WESTWOOD eLEMENTARY

English Language Arts (ELA)/Literacy: Third graders continue to enhance their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. They work on improving reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and spelling. They also learn to write simple paragraphs, stories, and descriptive essays. The English/Language Arts curriculum is divided into five general areas: Foundational Skills, Speaking and Listening, Reading Informational Text, Reading Literature, and Writing.  Third grade students will learn how to determine the main idea of a text, answer questions regarding the text and make inferences about the text, explain the author’s point of view, and use text features to locate and interpret information.  The students will also learn how to compare and contrast two different texts on the same topic.  Third grade students will continue to develop their understanding of how to identify the main idea of a text and how it is conveyed in the text.  They will learn to describe characters in a story and how their actions influence the sequence of events.  The students will learn to refer to chapters, stanzas, verses, and scenes and how each successive part builds on the next.  Third grade students will write informative, explanatory and opinion texts and convey ideas or information clearly.  They will develop the topic with details, facts, definitions and illustrations and use an organizational structure that is connected logically and has a concluding statement or section.  Third grade students will learn to write a narrative that develops real or imagined events. The students will use description in their writing to develop experiences and events, and, they will organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally. 

Mathematics: Third-grade math usually covers concepts such as multiplication, division, fractions, geometry, measurement, time, money, and basic problem-solving strategies. Students build upon their understanding of addition and subtraction from previous grades. Our Mathematics curriculum is divided into those five general areas: Numbers and Operations; Numbers and Operations – Fractions; Algebraic Concepts; Measurement, Data and Probability; and, Geometry.  Third grade students will apply place value and the use of operations to perform multi-digit arithmetic.  The students will also develop an understanding of fractions as numbers.  Third grade students will represent and solve problems involving multiplication and division; understand the properties of multiplication and the relationship

Science: Common science topics  include the study of plants, animals, ecosystems, matter, energy, forces and motion, and the scientific method. Students conduct simple experiments, make observations, and learn to ask questions and form hypotheses.

Social Studies: Third graders explore various aspects of social studies, including communities, geography, history, government, and cultures. They learn about different types of communities, map reading, the founding of the United States, famous historical figures, and basic civic responsibilities.

Health and Physical Education: This subject focuses on promoting healthy habits, physical fitness, nutrition, personal hygiene, and safety. Students engage in physical activities, games, and exercises to develop motor skills and learn about the importance of staying active.

Arts: Art classes may cover a range of creative activities, including drawing, painting, sculpting, and crafts. 

Music: Explore music, learn to sing songs, play musical instruments, and understand basic musical concepts.

The STEM curriculum for third grade focuses on these areas: Forces, Interactions and Motion; Inheritance and Variations of Traits; Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems; Weather and Climate; Engineering Design; and, Coding.  Students will learn How can one explain and predict interactions between objects within systems, how are the characteristics of one generation passed to the next, how can individuals of the same species and even siblings have different characteristics. Students will learn how and why organisms interact with their environment and what are the effects of these interactions, how the characteristics of one generation are passed to the next, and how individuals of the same species and even siblings can have different characteristics.  Students will also learn how and why the earth is constantly changing and how the earth’s processes and human activities affect each other.  Students will be introduced to coding and how computer science is a foundational skill for all students. 

Technology: Basic computer skills and digital literacy may be introduced, including typing, using educational software or websites, and practicing safe and responsible online behavior.

