Grade 4 Curriculum

Religion

Here at St. Mary School we attempt to create an atmosphere of Christian values and ideals. We teach the children to look upon Religion, not as another subject, but rather as a way of living, a process of developing a lifelong relationship with God. This goal is achieved through various means, one of which is our Religion textbook. In addition to the basic text, we begin and end our school day with prayer. All students learn about Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, the Saints, the Blessed Mother, and the Holy Days of Obligation. During the seasons of Advent and Lent, the Fourth and Fifth Graders are given the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In May all the children participate in the "Living Rosary" and the crowning of Mary.

In the Fourth Grade Religion curriculum, the main focus is on the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Ten Commandments. Students prepare to receive God's mercy and forgiveness. They closely examine each of the Ten Commandments as a guide by which to live their lives. The textbook they use is entitled We Believe, God's Law Guides Us by Sadlier Publishing Co.

The students are taught to enflesh the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy and the Beatitudes by reaching out to those in need through various service projects performed throughout the school year. They respond to the particular needs that arise as far away as Haiti, or as close as St. Anne's Food Bank here in Shrewsbury. The children are taught to put their love of God into action.

The student body participates in liturgies each month throughout the school year providing opportunities for the children to develop a greater love and appreciation of the Mass. Each grade is responsible for the preparation and direct participation at the Liturgy through Scripture readings, altar servers, gift bearers, or choir members.

Reading
Text:  Storytown   Harcourt School Publishers 2009

The fourth grade reading program is a literature-based reading program that integrates language arts and holistic instruction into classroom reality.  It continues with emphasis placed on further developing comprehension, phonetics, listening, critical thinking, and speaking skills. An appreciation and mastery of independent reading continues to be fostered by weekly visitations to the school library and by making of the classroom library.

We use the Rebecca Sitton Spelling Program and the writing instruction that is integrated in the reading program as well as a variety of other sources and we continue to implement parts of the John Collins Writing Program . Specific skills taught in Grade Four:

English

• Review of previous year’s skills
• Integrating grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage, and vocabulary in order to provide a thorough development of language skills
• Further developing the students’ understanding of the mechanics of grammar, parts of speech, punctuation, capitalization, and sentence structure
• Developing a strong reason for writing
• Developing critical, creative, and logical thinking skills
• Developing the students’ mastery of the four steps of the writing process: prewriting, writing, revising and publishing
• Promoting students’ competence in effective oral communication
• Developing listening and speaking skills through oral presentations
• Narrative, persuasive, expository ,and descriptive writing

Social Studies
Text: Our Country’s Regions   MacMillan/ McGraw-Hill 2005

The grade 4 social studies program is organized around eight categories, or strands: History; Geography; Economics; Government; Citizenship; Culture; Science, Technology, and Society; and Social Studies Skills. It is a comprehensive program that pays tribute to the noble values of our country while teaching the importance of freedom and patriotism. The curriculum includes the following:

• The United States: Its Land and People
• The Southwest
• The Southeast
• The Northeast
• The Middle West
• The Mountain States
• The West

Science
Text: Science Scott Foresman 2003

The Worcester diocese has recently changed the K-8 science frameworks. At present, the curriculum is a “work in progress” but the focus of the new diocesan frameworks include:

• The solar system
• Electricity and magnetism
• The human body

Math

Mrs. Bigda and Mrs. Ethier co-teach the grade 4 Math program. We work together planning and implementing each lesson. We use the Houghton Mifflin Math series 2007 edition.

Focus:

• Place Value and Money
• Operations and Algebraic Reasoning
• Multiplication of Whole Numbers
• Division of Whole Numbers
• Measurement and Graphing
• Geometry and Measurement
• Fractions and Decimals
• Probability/Algebra and Graphing
• Problem Solving
• Writing in Math

Methods and Materials:

• Text and workbook
• Supplemental worksheets
• Hands on approach using manipulatives
• Calculators
• Computers

Spanish

Children in grade four build on their third grade introductory Spanish. They use basic greetings and phrases. They will strengthen their vocabulary by reviewing los numeros, los colores, la familia, los dias, los meses, y partes del cuerpo. They will begin to learn the spelling of these words and sight recognition.

Through songs, games, repetition, rhythmic sounds and motions, solving puzzles and drawing pictures students will learn the Spanish names for animals, shapes, parts of the house, rooms in the house, things in the house, the school, and people. Students will learn how to talk about themselves, their homes, their likes and dislikes. They will be able to count, tell time, use a calendar, and say telephone numbers. They have learned Padre Nuestro and pray it at the beginning of each class.

Technology

Technology is integrated across the curriculum in Grades PreK-8. The Massachusetts Department of Education Recommended Instructional Technology Standards can be found here. The following is a sampling of technology use and is subject to change based on new applications and curriculum. Students in Grade 3 through 5 use desktop computers in their classroom and have weekly technology classes using the wireless computer lab. Weekly Computer Activites:

• Typing drills using Type to Learn 3
• Word processing using Word; insert clipart or picture, increase or decrease size, reposition graphic on the page
• Internet research using search engines and/or teacher approved websites followed by Type II writing assignment using Word
• Textbook supported websites for math and social studies
• Webquests that support the curriculum
• Introduction to Power Point

Grades:

Grades are based on chapter tests, quizzes, and daily work including classwork and homework.

It is important that students master all of the basic facts. Practice using flash cards is an excellent way to gain mastery.