Welcome Fourth Graders
Religion:
Students learn that we are called to live as Jesus did: choosing a life of love, service and obedience to God, especially in light of the Ten Commandments. Church doctrine, prayers, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, The Ten Commandments, scripture, and community service help us to follow Jesus. We complete several small projects during the year. The Family Life program is based on seven key themes of Catholic education in relationships, family life, and human sexuality. The students also attend one morning Mass each week.
Language Arts:
Word analysis, fluency, vocabulary development, comprehension, literary response and analysis are key skills to master. Students read from a basal reader and two novels during year. Students will also be expected to read at least 20 minutes each night and read at least one book each month. After finishing a book, students will complete a report involving some combination of a written summary, oral presentation and/or special project. Step-Up-to-Writing strategies as well as Writer’s Workshop by Lucy Calkins are used for organization and focus, research and technology, evaluation and revision.
We will also use Writing Workshop to provide instruction and assistance with writing applications that will include narratives, responses to literature, information reports, and summaries. Grammar instruction will focus on language conventions, sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. Students are expected to be proficient with cursive writing. Language skills include comprehension, organization and delivery of oral communication, analysis and evaluation of oral media communication, use of speaking strategies.
Math:
The main focus is on developing understanding and fluency with multi-digit multiplication, and developing understanding of division to find quotients involving multi-digit dividends. Fourth graders develop an understanding of fraction equivalence, addition and subtraction of fractions with like denominators, and multiplication of fractions by whole numbers. Students understand that geometric figures can be analyzed and classified based on their properties. Additionally, automaticity of math facts is crucial to accomplishing all of the above topics.
Science:
The areas of study include physical, life, and earth sciences. In physical science we study electricity and magnetism and their useful applications in everyday life. The life science curriculum includes how all organisms need energy and matter to live and grow, and that living organisms depend on one another and on their environment for survival. Earth science topics include the properties of rocks and minerals and the processes that formed them. We also study how waves, wind, water and ice shape and reshape the Earth’s surface. Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations. The class also has an opportunity to participate in the annual school Science Fair.
Social Studies:
We study the history, geography, and economy of California. Students explore the relationship between state, local, and federal governments. Vocabulary and main concepts are emphasized. Projects and reports are opportunities for students to demonstrate mastery of subject knowledge.
Art:
Students in Grades 4-8 receive 1 hour of Art instruction per week with an Art teacher.