Reading and Writing Program for 4th Grade
The 4th grade team uses an ELA program published by highly recognized company called Engage New York. With this program, we teach two semester long units where the students do an in depth study of poetry (first semester) and an in depth study of informational texts (second semester). On top of that, we do some other novel studies to target reading fluency and expression as well as basic comprehension skills. Engage New York is highly engaging and inspires students to read and write. The students perform a variety of protocols, which, in short, promotes a lot of peer interaction, discoveries, explaining, and peer teaching. The novels we read, directly model the style and quality of writing that we seek to achieve in the fourth grade. For example, the students will write several types of poetry, paragraphs, a biographical essay about a poet, and a 'Choose your own Adventure' story about an animal.
Teachers use direct instruction to model comprehension skills and strategies through shared reading. In addition, we use guided reading groups to provide students with reading instruction at their appropriate reading level. When students are not with the teacher for a guided reading group, they are participating in The Daily Five, a center-style approach to literacy. The Daily Five includes reading to self, reading to someone, working on writing, listening to reading, and word work. Finally, we strongly recommend that students read at home. Independent reading provides students with opportunities to apply reading strategies to improve comprehension, increase fluency, and improve vocabulary. We encourage students to read a variety of books. They can even read magazines and newspaper articles! If you see an article in the paper that might interest your child, please clip it out and share it with them. Students are welcome to bring books from home to read.
Other novels that fourth graders read include Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume, Fourth Grade Rats by Jerry Spinelli, Frindle, Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar.
Spelling
This year we will be using Words Their Way. Each Monday the students will be given a new list, which will focus on the variety of spelling patterns or rules that can make the same sound in a given word. For example, the long /e/ sound can be spelled with /ee/or /ea/ spelling patterns. The spelling test will be the following Friday. The list will also include 3-5 high Frequency words. The 4th Graders will study and master a 4th grade list.
Vocabulary
The vocabulary that the students will learn in embedded into our reading, writing, spelling, science, and social studies. As we embark on each study, there are series of vocabulary words that support our studies in order to gain a deeper understanding of the content and to better ourselves as readers and writers.
Math Program
Saxon Math provides students a successful math experience by developing topics in small steps spread over a longer time period. Rather than being organized in chapters that focus on one topic, this content is organized into a series of lessons that gradually develop the concept. Through continual review, previously presented concepts are practiced frequently and extensively over the year. This allows for deeper understanding and application of mathematical concepts. Please plan for math homework every night.
A strong foundation in basic math facts will help your student be successful in math. Students may come home with required fact practice worksheets. In addition, you can help your child by studying with flashcards or having them spend 10-15 minutes a day working with online flashcards at www.thatquiz.com. You can even call out math facts to your child while driving in the car or waiting in the doctor’s office!
Science Program
We use FOSS science combined with the Colorado State Standards to teach Science. Students are given opportunities to explore science through inquiry and hands-on exploration. The fourth grade units are: Environments, Soil, Energy, and Animal Defenses and Behavior.
Social Studies Program
We follow the Colorado State Standards with the use of the Core Knowledge sequence for our Social Studies curriculum. The fourth grade social studies units are: Economics, Colorado History, Colorado Government, and Regions.