FOURTH GRADE CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

LANGUAGE ARTS

The most important goal of language arts is to enable each child to communicate as effectively as possible. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities strengthen communication. Students are challenged through regular instruction to develop critical and creative thinking skills. In fourth grade, the five areas of Language Arts concentration are productive thinking, communication, forecasting, decision-making, and planning.

READING

The literature-based Houghton Mifflin Reading Series is our core reading program.  A combination of group and independent reading activities promote skill development in comprehension, word recognition, story analysis, vocabulary, and appreciation for literature. Students learn about a variety of genres, including realistic fiction, fantasy, folktale, poems, plays, mysteries, and biographies. Students will also read and listen to selected novels throughout the year.

Our Wordly Wise workbooks supplement vocabulary development and provide an interesting and enjoyable approach to learning new words with multiple meanings. Library skills are taught during weekly lessons in our St. Mary's library.  Two additional programs, the computer-based Accelerated Reader and the self-paced SRA, provide additional practice in reading comprehension.

SPELLING/PHONICS

Fourth-grade students work with the Houghton Mifflin Spelling Program. This program promotes the formal teaching of reliable patterns and rules and enables students to spell a high percentage of English words without memorization.  Special emphasis is on sound-symbol relationships, word patterns, and families of words.  Students also practice using a dictionary and thesaurus, alphabetizing, and identifying base words, affixes, homonyms, synonyms, and antonyms.   

SPEAKING

Fourth graders participate in group presentations, express opinions and ideas in class discussions, and give oral book reports. Emphasis is placed on developing fluent, organized, and meaningful oral expression.

GRAMMAR

Our instructional materials for grammar include the Silver Burdett and Ginn World of Language and the Basic English series. In fourth grade, we focus on the following parts of speech: nouns, proper nouns, verbs, adjectives, articles, pronouns, conjunctions, adverbs, and prepositions. Through a variety of exercises and activities, students practice writing complete sentences, forming paragraphs, using appropriate verb forms, and editing their work for correct punctuation and capitalization. The Houghton Mifflin workbook also emphasizes language skills for writing and speaking.

COMPOSITION

Fourth graders will continually be involved with creative and expository writing.  Throughout the year, they write from their own experiences, observation work, research materials, and extended literature activities.  Writing assignments include book reports, stories, and poetry. Fourth graders follow a five-step process of composition: prewriting, writing, revising, proofreading, and publishing.

MATH

The fourth grade math program uses Everyday Mathematics, a rigorous curriculum designed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics project. EDM builds a foundation of mathematical knowledge that, in time, enables students to move from the basics to higher-order thinking and critical problem solving. This program is supplemented by Rocket Math (a basic math-facts program). The fourth-grade math program includes a thorough review of addition, subtraction, and single-digit multiplication and division. The subsequent arithmetic content includes number concepts, estimation, functions, two- and three-digit computation, decimals, fractions, and an introduction to the basic skills of algebra and geometry. Through continual and incremental practice with word problems, measurement, scale, and graph reading, as well as arithmetic, students learn and remember the foundation skills and concepts of mathematics. Speed drills provide additional practice with addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts. 

SOCIAL STUDIES/GEOGRAPHY/HISTORY

Using the Scott Foresman textbook, Regions, Oklahoma Edition, fourth-grade students study the United States, its regions, and its state capitals. Emphasis is placed on a detailed unit about Oklahoma. Each student is responsible for compiling an Oklahoma notebook, as well as researching a famous Oklahoman. Fourth graders also study the Westward Movement, including units on Lewis and Clark and the Gold Rush. Students review and expand their map and globe skills throughout the year. A weekly student magazine is used to study current events. In their World studies unit, fourth graders explore the history and culture of China.

