Fourth Grade - Curriculum
	Fourth grade participates in engaging science projects. Language Arts Textbooks and materials used are: Everyday Spelling - Scott Foresman (provides consistent, predictable spelling lessons and teaches rules of spelling) Skillsbook - Houghton Mifflin (provides practice with grammar, punctuation and the mechanics of writing) The Sign of the Beaver – video (after reading the novel by the same name) Tuck Everlasting – video (after reading the novel) Tall Tales – video Punctuation Power – video Reading Classroom reading relates to the social studies and science curriculum with many opportunities for language arts and math incorporated into the reading and discussions. During the reading of each book the focus is on plot development, character analysis, comprehension, interpretation and application gained through discussion, written assignments and creative projects. Some of the books read during the Fourth Grade year are: Robert's Tall Friend by Vivian Farrell Voyage of the Half Moon by Stacey West The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Spear The Eerie Canal by Jack Reber Tuck Everlasting By Natalie Babbit The reading of tall tales, legends, fables and poetry occurs throughout the curriculum. Also, other books are read aloud to the students throughout the year as significant holidays approach, for example: Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, Martin Luther King Jr., etc. Each student is required to read independently, at home, on a daily basis. Periodically, students are required to select one of their independent reading books and write a book report and do a creative project. Reading aloud is encouraged in all areas of the curriculum. Students read for comprehension, vocabulary, concept development, fluency, reading tone and identification of punctuation. The teacher often reads aloud to the class to model tone, mood and fluency, as well as to focus on vocabulary and specific concepts within the reading. Writing Writing projects are related to the topic of study or a chosen area. The students work is done through the writing process requiring a rough draft, peer and teacher review, conferencing to edit and a final draft. The final work is completed in cursive handwriting or on the computer. Writing is completed in many ways: A journal notebook of students’ personal narratives, expository writing and creative writing assignments. These writing are usually shared with the class. Each class novel is accompanied by a teacher-created packet filled with comprehension, inference and prediction questions as well as creative writing assignments and projects related to the novels. Daily homework assignments are written in the students’ homework pad. Students complete two written research reports during the year. The reports follow the writing process of gathering materials, rough drafts, teacher conferencing and editing and the final copy. The students work with the librarian and computer teacher researching information, as well as using the materials provided in the classroom. The students are also required to write a bibliography and present their research with a student created visual aid. Students write both business and friendly letters. Essay and reaction papers are written about classroom discussions and topics. Students are required to use cursive handwriting skills on a daily basis. The students meet with the teacher to work on these skills individually throughout the year. Vocabulary and Spelling Vocabulary and spelling are taught in context through both reading and writing. Lessons on dictionary and thesaurus skills are also taught. Mechanics, Grammar and Usage Mechanics of writing and grammar are taught primarily through writing on an individual basis, as well as through whole class instruction. Capitalization, punctuation, sentence and paragraph structure are taught as mini-lessons. More specific individual student needs are met through teacher conferencing. Mathematics Textbook: Charles et al. Fourth Grade Math. Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley, 2000. Data Collection and Graphs read and make pictographs read and make bar graphs read line graphs read and make line plots stem and leaf plots range, median, mode Place Value place value through the millions explore place value relationships compare numbers order numbers explore rounding Time tell time to the exact minute use exact and estimated times elapsed time calendar Addition and Subtraction of Whole Numbers addition and subtraction patterns estimate sums and differences add with two through six-digit numbers column addition subtract with two through six-digit numbers use mental math explore algebra: balance number sentences Money count money add and subtract money make change multiply and divide money Multiplication explore the meaning of multiplication master basic facts multiples factors multiplication stories multiplication patterns estimate products multiply two and three-digit numbers multiply money multiply three factors multiply by multiples of ten Division mastery of basic facts even and odd numbers division stories estimate quotients division patterns two and three-digit quotients zeros in the quotient divide money explore mean divisibility Geometry solids polygons triangles triangles and angles congruent figures and motions similar figures lines and line segments quadrilaterals line symmetry perimeter area of rectangles volume Fractions name and write fractions estimate fractional amounts mixed numbers improper fractions equivalent fractions simplest form fractions compare and order fractions fraction of a set add and subtract fractions with like denominators add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators Measurement customary units of length: feet, yards, miles metric units of length: centimeters, meters, kilometers measuring fractional parts of an inch customary weight mass customary and metric capacity temperature Decimals read and write decimals decimal place value relationships compare and order decimals round decimals explore fractions as decimals estimate sums and differences add and subtract decimals multiply and divide decimals Science Fourth Grade science is an interdisciplinary approach to life