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What Happens in 4th Grade at Dedham School?
What Happens in 4th Grade at Dedham School?
Socially:
Socially:
Fourth grade is a year of huge growth, independence, and exciting learning! Students begin to dive deeper into subjects, take more responsibility for their work, and build important skills that prepare them for middle school and beyond. Fourth grade is a year of growing social awareness, of intellectual stretching, wondering, and striving to have their voices and ideas heard by others. It can be a bumpy road!
Fourth grade is a year of huge growth, independence, and exciting learning! Students begin to dive deeper into subjects, take more responsibility for their work, and build important skills that prepare them for middle school and beyond. Fourth grade is a year of growing social awareness, of intellectual stretching, wondering, and striving to have their voices and ideas heard by others. It can be a bumpy road!
Academically:
Academically:
Reading & Writing:
Reading & Writing:
Students will explore longer and more complex novels and texts. We will learn to analyze characters, identify themes, and summarize stories. In writing, we will focus on organizing ideas clearly and using evidence to support their thinking in our opinion, narrative, and informational writing units.
Students will explore longer and more complex novels and texts. We will learn to analyze characters, identify themes, and summarize stories. In writing, we will focus on organizing ideas clearly and using evidence to support their thinking in our opinion, narrative, and informational writing units.
Math:
Math:
Students build on foundational skills by working with multi-digit addition and subtraction, place value, multiplication, division, fractions, and geometry.
Students build on foundational skills by working with multi-digit addition and subtraction, place value, multiplication, division, fractions, and geometry.
Science:
Science:
Students will use a science program called Mystery Science. This covers topics such as Vision and the Brain; Earth's Features and Processes; Soundwaves and Communication; and Patterns and Energy.
Students will use a science program called Mystery Science. This covers topics such as Vision and the Brain; Earth's Features and Processes; Soundwaves and Communication; and Patterns and Energy.
Social Studies:
Social Studies:
The focus will be on Maine Studies and will cover many topics about Maine Symbols, Maine History, the Wabanaki, Mt. Katahdin, Forestry, and Watersheds.
The focus will be on Maine Studies and will cover many topics about Maine Symbols, Maine History, the Wabanaki, Mt. Katahdin, Forestry, and Watersheds.
Atlantic Salmon Study:
Atlantic Salmon Study:
In February, students will become stewards of 100 or so Atlantic Salmon eggs. Students will be immersed in the study of Atlantic Salmon and how this native species has impacted Maine's History, both past and present, while learning about their life cycle and habitat. When the Salmon reach the Fry stage and are ready, we will take a trip to release them into a portion of the Penobscot River Watershed in Orrington.
In February, students will become stewards of 100 or so Atlantic Salmon eggs. Students will be immersed in the study of Atlantic Salmon and how this native species has impacted Maine's History, both past and present, while learning about their life cycle and habitat. When the Salmon reach the Fry stage and are ready, we will take a trip to release them into a portion of the Penobscot River Watershed in Orrington.
Spending Time Outdoors:
Fourth grade is an important year for students as they continue to develop their social skills, build resilience, strengthen their moral compass, and grow into curious, independent thinkers. There is no better place to support that growth than outdoors.
Our class has three raised garden beds that serve as an extension of our classroom. Right now, they are filled with pumpkins and garlic. I will harvest the garlic before students arrive; we will sample it in the classroom, and this fall we will plant a new crop together to harvest next summer. When the pumpkins are ready, students will enjoy harvesting those as well.
Sometimes, we take our independent reading time outside. In addition, fourth grade has a "Move and Groove" morning recess, three to four days each week. This 15–20 minute movement break gives students time to refresh their minds and return to learning with renewed focus. We head outside as often as possible—even during the winter months!
If you have any questions or concerns - about anything - let me know!
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