4th Grade

4th grade is an exciting time in your child's education. At KES, they turn the corner into the "big kid hallway" and make a shift from learning to read to reading to learn!

These are some of the topics and concepts we cover in 4th grade...

• Second Step (Social Emotional Learning Curriculum): 4th graders learn about Empathy & Skills for Learning, Emotion Management, and Problem Solving through explicit instruction, role-play, games, partner work, and also practice these skills at home through Home Links.

• Reading: 4th grade students read a variety of books- both fiction and nonfiction texts, as well as poetry! Students have opportunities to write about and discuss their books with partners and in student-led literature circles, practicing their speaking & listening, as well as comprehension skills. 

• Writing: 4th graders start the year learning where writers get their inspiration and write their own poetry! We practice using the Painted Essay format to write a variety of essays, as well as summarizing texts, and writing narratives and opinion pieces.

• Social Studies: Most of the 4th grade year is spent studying Vermont and American History. Students learn about Vermont's history and geography,  and participate in maple sugaring in the early spring to learn about the science and history of sugaring in Vermont.

• Science: 4th grade students study Earth's features and erosion, waves and energy, human body systems, and structures and functions of plants and animals. We utilize the school's nature trail in our learning as much as possible!

• Technology: 4th graders use 1:1 Chromebooks and Google apps such as Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Classroom to produce, organize, and turn in assignments. They also work on their keyboarding skills using Keyboarding Without Tears.

• Math: Students study math using the IM program. *Mrs. Amy Simonds (5/6) is responsible for math instruction.