4th Grade Curriculum

  • Literacy: Benchmark Literacy

    Our curriculum is called Benchmark Literacy.  There are four main components to this program: Reader’s Workshop, Writer’s Workshop, Guided Reading, and Word Study.

    Reader’s Workshop: (There are 10 Units encompassing: Main Idea and Supporting Details, Sequencing, Inferences, Summarizing, Compare and Contrast, Cause and Effect, Conclusions, Author’s Purpose, Fact and Opinion and Making Judgements.)

    Each unit consists of 3 weeks of lessons, with weekly checks for comprehension followed by a unit assessment. Students will be expected to read independently and demonstrate their understanding of the lessons through whole group, small group, and independent work.

    Writer’s Workshop: (There are 5 Units encompassing Personal Narratives, Science Fiction, Informational Reports, Book Reviews, and Procedural Texts.)

    Each unit consists of 6 weeks of writing strategies and skills. Students will be expected to write each day and share occasionally.

    Guided Reading: (There are multiple small books embedded in each 10 Reading Units.) These books are leveled literature and informational texts for small group instruction that match students’ instructional reading levels, providing the right balance of support and challenge.

    Word Study: (There are 32 weeks of lists.)  Students will study word patterns. Each student will bring home 10 spelling words on Mondays and will be tested on Fridays.  If there is no school on Friday, there will be no test. 

     

    At Home Reading (Razzle Dazzle Reading): All 4th grade students are expected to read 90 minutes at home each week. This should be recorded daily by the parent/guardian on the homework assignment sheet.

    Literacy Homework: Students may have occasional work to be completed at home. Be sure to check your child’s homework assignment sheet.

     

    MATH:  Everyday Mathematics
    Everyday Mathematics offers students a broad background in mathematics.  Some approaches in this program may differ from those you used as a student.  However, they are based on research results, field-test experiences, and the mathematics that students will need in the twenty-first century.  Following are some program highlights:
    - a problem solving approach that uses mathematics in everyday situations
    - partner and small group activities that promote cooperative learning
    - concepts and skills introduced and reviewed throughout the school year, promoting retention through a
      variety of exposures
    - concepts and skills developed through hands-on activities
    - opportunities to discuss and communicate mathematically
    - frequent practice using games as an alternative to tedious drills
    - opportunities for home and school communication
    Fourth Grade Emphasizes the following content:
    Unit 1:  Place Value; Multidigit Addition and Subtraction
    Unit 2:  Multiplication and Geometry
    Unit 3:  Fractions and Decimals
    Unit 4:  Multidigit Multiplication
    Unit 5:  Fraction and Mixed- Number Computation; Measurement
    Unit 6:  Divison; Angles
    Unit 7:  Multiplication of a Fraction by a Whole Number; Measurement 
    Unit 8:  Fraction Operations; Applications

    Mastering the multiplication facts is mandatory.  Each child should be able do 50 basic multiplication facts in 1 minute.  He/she will need to use flashcards and rely on memorization.  Practicing daily is so helpful.
     


    SOCIAL STUDIES: We incorporate many texts: Nystrom: Map Skills; Macmillian McGraw-Hill: Regions Near and Far; & Business Economics Education Foundation: Business Adventure, to cover the following areas:

    • Geography
    • US Regions
    • Economics (invent a product, market it, and have a classroom auction)


    HEALTH: The Great Body Shop

    Our fourth grade health curriculum consists of five units.  These units are as follows:
           Unit  1:  Community Safety
           Unit  2:  The Digestive System
           Unit  3:  No Smoking
           Unit  4:  Be Cool, Keep Clean
           Unit  5:  Stay Drug Free!
     


    SCIENCE:  FOSS (Full Option Science System)
    The fourth grade science curriculum consists of three modules:  Structures of Life, Water, and Magnetism and Electricity.  Through out the year, fourth graders will be doing many different experiments and hands-on activities with these units.  Here is a brief overview and description of our units.

    Structures of Life

    Origin of Seeds, guides students to discover and observe seeds found in foods we eat.
    Meet the Crayfish and Crayfish at Home, introduce an interesting organism that has a variety of structures and exhibits a wealth of behaviors.

    Water

    In Water Observations, students become familiar with the properties of water, an earth material. 

    Magnetism and Electricity

    The Force, deals with the concept of permanent magnetism.  Students discover how magnets interact with different materials and with each other.  They investigate variables that influence the force of attraction between two magnets.

     

    TECHNOLOGY:

    Fourth graders spend at least three sessions a week in one of our computer labs for keyboarding, word processing, internet use and utilizing software programs.  We also have a class set of Chromebooks within our grade level as well as a set of 6 I pads in our classroom.