Academic Subjects:
Religion | Spelling | Handwriting | Literature | Book Reports | Grammar | Writing | Math | Science
MAP ASSESSMENT:
The Northwest Evaluation Association's (NWEA) computerized MAP tests
provide teachers, students and parents with an accurate assessment of a student's
ability, accurately measuring what a child knows and needs to learn. When administered
at regular intervals over time, it is possible to find out whether an individual
student is making satisfactory progress in basic skill areas. We will use this
assessment information for instructional planning for individual students or
the entire class. All students will be tested 3 times a year with the first
testing window beginning September 14th.
Religion:
Christian values are integrated throughout the day.
Walking by Faith and Steps to Respect are the text used in fourth grade focusing on:
Spelling:
The Zaner-Bloser program is used. We teach phonetic and pattern strategies to spelling using the Slingerland Method.
Handwriting:
The Slingerland Method is used. Cursive is used in most work.
Literature: top
The fourth graders use Literature books that provide a rich exposure
to language that will help influence their writing ability. In Reading, the
focus is to read with comprehension, read and following direction, discriminate
from fact and opinion, recognize story elements such as character, plot, and
setting, and evaluate the author's purpose and point of view. Students will
also be able to make predictions and inferences as well as, use logical sequencing
to retell stories.
Three times during the year all students will be reading the same chapter books (My Father's Dragon, Shiloh, and Mr. Popper's Penguins) while going through guided instruction.
The rest of the time students choose a book from a selection of three and then meet on a daily basis in small groups to discuss the assigned reading. The following are a list of themes chosen for fourth grade literature.
Fantasy:
Families and Friendship:
These books offer a variety for all reading levels.
I have talked with the children about choosing books that are at their level for comprehension. Picking books that are too easy will not challenge students to become a better reader and picking books that are too difficult will hinder the comprehension of that book. The Five Finger Rule will always apply when choosing a book.
Other Reading Assessment tools include Star, Accelerated Reading Program, monthly book reports, taped readings and book talks.
Book Reports: top
Each month, students will be required to complete a book report. The
first report is an oral report, followed by a written report, then a project.
They will be due toward
the end of the month, allowing plenty of time for reading and preparation.
The first report is an oral report and the starting date for sharing will be Thursday, October 1.
Grammar:
We use the Sliver Burdett text book to learn how to use a thesaurus, dictionary, encyclopedia and other non-fiction books for research purposes. Students will also learn in depth about nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, prefixes, suffixes, homonyms, homographs and figures of speech.
Writing: top
The Six Trait of Writing is modeled and used throughout the year. They will also learn about comparing and contrasting, character sketches, descriptive stories using conversation, position papers, poetry, outlines and research papers, friendly letters and business letters.
Writing will be taught in accordance with the Grammar program. The process will be an assigned topic will be given; students will do a pre-writing activity, and then write their rough draft. At that point, students will edit their papers and then turn it in for teacher editing. When all corrections are made, students will work on their final drafts. Those will be done in pen. As writing assignments are due, we will let you know.
Math: top
The Text used is from Silver Burdett Ginn Mathematics: The Path to Math Success
It is essential that students know their addition, subtraction and multiplication facts with accuracy and speed. Please assist them with this at home. This will help as we build our knowledge base in Math.
The following will be covered this year:
There will be a Math homework assignment assigned most nights, Monday through Thursday.
Math Homework:
Students will correct their math homework themselves as I will be reading and
writing the answers. There will be a time to discuss the concepts and any mistakes.
Students will then turn in their assignment.
Problem Solving:
Many fourth grade students are frustrated when they encounter problem solving
in math. To help move through this frustration, All students are taught the
“Four-Step Procedure.”
You will be seeing this procedure used for most problem solving problems.
Science top