Lower School
Fourth Grade Curriculum

LANGUAGE ARTS

Fourth grade students develop a passion for and appreciation of literature through exposure to a variety of genres, authors and writing styles. Students are expected to read books of their own choosing along with assigned books that relate to areas of study. Teachers continue to read aloud to stimulate a love for and understanding of a given story or poem. Class discussions, dramatic activities and written assignments develop comprehension and help students grapple with literary characters, plots, styles and themes.

Readers’ Workshop

As students at this level can read independently and comprehend full chapter books, the literature student strives to understand books at a more sophisticated level. What are the attributes of a great book? How do characters change over time? How does setting affect the story? What is symbolism, foreshadowing, plot? How does a writer convey tone, suspense, humor, point-of-view? Novels, short stories, and poetry are explored in many ways: group discussions and debates, art projects, and research reports. Skills, such as factual recall, inferencing, and summarizing, are reinforced here as well. Literature is chosen to inspire, stimulate, and present significant ideas and achievements of the past and present. Vocabulary understanding and fluency continue to be strengthened.

Reading Goals:

• Acquire the habits of good readers.
• Comprehend a variety of fictional genres written by authors of different cultures, ethnicities, genders, ages and time periods, such as myths, fantasy, realistic fiction, tall tales and haiku.
  
• Read independently every day both in school and at home for a minimum of 30 minutes each session.
  
• Critically reflect on reading, summarize information and retell accurately
  
• Recognize literary devices (e.g. metaphor and onomatopoeia), plot, setting, characters, point of view, theme, the author’s purpose and historical context.
  
• Use the library to self-select a variety of materials to research a topic, explore personal interests and for enjoyment.
  
• Maintain a reading response log that reflects goals and accomplishments.
  
• Preview the text to construct meaning (e.g. scan read, skim read, take notes, observe text format).
  
• Read aloud with accuracy, fluency and expression from increasingly complex texts.
  
• Learn vocabulary from reading.
  
• Recognize and correctly use synonyms, antonyms, homonyms and homophones in context.
  
• Use available resources (e.g. context clues, root words, prefixes/suffixes, dictionary, glossary, encyclopedia, ask others) to pronounce or determine meaning/multiple meanings of words.

Listening and Speaking Goals:

• Speak for a variety of purposes, i.e. express ideas and needs, initiate and sustain conversations with peers and adults and ask about things and concepts not understood.
  
• Participate by speaking in collaborative discussions to explore ideas.
  
• Retell the events of a story or personal experience in logical order.
  
• Paraphrase information shared by others.
  
• Use intonation, inflection and gestures to convey meaning when speaking.
  
• Demonstrate an appreciation for the conventions of conversation.
  
• Take part in creative dramatics, choral reading, shared reading by reciting short poems, rhymes, songs and story.
  
• Develop an awareness of how sound, including intonation, rhythm and volume, contributes to meaning.
  
• Listen to peers and adults in formal and informal conversations.
  
• Follow two-step oral directions to complete a task.
  
• Distinguish between statements and questions in oral sentences.

Writers’ Workshop

The fourth grade author writes a lot over the course of the year with many opportunities to write creatively, and the mechanics of reading and writing are taught on a regular basis.  Throughout the writing process, children are encouraged to find topics of special interest and express their thoughts effectively, drawing from their own lives, experiences, dreams, and thoughts. Children work with their peers to proofread, edit and share their writing. Selected writing pieces, including fiction, poetry, essays and research papers, are presented at “Publishing Parties” to help children experience the pride and pleasure of being an author.

Writing continues to be cross-curricular, as student use words to communicate their ideas in math, history, and science. Skill work is focused on helping students develop self-editing skills in the writing process. Students are encouraged in the continued development of research/report writing skills and mastery of the cursive alphabet. Speech and letter writing are honed here as well.

 Writing Goals:

• Adopt the habits of an effective writer.
  
• Write regularly for many reasons (e.g., for own pleasure, to report on informational topics, to give simple explanations and to develop a literary piece based on a picture prompt or book).
  
• Organize and express ideas in clear, complete sentences.
  
• Use complete paragraph structure and organize paragraphs logically.
  
