Language Arts and Social Studies
The fourth grade reading curriculum correlates American history with historical fiction, which makes for lively learning.  Students begin the year with Lily’s Crossing, a World War II book set in America.  Sign of the Beaver explores settling in colonial Maine before statehood.  Freedom Train is the story of Harriet Tubman and the period of history preceding the Civil War, focusing on the Underground Railroad.  Turn Homeward, Hannalee is a novel about the plight of Southern mill workers during the Civil War.  Our final class book is Number the Stars, taking us full circle back to World War II.  These five books are the basic class books that most fourth graders read; with literature circles, some students read alternate books based on the same historical framework.

All reading programs have a focus on vocabulary and comprehension skills.  We believe that the correlation with social studies helps students develop higher level thinking and reflection.  Hands on activities help cement these concepts.  Fourth grade experiential activities include a factory simulation that incorporates economics, pottery skills, math, language opportunities and community service.  Living Biographies, our major drama activity, exposes children to important Americans from the late 1500s to present day and how these individuals come together on a time line of history.  Other activities are a map contract, an Old Salem tour, an Underground Railroad simulation, an apprenticeship at Bethabara, and four hands-on activities relating to colonial skills of bookbinding, cooking, sewing and sampler skills of the period.

In addition, students are encouraged to read a myriad of outside reading books. Students sign a reading contract and may attend optional book club meetings in the evening, complete with lively conversation among children, their parents, and teacher facilitators.

The fourth grade writing lab features studies in basic grammar, writing mechanics, spelling and the development of creative and general writing skills.  Grammar units on punctuation, capitalization, and basic sentence structure are integrated with the study of the individual parts of speech (nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, etc.)  Students write creatively in the fourth grade using the “process writing” approach. The writing process includes pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing and correcting, and publishing a final draft that is kept in the student’s writing portfolio.  Throughout the year, students read and write short narratives, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, poetry, and letters.  Students are given the opportunity to develop a sound understanding of basic grammar and mechanics principles, while they develop the tools to be confident, successful writers in all subject areas.

Mathematics
The fourth grade mathematics program is based on the series Everyday Mathematics and consists of a combination of computation, problem-solving, and a hands-on math manipulatives.  Computation: Number problems including the four basic operations, multi-digit problems, fractions, decimals and percents as the year progresses.  Time, money, graphing, measurement and geometry are also covered.
Problem-Solving: Application of all four operations as well as fractions, decimals and percents into written word problems.
Math Manipulatives: Hands-on activities involving oral and written student participation correlate with math lessons.

Students contract weekly for homework assignments and there are weekly challenge problems, a monthly math newspaper, and the weekly Superstar program for enrichment opportunities. Everyday Mathematics online games supplement the lessons.

World Languages
In the fourth grade, students take one trimester of Chinese, one trimester of French, and one trimester of Spanish.  The goal is to develop a degree of fluency in a second language, with emphasis on listening and speaking. Students also explore the cultural differences, recognize similarities, and learn to enjoy the variety of Chinese and Spanish-speaking countries.  Ample opportunity is incorporated for movement and physical activity with songs, games, and dance.

Science and Science Lab
Fourth grade science combines the structured study of vocabulary and text material with one or two hands-on labs each week that correlate to the topic being studied.  Fourth graders study Rocks and Minerals, Oceans (supplemented by The Voyage of the Mimi materials), the Solar System, Light and Sound, Work and Energy, and Electricity.

In Science Lab fourth graders focus on the basic principles of both physical and earth science.  They develop a clear understanding of the use of science lab equipment.  Units of study include the solar system and the metric system.  A field trip is taken to the Schiele Museum where students learn about the solar system, taxidermy and the culture of Native Americans.   Fourth grade students make an expedition to Reed Gold Mine to look for gold.

PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS

Art
Beginning with the fourth grade, a more formal approach to art history is added to the process of art-making.  Correlating with the social studies curriculum and using Summit’s video disk technology, students take a broad look at 19th century Romanticism. They create and design Victorian buildings using characteristics of Romanticism as they are expressed in architecture.  Students focus next on their own homes and create linoleum block prints of them.

Drama
Each fourth grader studies characterization by researching, creating and portraying a famous American.  These historical characterizations come to life through the “Living Biographies” project.  Dramatic skills are further shaped through stories, poetry, improvisation, creative movement and pantomime.  Students learn to work effectively in groups and to respect and support the ideas of others. 

Music
Fourth grade students continue expanding their range in singing and improving in their singing ability.  They continue to play the recorder, and their work with movement includes folk dancing and square dancing. Students learn music from different periods of U.S. History in conjunction with the “Living Biographies” project.  Fourth graders perform at the Holiday Sing in December.

 

Pottery
Students in the fourth grade are introduced to the basic pottery-making skills needed to take them from a lump of wet clay to a finished article.  The use of proper ceramic vocabulary is stressed.  Projects include: making a pinchpot and developing it into an animal; designing a decorative medallion, a wall plaque, a weed pot, a treasure box with a lid; and how to market your products.

SPECIAL CLASSES AND ACTIVITIES

Children’s Theater
Each fourth grader attends Children’s Theater performances.  Productions change yearly. 

Computer
Computer classes emphasize the use of the computer as a tool for learning. Students learn the components of the computer and proper handling of the mouse and keyboard. They also learn how to use flash drives to save their data. Microsoft Office is used to teach word processing skills, spreadsheets and data base work. Students also use Paintshop Pro software to learn photo manipulation and enhancement. The final project of the year is to create several animations using Flash FX software and a cartoon. Proper use of the Internet is also covered.

Guidance
The guidance counselor meets with fourth graders in groups to discuss the following topics: respect, responsibility, conflict resolution, effective communication, substance abuse prevention, decision making, and puberty.                      
Counselors work jointly with teachers, division heads and parents to foster each student’s positive emotional, social, moral and cognitive development, and general well-being.  Counselors contribute to the team by providing guidance activities, individual and small group counseling, family counseling, student observation, and consultation.               

Keyboarding
Keyboarding skills are first taught at the fourth grade level.  Students progress at their own rate in a program which emphasizes correct hand and finger position, accuracy and “touch typing” skills.  By the end of the fourth grade, students should know the keyboard and the correct fingering for all keys. In addition to learning a very valuable skill, these classes strengthen motor coordination, enhance eye-hand coordination and increase visual memory.

Library
In fourth grade students receive an orientation to their new library area. (They have used the Primary Library in grades K-3.) They visit the library weekly to discuss books they enjoy, learn about authors and genres, and listen to good examples of children’s literature.  As the year progresses, their skills work includes how to take notes for their Living Biography project, how to use an electronic encyclopedia, and how to find their way around educational Internet websites.  All Middle School students are encouraged to visit the library as often as they wish.  They may read magazines, use the computers, and get advice about books.

Physical Education
Students participate daily in a flexible program of physical activities including fitness exercises, recreational dance, tumbling and gymnastics, games, and sports. There is a girls’ gymnastics team which meets throughout the school year and competes against other teams.