Math
In fourth grade, the state expects children to learn more math than any other elementary grade level. We have a total of seventy-two goals. Check out the math goals link if you are curious about what the children will learn. The children are reviewing addition and subtraction. They are learning to estimate. Soon the children will be working on double digit multiplication. Almost daily, the children will be working on a math review page. This is usually always a grade in the grade book. The children will also work in partners and small groups to learn and reinforce important math concepts. The children enjoyed this last year. We work on math for at least an hour every day.
The students are graded on review pages, quizzes, tests, some math packets and constructed response questions. Everything that the children work on in math will not go into the grade book; however, the children are expected to complete all of the work. If a child does poorly on an assignment, he or she may usually do it over to get the better grade. Any math that is not completed during the day will be homework.
Writing / Grammar
Teaching writing is my favorite. I use literature to model what good writers do and then the children practice the newly learned techniques in their writer's notebook. Our goal is to take our "good" writing and make it better. It is a wonderful feeling to watch the children grow as writers. Last year, I took a group of children to Young Authors with me. We had a wonderful time, and I will probably do that again.
In September, I will be launching writer's workshop. I will teach the children how to use their writer's notebook to gather ideas to write. In grammar, we will be working on nouns.
The children are graded on essays, grammar assignments, quizzes, and writing activities. One major genre study project is due at the end of every month, except September. We use the writing process (pre-write, rough draft, revise, edit, and final draft) and use a rubric to grade the writing assignments.
Most work is not sent home until the end of the year. This is so children may see self-improvement in their writing.
Reading
Please have your child read at home. Reading is a skill just like dribbling a ball. If we want to do it well, we need to practice. Set aside a time every day for your child to read. Read to your child. Take your children to the library. Let your child know that reading is important. The more we read the better we will be.
In September, I will be assessing the children to guide me in my instruction. I will continually assess throughout the year. I will place the children in guided reading groups to focus lessons on individual needs.
The children will be doing many different reading activities based on need. We will be studying various comprehension strategies which the children will practice daily during independent reading time. September's focus will be on basic story structure and making connections during reading. We will also focus on increasing reading fluency.
Word Study
There will be a certain period of time set aside for word study, but word study may occur throughout the day within the contexts of subjects. One goal will be for the children to spell basic sight words correctly. The children will also study common patterns found in words. Vocabulary development will be another major part of the word study program.
Social Studies
There has been a change. I am not doing the new social studies curriculum yet because I do not have all of the materials. We will be using the textbook until we are ready to launch the new social studies curriculum. We are now studying the regions chapter 3.
Social Studies will be different this year. The textbook will not be the main source of instruction. Our social studies program will be be very hands-on interactive. The instruction will be based on the five themes of geography. We will be studying four major areas- geography, history, economics, and government.
Science
We learn science by doing experiments. Then we write about the experiments. We also use science textbooks followed up by a test. The children will receive a grade based on completed activity worksheets, science journal, vocabulary notebook, and tests. The students must write complete sentences using science vocabulary to explain science experiments. In the spring, all children will participate in our annual science fair. This is equivalent to one test grade.
In September, our unit of study will be our solar system. We will study the sun, moon and the earth. This also fits in with our school space theme.