Fourth Grade Curriculum
RELIGION
Text: Blest Are We, Silver Burdette, 2004
During our year of study, we learn about God's Kingdom on earth. This includes study of the Ten Commandments, the Works of Mercy, and the Beatitudes. We are constantly learning to bring that Kingdom to others through our words and actions We also study the Liturgical Calendar, research saints for All Saints Day, prepare and participate in Holy Week activities, learn about and review the sacrament of Reconciiation, study our greatest prayer, the Mass, and participate in weekly school Masses as song leaders, readers, and gift bearers. After Christmas Fourth Grade students have the opportunity to take a class through the parish on being an altar server and then serve at our school Masses. Those students who have not recieved the Sacarament of Reconciliation can prepare with their families through the Religious Formation Program. We also reach out to our community through various activities. Fourth Grade students write to older members of our community, especially those in care centers and those who have difficulty getting out. Students "befriend" these people and write monthly and seasonal letter and greetings throughour the year. Some students will even take time with their families to make personal visits. During the season of Lent, the Fourth Graders visit the Christian Community Home in Hudson and perfom the Living Stations of the Cross. In the Spring, after studying the Works of Mercy, students hold a Rummage Sale for Grades Pre-K-3 and choose a worthy organization which lives out the Coporal or Spiritual Works of Mercy to receive the monies earned.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Texts: The Wisconsin Journey; Gibbs/Smith, 2004
Exploring Our State: Wisconsin, Follett, 1977
The focus of our year is the study of the state of Wisconsin. We begin with a unit on geography working with map and globe skills. Then we study how the land was shaped by the last Ice Age. A field trip to Interstate Park, one park of the Ice Age Trail , enhances our study of glaciers in Wisconsin. Next, we study the culture of the Woodland Indians before the white man came. As a culmination to this unit, the students create an authentic Native American village. Our next unit introduces the explorers, French fur traders, and early settlement and how life changed for the Native American with the interaction of the white men. Fourth Graders visit the Minnesota Historical Society and take a class on fur trading. This is followed by studying the growth of Wisconsin due to the discovery of lead in southwestern Wisconsin. This leads us into statehood in the year 1848. We study Wisconsin's state symbols, flag, and capital. Students are introduced to the causes of the Civil War and Wisconsin's role in the war. Immigrantion is another unit that is covered in Fourth Grade. This includes creating family trees, research, and the celebration of an Immigrant Day where the students role play families making the journey to America. We move into lumbering, agriculture, economics, and Wisconsin government. We are fortunate to have volunteers provide our students with the Junior Achievement Program.
MATH
Text: Mathematics, McGraw-Hill; 2002
The focus of Fourth Grade Math is:
- Review of place value, Rounding, Time, and Money
- Review of Addition and Subtraction and Estimation of Sums and Differences
- Multiplication by 1 and 2 digits and Estimation of Products and Quotients
- Division by 1 and 2 digit divisors
- Data, Satatistics, and Graphing
- Problem Solving Strategies
- Measurement: Metric and Standard
- Fractions- understanding of fractions, equivalent fractions, introduction to adding and subtracting fraction
- Introduction of Geometry
We also use a Math Daily Review to review and introduce different math concepts including ratio, percents, decimals, problem solving, and probability.
Fourth Graders are expected to know all of their math facts. Students are given timed tests practice and assessment.
SCIENCE
Text: Science, Houghton Mifflin, 2007
Text, videos, projects, and hands-on exploring/experiments are used with each unit. Curriculum includes the study of:
- Life Processes, including the cell
- Plant Parts and Life Cyle
- Introduction to Human Body Systems
- Energy: Light, Sound
- Electricity and Magnetism
- Water Cycle and Weather
- The Universe
- Birds, including birdwatching
READING
Text: Treasure of Literature, Houghton-Mifflin, 1993
Approximately half of the year is spent using the basal and reading a variety of selections including fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. The many skills worked on include: cause and effect, figurative language, drawing conclusions, following directions, graphic aids, sequence of events and time order words, guide words, vocabulary development, main idea and details, faact and opinion, and reference books. Students also learn to develop thinking and writing skills through written answers to comprehension questions.
Students read novels as a class. These include Caddie Woodlawn, Stone Fox, Shiloh, and Meet Addie. Through activities and discussions, students learn to understand reading on deeper level. Three of these novels were chosen specifically to correlate with our curriculum in other areas.
Fourth Graders also experience reading in small groups and Lit Circles. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is one novel done in this fashion, and more books may be done in the Lit Circle format throughout the year.
As a supplement to our reading program, students are also encouraged to read for enjoyment through our Accelerated Reader Program. We have over 1000 titles and computerized quizzes.
LANGUAGE AND SPELLING
Text: Language, Harcourt, 2002
Many language areas of grammar and usage are covered in this book. Skills include sentence structure, capitalization, punctuation, parts of speech including nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
These skills are applied in writing skills using the writing process. Types of writing include personal narrative, narrative, persuasive, expository, and descriptive writing, including poetry. Some writings are taken to a published form using the computer lab.
Students participate in a schoolwide Young Author program where they write and publish their own books with teacher and parent guidance. Books are then shared at an all-school celebration of literacy during our Young Author Day.
Cursive writing is reviewed and required for much of the children's written work.
Text: Spelling and Vocabulary, Houghton-Mifflin, 1998
This book is a phonics-based program which reinforces what has been taught in the lower grades. In the workbook students learn to read and follow directions along with other language skills. Students are graded on workbook and weekly tests.
