4th Grade

updated 06/15/2026

4th Grade GATE – Spring 2026 Highlights

Our 4th Grade GATE students had an exciting spring filled with innovation, sustainability, history, research, and creative problem-solving!

Farm to Table Choice Board Project
Following our Farm to Table Convocation, students continued exploring agriculture, sustainability, and innovation through a Choice Board Project. Students selected a pathway based on their interests and used research, creativity, engineering, and design thinking to bring their ideas to life.

Students could choose from four project pathways. In the Farm Blueprint Challenge, students designed their own farm layouts while considering how farms are organized and how different systems work together to grow and produce food efficiently. In the 3D Farm Model, students created farm models using recyclable materials to represent different farm features, sustainable practices, and the systems needed to operate a successful farm. In Farm-to-Table Restaurant Design, students combined creativity and entrepreneurship by designing their own restaurant concepts, considering locally sourced ingredients, menu planning, restaurant design, and how food travels from farms to customers. And in Farming Innovation, students became inventors by identifying challenges in agriculture and designing creative solutions to improve farming, sustainability, and food production..  Al

Students did an outstanding job bringing their ideas to life, demonstrating creativity, problem-solving, and a deeper understanding of sustainability and food systems.

Ancient Greece
Our final unit of the spring focused on Ancient Greece and the impact of ancient civilizations on our world today. Students explored how the Ancient Greeks influenced many areas of modern society, including government, architecture, art, literature, science, and innovation.

Students learned about Greek architecture and practiced designing structures inspired by ancient Greek buildings, exploring important features such as columns, symmetry, and design elements that continue to influence buildings around the world today. They also researched Greek gods and goddesses, practicing key research skills including finding information from reliable sources, identifying key details, and organizing their findings. Students then created "Wanted Posters" for their chosen god or goddess, combining creativity with accurate facts about each figure's powers, symbols, personality traits, and mythology to make their designs believable.

Students enjoyed exploring Ancient Greece so much that we may continue our journey through ancient civilizations when we return in the fall!

NJCGTP Snowman Challenge
We are incredibly proud that two of our 4th Grade GATE teams were selected as finalists! Lily, Piper, Piper, and Evelyn created a snowman focused on the pillar of caring, highlighting kindness and compassion through a creative design showing the importance of helping animals impacted by pollution. Chloe and Abby created a snowman focused on the pillar of responsibility, demonstrating the importance of caring for our environment and taking action to help our communities. Congratulations!

We are so proud of all the submissions from all our Third Grade GATE students. Students who participated in the Snowman Challenge showed outstanding creativity, teamwork, and dedication, and received certificates recognizing their hard work.

The First Annual Gifty Awards
We ended the spring with our First Annual Gifty Awards, created by Mrs. Ganley to celebrate each student's unique gifts, strengths, and talents. Every student received a personalized award recognizing what makes them special as a learner and member of the GATE community.

To celebrate another wonderful year in GATE, students received a special snowflake rubber duck and a collectible GATE duck. Students can continue collecting a new duck each year they participate in the program!

Thank you for an amazing year of creativity, curiosity, and innovation. I hope everyone has a wonderful summer and cannot wait to continue exploring, creating, and learning together next year!