science, physical science, earth science, and technology building upon the natural curiosity of children, emphasizing positive science attitudes, process skills, and problem solving. Integration with mathematics and technology are threaded throughout the units. Emphasis is placed upon making predications, observing the world around them, recording data and drawing conclusions. Areas of study include cellular structure, plant structure, ecosystems, minerals and rocks, erosion and weathering, electricity, magnetism, sound and light. Classifying Plants and Animals •Types of cells •Parts of a cell •Taxonomy •Plant Kingdom /”?. -Vascular plants -Nonvascular plants •Animal Kingdom -Invertebrates -Vertebrates -Animal adaptations Energy from Plants •Plants needs •Steps of photosynthesis •Role of the chloroplast •Function of leaves and stems •Function of stomata and cuticle •Types of roots •Reproduction in plants -Sepals -Pistil -Stamen -Pollen -Plant Growth -Runners -Grafting Changes in Ecosystems •Define ecosystem •Interaction between organisms -Identify competition -Symbiotic relationship •Ecological Succession •Endangered species •Influence of people on the environment Minerals and Rocks •Characteristics of minerals •Identification of minerals •Rock cycle •Identification of rocks Changes to Earth’s Surface •Identify landforms •Physical weathering •Chemical weathering •Erosion •Deposition •Volcanoes •Earthquakes Using Natural Resources •Identify nonrenewable resources •Identify natural resources •Importance of soil and soil quality •Conservation of resources Heat •Movement of particles •Measuring temperature •Pathways of heat Electricity and Magnetism •Define electricity •Electrical charges •Electrical fields •Series circuits •Parallel circuits •Magnetic poles •Electromagnetism •Earth’s magnetic poles Sound and Light Sound •What are waves? •Frequency and wavelength •How sound travels through different mediums Light •Reflection •Refraction •Absorption •Transparent •Translucent •Opaque Solar System •Formation of planets •Characteristics of inner planets •Characteristics of outer planets   Social Studies Social Studies in the Fourth Grade begins with the study of Long Island as the location the students call home and the development of this island from the past to the present. The study then moves to New York State, to the regions of the United States and Westward Expansion. Long Island Many areas of Long Island are taught, discussed and investigated throughout the unit. Key areas covered are: Geology and Geography map skills: drawing maps, locating places, using map scales, identifying various topographical features of the land thirteen Long Island Native American tribes Dutch and English explorers, settlers and their contributions to Long Island history America's fight for freedom- Long Island's role in the American Revolution growth and development of Long Island: natural resources, transportation, communication, economy, industry, population Field Trips These are a very important part of the Long Island study. Each trip relates to a hands-on learning instrument that is built upon the course of study. Fire Island Lighthouse – Long Island history (Robert’s Tall Friend – a historical fiction novel) Joseph Lloyd Manor (1787) - A view of Long Island life from both the manor owner and the staff of the manor. Stony Brook Museum - one-room Schoolhouse (1880) - What it was like going to school on Long Island in 1880? Sherwood-Jayne Farmhouse (1900) - What living on a Long Island farm was like; the daily chores and the development of tools that aided in the working of the farm. Smithtown Historical Society- Innkeeper’s Day- What life was like in 1778 on Long Island owning an inn that many travelers visited including the British, who at that time occupied most of Long Island, participation in some of the daily chores of the Inn. DNA Learning Center – a Cablevision movie about Long Island Texts & Supplemental Materials: The Long Island Story By Sesso and White - Steck Vaughn Company Long Island student desk maps Long Island wall map Colonial Days - video quiz Revolutionary War - video quiz Grown on Long Island - video New York State Each student creates their own 18" x 24" map of New York State. The students add to these maps as the topics are discussed. mountain systems major rivers, lakes and the Atlantic Ocean the Erie Canal the State Capital State Parks and areas of recreation historical areas and points of interest Native American Tribes of New York State state symbols and motto Research/Project Famous New Yorker Research Report - Each student chooses a famous New Yorker and researches their life and the contributions made to New York and our country. The student presents a written report, oral presentation of the person and uses visual aids to support the report and presentation. Written Works There are many aspects of New York which the students write about. They include: Henry Hudson, Native American tribes, the Erie Canal, life in colonial times and reactions and views on current events. Materials Used: New York State desk and wall maps The Erie Canal – A History Channel video Weekly Reader News – current events magazine New York State flag Regions of the United States and Westward Expansion The students travel through the United States focusing on each region. Key topics covered are: location states within the region capitals of each state Native American tribes of the region how the land was acquired by the United States who settled the land legends and tall tales trails and explorers of the area and the years of exploration topography of the region climate natural resources industries economy transportation and communication The regions of the United States are covered in the following order, beginning with the region we live in: Northeast Southeast Midwest Southwest Rocky Mountain Pacific Other topics covered: Louisiana Purchase of 1803 Lewis and Clark's expedition 1804 Oregon Trail Pony Express Trail of Tears California Gold Rush of 1847-1852 Materials Used: resources from the library about the United States literature- tall tales and legends maps of the United States world atlas encyclopedias teacher prepared packet of each U.S. region Oregon Trail – video Lewis & Clark – video