WALPOLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
GRADE 4
Curriculum Summary by Subject
These curriculum summaries have been developed by teachers and administrators to serve as another way of communicating with parents. They highlight the core curriculum and expectations for student learning at each grade level.
The curriculum summaries describe what most students at a grade level are expected to know and be able to do by the end of the school year. They also reflect the goals of the various Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. It is important to note that although children may learn and grow at different rates and through varied styles, all should make regular progress.
While we have high expectations for all students and encourage each student to work to their capacity, parents and teachers recognize that some students have more difficulty in school. Others will progress more rapidly and move well beyond these core expectations. It is the joint responsibility of school and home to provide support, challenge, and encouragement for all students.
Art
The Elementary Art Program provides a foundation in which students develop the capacity to create, respond and communicate through the language of Visual Art. Our curriculum gives students the opportunity to develop skills using a variety of media as well as enhance learning through the integration of Art with other subject areas such as Science, Math, Language Arts, History and Music. Students are encouraged to explore and express their ideas in an environment that nurtures imaginative thinkers and inventive problem solvers.
The Elementary Art Program is aligned to the principles and guidelines of the Massachusetts Visual Arts Standards and National Visual Arts Standards. It is part of a comprehensive K-12 Visual Art Program which focuses on the instruction of the elements and principles of art in a sequential and spiraling curriculum. Our program is designed for students to explore various facets of art such as two-dimensional and three-dimensional design, art history, multi-cultural and literacy connections, as well as a variety of ways to make art. Additionally, throughout the curriculum, students learn how to talk about art and how to evaluate what they see. Key areas of focus include critical thinking, problem-solving skills, imagination and inventive solutions.
It is important to note that Art enhances the academic, social, emotional and creative growth of each student.
English Language Arts
Students will
know and apply grade level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
draw inferences from literature.
summarize a story, determine the theme of a story, drama or poem.
compare and contrast point of view of two stories.
locate and analyze similes and metaphors in stories, poems, folktales and texts.
make text to text and text to self connections in literature.
determine the main idea of a text and how it is supported by key details.
compare and contrast primary and secondary accounts of the same event.
write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences using effective techniques, elaborative detail and clear event sequences focused on one main event (writing diamond).
write stories, poems, and scripts that use similes and metaphors.
write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.
write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
develop and strengthen writing through planning, revising, and editing.
use technology to produce and publish writing.
conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade four topics.
paraphrase portions of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media.
report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience in an organized manner.
demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when speaking and writing.
use relative pronouns and relative adverbs.
form and use prepositional phrases.
correctly use frequently confused words.
write legibly by hand, printing or cursive.
demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Mathematics
Students will
use the four operations to solve problems.
interpret a multiplication equation as a comparison -42 is 6 times as many as 7.
multiply or divide to solve word problem.
solve multistep word problems with remainders. Interpret remainders and the reasonableness of answers.
distinguish whether a number 1-100 is a prime or composite number.
generate a number or shape pattern that follows a given rule (input-output table).
read and write multi-digit whole number to the 1,000,000 place.
compare two multi-digit numbers.
round multi-digit number to any place value.
fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.
multiply a whole number of up to four digits by a one digit number, multiply two two-digit numbers.
know multiplication facts through 12x12.
find whole number quotients and remainders with up to four digit dividends and one digit divisors.
extend understanding of equivalent fractions.
compare fractions with unlike denominators.
build fractions from unit fractions, e.g. 2/8=1/8+1/8.
add and subtract mixed numbers with like denominators.
solve word problems by adding and subtracting fractions.
apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication to multiply a fraction by a whole number.
understand decimal notations for fractions and compare two decimals.
solve problems involving measurement and conversion of measurements from a larger unit to a smaller unit.
represent and interpret data.
recognize angles and measure angles.
draw and identify lines (parallel, perpendicular) and angles (right, acute, and obtuse) and classify shapes by properties of their lines and angles.
identify line symmetric figures and draw lines of symmetry.
WPS Elementary Family Math Resources
Bridges Family Support
Math at Home
Music
Students should experience music from many different cultures and be able to compare and contrast the use of different musical elements that makes each culture’s music unique. Students will be able to collaborate and work independently to compose their own musical ideas using different groupings of voices and instruments, and perform musical ideas individually and as a group.
Students will
create and improvise songs with multiple notes and grade-level rhythm patterns.
individually, sing, play and read simple phrases following basic standard notation (dotted half note, whole rest, syn - co - pa, Do’, Fa).
play D,-E-F#-G-A-B-C’-D’ on the recorder with proper playing technique and tone quality.
Physical Education
Students will
demonstrate a refinement of locomotor with repetition.
refine locomotor skills with and without manipulatives in games.
practice skills with low organized games.
practice interpersonal skills in game settings.
improve social skills.
show and appreciation for diversity.
Science and Technology/Engineering
Students will answer the questions:
How do scientists classify animals?
How do animals adapt in order to survive?
What are minerals and how are they classified?
What are rocks and how are they classified?
How is Earth’s surface shaped?
What causes weather?
How does climate change?
What are the properties of matter?
How can matter change?
Why is accuracy important in forecasting weather?
Social Studies
Students will
use maps and globes to determine latitude and longitude of locations.
use title, compass rose, scale, and legend to read a map.
provide examples of the US natural resources.
give examples of limited and unlimited resources and the effect on the economy.
locate the regions of the US.
identify the states, state capitals, and major cities of the US.
describe the climate, major physical features, and natural resources of each US region.
identify and describe unique features of the US.
identify major monuments and historical sites in and around Washington, D.C.
describe the diverse nature of the American people.
investigate Canada and Mexico- climate, physical characteristics, people, language, major religion, natural resources, and geographic location.
Contacts
Brendan Dearborn, Boyden School Principal
Carrie Ruggiero, Elm Street School Principal
Brian Bemiss, Fisher School Principal
David Barner, Old Post Road School Principal