Fourth Grade
In 4th grade, students learn to think deeply about their reading texts, to make connections and grasp more complex concepts across all subjects. They learn to write with clarity, flow, and structure in the form of traditional essays. They become more independent in how they learn, research, plan, and revise their own work. In reading, students are able to make inferences and to think about messages in the stories they read and how these stories relate to their own lives. In writing, students work to develop clarity and structure, and use reasons, facts, and details to support and strengthen their arguments. In math, students master and further their multiplication, division, and general computation skills. In science, students expand their scientific thinking as they conduct experiments and use the results to further their learning. In social studies students work to deepen their reading, writing, and analytical skills, as well as expand knowledge and appreciation of US and World History.
Language and Literacy:
Guided Reading of an assortment of genres. The book listing in fourth grade will be a representative selection of books including different genres and are chosen to infuse more culturally responsive, multicultural and inclusive stories into the classroom. Reading listing also includes selected nonfiction topics and biographical selections to supplement curricular areas of study.
Shared reading, independent reading and Reading Response Journals support the development and practice of Common Core Reading Standards.
Writing:
- Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information. Students learn the value of organization and form as they gather evidence to support and express an opinion on topics they know well.
- Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
- Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences. Fourth graders will be able to write realistic fiction and learn to develop rich characters and stories.
Students will write daily essay prompts from literature selections (e.g. was the title good, critique the ending, how do you think the main character would react to…) and day to day occurrences (e.g. holidays, seasonal changes)
Spelling:
Sitton Spelling
Math:
Bridges in Mathematics
Social Studies:
Through the use of primary and secondary sources students will learn about World history, American history and geography, integrating topics in civics and the arts. Students will build knowledge of diverse civilizations, cultures, and concepts.
Essential Questions in Fourth Grade Social Studies:
- • Why does geography matter?
- • What makes a complex society?
- What motivates people to explore and colonize other lands?
- What does it mean to be free?
- How do people, laws and new technology shape a nation?
Racial Literacy: Fourth grade lessons are designed to help students understand how geography influenced the emergence of civilization.
Science: Following the Next Generation Science Standards, science is fully integrated into the classroom, through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics)
Units of Study:
Structure and Function of Organisms
- How do the structures of plants and animals help them to survive in their environment?
Transfer of Energy and Information
- How do we know energy is conserved as it is transferred from one form to another?
Energy, Motion and Collisions
- What happens to energy when objects collide?
Changes on Earth’s Surface
- How do earth’s processes, natural forces and organisms change land over time?
Impact of Natural Processes
- How can people affect the impact of natural processes and resources?
Engineering Design
- How do we create a simple design that solves a problem; reflecting a need or want; that includes specified criteria for success or constraints on materials, time or cost?
Technology:
- Keyboarding without Tears- The program for teaching keyboarding is developmentally appropriate by grade.
- Digital Citizenship: Common Sense Media
- Google Classroom - Google tools; Google Docs and Google Slides
Field Trips:
All field trips in Fourth Grade support the curriculum in the classroom, are local, accessible by walking or involve limited transportation.