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FOURTH GRADE CURRICULUM The following is an general overview of the fourth grade curriculum that will be taught this year. For a more detailed synopsis please make an appointment and we can go over the district standards for the following areas. ACADEMIC STANDARDS Follow this link to see the academic standards for the Poway Unified School District. READING AND LANGUAGE ARTS (READING TIPS) There are eight components to a balanced upper elementary reading program. They are: (1) word attack skills; (2) advanced decoding; (3) spelling; (4) vocabulary; (5) syntax, grammar, and text structure; (6) comprehension; (7) independent reading; and (8) assessment. Various strategies will be used to incorporate these components into our reading program. The program will provide for whole class instruction and heterogeneous grouping for the purpose of participating in different activities appropriately suited to individual needs. We use Houghton Mifflin as a basal reader but will include in our reading program the use of core literature books, reader's theaters, class plays, and in class silent reading. (RECOMMENDED READING BOOKS) WRITING (WRITING TIPS) Children need to see writing as something that adults do, and writing, like reading, can be improved with instruction, by practicing specific writing strategies, and by just writing. Writing will not only help students to become better writers, but better readers also. Therefore, writing will occur throughout the curricular areas but all writing may not necessarily be graded. Our writing program includes attention to the various stages of the writing process from prewriting through final editing and from fluency and content through form and correctness. The students apply the standard conventions of English within the context of their own writing. We use the SIX TRAITS of writing a our model for the writing process. Each student has in their notebook a sample of each of the traits as will as the rubric grading sheet we will use. SPELLING (SPELLING TIPS) The English system of spelling represents sounds and meanings. Students need to know how and why letters are represented this way. It is a critical part of their overall word knowledge. Spelling plays an important role in students' vocabulary development, reading comprehension, and reading rate and fluency. In our current spelling program, students address the following objectives:
Our spelling program is embedded in our Houghton Mifflin Reading series. HANDWRITING We continue to use D'Nealean cursive in fourth grade for those students wishing to write in cursive. Neatness is highly emphasized along with proper spacing, letter formation, size, and slant of letters, however, fourth graders are not required to use cursive unless otherwise specified by their teacher. If you feel that your child needs additional practice in learning the letter formations, a practice page has been handed out to each student with both cursive and manuscript styles. Look for it in your child's notebook. MATHEMATICS (MATH TIPS) Your child will continue to be involved in a math program that emphasizes mastery of facts, problem solving as well as ensuring knowledge of basic arithmetic skills. Instruction will include concepts from the seven math strands: (1) numbers, to include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions; (2) geometry; (3) measurement;(4) logic; (5) statistics and probability; (6) patterns and functions; and (7) algebra. We use Houghton Mifflin as our Math series this year. SOCIAL STUDIES What caused people to want to come to California to settle here? What are the land and weather like in this place we call home? How did people meet their needs for food and shelter in California's early days? These are a few questions that fourth grader will answer this year in their study of California. We will begin with the study of California's geography, continue with its early inhabitants, and move into early exploration and settlement. We will then move through the mission period, rancho period, gold rush period, and into statehood. If time permits we will cover early immigration to California and its more recent history. Our Social Studies program may include many hands-on-experiences to be included within the covering of the above areas, such as: (1) making maps; (2) oil pastel drawings, and region poems; (3) making Kachina Dolls (2 links); (4) making mission models; (5) making adobe brick; and (6) the gold rush game and making gold rush equipment. We also have several field trips that tie into our social studies curriculum, as well as the completion of a Power Point presentation on a mission of their choosing. To find out more about what's in your child's book, see Scott Foresman. SCIENCE Our district's science curriculum has been designed with the following concepts to be focused on during the fourth grade year. They are: (1) relationships of living things, i.e.: food chains and ecosystems; (2) oceans of air, i.e.: water cycle and weather; (3) electrical energy; and (4) light. Mr. Hall will be your child's science teacher for the year. He presents wonderful hands-on-experiences for the students, as well as introducing them to the writing-up of their experiments through the use of the scientific method. He offers extra credit and re-tests for students who, for whatever reason, wish to pull up their grades. This hands-on program will benefit your child only if they are in school to participate in the experiments that focus on the above areas of study. If you have any Science concern, please call and talk to him. You can reach him at extension 3502. HEALTH Health will focus on the appropriate level, of how drugs, alcohol, and eating influence the body's health. These lessons will hopefully empower the students in making healthy choices for a healthy future. PHYSICAL EDUCATION All fourth grade students are expected to participate in physical education unless excluded by a doctor's note. Emphasis has been placed on cardiovascular fitness and physical education skills. This is achieved through a series of activities within an ongoing rotation schedule. FINE ARTS Art elements and projects will be integrated into the curriculum throughout the year. ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS Organization skills will be emphasized throughout the year. Students will be taught how to use notebooks and to properly organize their papers within their notebook. The highly acclaimed Skills for School Success program may also be used to help students who are having problems with organization. I strongly believe that organization at school, and at home, is an integral part of school and life success. * |
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