Curriculum

Reading – We have adopted a brand-new reading series this year, Storytown. We will focus on short stories from various genres and practice opportunities with vocabulary and comprehension, as well as a variety of literary elements. We will also read several novels throughout the school year as a class and do some work in literature circles. Students will also keep a weekly reading log that will be turned in every week, on either Friday or Monday.

Language Arts – We will focus on the fundamentals of grammar through lessons and activities that teach students the principal rules and mechanics of the English language. We will also focus on improving writing through revision, and focusing on techniques such as elaboration, word choice, and sentence fluency. Students will also keep a writing journal in which several times a week they will respond to a specific journal prompt.

Spelling – Through the Spelling and Vocabulary workbook students will complete one unit per week with a spelling test on Friday (or the last school day of the week). Students should be aware and apply spelling rules and strategies in their daily work.

Math – Fourth grade math topics include the following: basic whole number operations, number sense and time, geometry, multiplication and division, and fractions and decimals.

Social Studies – We have two curriculums to work with for social studies: Comparing Regions and Oregon: Adventures in Time and Place. Comparing Regions primarily focuses on the Earth and its people and regions of the United States. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to teach about Oregon. The curriculum focuses on the land, early history, new settlers, growth, and Oregon today. Several field trip opportunities are planned to enhance our study of Oregon and its history.

Science – Through the Discovery Works curriculum we will attempt to cover the following units: Earth’s land, properties of matter, classifying living things, magnetism and electricity, and weather and climate. The curriculum provides many hands-on opportunities for each unit of study, but I also like to use some other hands-on labs that I’ve found.

Handwriting – Students will continue to practice their cursive handwriting. All work must be written in cursive and in pencil. If a student completes an assignment in pen, they will be asked to rewrite it using a pencil. We will use our handwriting books as practice and skills should be applied to daily work.

Religion – Through the Blest are We curriculum we will cover the following units: the goodness of God, Jesus is the Son of God, the Holy Spirit, the Church, and social justice. Mrs. Monahan (fifth grade teacher) teaches fourth grade Religion.