Embedded Files
4th Grade has a one hour block of instruction for core concepts that begins with whole group instruction in problems and investigation and transitions to small group and individual work to practice new concepts. There is second, 20-30 minute block of instruction which focuses on pattern recognition and concept development through daily routines. The year is broken into 8 units of core instruction with 4 modules in each of those 8 units. The first unit focuses on multiplication and division through story problems, measurement, and a variety of models.
Module 1: Students work to establish routines and procedures for the year as they explore multiplication and division. They will use number lines, ration tables, and arrays to solve a variety of problems including an opening investigation with school supplies.
Module 2: The area model is emphasized in this Module as students work with factors and determine if they are prime or composite. Work Place activities introduced will give students ample practice with multiplication facts and strategies.
Module 3: Students will focus on factors, products, and equations as they develop strategies to choose factors to make equations make the most sense. They will also learn to make multiplicative comparisons as well as verbalize and record those comparisons.
Module 4: Measurement is the focal point of this Module as students have hands-on opportunities to explore mass, weight, and liquid volume. Investigations to these units allow students to better identify the sizes of various units.
Unit 2 continues to help students build multiplicative reasoning as they wor on multi-digit multiplication and early division strategies. They will then focus on place value and what the effects are of multiplying by 10, 100, and 1,000. Lastly, students will use their critical thinking skills to solve multiplication and division story problems.
Module 1: Students will start with learning strategies for multi-digit multiplication before moving to the effects of multiplying by 10, 100, and 1,000. Through the Module students will work with 1-by-2 and 2-by-2 multiplication and make connections between multiplication and area.
Module 2: Multiplication arrays and choosing the most efficient strategy to solve multiplication problems is the focus of this Module. Students use grid paper and create their own ratio tables as they continue to work with larger numbers.
Module 3: Students begin exploring multi-step story probelems as they interact participate in a math forum to discuss and extend their strategies to solve the problems. They practice halving and doubling factors and work with measurment units and coins to convert units.
Module 4: The last Module of the Unit emphasizes division and begins working with division problems involving remainders. Again, they participate in a math forum to discuss their strategies and are challenged to find unknown dividends.
Unit 3 introduces fractions and decimals as students use a variety of tools to read, write, model, compose and decompose fractions and decimals. Students investigate through a variety of problem solving strategies from purely mathematical to identifying how the teacher can give each student 3/4 of a candy bar.
Module 1: Students review their knowledge of equivalent fractions, improper fractions, and mixed numbers. They use paper strips to model the relationship between mixed numbers and fractions and then move on to exploring equivalent fractions.
Module 2: This Module uses the geoboard as a tool to create a number of fractions with the geoboard representing 1 whole. Students make observations while comparing fractions with like and unlike numerators and denominators. They will solve problems and participate in a math forum to discuss strategies and solutions.
Module 3: This Module transitions to using the base ten mat with a value of 1 whole to help introduce the decimal notation as fractions. Students investigate the relationship between tenths and hundredths as well as building and comparing fractions.
Module 4: Students continue to build familiarity with the relationship of decimals and fractions with denominators of 10 and 100. They will also examine relationships between other common fractions, including halves, fourths, fifths, and twentieths.
Unit 4 begins by reviewing standard algorithms for addition and subtraction problems and comparing them to other models to determine which strategies are best for certain types of problems. Later in the Unit students revisit units of measure, including length and distance, liquid volume, time, mass, and weight.
Module 1: Students extend their knowledge of place value you to 1 million. They will develop understanding of place value from 10,000 to 1,000,000 while working with muli-digit addition strategies and identifying patterns.
Module 2: The focus shifts to subtraction in the Module as students work with the standard algorithym and compare it to other learned strategies. They also learn the difference vs. removal and constant difference while exploring multi-digit subtraction problems.
Module 3: Students explore the measuring systems of length, time, liquid volume, mass, and weight. They use ratio tables to convert units and practice place value and addition skills as they solve story problems with measurement.
Module 4: The last Module of the Unit has students applying their skills as they complete a project. They use their new learning to gather, analyze, and share data in a variety of way.
