Curriculum Statement - Fourth Grade
Parameters
- Students attend school from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Admission is based on the previous teacher's recommendation, achievement testing, and previous school records.
- SJES offers childcare services for both before and after school hours.
Central Theme: Rise of Ancient Civilizations
For its Central Theme, each grade studies a particular period of history from a full cultural perspective. The goal is to get to know the ordinary life of the times as well as the key historical events. Central Theme integrates history, literature, geography, art, English composition, science and religion. Each theme has its own central projects, re-enactments, role playing, research topics, field trips, written reports and oral presentations.
Students learn to investigate ancient cultures beginning with earliest man, through a study of Ancient Sumer and Egypt and concluding with an extensive study of Ancient Greece. Students study each civilization's geography, economics, religion and philosophy, language, education and arts, political system, sociology, and history. Central theme projects are assigned throughout the year to correspond with topics of study.
Students concentrate on basic research skills that include topic selection, source selection, note taking, and use of outlining and visual aids in oral presentations.
Field trips throughout the year compliment the Central Theme units of study.
Fourth graders acquire skills for independent reading and the higher order skills of inference, evaluation, analysis and synthesis of information and ideas required for comprehension. This is accomplished through the daily oral and silent reading of source material, novels, related material and the Language Arts textbook, along with the reading and writing of poetry. In addition to thirty minutes of independent reading at home, there is a silent reading period each day and a thirty minute library period each week. To encourage a variety of reading experiences, students choose their books from assignments that include Central Theme related books and literature of various genre.
MTA – Multi-Sensory Teaching Approach is a highly specialized reading and spelling program for students who have experienced difficulty learning to read using conventional methods. A very structured and detailed phonetic approach helps to develop skills. Students take each step sequentially and do not move on until the current step is thoroughly mastered. Classes are typically limited to five students. Classes meet for one hour each day during fourth grade Spanish class. Additional reading instruction is provided by the classroom teacher. All MTA teachers have been specially trained in the MTA instructional program.
Language
Composition- The fourth grade writing curriculum is designed to provide a rich background for inspiring the writing process. Daily journals are kept to develop idea generation and elaboration. Writing is done through the Process Writing approach.
Vocabulary and Spelling – A Classical Vocabulary Study is begun in fourth grade. This introduction to etymology is combined with more typical content-related vocabulary and spelling to offer students a strong foundation in this area. Spelling word lists, homonyms, and synonyms are studied. Sentence dictation assessments are given weekly.
Grammar – Students recognize and apply appropriate sentence construction and appropriate English usage (subject, object, possessives, verb tenses, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections). Students recognize and apply appropriate spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.
Mathematics
Students concentrate on problem solving to reinforce whole number operations and fraction ad decimal concepts. Estimation, rounding, measurement, factors, two step problem solving, geometric concepts, and division are included in fourth grade math. Study of the contributions by the Egyptian and Greek mathematicians is integrated with Central Theme units. Math manipulatives and calculators are used throughout the study.
Science
The formulation of scientific theories will be studied and analyzed for potential application in all areas of science, including modern scientific investigations. A wide variety of science topics will allow for the study of a variety of ancient scientific counterparts. Students will participate in hand-on science activities related to classroom units in a Science Lab.
Spanish
In the fourth grade, a three year elementary Spanish curriculum will begin so that Spanish I can be completed in sixth grade. Objectives are to develop, reinforce and refine proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing in Spanish. Students gain an understanding of how the language is structured and apply this knowledge to express their own needs and talk about the world around them. They also acquire a basic understanding and appreciation of the diversity of cultures in the Spanish speaking world.
Spiritual Formation and Growth/Life Skills
Fourth grade students attend Chapel twice a week. A thirty minute Spiritual Formation class is taught once a week. Spiritual values are taught and an emphasis on how to live a Christian life through familiar Bible stories is emphasized. Third grade students also participate with other students in kindergarten through grade four as a family group in the "Educating the Heart" curriculum. Each morning begins with a devotional time.
Physical Education
Students learn sports skills related to basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball and track and field. After-school competitive team sports (basketball, volleyball and track) are available for fourth graders through a parochial team league. Girls and boys teams compete against other schools from Corpus Christi and surrounding areas.
Music
A music specialist teaches music to fourth graders twice a week. The class provides multiple experiences, which enable students to express themselves musically. Fourth grade students participate in several programs related to Central Theme during the year under the direction of the music specialist and classroom teacher.
Library
Fourth grade students have a regularly scheduled library period. During the scheduled library time the students listen to a story, and select a book for personal reading. Library skills are reinforced.
Computer
Word processing and typing skills are developed. Desktop publishing is extended and Power Point slideshow creation is introduced.
Art
Fourth graders are scheduled for formal art instruction with the art specialist in painting, print making, design, ceramics and other media in the Art Studio. Students have numerous opportunities to experiment with a variety of media, including paints, chalk, crayons, clay and others.
Parent Communication
Parent Orientation is held to introduce the room, teacher and curriculum to the parents. Parent conferences are scheduled each year.
Each Monday a packet will be sent home school communications.
