Fourth Grade Curriculum

Religion
A student will be able to:

• understand that all of God’s creation is good
  
• begin to apply the Beatitudes and the Ten Commandments to his/her life
  
• appreciate God’s forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation
  
• understand that the Eucharist is a sign of our unity
  
• appreciate the church’s mission to teach and serve

Language Arts
A student will be able to:

• learn strategies that good readers use before, during and after reading; Inference, Sequencing, Evaluative, Context Clues and Compare and Contrast
  
• apply techniques to develop critical thinking skills through enriching reading  selections, Novel Studies and Literature Corner discussion groups
  
• utilize verbal/linguistic abilities to develop personal narratives, persuasive, descriptive, expository and poetic writing styles
  
• integrate grammar, phonics, spelling and word study as the mechanics for clear and effective writing (Dictionary/Thesaurus)
  
• develop a foundation for communication skills through auditory listening/speaking and oral presentations
  

Social Studies
A student will be able:

• better understand the earth by using globes and maps
  
• compare New Jersey to the five regions of the United States
  
• use maps, tables and graphs to learn the geography
  
• appreciate the role New Jersey and its people have played in the history of the United States
  
• Embark on a journey through the state of New Jersey
  

Science
A student will be able to:
Life Science

• explore the life cycle of a cell, the basic building block of life
  
• understand the interdependence of living and nonliving parts of an Ecosystem and learn how plants and animals carry out their life process
  
• learn how the Circulatory, Digestive, Respiratory, Skeletal and Nervous System work together in the Human Body
  

Physical Science

• understand how the three States of Matter; (solids, liquids and gases) are each made up of atoms a nd molecules
  
• investigate the physical and chemical properties of Matte r and know that all changes in matter involve energy
  
• discover the Force and Motion of Energy in Electricity and Magnetism and how it plays a role in our daily life
  
• learn about the two natural forces of gravity and friction and how these forces affect the motion of objects in terms of position, direction, speed, distance and velocity
  
• observe how six simple machines can help people do work by changing the direction and distance of the force applied
  

Earth Science

• understand the Rock Cycle and how geologic forces cause; Volcanoes, Earthquakes, Mountain Building and Erosion that shape Earth’s surface
  
• learn about Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources and the importance of Conservation and Alternative Energy Sources
  
• examine Earth’s atmosphere and learn how different weather conditions and factors can influence climate
  
• explore Earth’s Solar System and understand the relationship of the Sun, Moon and other planets to Earth

Math
A student will be able to:

• order numbers up to millions
  
• know and apply the multi-step problem solving process
  
• add and subtract three and four digit numbers
  
• estimate and find the product of two and three digit factors by a two digit factor
  
• estimate and find the quotient of two and three dividends by a one digit divisor
  

Geometry

• identify points, lines, line segments, rays and angles
  
• understand symmetry congruence and translations
  
• identify a circle, polygons and quadrilaterals
  

Fractions

• fractional parts of a whole
  
• identify the numerator and denominator
  
• add and subtract with like denominators
  

Assessments

• rubrics
  
• tests
  
• quizzes
  
• performance tasks
  
• cooperative groups
  
• skits, plays, games made by students
  
• oral presentations
  
• graphic organizers
  

Steps to Respect

• help students to build more supportive relationships with each other
  
• students learn a variety of friendship skills and steps for joining a group activity
  
• teaches children skills for coping with bullying
  

Art
A student will be able to:

• create 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional projects using a variety of media
  
• recognize the diversity of artistic styles
  
• demonstrate good craftsmanship, exhibit pride in work and respect for the work of others
  

COMPUTER
A student will be able to:

• receive user ids and passwords for access to the school network
  
• save a file to their individual network drive
  
• use the basic functions in Microsoft Word, Power Point and Excel
  
• use the Internet for researching
  
• use a variety of computer programs to enhance classroom curriculum
  

Library
A student will be able to:

• visit weekly and check out a library book for enjoyment reading and a book to supplement classroom assignments
  
• use the Dewey Decimal System
  
• use all library skills taught
  

Music
A student will be able to:

• analyze melodic contour including movement by steps, leaps, and repeats
  
• sing with increasing range and clear tone quality
  
• identify and classify the instruments of the orchestra
  
• analyze melodic contour, tone, color, and simple forms
  
• sing and praise God with Church songs
  

Physical Education
A student will be able to:

• participate in cooperative, recreational, and sport lead-up games
  
• explore locomoto r movements with added complexity in sequential patterns
  
• combine movements sequentially
  

Spanish
A student will be able to:

• i dentify numbers zero to one hundred, Greetings and Dialogue, classroom objects, plural nouns in Spanish, days of the week, months and seasons, gender of nouns
  
• Grade appropriate lessons are organized by topics familiar to the students, such as weather, mealtime, holidays, and sports
  

Multiple Intelligences

• incorporating Brain Compatible strategies into teaching methods and styles to meet the needs of the learner
  

Progress

• contact parents during marking period
  
• progress report
  

Band

• begins in 4th grade and is a voluntary activity
  
• students are responsible for the work they miss while at band
  

Homework

• Intended to review and reinforce concepts presented in class
  
• Build independent learning/self esteem and organization skills
  
• Offer families a glimpse into our classroom activities
  

Brain Break

• please provide a nutritional snack and water