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Lower School
Grade Four Program Overview Fourth grade is a transition year from a concrete approach to learning in third grade to a more abstract one. Teachers work to develop the students’ grasp of big ideas and concepts introduced, as well as their mastery of important skills. The fourth-grade curriculum emphasizes academic achievement as well as the following goals: working cooperatively and independently, listening to and learning from others, asking questions, managing time effectively, organizing materials, and completing work efficiently. Language Arts Fourth grade is an important year for the development of literacy skills. This is a time when children are becoming critical thinkers and developing more independence as learners. In fourth grade, students focus on expanding their vocabulary, exploring various expository text structures, learning skills and procedures for literature discussion groups, and developing skills for comprehension and composition. Teacher-selected and student-selected texts represent diverse cultures and points of view, which students explore on both literal and inferential levels. Emphasis is placed on strategies that teach children to recognize key ideas and supporting information. Fourth-graders learn to organize their thoughts in written summaries and reading responses. They select topics and organize information, using graphic organizers. Students write and revise first drafts to add or delete ideas, elaborate upon, or rearrange. Math
The fourth-grade math curriculum allows students an opportunity to enhance their understanding of our number system and mathematical operations, while developing the skills needed to solve a range of mathematical problems. Students continue to use objects to physically represent a variety of mathematical concepts and problems. Fourth-graders develop ideas about collecting, representing, describing, and interpreting data; they describe and predict the likelihood of events (probability) as well. Students learn algorithms for addition, subtraction, and multiplication of large numbers and further their understanding of the concept of division. Additionally, fourth graders investigate concepts related to 2-D geometry and measurement and fractions and decimals. |
Social Studies The fourth grade studies the ancient cultures of Sumer, Egypt, and Nubia. The cross-unit focus is on the common elements of these civilizations: high population density, labor specialization, social complexity, and record keeping. Throughout this work, students continue to learn world geography by labeling a world map with continents and oceans. Additionally, students learn how climate and topography create different regions. The study of ancient civilizations encourages students to understand that there are different models and dimensions of power, including shared power. Students will identify sources of power in historical and current situations. The concepts taught in these units are integrated with other curriculum areas, such as language arts and science. Finally, Quaker history is studied within the fourth-grade curriculum. Students discuss issues of equity and learn that part of history is the oppression of some groups and how it relates to issues of racial, religious, gender, and economic differences. Students continue to consider how stereotypes reduce people’s power and choices and discuss the connection between power and religion in ancient history. Resources TERC Investigations in Number, Data, and Space Fourth-Grade Curriculum Units of Study For Teaching Writing 3-5, by Lucy Calkins Guiding Readers and Writer’s: Teaching Comprehension, Genre and Content Literacy, by Irene C. Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell The Fountas and Pinnell Leveled Book List K-8, by Irene c. Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell Wordly Wise (Vocabulary Builders), Educators Publishing Services Nubian Kingdoms, by Edna Rusman The Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt, by Everett Fisher African Kingdoms of the Past (Series), by Kenny Mann The Ancient African Kingdom of Kush (Cultures of the Past), by Pamela F. Service
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