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Fourth Grade Curriculum Summary

Reading/Spelling

Trophies Reading Curriculum: Harcourt School Publishers
Spelling; Modern Curriculum Press

Students read narrative and expository text aloud to strengthen their fluency, accuracy, pacing and intonations. They draw upon a variety of comprehension strategies and compare information from several resources. They are able to describe the different genres of reading; fantasies, biographies, fiction, etc. They successfully use the stages of writing and spelling (i.e. drafts, revising, editing, etc.) to the best of their ability. 

Language Art/Writing

Language; Harcourt School Publishers   Handwriting; Zaner-Bloser

Students demonstrate a command of the English language through oral and written projects. Use of reference materials is taught to aid them in continuing to produce quality work. Students combine short, related sentences with participle phrases, adjectives, adverbs and prepositional phrases.

Mathematics

Mathematics-California Edition, McGraw Hill Publishers

Students solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions and decimals. They interpret one and two variable data graphs to answer questions about a problem. Students use and interpret formulas (e.g. Area=length time width, A=lw) and work with measurements; centimeters, meters, kilometers, square yards, etc. They make logical decisions on how to approach a problem with the correct method of operation.

Social Studies         

California Our Golden State; McGraw Hill Publishers

Students learn the history of their home state, unique in American History. In addition specific milestones in California history are focused on (e.g. pre-Columbian, Spanish and Mexican influences). Students understand the functions and powers of the United States local, state and federal government. They are also able to describe the roles and responsibilities of our local officials. 

Science/Health       

Science; Macmillan/McGraw Hill Publishers

Students learn how to design and build simple series and parallel circuit boards. They learn that ecosystems can be characterized in terms of living and nonliving components. They understand the properties of rocks and minerals. The Scientific Method is used when completing their Science Fair Project. Health and body changes are discussed through our Health Education Program in the Spring.  

Enrichment Curriculum

• The Visual Arts Curriculum – Students learn the concept of point of view and how that influences their response to a work of art.  They continue to work on all the elements of art.
• Our Music Curriculum – Students not only sing and play instruments, they compose, write and  perform musical selections.
• Spanish instruction is given to students on a weekly basis.  Students work in their workbooks to  continue to comprehend and speak a foreign language.
• Physical Education  - Students demonstrate knowledge of movement concepts, principles and strategies that apply to learning and performance of physical activities.   Students continue to learn to improve their health and performance through physical activities given twice a week.
• Computers are used to supplement and enhance our overall curriculum.  Students learn basic keyboarding skills, create projects and conduct web searches to gather information.
• A sense of community is created through our “LifeSkills” curriculum.  The five “Lifelong Guidelines” provide consistent parameters and expectations of conduct not only in our classroom, but in our world.
• The development of skills in Fourth Grade is reflected in the years collection of: Progress Reports, Weekly Folders and Report Cards provided to parents throughout the year.

September 2009