Curriculum Statement - Fourth Grade
Parameters
- Students attend school from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Admission is based on the previous teacher's recommendation, achievement testing, and previous school records.
- SJES offers childcare services for both before and after school hours.
Central Theme: Rise of Ancient Civilizations
For its Central Theme, each grade studies a particular period of history from a full cultural perspective. The goal is to get to know the ordinary life of the times as well as the key historical events. Central Theme integrates history, literature, geography, art, English composition, science and religion. Each theme has its own central projects, re-enactments, role playing, research topics, field trips, written reports and oral presentations.
Students learn to investigate ancient cultures beginning with earliest man, through a study of Ancient Sumer and Egypt and concluding with an extensive study of Ancient Greece. Students study each civilization's geography, economics, religion and philosophy, language, education and arts, political system, sociology, and history. Central theme projects are assigned throughout the year to correspond with topics of study.
Students concentrate on basic research skills that include topic selection, source selection, note taking, and use of outlining and visual aids in oral presentations.
Field trips throughout the year compliment the Central Theme units of study.
Fourth graders acquire skills for independent reading and the higher order skills of inference, evaluation, analysis and synthesis of information and ideas required for comprehension. This is accomplished through the daily oral and silent reading of source material, novels, related material and the Language Arts textbook, along with the reading and writing of poetry. In addition to thirty minutes of independent reading at home, there is a silent reading period each day and a thirty minute library period each week. To encourage a variety of reading experiences, students choose their books from assignments that include Central Theme related books and literature of various genre.
MTA – Multi-Sensory Teaching Approach is a highly specialized reading and spelling program for students who have experienced difficulty learning to read using conventional methods. A very structured and detailed phonetic approach helps to develop skills. Students take each step sequentially and do not move on until the current step is thoroughly mastered. Classes are typically limited to five students. Classes meet for one hour each day during fourth grade Spanish class. Additional reading instruction is provided by the classroom teacher. All MTA teachers have been specially trained in the MTA instructional program.
Language
Composition- The fourth grade writing curriculum is designed to provide a rich background for inspiring the writing process. Daily journals are kept to develop idea generation and elaboration. Writing is done through the Process Writing approach.
Vocabulary and Spelling – A Classical Vocabulary Study is begun in fourth grade. This introduction to etymology is combined with more typical content-related vocabulary and spelling to offer students a strong foundation in this area. Spelling word lists, homonyms, and synonyms are studied. Sentence dictation assessments are given weekly.
Grammar – Students recognize and apply appropriate sentence construction and appropriate English usage (subject, object, possessives, verb tenses, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections). Students recognize and apply appropriate spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.
Mathematics
Students concentrate on problem solving to reinforce whole number operations and fraction ad decimal concepts. Estimation, rounding, measurement, factors, two step problem solving, geometric concepts, and division are included in fourth grade math. Study of the contributions by the Egyptian and Greek mathematicians is integrated with Central Theme units. Math manipulatives and calculators are used throughout the study.
Science
The formulation of scientific theories will be studied and analyzed for potential application in all areas of science, including modern scientific investigations. A wide variety of science topics will allow for the study of a variety of ancient scientific counterparts. Students will participate in hand-on science activities related to classroom units in a Science Lab.
Spanish
In the fourth grade, a three year elementary Spanish curriculum will begin so that Spanish I can be completed in sixth grade. Objectives are to develop, reinforce and refine proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing in Spanish. Students gain an understanding of how the language is structured and apply this knowledge to express their own needs and talk about the world around them. They also acquire a basic understanding and appreciation of the diversity of cultures in the Spanish speaking world.
Spiritual Formation and Growth/Life Skills
Fourth grade students attend Chapel twice a week. A thirty minute Spiritual Formation class is taught once a week. Spiritual values are taught and an emphasis on how to live a Christian life through familiar Bible stories is emphasized. Third grade students also participate with other students in kindergarten through grade four as a family group in the "Educating the Heart" curriculum. Each morning begins with a devotional time.
Physical Education
Students learn sports skills related to basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball and track and field. After-school competitive team sports (basketball, volleyball and track) are available for fourth graders through a parochial team league. Girls and boys teams compete against other schools from Corpus Christi and surrounding areas.
Music
A music specialist teaches music to fourth graders twice a week. The class provides multiple experiences, which enable students to express themselves musically. Fourth grade students participate in several programs related to Central Theme during the year under the direction of the music specialist and classroom teacher.
Library
Fourth grade students have a regularly scheduled library period. During the scheduled library time the students listen to a story, and select a book for personal reading. Library skills are reinforced.
Computer
Word processing and typing skills are developed. Desktop publishing is extended and Power Point slideshow creation is introduced.
Art
Fourth graders are scheduled for formal art instruction with the art specialist in painting, print making, design, ceramics and other media in the Art Studio. Students have numerous opportunities to experiment with a variety of media, including paints, chalk, crayons, clay and others.
Parent Communication
Parent Orientation is held to introduce the room, teacher and curriculum to the parents. Parent conferences are scheduled each year.
Each Monday a packet will be sent home school communications.