Grade 4

Ms. Okvist, Mrs. Ansman, Ms. Stone and Ms. Varghese

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Our anchor chart showing all the unknown state test words!

ELA

In this unit, our students are exploring the IB transdisciplinary theme "How the World Works," with the central idea "change is a response to a stimulus." By closely examining expository texts, they are learning to summarize key information, identify antonyms, and discover how changes in the world occur in response to different causes. Students are developing a deeper understanding of the key concepts of form and causation, analyzing the structures of texts and the reasons behind change. Through honing their communication and management skills, they are learning to express their ideas clearly and organize their thoughts effectively. As they work through this process, they demonstrate the qualities of caring, knowledgeable, and reflective learners, thoughtfully considering the world around them and how change influences their daily lives. This inquiry encourages students to look closely at both the world and the texts they encounter, fostering their growth as critical thinkers and compassionate global citizens.

Math

In our math lessons, students are discovering how the world works by exploring the idea that change is a response to a stimulus. When multiplying fractions by whole numbers, they see how changing one factor influences the overall product, demonstrating causation. Similarly, as they identify and classify four-sided figures, they recognize how a shape’s attributes determine its form and how even small changes in angles or sides create a different classification. Through these concepts, students develop their communication skills by explaining their reasoning and strengthen their management skills by organizing their problem-solving processes. As caring learners, they collaborate and support their peers in discussions. They demonstrate their knowledge by applying mathematical ideas to real-world situations and think critically to make connections between numbers, shapes, and patterns. By engaging with these skills and concepts, students deepen their understanding of how changes in numbers and shapes are responses to mathematical operations and rules, just as changes in the world around them follow patterns and relationships.

Social Studies

In our social studies lessons, students are exploring how the world works by examining the Revolutionary War through New York’s perspective and how change is a response to a stimulus. They are investigating the causes of the war, such as taxation and growing tensions, to understand how actions and events led to significant changes in society, demonstrating the key concept of causation. By analyzing the different roles and perspectives of people in New York during this time, they are also recognizing the key concept of form—how governments, economies, and communities were structured and reshaped by the war. Through discussions and research, students are strengthening their communication skills by sharing ideas and their management skills by organizing information effectively. As caring learners, they consider the experiences of different groups during the war. They demonstrate their knowledge by making connections between historical events and their impact, while thinking critically about the factors that shaped New York’s role in the revolution. These skills and attributes help students develop a deeper understanding of how historical change happens and why it matters today.

Science

Students are exploring how the world works by investigating energy—how it transfers through circuits, powers electromagnets, and is used to create coded messages. They are seeing firsthand how change is a response to a stimulus, as electrical energy moves through a circuit, causing lights to shine, motors to turn, and electromagnets to attract objects. By experimenting with different circuit designs, they are uncovering the key concept of causation, recognizing how changes in components impact energy flow. They are also examining the key concept of form by analyzing how the structure and arrangement of circuits determine their function. Throughout these hands-on investigations, students strengthen their communication skills by explaining their observations and refine their management skills by organizing materials and problem-solving efficiently. They demonstrate care by working safely and collaboratively with their peers. As knowledgeable thinkers, they apply their learning to real-world situations, gaining a deeper understanding of how electricity drives change in the world around them.

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"How Organize Ourselves" Showcase!

Fourth graders have been exploring how the world works by researching and writing essays on why the Civil Rights Movement was needed, connecting to the central idea that change is a response to a stimulus. Through their research, they examined the causes of inequality and discrimination, demonstrating the key concept of causation, while also analyzing the structure of laws and social systems, highlighting the key concept of form. To deepen their learning, fifth graders joined in to explore and engage with the topic, allowing for meaningful discussions and new perspectives. Fourth graders took on the responsibility of presenting their essays to the fifth graders, strengthening their communication skills as they clearly expressed their ideas and their management skills as they organized their presentations. Throughout this process, they demonstrated care by respectfully discussing difficult historical topics, showed knowledge by making connections between past and present injustices, and thought critically about how individuals and groups work to create change. This experience not only enriched their understanding of the Civil Rights Movement but also helped them see the power of knowledge, communication, and action in shaping a more just world.

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