• Engage in the writing process: brainstorm, organize, write a draft, revise, edit and publish.
  
• Give attention to content and organization when writing, revising and editing.
  
• Use language conventions by applying rules of correct usage (subject/verb agreement).
  
• Begin to use varied parts of speech appropriately (prepositional phrases, interjections, conjunctions, adverbs).
  
• Use appropriate strategies to spell unknown words.
  
• Master frequently misspelled words.
  
• Write in a variety of literary forms: expository, journal, narrative, response, reflective writing.
  
• Publish core-writing pieces.

Mathematics

Fourth grade explores mathematical relationships, connects the concrete with the abstract, and links mathematical skills to other areas of math. Students gain proficiency and confidence using the language of mathematics as they speak, write, graph and draw pictorial representations of their mathematical findings. The fourth year math curriculum focuses on number sense, estimation, and the meaning of whole number operations, with special emphasis on multiplication and division. The development of operations with fractions and decimals continues. Algebraic thinking is enhanced through understanding number patterns and relationships, such as finding missing digits, writing equations, and formally presenting properties. Concrete development of geometry and measurement is linked to abstract thinking, and model building and constructions are refined. Using the five-step model, the study of problem-solving strategies and problem formulation is expanded. A sequential series of calculator lessons that enhance the core curriculum is presented.

During the course of the year, students will be introduced to a number of new topics, will continue to develop and apply some topics, and are expected to extend and master others. Fourth year mathematics focuses on the following areas:

Numeration

• Develop meaning of fractions, decimals, whole numbers.
  
• Understand factors, common factors.
  
• Introduce multiples, common multiples.
  
• Introduce prime factorization.
  
• Round 3-digit numbers to nearest 100, 1000.
  
• Read and write 5,6-digit numbers.
  
• Introduce millions.
  
• Identify the meaning of the inequality symbols (=,  <, >,  ).
  
• Write numbers in expanded form and standard form.
  
• Master the ordinal numbers.

Whole Number Operations

• Master the meaning of addition and subtraction.
  
• Master basic addition and subtraction facts.
  
• Master the rules for subtraction, and checking for subtraction.
  
• Add 4 and 5-digit numbers with regrouping.
  
• Add a column of 3, 4-digit numbers.
  
• Master and apply basic multiplication tables.
  
• Learn how to multiply 2-digit by 2-digit numbers, 3-digit by 2-digit numbers, 3-digit by 3-digit numbers.
  
• Multiply with multiples of 10 as factors and with 3 factors.
  
• Find missing factors.
  
• Develop division fact families and apply checking to division.
  
• Introduce division of 3,4,5-digit dividends by 1-digit divisors (with zeros in the quotient).
  
• Introduce division of 2,3-digit dividends by 2-digit divisors (with or without remainders).
  
• Use rules for divisibility.

Fraction Concepts and Computation

• Compare and order fractions/mixed numbers.
  
• Identify numerator/denominator.
  
• Identify one as a fraction, whole numbers as fractions.
  
• Recognize equivalent fractions.
  
• Introduce reducing to lowest terms, raising to higher terms.
  
• Develop relation to decimals, measurement.
  
• Introduce relation to probability.
  
• Add/subtract fractions with like denominators.
  
• Add mixed numbers and introduce subtracting mixed numbers.
  
• Introduce multiplying fraction by a whole number.

Decimal Concepts and Computation

• Measurement and Temperature
  
• Develop place value to 1000ths.
  
• Compare and order decimals.
  
• Recognize equivalent decimals.
  
• Read and write decimals in standard form.
  
• Introduce expanded notation.
  
• Relate decimals to fractions, mixed numbers and to measurement.
  
• Master relation to money.
  
• Introduce rules for rounding – to nearest tenth/one.
  
• Add/subtract decimals, mixed decimals through 100ths.
  
• Line up decimal points for column addition/subtraction.
  
• Introduce dividing dollars and cents.
  
• Identify the standard and metric units of length – inch/foot/yard/mile, centimeter/meter/ millimeter/kilometer.
  
• Identify standard and metric units of capacity – cup/pint/quart/gallon, liter/milliliter.
  
• Identify standard and metric units of weight/mass – pound/ounce/ton, kilogram/gram.
  
