4th Grade ELA Curriculum Menu
Literature, Media Literacy, Nonfiction, Foundations, Speaking & Listening, Vocabulary, Writing Process, Writing Genres, Writing Handwriting, Writing Conventions, Research Process
Guiding Principle
Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes. Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions, media techniques, figurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss writing. Students conduct research on issues and interests by generating ideas and questions, and by posing problems. They gather, evaluate, and synthesize data from a variety of sources to communicate their discoveries in ways that suit their purpose and audience.1
1 Ibid.
WRITING
There are four key areas found in the Writing section for grades 6-12: Writing Genres, the Writing Process, the Research Process, and Conventions of Standard English. By demonstrating the skills listed in each section, students should be able to meet the Learning Outcome for Writing.
Infusion of the Catholic Faith
Through Catholic education, we seek to better understand human nature, the choices we face, and the role our faith plays in these decisions. Through our study of Language Arts, we strive to better understand our role and identity as Christians, and our responsibility to social justice. Human virtues and a Catholic worldview are explored through reading, writing, discussion and reflection.
The Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Charleston examine each subject in the context of the Catholic faith. Our students learn and are formed through the infusion of Gospel Values into all disciplines. Through the diocesan curriculum and standards, our teachers seek to promote the synthesis of faith, life, and culture to form students as disciples of Jesus. This document has been created to serve as a curriculum guide for English Language Arts. The ELA Standards are supported through the infusion of the Cardinal Newman Society standards. Resources to support the infusion of our faith can be found through the links below.
Ways to Infuse the Faith
Ways to Infuse the Faith
The DOC ELA Standards align with the Cardinal Newman Society Catholic Curriculum Standards. Click HERE to infuse our faith into the ELA curriculum through literature, scripture, parables, and saints.
Learning Outcome 4-V: Write routinely over a variety of time frames and for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences; apply reading standards to support reflection and response to literature and nonfiction texts.
Essential Question: How does my writing show beauty and truth? How does my word choice reflect in my writing? OPINION - What does the point of view reveal to me about a writer’s truth and beauty?
NARRATIVE - How do the characters in my writing show integrity and truth?
INFORMATIVE - How do facts and examples show the integrity and truth in my informational writing?
Cross-Curricular Suggestions
Students write (or email) pen pals from other countries and deepen their understanding and tolerance of different cultures.
Suggested Mentor Texts
Teaching Leads
Owl Moon
Because of Winn-Dixie
Fireflies
Charlotte’s Web
Thank you, Mr. Falkner, Polacco
Francine Fribble, Proofreading Policeman, Martin
Narrative
The Relatives Came, Rylant
When I Was Young in the Mountains, Rylant
Owl Moon, Yolen
The Rag Coat, Mills
Three Days on a River in a Red Canoe, Williams
Thundercake, Palocco
Goin Someplace Special, McKissack
Baseball Saved Us, Mockizuki
Roxaboxen, McLerran
Persuasive
Eat Your Peas, Gray
I Wanna Iguana, Orloff
I Wanna New Room, Orloff
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Williams
Hey, Little Ant, Hoose
The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!, Scieszka
Otto Runs for President, Wells
The Perfect Pet, Palatini &Whatley
What Pet Should I Get?, Seuss
Informative
Roses in the Snow: A Tale of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Jackson & Kadar-Kallen
Saints Chronicles Series, Milgrom & Davis
St. Clare of Assisi Runaway Rich Girl, Hee-ju
St. George and the Dragon, Hodges
Saint Catherine of Siena, Forbes
Saint Dominic, Windeatt
Saint Hyacinth of Poland, Windeatt
Saint John Masias, Windeatt
Saint Martin de Porres, Windeatt
Saint Monica, Forbes
Saint Rose of Lima, Windeatt
Saint Thomas Aquinas, Windeatt
St. Benedict, Hero of the Hills, Windeatt)
St. Joan, The Girl Soldier, De Wohl
St. Patrick, Tompert
St. Thomas Aquinas for Children, Maritain