Grade 4 Curriculum

Stepping Stones

The grade 4 program is comprised of 12 modules.  Each module consists of 12 lessons and two or three big ideas from the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).  Instructional time will focus on three critical areas: (1) developing understanding and fluency with multi-digit multiplication, and developing understanding of dividing to find quotients involving multi-digit dividends; (2) developing an understanding of fraction equivalence, addition and subtraction of fractions with like denominators, and multiplication of fractions by whole numbers; (3) understanding that geometric figures can be analyzed and classified based on their properties, such as having parallel sides, perpendicular sides, particular angle measures, and symmetry.

Reading Wonders

The Language Arts standards include: range, conventions and skills, processes, and response and rhetoric in the areas of reading, writing, and oral communication.  The curriculum includes spelling, grammar, vocabulary development, and practice book activities.  Reading and writing encompass a variety of genres and comprehension strategies.  Students create journals, reflections, story writing, poetry, reading responses, note-taking, and they will keep a recored of completed monthly Achieve3000 articles.  Each student will also have their own AR reading goal for each quarter.   

Vocabulary:

Synonyms and Antonyms

Idioms

Multiple-Meaning Words

Definitions and Restatements

Suffixes and Prefixes

Root Words

Context and Paragraph Clues

Figurative Language

Latin and Greek Suffixes and Roots

Roots

Connotation and Denotation

Comprehension:

Make Predictions

Sequence

Problem and Solution

Compare and Contrast

Reread

Cause and Effect

Main Idea and Key Details

Ask and Answer Questions

Theme

Summarize

Meter and Rhyme

Point of View

Visualize

Stanza and Repetition

Genre

Fairy Tale

Realistic Fiction

Expository Text

Narrative Nonfiction and Poetry

Persuasive Article

Folktale

Drama

Lyric Poetry and Haiku

Fantasy

Biography

Historical Fiction

Phonics/Spelling:

Short Vowels

Inflectional Endings

Long a, e, i, o

Plurals

Compound Words

Prefixes and Suffixes

Digraphs

Possessives

Three-Letter Blends

Words Ending in -er, -est, -ful, -less

Contractions

r-Controlled Vowels

Words with Silent Letters

Open Syllables

Soft c and g

Final e Syllables

Vowel Teams

Changing y to i

Consonant + le syllables

Fluency:

Intonation

Expression and Rate

Accuracy

Phrasing and Rate

Writing:

Ideas

Organization

Sentence Fluency

Voice

Word Choice

Grammar:

Sentences

Subject and Predicates

Compound Sentences

Clauses and Complex Sentences

Run-On Sentences

Common and Proper Noun

Singular and Plural Nouns

Irregular Plural Nouns, Verbs

Possessive Nouns

Combining Sentences

Action Verbs

Verb Tenses

Main and Helping Verbs

Linking Verbs

Pronouns and Antecedents

Pronoun-Verb Agreement

ORF Norms

The Social Studies curriculum focuses on Hawaiian Studies.  Units include: How the Hawaiian Islands were created, the Polynesian Triangle (settlement and migration), early Hawaiians, geography, plants and animals in early Hawai'i, ahupua'a, roles, rights and responsibilities, early Hawaiian monarchy (Kamehameha I), resources, and cultural influences of non-Hawaiian people.  

Using a researched based Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) curriculum called Project Lead the Way, students will learn through hands-on experiments, problem-solving strategies and opportunities, critical and creative thinking, and how to communicate and collaborate.  

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) replaces the Hawaii Content and Performance Standards III for Science.  It has found to be a more engaging and enjoyable approach to learning science.  The new standards are interwoven across disciplines, including connections to language arts and mathematics.  They set the following student performance expectations:

• Disciplinary Core Ideas (science specific concepts in the life, earth and engineering and physical sciences). 

• Science and Engineering Practices (the practices of engaging in scientific investigation to anser questions, and engineering design to solve problems). 

• Crosscutting Concepts ( conceptual ideas common to all areas of science). 

For more information about NGSS, visit: http://ngss.nsta.org/

Fine Arts consists of music taught by Ms. Momohara, a highly qualified educator and musician.

Products and performances will include original work inspired by an artist or particular style.

Health focuses on activities in character education, values, social skills, human body, healthy lifestyle, drug awareness, decision making, nutrition, goal setting, interpersonal communication, repsonsibilities, and self-esteem. 

Students will learn and demonstrate an understanding of various health topics through research, analysis, goal setting, and reflection.  They will also reflect upon the application of health enhancing behaviors. 

Students are assigned homework daily as a way to help reinforce concepts they have learned in class.  Homework will consist of Language Arts, Math, Social Studies and Science.  At times our specialty classes will also assign homework.  Homework is a great way for students to start learning responsibility and positive work habits.  I explain homework before students take them home, but occasionally they may still have trouble with an assignment.  If necessary, please offer assistance, but please DO NOT do it for them.  Generally, your child should spend about 30-40 minutes daily on homework and at least an additional 20-30 minutes reading.     

Every student is given a  HOMEWORK PLANNER (in their binder).  It is your child's responsibility to copy down all assignments and reminders daily.  Homework Planners must also be signed by a parent daily to acknowledge awareness of assignments, daily behavior, and other reminders.  Your child must always have his/her Homework Planner in his/her backpack daily to turn in completed homework every morning.  The front pocket of your child's binder is where your child will place any notices.  The back pocket will hold various activities and assignments to keep at home.  Please check both the front and back pockets daily.  Their binder is also the place you will find other information such as: Monthly Calendar, D6 Class Schedule, D6 Class List, School Schedule, etc.  Please refer to this information as needed throughout the school year.     

If students do not complete homework assignments at home, they will be kept in at recess or after school to finish any incomplete work.  They will also fill out their "incomplete work" paper that is in their binder (initialed by teacher and parent when completed).  This form will be a place where they can keep track of any incomplete work they have. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.  My email is: samantha.saito@wilsonschoolhawaii.org.

Every B Day students will go to:

P.E. - Mr. Kaneshiro

Music - Mrs. Momohara-Ho

Science - Ms. Nagai (1st Semester); Mrs. Hew (2nd Semester)

Hawaiiana - TBA

Every E Day students will go to:

Computer Science - Mrs. Kidani

Library - Mrs. Higashi

Science - Ms. Nagai (1st Semester); Mrs. Hew (2nd Semester)

Japanese - Matsutaka Sensei

*Please remember to turn in library books by D Day