• Develop measuring skills to nearest ¼ inch, cm.
  
• Learn to interpret scale drawings.
  
• Rename units in the standard and metric systems.
  
• Introduce perimeter, area formulas.
  
• Introduce concept of volume.
  
• Reading and interpreting temperature in degrees Fahrenheit and degrees Celsius.
  
• Master measuring with non standard units.
  
• Master estimating temperature.
  

Money and Time

• Master adding/subtracting money.
  
• Develop multiplying/dividing money.
  
• Compare amounts and make change.
  
• Learn about the better buy, unit price, order forms.
  
• Round money – to nearest 10cents/dollar/$10/$100.
  
• Master telling time to the 5-minute/minute.
  
• Develop the concept of elapsed time.
  
• Master reading of a calendar.
  
• Introduce time zones.

Mental Math, Reasoning, and Logic

• Develop strategies for all four operations.
  
• Use properties for addition/multiplication.
  
• Develop critical thinking through problem solving strategies.
  
• Identify and extending patterns.
  
• Make conclusions and generalizations.
  
• Justify answers.
  
• Make predictions.
  
• Develop spatial reasoning.
  
• Master the ability to classify/sort and compare/contrast.
  
• Introduce analogies.
  
• Develop statements – if/then, all/some/none, always/sometimes/never, true/false.

Geometry

• Introduce parts of a circle – diameter/radius/center.
  
• Introduce formulas – perimeter, area, volume.
  
• Read and write symbols – angle/ray, line, line segments, parallel lines, perpendicular lines, point/polygon.
  
• Introduce attributes of space figures – vertex/edge/face.
  
• Classify – similarity, congruence.
  
• Identify and classifying a quadrilateral according to its properties.
  
• Recognize right angles.
  
• Introduce acute, obtuse angles.
  
• Recognize transformations.
  
• Recognize line of symmetry, reflection, half-turn symmetry.
  
• Introduce octagons, equilateral/scalene triangles.
  
• Introduce quadrilaterals – trapezoid.
  
• Introduce space figures – square pyramid, triangular prism.
  
• Continue development of constructions using compass and straightedge.
  
• Building platonic solids using nets.
  
• Introduce the protractor.

Technology

• Introduce the calculator.
  
• Entering numbers – key sequences, memory keys.
  
• Compute with a calculator- whole numbers all four operations, checking.
  
• Compute with a calculator – decimals all four operations, checking.
  
• Introduce order of operations.

Statistics and Probability

• Master making and reading pictographs, bar graphs.
  
• Develop skills with circle graphs.
  
• Introduce the line graph.
  
• Naming the number pair for a given location on a coordinate grid.
  
• Plot points on a coordinate grid.
  
• Form shapes by connecting points on a coordinate grid.
  
• Collect and organize data – surveys, organized lists.
  
• Interpret data – introduce mean, median, mode, range.
  
• Develop the concept of certain/impossible events.
  
• Develop ability to predict, and record probability of events.
  
• Doing probability experiments – listing outcomes, predicting/recording outcomes.
  
• Introduce compound experiments (independent/dependent).
  
• Develop use of permutations, combinations, tree diagrams.

Problem Solving

• Use the 5 problem solving steps – imagine, name, think, compute, check.
  
• Applying strategies previously learned to solve word problems.

Algebra Readiness, Algebra

• Compare expressions.
  
• Master equalizing expressions.
  
• Use input/output tables.
  
• Find the rule.
  
• Find inequalities, missing numbers, missing operations in number sentences.
  
• Write/solve number sentences.
  
• Apply computational properties and rules – associative/commutative laws of addition/multiplication, identity for addition/multiplication, rules for subtraction, division (0,1).
  
• Introduce the distributive law.
  
• Develop coordinate graphs in first quadrant.
  
• Apply order of operations.
  
• Introduce equations with one or more variables.
  
• Introduce integers as negative numbers.

Science

Human Body

The Human Body module consists of four sequential investigations that engage students in thoughtful activities about the form and function of a most remarkable machine, their own body. During the course of the year, students will develop the following skills:

• Observe and investigate the human skeletal and muscle systems.
  
• Become aware of the versatility of movement provided by an articulated skeleton.
  
