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Fourth Grade |
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A typical day in the fourth grade begins with Daily Language Practice and then writing a journal entry. The students learn parts of speech and grammatical skills through this daily writing exercise that they later extend to other forms of writing and communication, which are also reinforced with the core text for language arts. Students then take part in writing workshop where they learn about the writing process and also about different styles of writing, such as expository, descriptive, narrative, informative, persuasive, and poetry. Also, students are engaged in reading various novels and exploring different aspects of the books through enrichment activities. Using the Silver, Burdett, and Ginn Mathematics curriculum, students participate in math each day, usually involving minute math, problems of the day, and then learning, or reviewing skills through different activities in which they explore and manipulate materials, or even play a math game, so the skills and concepts being taught are reinforced. The social studies curriculum, which includes the Harcourt Brace text States and Regions, allows students to study the regions of the United States and learn about the historical, physical, and agricultural significance in each. Students learn about the regions through the use of the textbook, other supplemental materials, and in doing research and working on various projects such as making a model of a Mississippi Riverboat or participating in a chili cook off. Language Arts Fourth grade language arts incorporate four key elements of study: reading, writing, and vocabulary/ spelling and reading. In the fourth grade curriculum, students are exposed to several novels and the Dinosauring Basal Reader that range from realistic fiction and historical fiction to biography and mystery. Students participate in reading workshop where they are required to do independent reading and then respond to the book. Some of the books fourth graders read are:
Extension activities, projects, and reports using the books that are read at this grade level enrich their learning experience. Examples of such activities include making a fantasy board game or making a quilt square that illustrates the significance of the Underground Railroad. The language arts curriculum is enhanced by the Jr. Great Books Reading Series that focuses on shared inquiry discussion. Students participate in independent reading and respond to self-selected reading material by writing summaries and opinions with detail as support. This is all part of reading and writing enrichment. Also, students are engaged in the Reading Counts program which is a supplement to setting individual goals and choosing literature in which computer generated quizzes are taken for comprehension. Fourth graders learn different styles of writing and learn to work through the writing process of brainstorming, drafting, revising, proofreading, and publishing. For vocabulary and spelling enrichment, students use a text developed by Sadlier Oxford, Vocabulary Workshop Level- Orange which includes:
Core Curriculum: Harcourt Language Basic - Level 4 Copyright 2000 Time: 90 minutes daily Science Much of the material is learned through the textbook and various activities in which the students work through scientific procedures in collecting data and making conclusions based on the results. Topics of study are taught through observation and a hands-on approach to learning, especially through the use of our campus. The fourth grade also goes on an overnight field trip to Fossil Rim, a conservation camp, to learn about wildlife and nature. Following are the main subjects:
Time allocation: Science class 45 minutes, twice weekly Core Material: McGraw-Hill, SCIENCE Copyright 2000 CDSA Campus as a “Living Laboratory” Wilkie Science Center Health Class Health In fourth grade, the health curriculum focuses on development. Through reading and meaningful activities, students obtain, interpret, and understand basic information and services about personal health and well-being. Specific areas taught at this level are:
Social Studies In fourth grade, students learn about the different regions of the United States, our communities, industries, government and history. Main Areas of Study:
Time Allocation: 45 minutes, twice a week Core Curriculum: Harcourt Brace Social Studies States & Regions Copyright 2000 Mathematics Silver, Burdett, and Ginn Mathematics helps students develop a variety of successful problem-solving strategies and techniques. It helps to build and extend basic skills to learn and gain new understanding of various mathematical operations and concepts. Students are taught fundamental mathematical processes, concepts, and skills in the areas of:
Time allocation: 60 minutes daily Core Material: Silver, Burdett, and Ginn, The Path to Math Success. Foreign Language By the end of the Spanish and French language programs at Country Day School of Arlington, students should be able to converse in the language with a native speaker. They will be able to use the language to express themselves in the present, past and future, read aloud, comprehend the written material, demonstrate expressive writing, and have a basic knowledge of the countries where the language is spoken.
