Curriculum

Handwriting – Students will continue to practice their cursive handwriting.  All work must be written in cursive and in pencil.  Students who complete assignments in pen, will be asked to rewrite them using pencil.  We will use our handwriting books as practice and skills should be applied to daily work.

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.

Math – Fourth grade math topics include the following: fluency with multiplication, understanding decimals, and area of two-dimensional shapes.

Reading – This is the third year that we’re using the Storytown reading series.  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.

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.  Ms. Glasgow, the third grade teacher, teaches fourth grade religion. 

Science – We have a brand-new science series this year: Science: A Closer Look.  The fourth grade science standards are centered around four main areas: structure and function, interaction and change, scientific inquiry, and engineering design.  Students will have the opportunity to do a variety of hands-on activities and labs.

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.

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.