• Gain experience with the use of photographs, diagrams, and model bones to gather information.
  
• Build mechanical models to demonstrate how muscles are responsible for human movement.
  
• Compare the bones and muscles in their own bodies to photographs and models.
  
• Investigate response time of hands and feet.
  
• Develop an awareness of human bone and muscle structure and function and an appreciation for the versatility of the human body.
  
• Acquire the vocabulary associated with the human skeletal and muscle systems.
  
• Use scientific thinking processes to conduct investigations and build explanations: observing, communicating, comparing, and organizing.

Magnetism and Electricity

The Magnetism and Electricity module consists of five sequential investigations, each designed to introduce or reinforce concepts in physical science. The investigations provide opportunities for students to explore the natural and human-made worlds by observing and manipulating materials in focused settings using simple tools. During the course of the year, students will develop the following skills:

• Observe the interaction of permanent magnets with a variety of common materials.
  
• Discover that magnets display forces of attraction and repulsion.
  
• Measure the change in force between two magnets as the distance between them changes.
  
• Identify materials that are conductors and insulators.
  
• Understand and construct simple open, closed, parallel, and series circuits.
  
• Learn how to make an electromagnet.
  
• Experience the relationship between the number of turns of wire around an electromagnet core and the strength of the magnetism.
  
• Use their knowledge of electromagnets to make a telegraph.
  
• Acquire vocabulary associated with magnetism and electricity.
  
• Exercise language, math, and social studies skills in the context of magnetism and electricity investigations.
  
• Develop and refine the manipulative skills required for making investigations in magnetism and electricity.
  
• Use scientific thinking processes to conduct investigations and build explanations: observing, communicating, comparing, and organizing.
  

Water

Water is the most important substance on Earth. Water dominates the surface of our planet, changes the face of the land, and defines life. These powerful, pervasive ideas are introduced here. The Water module consists of four investigations in which students explore properties of water, changes in water, interactions between water and other earth materials, and how humans use water. During the course of the year, students will develop the following skills:

• Observe and explore properties of water in liquid, solid, and gaseous states.
  
• Observe the expansion and contraction of water as it warms and cools.
  
• Investigate factors that influence evaporation and condensation of water.
  
• Consider components of the water cycle.
  
• Observe and compare how water moves through different types of earth materials, including soil and gravel.
  
• Consider the water quality of local water sources. Investigate how water can be used to do work.
  
• Acquire vocabulary associated with water.
  
• Record observations in writing and pictures.
  
• Exercise language, social studies, and math skills in the context of science.
  
• Become aware of the importance of water in their lives.
  
• Use scientific thinking processes to conduct investigations and build explanations: observing, communicating, comparing, and organizing.

Ideas and Inventions

The Ideas and Inventions module consists of four sequential investigations that promote student creativity and inventiveness. Each investigation provides valuable science content while introducing a conventional technique for revealing the unseen. During the course of the year, students will develop the following skills:

• Use techniques to see details about the world that would otherwise be difficult to observe.
  
• Explore the techniques of chromatography, rubbing, carbon printing, and mirror imagery.
  
• Solve problems using the techniques of chromatography and carbon printing.
  
• Record and compare patterns observed in leaf veins, fingerprints, and ink pigments.
  
• Gain experience with texture and pattern in a variety of materials.
  
• Express individual and group creativity through open-ended discoveries and inventions.
  
• Invent applications to extend the use of specific techniques.
  
• Acquire the vocabulary associated with texture and patterns of materials and exercise language in the context of science.
  
• Use scientific thinking processes to conduct investigations and build explanations: observing, communicating, comparing, and organizing.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Under Construction

SANSKRIT

In the Fourth Grade the reading and writing of Sanskrit continues to flourish.  Much time is spent in the early part of the year mastering new vocabulary which includes both nouns and verbs.  Adjectives are also introduced and the agreement in ending between nouns and adjectives is taught.  It is at this stage that children begin to learn the grammatical structure of a classical language.  Beginning with the masculine singular, the children learn the eight "cases" known from Latin grammar as Nominative, Vocative, Accusative, Dative, Ablative, Genitive and Locative.  The year is spent developing a deep understanding of the case structure.