The categories into which we have divided our curriculum are: listening, speaking, reading, writing and culture:
Speaking—students should be able to
Reading—students should be able to
Writing—students should be able to
Cultural
Time allocation: 45 minutes twice weekly Art Fourth graders concentrate on four foundational disciplines that contribute to the creation and understanding of art: art production, art history, art criticism, and aesthetics. The art program provides instruction in art theories, applications, mediums, and concepts of perspective and color theory. Through developmentally appropriate hands-on experiences, students develop confidence in their abilities to create with various mediums. Thus, students have opportunities to create and respond to art. A variety of the art projects assigned are in collaboration with classroom studies and other disciplines. Many fourth grade art assignments focus on art in relation to descriptive writing. Areas of study: sculpture; printmaking; crafts; collage/assemblage; color theory; art history; art appreciation; art elements. Major goals:
Time Allocation: 45 minutes weekly, with an additional 45 minute class every 3 weeks (also an elective opportunity) Music CDSA offers students a very comprehensive and appealing music program. Music provides a vehicle for students to become confident, creative, and expressive. Their discipline, practice, and hard work are rewarded by recognition, growth in self-esteem, character development, and enhanced intellectual functioning. The curriculum provides musical growth through a variety of programs. Fourth grade students study the basic elements of music through several approaches. Movement, rhythm instruments, dance, and body percussion activities teach rhythm. Melody is explored in song. Singing fun songs, informative songs that link with academic curriculum, songs from here, and songs from far away lead to positive musical experiences. Listening experiences, utilizing multi-media, add to age appropriate participation in music history/appreciation activities. Fourth grade students are offered activities involving music theory, music appreciation, music history, composers past and present, instruments of the orchestra, introduction to the basic elements of music, composition, dance, music vocabulary, and learning opportunities in creative performance and movement through the Orff-Schulwerk method. Creativity, expression, and discipline are all learned through participation in the music electives. Whether it is drawing a picture to interpret the music they are listening to, making their own instrument, or recording a simple karaoke song, the students learn that music provides a way to be confident, creative, and expressive individuals. Time Allocation: 45 minutes weekly, with an additional 45 minute class every 3 weeks (also an elective opportunity) Computers The technology program is conducted through hands-on projects that integrate computer instruction with language arts, math, science, and social studies, health, music and art. Categories covered include:
Time Allocation: 45 minutes weekly, with an additional 45 minute class every 3 weeks (also an elective opportunity) Physical Education Fourth graders continue to develop strength, endurance, and flexibility through physical activities. Students can demonstrate mature form in fundamental locomotive and manipulative skills, and can often maintain that form while participating in dynamic game situations. Identifying personal fitness goals for themselves and beginning to understand how exercise affects different parts of the body is an important part of the instructional process. Students also learn age-specific skills, health benefits of physical activity, and begin to learn game strategies, rules, and etiquette. Time allocation: 45 minutes, three times a week Special offering for fourth grade students Electives: In addition to weekly core classes in music, computer and art, students choose one elective course each quarter, which meet twice a week. These include Drawing, General Art, Painting, Playwriting, So You Want to be an Actor, Puppetmaking, Language Arts through the Arts, Math Lovers Unite, Recorder Explorers, Percussion on the Move, Insects of CDSA, Birds of CDSA, Floating Your Boat, Making Social Studies Come Alive, Keyboarding and Math and Science Projects Using Excel. Families Program - All K-8th grade students form small groups of mixed ages to work on special events and community service projects. Each group is led by an eighth grade family head and consists of about nine other members. Club Soccer: available to students after school on Monday afternoons Chess Club: available to students after school on Friday afternoons 4th/5th/Kindergarten Buddies: Fourth graders have opportunity to partner with kindergarten students as a part of the developing leadership curriculum. Field Trip: Overnight trip to Fossil Rim In the spring, students go on an overnight field trip to the Wolf Ridge Camp at Fossil Rim and are involved in various learning experiences about animal conservation and natural resources. With the instruction of a naturalist leader, students are engaged in hands-on activities, discussions, hikes, and a guided tour of the wildlife pastures in which they learn to identify endangered species and study many of the native animals of Texas and the natural history and status of each animal. |