SCIENCE

St. Mary’s science curriculum is a hands-on approach to learning the fundamental processes of science. Through direct laboratory, classroom and outdoor experiences, students are exposed to observing, measuring, recording, classifying, interpreting, analyzing, inferring, predicting, and investigating. The fourth-grade science curriculum focuses on the earth/space, life and physical sciences. It has been developed with the National Science Education Standards as its foundation. Hands on Elementary Science, AIMS, Science Studies Weekly and Delta Science Modules have been used in the development of activities and learning experiences. Topics covered in fourth grade include meteorology, ecosystems, electricity, and chemistry. Students are responsible for participating in outdoor education, conducting lab investigations, keeping lab notebooks, and completing various assessments throughout the year.

FOURTH GRADE SPECIALS

SPANISH

Our fourth-grade students have two 30-minute Spanish classes each week. Fourth-graders review and expand upon themes, structures, and vocabulary introduced in the Sube and Teach Them Spanish curricula. Educational videos, library books, traditional music, and guest speakers are other “windows” through which they expand their world view in Spanish class. This year, fourth-graders will also explore the history, geography, and culture of countries in Central and South America.

RELIGION

Fourth-grade students attend Chapel twice weekly and actively participate in the service. Our Chapel curriculum is derived from The Bible and The Book of Common Prayer. On Wednesdays, the elementary chapel uses The Book of Common Prayer and focuses on the Lectionary Readings.  Monday morning chapel services are taken from The Book of Common Prayer Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families.  This devotion follows the basic structure of the Daily Office of the Church. Portions of Psalms, scripture readings and collects (prayers) are read at this service. We also recite The Lord's Prayer and the Apostles' Creed.  A time for quiet individual prayer is provided, as well as a time for singing.

Religious education classes are based on the Episcopal Children's Curriculum, The Council for Spiritual and Ethical Education, and The Bible. Our program includes a study of what we believe as Christians and basic Bible knowledge. The fourth-grade program of religious education has two parts. First, our study centers on Old Testament Stories and the ancestors of Jesus.  From a chronological Biblical perspective, we study major Old Testament characters, examine their lives, and discuss what God called them and needed them to do. We also participate in a brief study of Old Testament prophets. Secondly, we examine the practice of our faith as Christians and study the significance of the New Covenant, the Trinity, the Church. The Creeds, prayer, and the meaning of Sin and Redemption. We conclude with a look at the New Testament and the teachings of Jesus. Students keep a notebook of their work.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Our P.E. program provides fourth graders with unique fundamental knowledge, interaction, and physical skills appropriate for their age level. Fourth-grade units consist of drills, exercise, physical activities and games. They include the President’s fitness challenge, dance and movement, archery, relays, volleyball, jogging and cross-country. Our goal is to equip students with knowledge and a desire for life-long physical activity. Students are also encouraged to engage in physical activity outside of the classroom through team sports and individual exercise.

HEALTH

Our fourth-grade health program promotes wellness and a positive lifestyle. It also emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for one’s own health and making wise decisions. In fourth grade, the focus is on body systems. Students explore the health risks of cigarette smoking and chemical dependencies. There is also a section on how to prevent bullying.

TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION

Fourth graders attend class in the computer lab and experience a variety of age-appropriate software and internet sites to enrich and complement their classroom learning.  Computer education at this level includes computer terminology; Internet safety; keyboarding skills; more advanced skills in Microsoft Word, Print Shop, and Power Point; basic Internet Search Skills; and basic file and directory management.

ART

Art classes meet twice a week and provide fourth graders with experience in drawing and painting, basic art techniques, imagery and guided art, and 3-dimensional art (clay).  Additional art activities will be incorporated into the regular classroom curriculum.

MUSIC

Fourth graders experience rhythm, pitch, basic elements of music theory, and a number of singing and movement activities using the Orff Schulwerk approach.  They study orchestral families, identify composers and their music, explore cultural music, perform in front of others, and gain hands-on experience with instruments. In fourth grade, students learn to produce music with body, voice, and instruments, as well as to read basic music notations. Fourth graders are also exposed to a wide variety of music and musical styles.

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