Language Arts

By the time students enter Fourth Grade, they are expected to apply many of the foundational skills they have developed through oral and silent reading, handwriting, spelling and the study of grammar and punctuation.  Language arts activities are integrated more thoroughly into the science and social studies curriculum.  Vocabulary and comprehension skills are strengthened.  There is more independent reading and a greater focus on literature.  Independent work in novels is incorporated into the curriculum during the Fourth Grade.  Word processing activities become more demanding and the computer is also used for building research skills.  The texts used for Language Arts are:

Reading – Scott Foresman, Reading and teacher-selected trade books
Spelling – Zaner Bloser, Spelling Connections, Level 4
Vocabulary – Educators Publishing Service, Wordly Wise 3000, Book 4
                   Sadlier Oxford, Vocabulary Workshop, Grade 4
Handwriting – Zaner Bloser, Handwriting, Level 4
Language Arts – Harcourt Brace, Language - Textbook and Workbook
                       Sadlier Oxford. Grammar Workshop, Book 4

Mathematics

The program strongly reemphasizes place value skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and are extended to include: addition and subtraction with regrouping; multiplication of two and three digit numbers; and division of one digit numbers into three and four digit numbers.  Also studied are the development of the standard and metric units of measurement, temperature measured in both Fahrenheit and Celsius degrees, and the study of time.  Statistics and probability become part of the math program at this point.  The study of geometry and the expansion of the study of fractions is continued.  An emphasis is placed on problem solving, graphing and estimation.  Early concepts of algebra are introduced, and the use of calculators are implemented.  The texts used for Math are:

Houghton Mifflin, Math, Level 4, Math Homework, Level 4 and Math Workbook, Level 4

Social Studies - History and Geography

In Fourth Grade students focus on the history and geography of the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Virginia is studied from the standpoint of economic productivity and geographic topography. Virginia's history is also studied in relation to the history of the United States.  There is also an overview of the roles agriculture, manufacturing, transportation and communication have on economic growth.  The proximity of our nation’s Capital provides for wonderful field trips.  A project approach is used when appropriate, along with research reports.  The texts used for Social Studies/History are:

Scott Foresman, Virginia and Virginia Workbook
Harcourt Brace, Atlas
Scholastic News

Science

In Fourth Grade, science activities center on classifying matter and observing physical changes in matter.  Complex concepts are introduced, examined and explored.  Science activities are worked independently by students, as well as together in the science lab.  The Full Option Science System hands on kits focus upon Water, Mixtures and Solutions and Food and Nutrition.  The program also includes the study of plant and animal growth and adaptation, classifying living things, human body systems, ecosystems, rocks and minerals, fossils, weather, planets, matter, energy, sound, electricity and magnetism, motion, and simple machines.  Our weather station is incorporated into the science curriculum.  The texts used for Science are:

Harcourt Brace, Science, Level 4
Delta FOSS Science Kits

Additional Academic Subjects

Fourth Grade students also receive instruction in Spanish, music/performing arts, computer/technology, religion, library, studio art, and physical education with special curriculum teachers.  These subjects are detailed later in this publication.