Fourth Grade

Curriculum

At the fourth grade level, we cover the following topics in each of the curricular areas:

Language Arts

Language Arts instruction will integrate the four language processes of speaking, writing, listening, and reading. Language arts objectives will be taught using different experiences. These experiences may include: reading chapter books, novel studies and literature circles, using whole class or small group instruction, reading selections from Beat The Story Drum, our reading anthology, and various read-alouds. Writing experiences will be cross-curricular, and focus on narrative, expository, and persuasive pieces. Students will use the writing process of webbing and pre-writing, rough drafts, revisions, and final draft. Many other experiences are offered so students develop skills in the four language processes.

Spelling

The fourth grade spelling program is based Zaner-Bloser's Spell It - Write series. Children are expected to master the fourth grade high frequency words and to spell them correctly in their daily writing. In addition it is expected that fourth graders spell words correctly in their daily work that were taught as spelling words in second, third, and fourth grade.

Math

The fourth grade math program focuses heavily on the ability to solve problems. Math instruction is multi-dimensional with continued use of manipulatives, as appropriate, to enhance concept development.

In order to enable fourth graders to successfully progress in our math program, it is very important that multiplication and division facts are mastered. We encourage weekly home practice.

Social Studies

Social Studies takes us through each of the regions of the United States, focusing on the five themes of geography. The region itself, the effect of humans on the environment, the location and how to get there, the place and what makes it different from any other place, and human movement-- how people move around in the area. Each child will research a specific state as part of our expository writing program and will participate in the fourth grade "Walk Through America" program.

Science & Health

Science topics for fourth grade are: plants and animals, geology, planets, and chemistry/mystery powders. The health topics are: nutrition, the human body's circulatory and respiratory systems, and social skills dealing with self, peers, conflict resolution, and family.