4TH GRADE CURRICULUM

Language Arts

The idea of reading to learn and reading to enjoy becomes more prominent as students are exposed to higher-level literary techniques. In doing this, they read with growing interest on a wide variety of topics and adjust their reading approach to various forms of texts. Expansion of their vocabulary occurs systematically across the curriculum. The students will write and speak using conventional grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization and spelling. The students learn to write sentences with subjects and predicates. They learn about nouns, verbs, plural and singular nouns, punctuation usage, and possessive nouns. They will comprehend and interact with the meaning of the text in a variety of genres, develop new vocabulary in a variety of ways, improve on locating and using study skills, and develop literary appreciation. They will produce writing that conveys purpose and meaning, they will be able to correct and spot common errors, develop their own style of writing. The students will develop a variety of listening skills to apply in different situations. They will develop sound-letter relationships, word structures and word analysis; apply spelling generalizations and strategies, study methods and strategies, and master frequently misspelled words. The student will learn how to write clear descriptive sentences with a complete thought. They will build on that to write well-constructed paragraphs. They will be learning to write accordion paragraphs. These paragraphs have a good topic sentence, supporting details and a good conclusion. The students will write a variety of writing forms such as personal narratives, poetry, descriptive paragraphs, tall tales, free style, compare/contrast, summaries, research, first and third person viewpoints, and persuasive.
 

Handwriting

As students continue working on their handwriting skills, speed and fluency are developed.  Correct use of numerals in dates is expected.  Handwriting helps students gain fluency and legibility.  Practical writing applications of handwriting skills empower students to produce effective written communication.  Step-by-step instruction offers an easy visual aid for forming each letter and stroke.  Manuscript and cursive forms are clear and simple. Skills are introduced and reinforced at appropriate levels of student development throughout the year.  Real world writing applications and integration of the language arts take students beyond isolated letter practice and turn handwriting activities into meaningful learning that are to be used on a day-to-day basis.  Evaluation of student work continues based on a self-evaluation chart.
 

Math

Grade 4 children will read, write, compare, and order large numbers; write numbers in expanded form and identify place value; identify prime and composite numbers; identify perfect squares and cubes, square roots, and cube roots; approximate square roots; represent numbers using Roman numerals; identify a function rule; simplify expressions containing exponents; label number lines using fractions, decimals, and positive and negative numbers; master basic addition, subtraction, and division facts; add subtract, and multiply using mental computation; add, subtract, and multiply multi-digit numbers using algorithms; divide a multi-digit number by a single-digit number; represent division remainders as fractions; represent mixed numbers as improper fractions and improper fractions as mixed numbers; add and subtract decimals; write fractions as percents and percents as fractions; name and draw polygons and geometric solids; identify and draw parallel and perpendicular lines; draw lines of symmetry and reflections; identify congruent and similar polygons; draw circles using a compass; measure and draw angles using a protractor; identify and draw right, acute, and obtuse triangles; measure to the nearest sixteenth of an inch or millimeter; estimate and measure distance using feet, yards, and meters; use a scale on a map; estimate and compare the mass of objects; find the volume of a rectangular prism; estimate and measure perimeter, circumference, and area; read a thermometer; use a perpetual calendar; tell time to the second; find elapsed time; locate information on a table or chart; create; and read bar graphs, pictographs, and line graphs; create and read Venn diagram; conduct a survey and represent the results; find the mean; and identify the probability of an event.

 

Religion

Focusing their knowledge of God, these students will begin to understand and know how to seek God’s forgiving love in Christ. By having this knowledge, the students will begin to respond in faith and grow in their Christian maturity, see themselves as reconciled, redeemed children of God, live happily in peace with God, themselves, and fellow humans. They will begin to express themselves with joy in worship of God and in loving service to others, value God’s creative work in their world and church. They will begin to learn to witness openly to Christ as the Savior of all, participate actively in God’s mission to the world and church, and live in Christian hope. They will also begin to develop God’s Word as a resource for strength, guidance, comfort, and witnessing through Memory Work. The students will learn many Bible verses that go hand-in-hand with the stories we learn. They will also learn some of the chief parts of the catechism, such as the commandments with the meanings, the First, Second, and Third Articles, the Apostle’s Creed, Luther’s Morning and Evening Prayers, the Old and New Testament books of the Bible, and a variety of songs.

