Academics ~ Fourth Grade

Fourth Grade Curriculum

The fourth grade program strives to build upon the solid skill base of the third grade program while progressing with more complex tasks in all academic areas. The emphasis is placed upon fostering independence, organizational skills, time management and responsibility.  Problem solving and critical thinking skills are part of the lessons taught through cooperative learning.  The teaching of moral values and high character standards is integrated into the curriculum.

READING
The reading program's foundation is provided through the use of novel study.  Reading skills are introduced and maintained through the use of various workbooks and Novel Ties or extensions. Selected novels represent a variety of genres and are studied to provide examples of the use of dialogue, similes, personification, themes, humor, foreshadowing, flash-backs, mood, setting, and characterization.  Comprehension skills are developed through vocabulary activities, remembering details/facts, recognizing the main idea, sequencing information, predicting outcomes and drawing conclusions.  The Accelerated Reader Program encourages the students to read beyond the required books and develop a love of reading.

LANGUAGE ARTS
Students begin to analyze questions and answer in clear, well constructed, written statements.  Paragraph structure is expanded as students practice writing topic sentences, supporting details, and concluding statements.  Writing assignments vary as new concepts are introduced in English.  Students have the opportunity to express their ideas using different writing styles, such as narratives, informative, and expository writing, and assignments that revolve around the novel being studied. They also learn more about the different genres for reading and writing.  Vocabulary and spelling series emphasize skills and help extend word choice and knowledge.  The English text reviews grammar and usage taught in third grade and expands this knowledge into writing assignments. Each student has a thesaurus for reference and the class has a set of dictionaries.

MATH
The fourth grade math program is designed to help students make sense of mathematics and to make math meaningful.  Students are expected to become proficient with computation and efficient/effective problem solvers reasoning and critical thinking are important components of the program.  Many problem-solving strategies are taught which helps students improve their ability to reason and solve real-time problems.  A cooperative learning approach is used with every lesson and activity.

SCIENCE
The science curriculum includes a hands on approach and is divided into four basic strands: Physical Science, Earth and Space Science, Life Science, and Science Technology.  The fourth grade studies changing properties, the changing earth, ecosystems, and pollution problems/solutions.  Fourth grade students are in the lab two hours per week.  The lab includes a variety of animals for  the students to observe as well as six computer stations, contemporary audio/video equipment, charts, and manipulatives.

SOCIAL STUDIES
The primary focus of the program is the study of Florida beginning with those things that make Florida unique: the flag, state seal, and other symbols. The study continues with Florida's geography and habitats. Florida's plants, animals, climate, and natural resources are discussed.  The curriculum explores Florida from the state's earliest hunters and farmers to the most recent newcomers.  A variety of projects relating to Florida provides the students with an opportunity to further explore themes and practice research skills.  Tampa history is explored in class as well as through a variety of field trips.

ENRICHMENT SCHEDULE
In fourth grade the enrichment classes rotate every 5 days.  This allows for continuity and creativity in these classes.  The students have the enrichments Visual Arts, Technology, Music and Spanish approximately three times per trimester.

VISUAL ARTS
The visual arts curriculum in fourth grade explores the study of themes in art, artists, art media and techniques, and the chronology and history of art.  Students develop skills to understand and appreciate artwork as they participate in hands on art activities.

TECHNOLOGY
Web research continues in fourth grade as part of the curriculum based “Florida Lighthouses” project.  Expanded use of Microsoft Word tools and functions enable students to produce more polished products.  Microsoft Publisher is introduced. More emphasis is placed on reports and papers assigned in homeroom, and continued in the lab. Skills from prior years are reviewed, expanded, refined, and reinforced. New problem solving and logical thinking software is introduced. Keyboarding practice continues.

MUSIC
Fourth grade music is based on Orff-Schulwerk methodology, incorporating speech, singing, movement, and instrument playing. The emphasis in each class is the active participation of each child. Students will build upon the skills that have been taught the previous years as well as using music reading skills in playing the soprano recorder and in playing the pitched and unpitched Orff instruments. Students will also learn and perform folk dances from around the world, study famous composers and their music, and begin two part harmonic singing.

SPANISH
Fourth grade students begin a new workbook within the same series begun in second grade.  Active learning continues to be an integral part to the program, with an added emphasis on reading phrases and short stories in Spanish. The spoken and written vocabulary progresses forward in developing longer messages and conversations.  The program of study is flexible to allow for different levels of competency.

LIBRARY
Building on earlier skills, students in fourth grade improve their search strategies and become familiar with additional reference tools.  They apply their search strategies to a variety of formats, electronic and print. During the year they are assigned a topic, and in class compare material found in many formats. They continue literature appreciation by reading a variety of outstanding fiction, including the Sunshine State list.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Children in 4^th grade are now familiar with the fundamentals of sports from the previous years. Students are given time to review and practice their basic skills. Additional challenges and new skills/drills are provided as student’s progress through skill development.

RELIGION
The curriculum and chapel services are rooted in the Episcopal faith. As part of the curriculum, the students are introduced to Christian Values, as well as the Sacred Stories of the Bible through a variety of activities.  Emphasis on how God wants us to treat each other with kindness, love, and respect, is a recurring theme throughout the year.  The whole school attends chapel services twice a week.

FIELD TRIPS/RESOURCE SPEAKERS
Field trips and resources speakers are coordinated with the social studies and science units. In addition, the students celebrate many special days in fourth grade.  Among these days are Grandparent’s Day, Blessing of the Pets, Spirit Day, assembly performances, and Patriot Games.

St. Mary's Episcopal Day School
2101 South Hubert Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33629
(813) 258-5508
Fax: (813) 258-5603

 

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