Welcome to fourth grade! This is a very exciting and challenging year for your child. The fourth graders are now an integral part of the intermediate school where the focus is on high academics, having more responsibility, and becoming independent workers. It is a year of growth and challenge and as their teacher, I feel privileged to be part of it. Thank you in advance for all of your support in emphasizing the importance of learning and always doing your best.
Philosophy As a teacher I have high expectations, a structured environment with some flexibility, and a dose of humor to boot! When entering our classroom is a unique and special individual with their own talents and qualities. All students have a right to a good learning environment. My job as their fourth grade teacher is to ensure that class is conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect. When one person is speaking, others are quiet and listening. We laugh with and not at others. I expect the children to do their best at following directions, being prepared, trying hard in all academic areas, and respecting school property and the property of others. Following our class rules will enable us to all have a great successful year.
Religion Christian values are integrated throughout the day.
We have a new Religion book this year: Word of Life by Augustine Institute. These are the units:
• Unit 1: We Believe: United in Faith and Truth
• Unit 2: I Believe in God
• Unit 3: I Believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God
• Unit 4: I Believe int he Holy Sprit and the Holy Catholic Church
• Unit 5: I Believe in the Forgiveness of Sins and Life Everlasting
• The Liturgical Year will be celebrated throughout the year
In addition, these things will be taught throughout the year:
• A Variety of Prayer Experiences – adoration, meditation, rosary, etc.
• Conflict and Resolution, Socialization Skills
• The Second Step, a social-emotional curriculum
• Mass
• Scripture Study
• Community Services
Religion is integrated throughout our day, with morning
prayers, scripture readings, intentions, meal blessings, closing
prayers, as well as it is integrated within other subject areas. An
example of this is in Handwriting, when we write scripture verses in our best cursive penmanship.
Spelling The Zaner-Bloser program is used along with words that will be
integrated throughout the curriculum.
Literature Fourth graders are shifting from “Learning to read” to “Reading to Learn.” Literature books that provide a rich exposure to language and vocabulary that will help influence their writing ability. In Reading, the focus is to read with comprehension, read and following direction, discriminate from fact and opinion, recognize story elements such as character, plot, and setting, and evaluate the author’s purpose and point of view. Students will also be able to make predictions and inferences as well as, use logical sequencing to retell stories. We work
hard on using back up from the book to support our answers.
Book Reports Each month, students will be required to complete a book report. The first report is a book talk, followed by a written report, then a project. They will be due toward the end of the month, allowing plenty of time for reading and preparation. All books need to be approved by me at least two weeks before their due date.
Writing Writing is a constant in all subject areas. The Six Traits of Writing,
the Four Square pre-writing method, and multiple organizers will be modeled and used throughout the year. The focus will be mainly on narrative and expository writing. Students will also learn about comparing and contrasting, character sketches, descriptive stories using conversation, poetry, outlines and research papers, friendly letters and business letters. We use the Sliver Burdett text book to learn how to use a thesaurus, dictionary, encyclopedia and other non-fiction books for research purposes. Students will also learn in depth about nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, prefixes, suffixes, homonyms, homographs and figures of speech.
Math Fourth grade use the GO MATH program, with special
emphasis in the area of fractions. I also use many other sources to pull from such as IXL and Daily Review. It is essential that students know their addition, subtraction and multiplication facts with accuracy and speed. Please assist them with this at home. This will help as we build our knowledge base in Math.
The following will be covered this year:
• Addition and subtraction with whole numbers, decimals and fractions
• Multiplication and division of one and two digit numbers
• Measurement
• Time
• Money
• Probability and data
• Graphing
• Geometry
Science The Next Generation Science Standards are covered this year, using STEM challenges, researching, presentations and experimenting with hands-on opportunities for the students to learn these objectives for fourth grade. The units that are covered are:
• Scientific Method
• PS3 Patterns and motion, energy and matter
• LS1 Plants and animal internal and external structure for survival, growth, behavior and reproduction
• ESS1 Weathering and erosion
• Engineering and Technology
• Garden – soils
Social Studies Fourth graders have new Social Studies books this year: Young Citizens by Nystrom Education. These are the units covered:
- Chapter 1: How are People Connected in our Community?
- Chapter 2: How did Washington develop over time?
- Chapter 3: What is it to Live in Washington Today?
- Chapter 4: How Did the United States Develop Over Time?
- Chapter 5: What is Life like the United States Today?
- Chapter 6: How are People Connected Throughout the World?
Class Pet We have a very cute hamster named Pebbles in our class during the week. Families can sign up to care for him on the weekends. Email me to send you the SignUpGenius link.