Fourth Grade

In fourth grade, students are making the transition to becoming responsible, independent learners. I’m excited to work with student to guide them through their fourth grade year, fostering responsibility and respect. We do a variety of projects throughout the year, read and studying several novels, investigate numerous science topics through hands-on labs, dive into Oregon’s history, learn new math concepts, participate in several different service opportunities, and more.

Academics

We 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 the 6+1 Writing Traits.

We focus on short stories from various genres and practice opportunities with vocabulary and comprehension, as well as a variety of literary elements. We also read several novels throughout the school year as a class and do some work in literature circles.

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.

Main fourth grade main math topics include the following: fluency with multiplication, understanding decimals, and area of two-dimensional shapes.

Fourth grade science standards are centered around four main areas

  • structure and function
  • interaction and change
  • scientific inquiry
  • engineering design

Students engage in a variety of hands-on activities and labs.

This is a history book for students in the intermediate grades who are studying Oregon’s history and regions. Several field trip opportunities are planned to enhance our study of Oregon and its history.

Students continue to practice their cursive handwriting; handwriting skills are applied to daily work. All work is written in cursive and in pencil.

Faith Formation

Through the Blest Are We curriculum we cover the following units:

  • the goodness of God
  • Jesus is the Son of God
  • the Holy Spirit
  • the Church
  • social justice

Ms. Harmeyer, the fifth grade teacher, teaches fourth grade religion.

Community Service

Fourth grade students participate in the Friend to Friend program, visiting children at the Providence Center for Medically Fragile Children several times throughout the school year.

Thoughts from a student:

“When I first went to Providence, I was really scared. I didn’t know what to expect. When I first saw a kid there, I was relieved. I saw how they may not move or communicate like I do, but they think like me. They might like baseball, or they might be thinking about a horse. Providence hasn’t only changed how I look at the kids there. It has also changed how I look at the world.”

Fourth Grade Highlights

Fourth graders attend Oregon Trail Overnight each spring, spending two days and one night learning about the Oregon Trail. Through hands-on learning, students come to understand the challenges faced by pioneers and famous explorers such as Lewis and Clark.