 

 
Science

The students will learn about topics in each of the three areas of science.  In the area of Life Science, they will cover the topics of living things, classifying plants and animals, reproduction of plants, and ecosystems. They also learn about the main systems in the human body. In the area of Earth Science, the students will learn about rocks and minerals, igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, weathering and erosion, earth’s plates, volcanoes, earthquakes, water and the sources, water cycle, and earthquakes and volcanoes.  In the area of Physical Science, the students will learn about electricity, energy and heat, and motion.  All areas of science instruction will also include the biblical approach to God as the Creator of all things in the universe.

 

Social Studies

Continuing to explore God’s hand in the universe, students look at their position regionally and as a citizen of the state of Colorado. Ethnic and cultural diversity and how that diversity has led to the overall culture of Colorado give the students a greater appreciation of their state. When studying the state of Colorado, students will take a look at where we are located in relation to the world. They will study the history and background of our state. They will study and visit first hand some of the eras of Colorado along with present day Colorado. Learning about different geography skills will kick the year off. Fourth grade students will also learn about the five regions of the United States. They will learn about their geography, heritage, history, culture, climate, location, industry, and agriculture. The students will be able to use reference tools such as: charts, graphs, diagrams, info-graphics, maps, and time lines.
 

Art

Children will continue to build on their artistic abilities as they learn the history of each artist studied. Students will begin to build their art vocabulary as they continue to build on the skills learned. They will use the skills they have developed to make reproductions of the artist we study throughout the year. Students will begin to see God’s hand in the art world.

 

Technology

Computer classes build on what is learned in the previous years. Students will learn about digital citizenship and how to stay safe on the internet. Students will work heavily in Typing Club to develop their keyboarding skills. Students will start learning about the Google Platforms: Gmail, Google Drive, Google Sheets and Google Classroom. Students will be introduced to program coding with Scratch.  
 
Music
 
The students are exposed to materials for the development of music concepts.  The concepts are taught by using a variety of skill-based activities, music for listening, movement activities, and instrumental parts to read.   Students will meet with 3rd-5th for choir twice each month.  This involves teaching some basics of music with vocal such a crescendo and decrescendo, holding notes, scales for warm up, and pronunciation.

An online curriculum, Quaver Music, is used across the grade levels to aid students in music knowledge, appreciation, and history.  The concepts in this grade level include:  triplets, sixteenth notes, octaves, descants, patriotic music, triads, singing in parts, ascending/descending scales, major and minor melodies, melodic ostinatos, duration, dotted quarter notes, tied notes, music score, articulations, getting to know E and D, Tricky tempos, timbre, instruments, guitar/fretted instruments, major/minor chords, harmony, accompaniment parts, stories with music, rap, rhymes, rhythm, and rap.
 

Physical Education

Physical fitness as a lifestyle is introduced. Students learn about strength, flexibility, and endurance. Traditional exercises such as push-ups, curl-ups (sit-ups), jogging, and stretching are learned. Skills are constantly improving as lead-up (modified) games for volleyball, basketball, kickball, net games, and floor hockey are introduced. Thinking games that enhance teamwork, leadership, and creativity become more challenging. Individual skills and areas of special interest may become more evident to the student. Cooperation, personal responsibility and mutual encouragement are emphasized.


Character Building
The topics covered are:  Slippery Slope, What Causes Conflict, Consequences, Blame Game, Conflict as an Opportunity, Resolving Conflict, forgiveness, Altering Choices, Think Before you Speak, Communication, and Making a Respectful Appeal.  These topics are covered in a 3 year rotation between grades 3-5. 

 
Texts:
One in Christ – Concordia Publishing House, 2010
English Standard Version Bible
Saxon Math – Saxon, 2004
Wonders, McGraw-Hill, 2014
A Reason for Handwriting – Concerned Communications, 2010
Regions: Adventure in Time and Place – McGraw Hill, 1999
Interactive Science – Pearson, 2016
Wonders — Spelling — McGraw-Hill, 2014
Wonders — Grammar — McGraw-Hill, 2014
Colorado Crossroads of the West – Matthew T. Downey and Fay D. Metcalf, 1999
Art First Nations — Zuk & Bergland, 2001
Physical Education for Elementary School Children – Kirchner/Glenn – William C. Brown Publishers, 1989
Memory — CPH Memory Book, 2002
Quaver Music – online music curriculum
Meet the Masters – Meet the Masters
Typing Club – online keyboarding
Scratch – online coding