Fourth Grade Curriculum Overview

At the beginning of each school year, students are assessed utilizing the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) to determine the course curriculum for each individual child for the upcoming year. Testing is done again in the middle and end of the year to determine if we are meeting the needs of each student.

Using students’ MAP benchmark assessments and the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) results from the end (spring) of the previous year, we focus on creating differentiated curricula and custom learning programs for each child.

To this end, our curriculum pulls resources from a variety of sources depending on the student’s needs. Below is an overview of materials and resources we use during the year:

Religion

Textbook: RCL Benziger: Blest Are We: Faith In Action

  • Making Good Choices
  • Honoring God
  • Christian Vocations
  • Church Structure
  • Adopt-A-Child from Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos
  • Class-hosted Mass
  • Adoration in Our Campus Chapel
  • Active Participation in the Blessing of the Pets

Language Arts

Textbook: Benchmark Advance and Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Workshop

Standard topics and activities include:

  • Read and analyze a variety of texts, both fiction and non-fiction
  • Select literature studies (e.g., Number the Stars, Charlotte’s Web)
  • Learn and expand vocabulary using prepositional phrases
  • Practice several types of writing including narrative, persuasive, descriptive, and expository with emphasis on ideas, word choice, and organization for creative, research, persuasive topics, and poetry
  • Grammar
  • Spelling
  • Sadlier vocabulary program
  • The writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing)
  • Accelerated Reader supplementary reading program

Mathematics

Textbook: Saxon Math Level 5 Houghton-Mifflin

Standard topics include:

  • Multiple-digit multiplication and division
  • Fractions
  • Mixed numbers and decimals
  • Numbers to seventh place value
  • Projects in Survival Math
  • Decimals

Social Studies

Textbook: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Into Social Studies: American States and Regions

Standard topics include:

  • History of the regions of the U.S.
  • 50 States and Capitals: location, postal abbreviation, states' capital, flower, bird, flag, and animal, and some interesting facts about the state.
  • Arizona: history, state symbols, Government and Geography
  • Geography and map skills
  • Night at the Museum project

Science

Textbook: Science Dimensions, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Standard topics and activities include:

  • Lab teams and hands-on investigations
  • Engineering and technology
  • Energy, waves, and information transfer
  • Animal structure and function
  • Changes to Earth’s surface
  • Rocks and fossils
  • Natural resources
  • Science fair investigations

Technology

Our classrooms are equipped with 1:1 student Chromebooks and a OneScreen touchscreen. We use the following technology-based programs in various subjects:

  • IXL (reading and math)
  • Accelerated Reader
  • Google Docs, slides, sheets, and more

Discipline with Purpose Skills

  • Listening
  • Following Instructions
  • Asking Questions
  • Sharing
  • Social Skills
  • Cooperation
  • Understanding rules
  • Completing a task
  • Leadership
  • Communication

Student Learning Expectations (LASER Skills)

  • Life Long Learner
  • Active Catholic
  • Self-Aware Individual
  • Effective Communicator
  • Responsible Citizen

Enrichment

Students attend at least one of the various enrichment classes each day:

  • Physical Education
  • Library
  • Music
  • Spanish
  • Art

 

 

 

 

Diocesan Standards