4th Grade

Introduction

Fourth grade is a year in which students encounter some significant changes in their academic experience. They have more time issues and materials to manage. For the first time, they are asked to begin to integrate skills that have previously been used in isolation. They do more reading, writing and problem solving across the curricula. For example, they might be asked to read a non-fiction passage, reflect on what they read, infer answers to questions about the article, and put their answers in writing. There will be homework assignments in more than one subject each night. They will have tests in more subjects, not just weekly spelling tests, or timed quizzes on the multiplication facts. Instead, they are given assessments that cover the content of an entire unit of study. Throughout the year, time is spent on discussing organization and study skills. Students in fourth grade need to reflect more on how they learn, and formulate statements that demonstrate how they arrive at an answer or conclusion. They embark on a new phase of their thinking and learning, one that includes more abstract thought and conceptualization. Instruction continues to be on a concrete level, but then progresses to situations that ask them to generalize concepts, and to pull in more abstract ideas. They work on projects related to the units of study, either independently or in small groups. Cooperation and collaboration skills are further developed and refined. Presentation and speaking skills are improved as they share their finished work. At the same time, they continue to develop their social skills. They are asked to make more decisions and accept greater responsibility. All of this occurs at a time when they are embarking on a new phase of their development. They are becoming ready to take on new challenges such as these, and feel good about becoming successful as they learn to manage them.

Language Arts

Reading

• Trade books
• Supplementary reading (fiction, biography, mystery, sports, myths, legends, science)

Writing

• Sentences
• Paragraphs – main idea, topic sentence, supporting details
• Poetry
• Free Writing
• Spelling stories
• Composition
• Report Writing
• Dialogue
• Letter writing
• Writing across the curriculum

Grammar

• Sentences – types, structures, parts
• Nouns – singular, plural, common, proper, possessive
• Pronouns
• Verbs
• Adjectives – concept, definition, comparison
• Adverbs
• Usage and mechanics

Spelling

• Word lists
• Consonants, vowels with r, consonant diagraphs, vowel diagraphs, dipthongs, plurals, possessives, contractions, prefixes, compounds, synonyms, antonyms, homonyms

Handwriting

• Correct letter formation
• Template, art work, copy exercises
• Neatness and form

Vocabulary

• Synonyms, antonyms
• Root words, prefixes, suffixes
• Context clues
• Word derivations (Greek / Roman)

Listening and Speaking – integrated fully into the student's life

Math

Number Sense

• Numeration, base-ten arithmetic and estimation
• Place value, ones, tens, hundreds, thousands
• Computation
  • Addition, subtraction review
  • Multiplication, division
• Approximation
• 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional shapes
• Estimation
• Averaging
• Algebra – hands-on
  • Using letters for missing numbers
  • Parenthesis – need and use functions

Collecting and Making Sense our of Data

• Money – fractions, decimals, consumer math
• Measurement – length, weight, time, volume, temperature, quantity
• Charts and Graphs – interpretation

Geometry – shapes, perimeters, area, volume

• Angles
• Lines
• Symmetry

Probability

Word Problems

Social Studies

• Physical and cultural geography
• Early navigation and explorers
• Map skills
• Special themes and projects

Science

Teacher: Marty Smith
40 minute classes, twice a week

• Study of plants and animals
• Classifying and caring for living things
• Wetlands and Watersheds
• Design and problem-solving application

French

Teacher: Isabella Tamburrino-Schreiber
40 minutes classes, 4 times a week

• Vocabulary: family, classroom items and school subjects, numbers to 100, time and daily routine, clothes, colors, professions, the body, animals, sports and pastimes, likes and dislikes
• Grammar: gender and number of nouns, agreement of adjectives, present tense of être and -er verbes
• Sound discrimination: alphabet, intonation (statement versus question)
• Culture and Civilization: greeting, important French holidays, geography of France, La Marseillaise, dialogues, poems, songs, games, videos, children's software.

Health

Teacher: Sydney Fox
Three 30 minute classes a week - one term

• How the body works – cells, tissues, organs, systems
• Keeping fit – physical fitness, flexibility, strength, endurance, posture, sports

Human Development

Teacher: Linda Kamel, Guidance Counselor

• Children's age appropriate questions
• Sexual stereotyping
• Human bodies (class divided by gender)

Religion

Teacher: Patricia Walsh-Collinsr
Two 30 minute classes a week - one term

• Introduction to New Testament and Christianity
  • Life of Jesus
  • History and beliefs of Christianity

Art

Teacher: Patricia Walsh-Collins
One 30 minute and one 40 minute class

• Visual perception of light and shadow; 2 and 3 dimensions; additional elements of art, shape and value
• "Seeing": recognize, understand and interpret art
• Art terminology

Shop

Teacher: Sydney Fox
40 minute class, once a week

• Tools – uses and misuses, maintenance
• Pre-project information – selection, planning, Nautical blue prints
• Project information – design of box or tray
  • Planning
  • Measuring
  • Sawing, hammering
  • Sanding, drilling
  • Joining materials
  • Finish application

Music

Teacher: Maria DeVore
40 minute classes, twice a week

• Vocal material includes: folk songs, seasonal and holiday songs, echo-singing, call and response, rounds, partner songs
• Forms explored are verse and refrain, ABA
• Cumulative songs
• Recorder instruction – phrasing and breath control
• Treble clef – ledger lines

Physical Education

Teacher: Colleen McAteer
40 minute classes, 2-3 times a week

• Team games
• Flag football, kickball variations
• Movement exploration
• Cooperative games
• Kick ball, floor hockey, Frisbee, softball
• Track and field – standing broad jump long jump, triple jump, Frisbee throw, softball throw, 50 yard dash, cross country

Library

Teacher: Hillary Spitzer
40 minute class, once a week

• Enjoyment and appreciation of children’s literature/li>
• Reading Olympics
• Automated check out, check in of books
• Parts of a book – cover, spine, title page, table of contents, index
• Dewey Decimal System
• Research
  • Location of needed materials on shelves
  • Computer search
    • Internet
    • Websites
  • JEM related project
  • Reference section
  • Fiction genres
  • Newbery Award Winning Books

Technology

• Software for
  • Thinking skills, problem solving
  • Instructional – science, language arts, social studies
  • Creativity

Class Trips

• McCarter Theater
• Mercer Street Friends

School Wide Activities

• Assembly - once a week
• Meeting for Worship - once a week
• Recess - three times a day
• Track and Field Day
• Gardening Day