Grade 4 Curriculum

Curriculum Standards Grade Level 4

 

Social Studies

The Fourth Grade will build upon their knowledge of history, government, economics, culture and geography as they study past and present Utah. They will compare that they learn of Utah history as they study Asia with an emphasis on the countries of Japan and China.

 

·         The study of Utah over time: geography culture, communities, Native Americans, trappers, explorers, first settlers, future growth

·         Government: Utah as a territory vs. statehood

·         Economy: goods and services, workers and consumers in Utah history

·         Comparison of Utah government and economy to Japan

·         Geography of Japan and China compared to Utah/Identification of major geographical features of the United States in comparison to Japan and China

·          Promote cultural understanding and good citizenship skills through a year-long service project TBA at the start of every year as well as year-long service to our sister school in Palestine

·         Participate in the school Social Studies/Science fair with their Utah County project

 

Language Arts

In Grade Four, students grow in their commitment to lifelong reading and writing for many purposes. Assignments are designed to promote clear thinking and expression in both written and oral communications. Students are exposed to a variety of literature that is analyzed for character, setting, plot, tone, and theme.

 

Oral Language

·         Learn through discussion to explore new ideas

·         Use oral language to present information (speaking clearly and audibly with expression)

·         Use speech for language enrichment

·         Build a speaking vocabulary

·         Demonstrate an understanding of oral language structure (ability to express ideas orally)

·         Gain confidence in voice

Literature

·         Connect personal experiences with print

·         Anticipate flow of events or information

·         Verify and adjust predictions as reading continues

·         Comprehend and critically evaluate text as students read for different purposes

·         Respond to literature in a variety of ways (i.e. projects class discussion, book reports, etc.)

·         Use context clues, prior knowledge and reading skills (predicting, inferring, noting details, self-monitoring and questioning, summarizing, comparing/contrasting, sequencing, etc.) to monitor and guide comprehension of text

·         Continue to develop a reading vocabulary

·         Understand structural analysis and context clues to determine the meaning of new words (figurative language, similes, metaphors, multiple meaning words, antonyms, synonyms, etc.)

·         Develop knowledge of authors' techniques

·         Develop independence in reading

·         Read together with other students, teachers, and parents to create shared meaning from print

·         Value reading as an important part of their life

·         Participate in a print-rich environment

Grammar

·         Mechanics of revision and spelling

·         Parts of speech: nouns, pronouns, verbs, direct objects, prepositional and superlative phrases, interjections, conjunctions, adverbs, adjectives, possessives

·         Punctuation: sentence endings, commas, quotation marks

·         Spelling lessons from spelling text and writing experiences

Vocabulary

·         Learning pronunciation and definitions

·         Putting words in context

·         Forming analogies

·         Finding synonyms and antonyms

·         Categorizing words

·         Correct usage of vocabulary learned

Oral Presentation

·         Dramatic expression

·         Developing confidence in voice

Written Language

Writing

·         Six traits: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions

·         Development of detailed paragraphs

·         Development of essays, expository biographical writing, persuasive writing, creative writing, critical thinking and expression of self

·         Use of informal writing facilitate learning across the curriculum

·         Create, revise and publish selected pieces

Spelling

·         Correctly spell grade level words

·         Understand and use spelling rules and strategies

·         Integrate learned vocabulary words into writing with correct spelling

 

Science

Science is a way of knowing, a process for gaining knowledge and understanding of the natural world. In fourth grade the theme in science is Utah's natural history with an emphasis on the appearance of cycles in the natural world. Students will participate in a hands-on active curriculum where they "do" science, not simply read about science. Students will work through the scientific process by observing, inquiring, questioning, formulating and testing hypotheses, and analyzing, reporting and evaluating data.

