Kehoe-France 4 th Grade Curriculum English Language Arts The grade four language arts curriculum emphasizes systematic, explicit skills instruction in reading and writing. Students apply knowledge of phonics, letter patterns, syllabication and word parts to achieve fluent oral and silent reading. Students learn the writing process, writing strategies and writing applications with an emphasis on written and oral English language conventions and correct spelling. Students read a wide variety of literature and participate in language-rich instructional activities. Some examples of specific concepts and skills which students are to master are provided in the topic areas listed below: Reading: Foundational Skills Use understanding of base words, roots, prefixes, and suffixes to decode more complex words Use combined knowledge of all letter-sound correspondences, syllabication patterns, and morphology to read accurately Reading: Fluency Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding Reading: Comprehension Skills Story Elements: character, setting, plot, the impact of setting on character, multiple conflicts, first- and third person points of view, theme Sequencing events in a story Comparing and contrasting story elements or information within and across texts Identify main ideas and supporting details Make inferences Metaphor and hyperbole Connect information in grade appropriate texts to prior knowledge and real life situations Poetry and short stories Myths and legends Author s purpose Fact and opinion Cause and effect Skimming and scanning text 1
Reading: Vocabulary Determine the meaning of unfamiliar words using knowledge of word origins and inflections Use word origins, derivations, synonyms, antonyms and idioms to determine the meaning of words and phrases Distinguish between and give the definition of multiple meaning words Writing Write a multiple paragraph composition with indentations that establishes a central idea, includes an introduction and a conclusion Write for a variety of purposes: expository, narrative, persuasive Use the writing process Use editing checklist when writing Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic Write neatly, fluidly and legibly in cursive, and manuscript Speaking and Listening Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions Listen and summarize major ideas and supporting evidence Deliver oral summaries that contain the main ideas and significant details Pose and respond to specific questions Language Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. o Use relative pronouns & relative adverbs o Form and use the progressive verb tenses o Form and use prepositional phrases o Produce complete sentences, recognizing and correcting inappropriate fragments and run-ons o Correctly use frequently confused words (to, too, etc.) Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. Spell grade-appropriate words correctly Use commas in direct quotations, apostrophes in possessives and contractions, and parentheses to set off supplementary material Use underlining, quotations, or italics to identify titles 2
Mathematics Kehoe-France 4 th Grade Curriculum By the end of fourth grade, students understand large numbers and addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers. They describe and compare simple fractions and decimals. They understand the properties of and the relationships between plane geometric figures. They collect, represent and analyze data to answer questions. The following are some examples of skills and concepts developed in the areas of: Mathematical Practices Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Reason abstractly and quantitatively. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. Model with mathematics Use appropriate tools strategically. Attend to precision. Look for and make use of structure. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning. Operations and Algebraic Thinking Know all basic facts for multiplication and division through 12 x 12 and 144 12 recognize factors of composite numbers less than 50 Use place value understanding to round multi-digit whole numbers to any place Generate and analyze patterns Number and Operations in Base Ten Read and write place value in word, standard, and expanded form through 1,000,000 Multiply 3-digit by 1-digit numbers, 2-digit by 2-digit numbers, and divide 3- digit numbers by 1-digit numbers, with and without remainders Number and Operations Fractions Read, write, and relate decimals through hundredths Model, read, write, compare, order, and represent fractions with denominators through twelfths Give decimal equivalents of halves, fourths, and tenths Measurement and Data Select and use the appropriate standard units of measure, abbreviations, and tools to measure length and perimeter Use unit conversions within the same system to solve real-life problems Represent and interpret data 3
Geometry Draw and identify lines and angles, and classify shapes by properties of their lines and angles (points, lines, line segments, rays, angles, and perpendicular and parallel lines) Identify a line of symmetry in a two-dimensional figure 4
Science Kehoe-France 4 th Grade Curriculum In fourth grade, students will continue to learn that living things grow, change, are diverse, interdependent and interact with the changing environment. The earth and our universe are constantly changing; energy and matter interact causing change in our physical world. Some examples of specific concepts which students are to master are provided in the topic areas listed below: Science Inquiry Ask meaningful questions and perform investigations Predict the outcome of a simple investigation, and compare the results to the prediction Differentiate evidence from opinion Collect data in an investigation and analyze the data to develop a logical conclusion Physical Science Use metric and US system units to measure results Illustrate the effects of heating and cooling small particles Force and motion Volume and sound; frequency and pitch Light and refraction Heat energy and friction Insulators and conductors Energy transformation Life Science Plant functions and photosynthesis Circulatory and respiratory systems Carbohydrates, fats and proteins and their functions Describe how animals body parts are related to their functions and survival Reproductive structures of plants Life cycles of various organisms, including seed plants Classify plants and animals according to various criteria Organisms and their habitat Adaptation of plants and animals 5
Earth and Space Science Types of rocks Soil properties Climate and weather The water cycle Classify rocks and minerals according to texture, color, luster, hardness, and effervescence Phases of the moon Solar and lunar eclipses Movement of Moon around Earth and Earth around the Sun Phases of the Moon Earth s tilt and the seasons Science and the Environment Food chains/webs and the flow of energy Balanced ecosystems Describe the interrelationships of living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) components within various ecosystems 6
Social Studies Kehoe-France 4 th Grade Curriculum Using the context of the regions of the United States, fourth grade students learn significant social studies concepts within an increasingly complex social environment. They examine fundamental concepts in geography, civics and government, and economics. Integrated into the curriculum is a unit of study on Native Americans and students participate in a multicultural study of China. Some examples of specific concepts and skills which students are to master are provided in the topic areas listed below: Geography Interpret different kinds of maps Locate and label places on a map or globe Identify all US states by shapes and position on a map Describe and compare characteristics of landforms, bodies of water, climates, and forms of vegetation Explain physical and human developments within the regions Identify, define and compare regions of the United States Identify and explain settlement patterns Locate natural resources and describe their importance Identify natural disasters, their causes, areas prone to them and how those disasters affect people and the environment Describe the importance of natural resources Civics Identify the basic purposes of government Explain role of government and the rights of citizens Identify and describe the three branches of government Identify the purpose and importance of a rule or a law Describe the significance of the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights Identify ways that nations interact and why that is important Identify the means by which individuals become US citizens Identify rights and responsibilities of citizenship Economics Producers and consumers Limited resources Natural, human and capital resources Division of labor Identify the roles of banks, governments, businesses and households in the economy Identify the relationship between money, writing checks and credit cards Supply and demand Profit and risk Define tax and explain their purpose 7
History Interpret and construct data presented in a timeline Describe the point of view of historical figures or groups Interpret historical information on a map or globe Compare and contrast primary and secondary sources Describe beliefs, customs and traditions of past and present Identify major explorations in North America Describe American democratic principles Identify documents and speeches that helped develop the nation World History Identify dance, music and the arts of various cultures Identify significant historical achievements of various cultures around the world Identify inventions that have affected or altered our lives Identify the importance of historic figures from around the world and the impact of their contributions 8