CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

4TH Grade

MATH: Text, MATH 54 AN INCREMENTAL DEVELOPMENT, by Saxon. One lesson will be covered each day including days when tests are given. Problem sets will be assigned as both in class and homework assignments. Supplemental practice as well as worksheets will be assigned as necessary for drill and practice. At least one day per week students will complete the assigned work in class. Tests are given after every five lessons. Quizzes will also be given from time to time and may be announced or given as pop tests. STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR LEARNING NEW FACTS AS THEY ARE COVERED IN EACH LESSON AND MEMORIZING FACTS WHENEVER NECESSARY: (EX. WHEN MEASUREMENT IS COVERED STUDENTS NEED TO LEARN FACTS SUCH AS 3 FEET EQUALS ONE YARD). It is strongly recommended that students take their math books home frequently and parents practice these new skills and facts with their child to help insure mastery as each new bite of information is presented in class. Parents can find out the lessons covered and the skills introduced on a weekly basis by consulting the 4th grade weekly assignment page on our website.

READING: Text, MCGRAW HILL. The text is accompanied by both a skills and phonics workbook. This series stresses vocabulary, comprehension as well as a variety of other skills to assist students in developing the competence needed to decode and understand the wide variety of reading materials necessary to function successfully. We will also read, discuss, and report on an assortment of genres. Examples of novels include, but are not limited to the following: SARAH PLAIN AND TALL, historical, THE PLANT THAT ATE DIRTY SOCKS, science fiction, A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES, realistic fiction, and GEORGE WASHINGTON, biography. Each student will keep a reading list every nine weeks. The reading for this list will be done independently and to receive an A (93) for the nine weeks the student must read a minimum of 500 pages. Higher or lower grades will be given according to the number of pages read by the student. Books from the 4th grade AR list are recommended and each student with the aid of the teacher will set an AR reading goal every nine weeks. The meeting of this predetermined grade will be one of the recorded grades for the nine-week period.

SPELLING: Text, MCGRAW-HILL SPELLING. This consumable book is a component of the reading series. Each unit has 25 words. Two tests are given weekly. A matching test is given on Wednesday, and a written test each Friday. Students receive new word lists each Monday.

SOCIAL STUDIES: Text, MACMILLAN/MCGRAW-HILL. Skills covered include but are not limited to the following; map and globe skills, an overview of the early history of the U. S. studied by regions.
Tests will be given at the end of chapters as well as units. Projects will be assigned throughout the year to enhance learning, and will involve a variety of mediums such as: reports, (both oral and written, poster projects, and art activities.) Students will engage in a variety of games, and activities to help teach the 50 states/capitals. A six-week unit over Tennessee history will be included in our studies and students will explore through various activities, reading, and field trip experiences the richness and diversity of our state and its people. As part of this study students will compile a Tennessee Folder, which in part will determine their grade for this unit of study.

SCIENCE: Text, MCGRAW-HILL SCIENCE. Units of study may include but are not limited to the following areas: the Scientific Method, the study of living things, physical and chemical change, land and water, food chemistry, and magnets. Tests will be given to insure understanding as new concepts are introduced. The students will read, write, and complete a variety of hands-on laboratories to gain an understanding of the material presented. Students will keep a lab journal that will become part of the student’s grade for each unit of study. Challenging assignments and projects will be given at intervals throughout the year and students will take field trips to enhance the learning experience.

BIBLE: Text, BUILDING LIFE CASTLES, by Positive Action for Christ, Inc. This course includes the following units: Salvation, the life of Christ, the life of Paul, the Holy Spirit, and living a Spirit controlled life. Quizzes and Bible memory work will be part of each weekly lesson. Along with this curriculum a special emphasis will be placed on building Christian character qualities.

LANGUAGE: Text, HOUGHTON MIFFLIN Language. This program includes the study of sentence and paragraph mechanics, letter writing, the identification and proper use of parts of speech and reference tools. Included with each unit is a particular style of writing such as descriptive, informative, how-to, and story writing. Tests will occur after each unit of study. The writing styles will be practiced across all curriculum areas. To help students improve in all areas of language development a unit on Etiquette will be taught by each teacher and practiced throughout the year. We do this unit to encourage improvement in a variety of social skills such as getting along with others, problem solving, as well as correct etiquette and manners which students will be able to use in a everyday social situations.

ART, MUSIC, P.E., COMPUTER, AND SPANISH will be taught by qualified instructors on a rotating basis.