Language Arts: Fourth graders continue to develop their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. They explore different genres of literature, analyze texts, expand their vocabulary, and work on writing cohesive paragraphs and essays. Grammar, punctuation, and spelling are also emphasized. Reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling are important components of language arts instruction at this grade level. Students develop their reading comprehension skills, learn to write paragraphs and essays, explore different genres of literature, and expand their vocabulary. The English/Language Arts curriculum is divided into five general areas: Foundational Skills, Speaking and Listening, Reading Informational Text, Reading Literature, and Writing.  Students will learn to identify the main idea of a text, summarize the text, refer to details in the text to make inferences, and explain events, procedures, ideas or concepts and why they happened based on specific information from the text.  The students will be able to compare and contrast two different texts on the same topic. The students will also learn to integrate information from two different texts to demonstrate understanding of the topic.  Students will learn to describe the theme of a text, provide relevant details to support what the text says explicitly, and, describe in depth a character, setting or event using specific details from the text.  The students will learn to compare and contrast different themes, topics and patterns of events in literature including texts from different cultures.  Students will write informative, explanatory, opinion and narrative pieces conveying ideas or topics clearly.  The students will group related information in paragraphs and sections linking ideas within categories of information using words and phrases.  When writing opinion pieces, the students will learn to use an organizational structure that groups related ideas and supports the writer’s purpose.  The students will learn to write a narrative that uses dialogue and descriptions to develop experiences and events or show the characters’ responses to situations.

Mathematics: Fourth-grade math builds upon previous concepts and introduces new ones. Students typically learn about multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, geometry, measurement, data analysis, and basic algebraic thinking. Problem-solving and critical thinking skills are developed through various math exercises. Fourth-grade math often covers a range of topics, including place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, measurement, geometry, and basic algebraic concepts. Students work on problem-solving skills and gain a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. The Fourth Grade Mathematics curriculum is divided into five general areas: Numbers and Operations; Numbers and Operations – Fractions; Algebraic Concepts; Measurement, Data and Probability; and, Geometry. Fourth grade students will be able to use place value to show an understanding of multi-digit whole numbers and do multi-digit arithmetic.  The students will demonstrate an understanding of using fractions to show equivalence.  The students will learn to build fractions using unit fractions by applying operations (addition, subtraction, etc.).  The students will also learn to connect decimals to fractions.  The students will solve problems using the four operations and will learn to generate and analyze patterns using one rule.  Fourth grade students will learn to draw lines and angles and identify these two dimensional figures; to classify two dimensional figures by their lines and angles; and, to recognize symmetric shapes and draw lines of symmetry.  The students will learn to solve problems using measurement and to convert a larger unit to a smaller unit.  The students will interpret data involving fractions using a line plot.

Science: Fourth-grade science often covers topics such as life science, physical science, and earth science. Students may learn about ecosystems, the human body, matter and energy, forces and motion, rocks and minerals, weather, and the solar system. Hands-on experiments and observations are commonly used to reinforce scientific concepts.

Social Studies: Fourth graders explore various aspects of social studies, including history, geography, civics, and economics. They may learn about their local community, state history, early American history, and important historical events. They also study maps, continents, countries, cultures, and basic economic concepts.

Health and Physical Education: Students learn about the importance of physical fitness, nutrition, personal hygiene, and making healthy choices. They participate in physical activities, games, and sports to develop their motor skills and teamwork abilities.

Arts: Fourth graders often have opportunities to engage in visual arts, music, and possibly drama. They explore different art techniques, learn about famous artists and musicians, and have opportunities for creative expression.

Music: Explore music, learn to sing songs, play musical instruments, and understand basic musical concepts.

The STEM curriculum for fourth grade is divided into general areas: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems; Structure and Properties of Matter; Processes that shape the earth; Engineering Design; and, Coding.  Students will learn how organisms interact with their environment and the effects of these interactions, how and why the earth is constantly changing, what is the universe and the earth’s place in it, and how one can explain the structure, properties and interactions of matter. Students will also learn how you find a simple problem and a solution and how to improve upon that solution.  Students will be introduced to coding and how computer science is a foundational skill for all students. 

Technology: Students may have access to computers, tablets, or other digital devices to develop their digital literacy skills. They learn how to use various software applications.