Unit 5 extends the concept of measurement as students move into Geometry. Students will investigate angles, parallel and perpendicular lines, and symmetry. They will also learn how to analyze, classify and measure angles as they explore a variety of polygons and their attributes.
Module 1: The Unit begins with students identifying, drawing, comparing, and analyzing different angles. They begin by measuring right angles and straight angles and move into examining circles which helps connect that an angle is a measure of rotation.
Module 2: Students move to the study of parallel and perpendicular lines while also drawing and measuring a variety of lines and angles. They are then introduced to lines of symmetry as they review and create examples of polygons.
Module 3: This Module begins with a review of measuring area and perimeter. Students make observations and compare formulas. This extends later as students solve problems with area and perimeter involving complex figures.
Module 4: Students return to analyzing angles and explore measuring angles around a fixed point using joints in their own bodies. They then solve problems adding angles and compare strategies and solutions as they participate in a math forum.
Unit 6 focuses back into multiplication and division to ensure students have a deep understanding. They will explore the robust connections between the two operations as they model, solve, share, and explain solutions and strategies.
Module 1: Students begin with a thorough review of multiplication and division strategies learned earlier in the year. They expand this beyond the basic facts and emphasize choosing the appropriate strategy based on the numbers in the problem.
Module 2: Perimeter and area are revisited in this Module, particularly with an emphasis on the role division plays in the problems. Students have an opportunity to work with problems with unknowns and have a math forum to discuss the best strategies to solve the different types of unknowns and problems.
Module 3: Focus in this Module shifts to collecting data and representing it on a line plot. They will solve problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions using a line plot and end with solvling divisions problems with remainders and learning to represent them as decomals.
Module 4: Students will make connections between division and equivalent ratios and work together to create a class chart for division strategies. They will learn new Work Place games to provide ample practice with division problems both with and without remainders.
Unit 7 emphasizes skills that are the foundation of fourth grade mathematics. They will continue to develop skills recognizing and generating equivalent fractions, comparing fractions with like and unlike denominators, and rewriting fractions so they share common denominators. Students will also review multi-digit multiplication strategies and work furth with the standard algorithm.
Module 1: Students begin by using bar models to represent, compare, and put fractions in order with unlike denominators. They then extend this skill by comparing fractions with unlike denominators that are not factors or multiples of each other.
Module 2: This Module begins with a careful review of the hundredths grid. Students then work together to cut and rearrange columns to form a meter strip to work with fractions with denominators of 10 and 100.
Module 3: Students focus on solving single and double-digit multiplication problems with an emphasis on the area model. They then move into 2 and 3-digit by 1-digit multiplication and end with using the standard algorithm to multiply 2-digit by 2-digit numbers.
Module 4: In the final Module students continue to work with the standard algorithm as problems become more complex. They then review a number of strategies learned throughout the Unit and the year and investigate which methods are best for certain problems.
Unit 8 mixes math with science as students investigate simple machines by designing and building a playground model. They survey the school community to collect data on the most well liked playground items and incorporate calculating cost into their models. This project also ties in their knowledge of mass, liquid volume, area, and perimeter as they complete their models to share with friends and family.
Module 1: Students use their measuremetn and geometry skills to begin collecting data about playground equipment and playground design. They analyze their data to start making decisions about their design.
Module 2: In this Module, students measure the current playground, survey students, and analyze their data. They then choose equipment based on their analysis and research cost and safety features as they create a final design.
Module 3: Students begin to make measurement conversions to create their scaled maps for their design. They will also create line plots to show water impact and calculate the dimesnions, area, mass of soil, and water needs for their playground.
Module 4: Finally, students use their sclaed maps to build a 3-D model. They draw side models and identify the simple machines, geometric shpaes, and angle measurements in their designs.
School District of Spencer
Student First | Rocket Family
Mission
We nurture students to be resilient, collaborative problem-solvers who strive to be lifelong learners.
Vision
Graduate successful individuals who will positively contribute to society.
Values
Integrity | Accountability | Teamwork | Growth | Achievement
Motto
Inspire, Educate, and Celebrate
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