Specials

The K-4 elementary vocal music curriculum focuses on the development of independent musicianship. Singing is the foundation of all music skills as the voice is the instrument. Music skills are sequentially taught through the musical processes of performing, responding, creating, and connecting. Students develop independent musicianship by learning to read and write musical notation through grade-appropriate songs. Exploring movement and creating new arrangements of music through song games and rounds allows students to make choices toward innovative solutions. Students listen and respond to music making cultural connections with language arts, social studies, art, and science through interdisciplinary learning. Communicating through the language of music enables students to independently explore the world around them through self-expression.

String instrument lessons continue in fourth grade. Students have a thirty-minute lesson and a forty-minute group instruction class each week. Fourth-grade students also participate in the school orchestra and may join the school chorus. Students are able to sight-read musical phrases and perform a solo on their instrument.

Students in grades K-4 explore and create artwork using subject matter of architecture, design, landscape, portrait, still life, and symbol systems. They have many opportunities to explore a variety of materials while building and practicing skills and techniques that increase in complexity with each grade. Art units integrate classroom themes in language arts, social studies, math, and science, and students develop an ability to transfer and apply knowledge from one situation to another, which results in deep authentic learning. Following the Arts Propel model of perception, production, and reflection, students gain an understanding and appreciation of the visual arts and their role in the world around them, across cultures and throughout history.

Physical Education: Fourth grade students continue to refine their skills but now do so in increasingly specialized game, gymnastic, exercise, and adventure environments. Students work on using a particular skill for a particular purpose and to demonstrate effective and efficient movement. Students are engaged in more complex games (numbers of players, boundaries, rules), gymnastic routines, as well as exercise and adventure activities that challenge them physically, socially, and intellectually. They are heavily invested in assessing their own performance and understanding what a quality performance looks like. The learning environment is focused on producing students who are competent, confident, and persistent movers and are inclined to make regular physical activity a part of their day.

Health & Wellness: Fourth grade students learn how to be safe at school and in the community. They begin to discuss the differences between appropriate and inappropriate behavior at school and in the community. A presentation on vandalism, shoplifting and dangerous weapons is made by the Farmington Youth Officer. Fire safety is taught by the Farmington Fire Department. Students learn the importance of talking to a trusted adult about health and safety concerns and they practice listening and communication skills. They learn how to take care of personal hygiene and to recognize the beginning signs of puberty. Fourth grade students learn about the effects of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs, and they practice refusal skills that include how to handle peer pressure.

Library/Research Skills: Fourth-grade students continue their use of the online catalog, learning to modify keywords and to use visual searches to improve search results. They are introduced to new books, series, and authors through read-alouds, book talks, digital book reviews, and peer recommendations. They learn techniques for accessing information in online resources. They communicate research results using a variety of online tools. They also learn to evaluate websites for usefulness and truthfulness.

Technology: In grade 4, the technology program emphasizes beginning keyboarding and word processing skills. Students receive instruction in basic typing skills with opportunities to practice through an electronic tutorial. Students use a word processing program to edit and revise their work. In the library, students learn the basics of searching databases, the electronic catalog, and the Internet to assist in their research on a wide variety of topics.