4th Grade Overview

4th Grade Curriculum Overview

 

RELIGION – The We Believe religion series is designed to help the children realize the wonderful gift God has given us in sharing divine life.  They are shown how to celebrate this life and deepen it through the liturgy.  The 4th grade series focuses primarily on the Beatitudes and the Ten Commandments, along with special chapters devoted to seasons of the Church Year as we celebrate each one.

 

UNIT 1 – Growing in Jesus Christ

UNIT 2 – The Commandments Help Us to Love God

UNIT 3 – The Commandments Help Us to Love Others

UNIT 4 – We Are Called to Holiness

 

MATH – This will be a continuation of the 3rd grade math series.  Topics will focus on the major strands of math including:  number sense, computation, algebra and functions, geometry, measurement, data analysis and probability, and problem solving. ***A major difference this year will be that the students have an actual math textbook versus just worksheets.

 

READING – Students will work to improve their vocabulary through the study of root words, compound words, prefixes, suffixes, synonyms, antonyms, multiple-meaning words, figurative language, and using context clues.  

Students will also work on the following comprehension skills:

 

*making predictions                                    *sequencing events

*recognizing cause and effect                    *compare and contrast

*summarize                                                  *making inferences

*drawing conclusions                                 *main idea and supporting details

*distinguishing fact and opinion              *problem/solution

*making judgments and decisions           *analyzing story elements

*describing author’s point of view

 

LANGUAGE ARTS - Students will be working on grade-appropriate grammar, writing, vocabulary, and spelling.  

 

Grammar – sentences, nouns, verbs, adjectives, pronouns, and adverbs.

Writing – personal narratives, persuasive writing, explanatory writing, expository writing, and story writing.

 Vocabulary/Spelling – students will periodically work with a new group of words; practicing pronunciation, meaning, usage, and spelling.

 

SCIENCE – Students will be working on scientific inquiry, the scientific method, and different topics in life, earth, and physical science.

 

Life Science – Plants and Animals, Energy and Ecosystems

Physical Science – Properties of Matter, Changes in Matter, Energy, Electricity, Motion

Earth Science – Weather, Earth and Space

 

 

SOCIAL STUDIES – Students will be focusing on map skills, Maryland’s role throughout history and Maryland’s economy.  Topics will include:

 

 

  • Maryland Natural Land Features
  • Native American Life
  • Colonization and Settlements
  • The American Revolution
  • Making the U.S. Constitution
  • The Civil War
  • The 20th Century
  • Modern Maryland
  • Maryland Government
  • Making a Living in Maryland

 

 

*Other Notes*

 

Grading – Grades will be weighted as follows:

 

Tests/Projects – 30%

Class work – 25%

Homework- 20%

Quizzes – 15%

Class Participation – 10%

 

***Each quarter students are expected to read and take 2 accelerated reader tests in the library. They will each count as a test grade in reading for that quarter.  Thus, students’ participation in the accelerated reader program is very important. If students read and take more than 2 tests during the quarter, I will use the top 2 scores from all the AR tests they have taken that quarter. So this gives students an opportunity to make up for a low score.  One of these books can be the same book the students are reading for their book report each quarter.

 

Book Reports – Starting in September, students will be responsible for reading a book from a specific genre and completing a book report (various types) once each quarter.  This will count as a test/project grade in reading.  The students will receive special instructions for the specific book reports each quarter. (Please see the “Discovering Genres in Literature” Handout for Due Dates)

 

Daily Schedule – Because of the scheduling of specials and Mass on Tuesdays we will not have our daily subjects at the same exact time every day, but they will usually be in the same order each day as follows:

 

Ø  Morning Prayer in the Gym

Ø  Unpack/Morning Procedures

Ø  Language Arts with Ms. Cox

Ø  Math

Ø  Reading

Ø  Lunch/Recess

Ø  Religion

Ø  Social Studies

Ø  Science

Ø  Pack Up/Dismissal

 

Lunch for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade will be from 11:30 to 11:55, and recess following from 11:55 to 12:25.

 

Homework – Students will have homework on a daily basis, and it is expected to be completed and turned in on time.  Any work turned in late will be accepted, but will result in a lowered homework grade.  Remember this is 20% of the student’s grade.  Homework is very important for practicing and reinforcing skills covered in school.