 

Weather/Water Cycle (build upon the foundation started in the second grade science curriculum)

·         Identify the elements of weather

·         Measure and record elements of weather

·         Predict weather based on qualitative and quantitative observations

·         Understand the water cycle

·         Explain the processes of melting, precipitation, evaporation, condensation, percolation, weathering and erosion

Rocks, Minerals/Fossils

·         Identify properties of rocks and minerals

·         Categorize rocks and minerals according to observed properties]

·         Discuss and draw the rock cycle

·         Collect and analyze data about Utah fossils and infer how fossils are formed

·         Explain how Utah fossils can be used to draw inferences about earth's history

Soil

·         Gather data on the components of soil

·         Determine soil types such as sand, clay and silt

·         Research and communicate the economic value of soil

Biomes/Plants and Animals of Utah

·         Describe Utah's past biomes

·         Compare and contrast Utah's wetlands, forests, and deserts

·         Relate plants and animals to a given biome

·         Understand how plants and animals adapt to their respective environments

·         Use of an existing classification system and development of a new classification system for Utah plants and animals

 

Math

Students in fourth grade will learn to apply mathematical skills to become creative problem solvers. They will solidify efficient computation strategies and understanding of basic mathematical concepts. Attention is also paid to the development of higher level thinking skills that can be applied to real life experiences.

 

Numeracy/Number Patterns and Relationships

·         Compare, name and order numbers through millions and identify place value

·         Identify relationships between whole numbers and decimals

·         Identify and extend number patterns of various kinds

·         Represent whole numbers and decimals in a variety of ways

·         Demonstrate the multiple ways to represent numbers using operations, expanded notation, concrete models, and verbal language

·         Identify, compare and represent decimals symbolically with physical models

Computation

·         Computes sums and differences to one million

·         Multiply and divide with one, two, and three digit multipliers and divisors respectively

·         Has solid basic facts knowledge in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division

·         Adds and subtracts fractions and decimals with number line and area models as well as paper and pencil conventional methods

·         Adds and subtracts fractions with like and unlike denominators

·         Multiplies whole numbers with fractions

·         Demonstrate the multiple ways to represent numbers using operations, expanded notation, concrete models, and verbal language

·         Use a rectangular array of area model with manipulatives of pictures to multiply numbers

·         Identify, compare and convert fractions and mixed numbers, and create equivalent fractions

Geometry

·         Identify, describe, and make various quadrilaterals and triangles, classify angles, parallel and perpendicular lines

·         Develop spatial sense using prisms, pyramids, cylinders, and spheres: describe them in terms of faces, edges, and vertices

·         Identify symmetry and transformations in figures using manipulatives and pictures

Measurement/Money/Time

·         Estimate and identify the length, perimeter, area, capacity and volume of objects using customary and metric units and using the appropriate formula

·         Determine time and temperature

·         Determine the value of combinations of coins and bills and determine the amount of change to be received from a purchase

·         Solves problems using rate, time and distance

Data

·         Collect and interpret data in terms of a variety of tables and graphs

·         Determine range, median, mean and mode of a given set of numbers

·         Create various types of graphs to show information

·         Collect and organize data to make predictions and use basic concepts of probability

Problem Solving

·         Estimate and determine if results are reasonable, when solving real life problems requiring computation, with or without a calculator

·         Demonstrate the ability to reason mathematically

·         Communicate mathematically using vocabulary, symbols, manipulatives, oral language and pictures

·         Through open-ended questioning, uses higher level thinking skills to solve single and multi-step word problems

 

Religion

Religion is an integral part of the entire school day. Through religious education, students' experiences of learning and living achieve their deepest meaning. Relationship to Catholic theology and worship will enhance the spiritual life of all students.

 

Beliefs

·         God's word to us through the Bible

·         Listening to God

·         God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit

·         Death and resurrection of Jesus

·         The beatitudes

·         The precepts of the Church

Worship

·         Celebrating God's love for us

·         Sharing in Christ's life and work

·         Jesus feeds His people

·         Jesus' work of healing

·         Signs of God's love

We Live as Children of God

·         Created in God's image

·         Living a moral life

·         The Law of Love

Prayer

·         People of prayer

·         We pray in Jesus' name

·         Formal and informal forms of prayer: The Gloria, Penitential Rite (Confiteor), and Angelus

Special Celebrations

·         The liturgical year/ordinary time

·         Seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter

·         Holy Week

Building Catholic Character (Virtues)

·         Participate in Virtues rotating three-year program

·         Participate in year-long service project to be decided upon at start of year

·         Participate in global service in support of our sister school in Tanzania