English/Language Arts: The curriculum is divided into five general areas: Foundational Skills, Speaking and Listening, Reading Informational Text, Reading Literature, and Writing.  Fifth grade students will learn to identify two or more main ideas of a text, summarize the texts, cite textual evidence to explain the text explicitly, and explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or, concepts.  Students will use multiple print and digital sources to be able to locate information quickly or to solve a problem.   The student will learn to determine the theme of a text from details in the text.  The students will compare and contrast two or more characters, settings or events in a story.  Fifth grade students will learn to analyze multiple accounts of the same event or topic noting important similarities and differences.  The students will learn to compare and contrast text in the same genre on their approaches to similar themes and topics.  Fifth grade students will write informational/explanatory pieces using facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations and other information and will link information within and across categories of information.  The students will learn to write an opinion piece that is supported by facts, details and draws from credible sources.  Fifth grade students will learn to write with an awareness for style, using sentences of varying lengths.  The students will learn to expand, combine or reduce sentences for meaning, reader/listener interest, and style.  The students will learn to use narrative techniques such as dialogue, description and pacing to develop experiences or events in their writing or to show the responses of characters to situations. Fifth-grade students continue to enhance their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. They read a variety of texts, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama. They learn to analyze and interpret texts, identify main ideas, make inferences, and develop critical thinking skills. Grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and punctuation are also important components of the English curriculum.

Mathematics: Fifth graders build upon their foundational math skills and delve into more advanced concepts. They typically cover topics such as operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percentages. They explore algebraic thinking, including variables and equations, as well as geometry and measurement. Additionally, they learn about data analysis and probability. The Fifth Grade Mathematics curriculum is divided into five general areas: Numbers and Operations; Numbers and Operations – Fractions; Algebraic Concepts; Measurement, Data and Probability; and, Geometry. Fifth grade students will extend their understanding of place value and the use of the operations to whole numbers and decimals.  The students will use the four operations to solve problems with decimals.  Fifth grade students will use equivalence to add and subtract fractions and learn to multiply and divide fractions.  The students will learn to analyze patterns and relationships using two rules.  Fifth grade students will learn to graph points in the first quadrant of the coordinate plane and interpret these points when solving problems.  The students will solve problems using conversion within a measurement system; they will interpret data using an appropriate scale; they will solve problems involving the computation of fractions using information from a line plot; and, the will solve problems within the concept of volume and relate volume to multiplication and addition.

Science: Fifth-grade science introduces students to various scientific disciplines. They may study topics such as life science (including ecosystems, plants, and animals), physical science (including matter, energy, and forces), and earth science (including weather, climate, and geological processes). They engage in hands-on experiments and develop scientific inquiry skills.

Social Studies: Fifth-grade social studies often includes a study of American history, with a focus on topics such as early colonization, the American Revolution, the Civil War, and the growth of the United States. Students also explore geography, including map reading and the study of different regions. They may learn about government and civics, including the Constitution and the branches of government.

Health and Physical Education: In fifth grade, students learn about health and wellness, including nutrition, exercise, personal hygiene, and emotional well-being. They also participate in physical education classes, which focus on developing physical fitness, coordination, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Arts: Fifth graders often have opportunities to explore various forms of visual arts, such as drawing, painting, and sculpture. 

Music: Students engage in various activities including singing, playing instruments, and learning about musical theory. Drama and theater may be included as well.

The STEM curriculum for fifth grade is divided into four general areas: Structure and Properties of Matter; Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems; Earth and Space Systems; Engineering Design; and, Coding.  Students will learn how one can explain the structure, properties, and interactions of matter, how energy is transferred and conserved, how organisms live, grow, respond to their environment, and reproduce, and how and why organisms interact with their environment and what are the effects of these interactions.  Students will learn what is the universe, and what is Earth’s place in it, how and why Earth is constantly changing, and how Earth’s processes and human activities affect each other.  Students will also be introduced to coding and how computer science is a foundational skill for all students. 

Technology: Students may have access to computers, tablets, or other digital devices to develop their digital literacy skills. They learn how to use various software applications.