4th Grade Curriculum

 

          Welcome to 4th grade!  The following is an overview of the various topics we will study this year.

 

English- Language Arts (ELA)     Fourth and Fifth graders will join the rest of the elementary school this year as we introduce the Houghton-Mifflin Program.  During the ELA morning period we will read and discuss literature, increase student vocabulary and build reading strategies with the whole class.  We will also work on grammar and writing during this period.  The New York State 4th grade ELA Assessment will be given in January.

Leveled Reading Block    Fourth graders will have a concentrated 50 minutes of reading/spelling instruction daily.  Your child will be placed in a group of readers with similar abilities and needs in order to focus on the particular strategies he/she needs help on.  Much of the reading will be closeley connected with the Houghton/ Mifflin series.  During this block, your child will receive a weekly spelling list on Mondays and be tested on Friday.

Mathematics    All students should have mastered basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts through 12.   Your child must work on these at home if they are not mastered.  In fourth grade we will study:  addition and subtraction to 4 digits or more,  multiplying 2 and 3 digit numbers, place value to 1,000,000,  long division, fractions, decimals, metric and customary measurement,  geometry,  making change with money,  averaging, graphing, probability and problem solving.  Students must be able to solve problems in a variety of ways and explain his/her work.  The New York Statewide Math Test will be given to 4th graders in March.




 

Science   Students will learn to be thinkers and problem solvers in Science using exciting hands-on materials.  They will often work cooperatively in teams to complete interesting experiments using the Scientific Method.  Fourth graders will study:   Plants,  Ecology and Life in the Community,  Simple Machines, and Density.  In addition, we will use and review a variety of skills (especially measurement) and concepts in preparation for the New York State Science Test which will be given to 4th graders in May. 

Social Studies     The main focus of Social Studies in 4th grade is New York State.  We will learn about geography, resources, history, government, economics and our local area.  Students will be working with the New York Textbook.  Students will learn how to read various documents for information and respond in writing to questions asked.  The New York State Social Studies Test will be given in November of  5th  grade. 

Computer Lab          Newfield Elementary  School  has  a computer lab available to all classes by sign-up.  This year students will receive instruction in computer use and word processing on a weekly basis with our librarian.  In addition, students will use the lab occasionally with their classroom teacher and reading group.