Using imperative verbs and precise language in procedures
16. Adding diagrams and illustrations to support procedures
17. Investigating the features of information reports
18. Researching and planning an animal information report
19. Writing topic sentences and supporting details
20. Using subject-specific vocabulary in reports
21. Understanding persuasive language techniques
22. Writing a persuasive letter to convince readers
23. Using evidence and examples to support arguments
24. Reviewing and improving our persuasive writing
25. Identifying root words and common prefixes in fiction texts
26. Reading with expression using punctuation cues
27. Making predictions using text features and prior knowledge
28. Analysing character motivations in narrative texts
29. Building vocabulary through context clues in informational texts
30. Comparing different versions of the same story
31. Reading and interpreting simple graphs and charts
32. Identifying main ideas and supporting details in paragraphs
33. Using text structure to improve comprehension
34. Reading dialogue with appropriate expression and pace
35. Making inferences about character feelings and thoughts
36. Exploring descriptive language and imagery in poetry
37. Summarizing key events in chronological order
38. Reading and understanding procedural texts and instructions
39. Analysing how illustrations support meaning in texts
40. Connecting personal experiences to themes in literature
41. Building Confidence in Speaking: Voice Projection and Clarity
42. Active Listening: Following Multi-Step Instructions
43. Introducing Yourself: Personal Presentations with Purpose
44. Listening for Key Information in Stories
45. Asking Effective Questions During Discussions
46. Retelling Stories with Beginning, Middle and End
47. Taking Turns in Group Conversations
48. Listening to Different Points of View
49. Giving Clear Instructions to Classmates
50. Exploring Tone of Voice and Its Effects
51. Participating in Structured Class Debates
52. Listening for Main Ideas in Presentations
53. Storytelling with Expression and Gestures
54. Responding Appropriately to Others' Ideas
55. Planning and Delivering a Show and Tell
56. Active Listening During Partner Work
57. Using Descriptive Language in Oral Presentations
58. Following Spoken Directions for Craft Activities
59. Role Playing Different Characters and Voices
60. Listening for Specific Details in Audio Texts
61. Sharing Personal Experiences Through Storytelling
62. Asking Clarifying Questions When Confused
63. Presenting Information About Favourite Books
64. Listening Respectfully During Group Sharing
65. Using Persuasive Language in Mini Speeches
66. Retelling Traditional Tales from Memory
67. Participating in Literature Circle Discussions
68. Listening for Rhyme and Rhythm in Poetry
69. Presenting Research Findings to the Class
70. Responding to Questions About Your Presentation
71. Dramatic Reading of Character Dialogue
72. Listening for Cause and Effect Relationships
73. Sharing Opinions with Supporting Reasons
74. Following Safety Instructions and Procedures
75. Storytelling Using Props and Visual Aids
76. Listening for Sequence Words in Instructions
77. Presenting Solutions to Classroom Problems
78. Responding to Feedback on Your Speaking
79. Retelling News Events for Class Discussion
80. Reflecting on Speaking and Listening Growth

Curriculum codes in this unit

Content codes:

Reading the codes: WA codes (the ones starting with WA) pack the year level, learning area, strand and content number into one string, while the national Australian Curriculum v9 uses a different anatomy that starts with AC9 — same content family, different labels. Our complete WA Curriculum guide decodes both, character by character.

Planning notes for Term 1

WA terms run roughly 9–11 weeks, and in 2026 Term 1 runs from Monday 2 February to Thursday 2 April — 9 weeks for WA public schools. With 80 lessons in this unit, that leaves breathing room for assessment, moderation and the weeks that disappear to carnivals, camps and public holidays — plan the assessable work to land two to three weeks before the end of term rather than in the final week.