COASTAL RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GRADE FOUR CURRICULUM SEPTEMBER 2016
Currently our curriculum and report cards are in transition due to the state’s implementation of the Common Core (Mathematics and Language Arts) and the Next Generation Science Standards.
LANGUAGE ARTS:We instruct students using the Lucy Calkins’ reading workshop model. Our instruction focuses on these units: Interpreting Characters, Reading the Weather, Reading the World, Reading History: The American Revolution, and Historical Fiction Book Clubs. Helping students to choose and enjoy books within their appropriate reading level is a primary goal. Students should read at least 140 minutes per week.
Our writing program is also based on Lucy Calkins’ writing workshop model. Our units of study include: The Arc of the Story: Realistic Fiction, Boxes and Bullets: Personal and Persuasive Essays, Bringing History to Life, and LIteray Essays: Writing about Fiction. Writing is emphasized in ALL curriculum areas.
We are using the Sitton Spelling Program. This program focuses on spelling strategies. The goal is to move students from being “Friday Spellers to Everyday Spellers.”
MATH:We use the Everyday Math Program that is aligned with the Common Core Standards. Topics include: numeration; operations and computation; patterns, functions, and algebra; geometry; and measurement. Our expectation is that all 4th grade students will have developed strategies to master addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts. Fact strategies can be practiced at home for automaticity.
SOCIAL STUDIES:Our major topics of study are:Geography GovernmentCurrent Events Immigration
SCIENCE:Our major units of study are: Physical Science-energy/waves Life Science-adaptations Earth Science—the changing earth Engineering/Design is embedded within these units along with the Scientific Method
TECHNOLOGY:Technology is used throughout our teaching. We utilize word processing, keyboarding, and programs and tools that complement our curriculum. Internet use is applied as appropriate. All students have a Google account which enables them to access their work at home.
HOMEWORK:The students will receive homework assignments daily Monday through Thursday (approximately 40 minutes each night). A minimum of 140 minutes per week reading is also expected. Students should be working no longer than an hour each night. Unfinished daily work may be part of their homework assignments. Sometimes homework might occur over the weekends when long-term projects are involved, or students have work to make up.