Curriculum 

Dear Fourth Grade Families,

Our Focus

As we begin this school year, our first focus will be on building our community of learners. We will be spending time setting up routines as well as getting to know each other and becoming a community of readers and writers. Our unit of study in reading will focus on challenging students to read with deep engagement and intensity.  Students will analyze characters and the changes they undergo, determine how parts of a story affect the text as a whole, and determine common themes across a story. In writing, students will begin by noticing ideas for fiction stories in their everyday lives. They will lean heavily on what they know about how stories go to write realistic fiction stories.

Instructional Approach 

In the beginning, students will be introduced to the structures, routines, and habits of reader’s and writer’s workshops. Students will choose just right books, envision as they read, and retell or summarize stories. Then students will grow ideas about text that are grounded deeply in the roots of a story while also analyzing the author's craft. Finally, the focus will shift from character study to building interpretations. Students will connect ideas across a text and learn that there is more than one correct way to interpret literature. During writer’s workshop, students will focus on the story arc, learning how stories with two to three strong scenes can successfully show a character, plot, and even setting change over the course of the story. Also, children will practice their skills of editing and revising while thinking about an audience for their writing.

Family Support

You can help your child in several ways.

• Engage in discussion with your child about his/her reading. 

• Discuss the characters in their books and what themes or lessons they are learning.

• Share connections made from literary text and point out story elements.

• Ask your child questions that will help clarify the details of his or her stories.

• Encourage your child to read his writing aloud and listen without interrupting. 

Sincerely,

The Fourth Grade Team 

1st Nine weeks

Grade 4 Family Letter:  Regions

Dear Fourth Grade Families,

Our Focus

In our first Social Studies unit this year, fourth grade students will begin developing an understanding of how different types of maps can give us a variety of information and offer unique insights into the relationships and interactions between humans and their environment. Students will begin to understand the concept of how regions are defined and will research to identify and understand the names, locations, and features of the geographic regions of Texas. Students are expected to analyze and compare the features between the regions.

Instructional Approach

Your child will develop his or her understanding of regions by examining different types of maps to determine the criteria used to define the regions and to collect information from the maps about those regions.  Students will use information collected from maps as well as information collected from internet and print resources to compare and contrast the geographic regions of Texas.

Family Support

Your support is always appreciated in your child’s learning. Here are some ways you can help:

• Share experiences with your child of how you used maps to find out where places were and to plan travel before we had GPS.

• Look for maps in your world – on television (weather, politics, etc), in your car, in a brochure

• Every time you and your child look at a unique map ask this question:  What does this map tell us about this place? 

• Talk with your student about different places you have visited or have family members living (in Texas if possible) and talk about how those places are similar or different when compared with Denton regarding weather, landforms, plant or animal life, recreational activities, or other areas

It’s our hope that you will enjoy helping your child discover how this learning connects with their everyday lives.

Sincerely,

Fourth Grade Team

Dear Fourth Grade Families,

Our Focus

As we begin this school year, our first focus will be on building our community of learners. We will be spending time setting up routines as well as getting to know each other and becoming a community of readers and writers. Our unit of study in reading will focus on challenging students to read with deep engagement and intensity.  Students will analyze characters and the changes they undergo, determine how parts of a story affect the text as a whole, and determine common themes across a story. In writing, students will begin by noticing ideas for fiction stories in their everyday lives. They will lean heavily on what they know about how stories go to write realistic fiction stories.

Instructional Approach 

In the beginning, students will be introduced to the structures, routines, and habits of reader’s and writer’s workshops. Students will choose just right books, envision as they read, and retell or summarize stories. Then students will grow ideas about text that are grounded deeply in the roots of a story while also analyzing the author's craft. Finally, the focus will shift from character study to building interpretations. Students will connect ideas across a text and learn that there is more than one correct way to interpret literature. During writer’s workshop, students will focus on the story arc, learning how stories with two to three strong scenes can successfully show a character, plot, and even setting change over the course of the story. Also, children will practice their skills of editing and revising while thinking about an audience for their writing.

Family Support

You can help your child in several ways.

• Engage in discussion with your child about his/her reading. 

• Discuss the characters in their books and what themes or lessons they are learning.

• Share connections made from literary text and point out story elements.

• Ask your child questions that will help clarify the details of his or her stories.

• Encourage your child to read his writing aloud and listen without interrupting. 

Sincerely,

The Fourth Grade Team