Curriculum

RELIGION: SADLIER WE BELIEVE GOD'S LAW GUIDES US

A major theme in the Fourth grade religion text is learning more about the Ten Commandments. Our book is divided into units: Growing in Jesus Christ, The Commandments Help Us to Love God, The Commandments Help Us to Love Others, and We Are Called to Holiness. A ten-point test is given at the end of each chapter in our book, and review activities and games will be available online. We also complete a variety of worksheets and activities in relation to special feast days and seasons of the Catholic church.

The students attend an all school mass at 8:30 every Friday. Alternating classes prepare and take part in mass each week.

Continuing this school year, the students will attend a religion class with grades 3-5 on Wednesdays where they will discuss and learn about interesting topics applicable to our Catholic faith. The class will occur around every month or two, not weekly as it was in the past. The class will be taught by several of the Benedictine monks and will incorporate topics of the students' choice and interest.

Last year, students in grades K-8 started a new Christian-based social emotional learning curriculum called Friendzy. This will continue to be incorporated into religion classes this year.

New this year, the students in grades K-8 will be incorporating a new curriculum called Ruah Woods. More information will be coming as it is introduced.

READING: INTO READING HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARTCOURT

https://www.hmhco.com/ui/login

We will be continuing with our reading series this year called 'Into Reading.' We moved into this series last year after many years working with Journeys. A story is introduced each week with a central theme in each of ten modules. Students work on vocabulary, comprehension, study skills and phonics through projects, activities, and workbooks. A vocabulary test and skills assessment is given each Friday. Vocabulary quizzes involve matching of words and definitions at the start of the school year and move into testing of the word in the context of a sentence as the year progresses and students move closer to fifth grade expectations. The amount of vocabulary words changes each week depending on the module but will never be more than ten words. Skills assessments on Fridays are open book, as students are expected to use their book to look for text evidence.

About twice in the school year, we read a novel and complete a novel study and activities related to the content.

Each quarter, the students will complete a book report usually with a seasonal theme. They will complete a creative project for each report that I hope will be enjoyable, and they can use the book they read for an AR quiz. You can find more information on the book reports on the page linked to this class website.

SPELLING: INTO READING HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARTCOURT

The spelling words correlate to our reading story each week. There are twenty words. Review and Challenge words are provided for extra practice and are offered as a bonus selection on the weekly test. New words and spelling patterns are introduced on Monday. Most weeks, students will complete a spelling choice board (3 choices to complete) for homework throughout the week to practice their words that is due on Fridays. A written test is also given on the twenty spelling words each Friday.

ENGLISH: Loyola Press "Voyages in English" and HMH Into Reading Resources

https://www.voyagesinenglish.com/parents-and-students/grade-4

Grammar and Writing Skills are the two components of English. This year, we will primarily be working with the Voyages in English curriculum for English class. The Voyages Hardback texts are used in class to teach and introduce parts of speech, writing skills, etc. The HMH Into Reading supplemental worksheets are used for independent work, writer's workshop, and to check for comprehension. Personal narratives, descriptive, persuasive, expository, and creative writing exercises and assignments will also be given throughout the year. Students will also complete English activities in correlation with the HMH Into Reading text.

We also read each of the three or four novels chosen for the Diocesan LitFest (held in the spring) whether your child chooses to attend or not. This is a major portion of the fourth grade English curriculum.

Finally, students work on a writing journal each week to grow their writing, grammar, and spelling skills.

HANDWRITING:

The Zaner-Bloser method is used. Grades are taken primarily from weekly worksheets, but also occasionally from some written assignments in other subjects. Students complete weekly handwriting activities as part of their spelling class.

MATH:

Sadlier Progress in Mathematics: https://tinyurl.com/2p86kwsw

Chapter 1 Place Value

Chapter 2 Addition

Chapter 3 Subtraction

Chapter 4 Multiplication Concepts

Chapter 5 Multiply by One-Digit Numbers

Chapter 6 Multiply by Two-Digit Numbers

Chapter 7 Division Concepts

Chapter 8 Divide by One-Digit Numbers

Chapter 9 Factors and Multiples

Chapter 10 Fraction Concepts

Chapter 11 Fractions: Addition and Subtraction

Chapter 12 Fractions: Multiply by a Whole Number

Chapter 13 Fractions and Decimals

Chapter 14 Measurement

Chapter 15 Measurement and Data

Chapter 16 Lines and Angles

Chapter 17 Polygons

Our math studies for the year will begin with an initial review of and growth in skills in place value, as well as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division concepts.

Students will regularly review basic multiplication facts through class online multiplication Bingo and other fun activities and will monitor their retention and progress through a multiplication masters incentive chart. Once students show mastery through an online program of the first six multiplication tables, they will receive a math homework pass. Once they show mastery of all twelve times tables, they will receive another math assignment homework pass. Mastery of basic multiplication facts is essential for building fourth grade math skills in multiplication by two digit numbers, long division, etc.

Additional math skills will include fraction and geometry concepts, as well as factors, multiples, and prime and composite numbers.

Students will have math homework from their workbook at the end of each lesson, usually around every other night. Occasional IXL.com skills practice will be given for homework. A pre-test/study guide will be given before the chapter test which will not count in the gradebook but will be modeled very closely to the actual test and allow for application and practice.

Students regularly practice skills on IXL.com and Reflex math (fact fluency) and are encouraged to do this at home also. Login information will be provided.

SCIENCE: Nancy Larson Science Program - http://nancylarsonpublishers.com

***Please note that Miss Elliott, fifth grade teacher, will be instructing the students for science class this year. ***

The program focuses on organisms and their interactions as well as forms of energy.

*Exploring the Characteristics of Cells

*Examining and Classifying Plants

*Investigating Characteristics of Animals

*Examining Ecosystems

*Exploring Energy

*Investigating Electricity

In science, students will complete various worksheets, study guides, experiments, and unit tests in relation to each topic. Worksheets will be given at the end of each lesson.

This year, students will continue to participate in a weekly STREAM lab for one of their science classes each week. STREAM activities (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Math) will incorporate hands-on learning across these areas and often directly relate to concepts covered in class and/or seasonal holidays.

SOCIAL STUDIES: Pearson My World Social Studies

The main focus of the year is on the regions of the United States. We also do a broad introduction/review of landforms, United States history, economics, and branches of government. At the end of the year, we complete a mini-unit on Pennsylvania.

Similar to science, students will complete a worksheet at the end of each lesson to check for comprehension. A multiple-choice chapter test is given at the end of chapter. The worksheets given for each lesson are requested to be kept until the end of the chapter so that they will be able to use them to study for the chapter test. There is a lot of material and vocabulary in each chapter, so this will be beneficial in their preparation.

When students begin studying the regions of the United States, they will complete a state report for each region. Students will choose their state and give a brief oral presentation for the class when completed. Much of the work for the state reports is done in class.

https://tinyurl.com/y5hhgvpy

Chapter 1: Geography of the United States

Chapter 2: Americans and Their History

Chapter 3: Government in the United States

Chapter 4: The Nation's Economy

Chapter 5: Regions: The Northeast

Chapter 6: Regions: The Southeast

Chapter 7: Regions: The Midwest

Chapter 8: Regions: The Southwest

Chapter 9: Regions: The West

Pennsylvania Unit