Fourth Grade

TEACHERS

Mrs. Bird, Ms. Facktor, Mrs. Graas, & Ms. Newton

GOALS & EXPECTATIONS

As an intermediate level, the following are common expectations:

• Respect God: Give Him all the glory; Be thankful for your education; Have a good attitude
• Respect Students: Treat others better than yourself; Use kind words; Include everyone, just like Jesus did.
• Respect Adults: Listen when adults speak; Do not interrupt; Obey directions the first time
• Respect Belongings: Personal belongings must be in assigned place; Treat items that are not your own better than your own; Keep our classroom neat and organized.

RELIGION

Students deepen their understanding of the central Mystery of our faith exploring more deeply the three parts of the Holy Trinity. Students also learn about Biblical history from the Old Testament with a focus on the Ten Commandments. They develop a more profound understanding and commitment to their Catholic faith.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Language arts focuses on how to read in order to interpret what you are reading. There is a mix of student-choice and teacher-choice reading selections. Successful students not only read the words on the page, but examine the deeper meaning behind those words.

MATH

Fourth grade students will explore the following concepts:  place value to one million, adding and subtracting multi-digit numbers, multiplication and division of larger numbers, fractions, decimals, geometry, and measurement.  Students participate in problem solving and mental computation.

SCIENCE

Students follow the Next Generation Science Standards.  They develop questioning and problem-solving skills as they explore scientific and engineering concepts in physical, life and earth sciences.  In addition to being independent learners, they have many opportunities to work in collaborative settings.  The online STEMscopes program allows students to engage in learning using different techniques.  It guides them through the 5Es Model: explore, engage, explain, elaborate and evaluate.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Students use our new Holton Mifflin Harcourt inquiry based text to explore the regions of the United States. Students will also learn about KY history through the use of several online resources and KY Studies Weekly classroom newspapers. In fourth grade students also learn about local resources through regular visits from a KY Fish and Wildlife Representative. Our big field trip for the year is a day spent exploring our states capital, Frankfort.

ART

Students begin using sketchbooks this year!  They use them for listing supplies, directions, thought processes and practice drawings. They are expected to incorporate elements of art and principles of design into all projects. For example, a paper quilt square needs color, shape, line, variety and continuity.  They learn about Folk art, Americana, some Renaissance and a little of what public/community art is all about. Students need to come to class prepared with sketchbook and pencils every class period. They will begin leaning about artist’s statements and using C.L.I.P.S sentences on the back of their work to show what they have learned about a project.

LIBRARY

Students build on skills learned from previous years including locating information in the library, and research skills. Given a theme, they write short stories with a beginning, middle, and end. A variety of book genres are discussed. Students complete projects coinciding with the current season. Learning occurs through hands-on fun.

MUSIC

In 4^th grade students learn how to play two instruments, the drum and the xylophone. They learn how to read music and then play it on either instrument. The drum deals with rhythm and the xylophone deals with note names which is what they have been continually learning over the past few years.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Fourth graders work more on refining sport skills for basketball, volleyball, flag football, floor hockey, and soccer. They also work on life time skills such as jump rope, components of fitness, speed stackers, etc. Students learn to take more leadership roles during class such as leading stretches and exercises. There are also holiday theme games during the holidays and emphasis put on sportsmanship, teamwork, and positive communication.  Each student is given points based on effort, participation, and sportsmanship.

SPANISH

The Spanish curriculum is taught in a cross-curricular way, supporting learning in other subjects through the Spanish language and culture. Literacy:  Numbers from 0 – 100, Syllables Sounds, Basic expressions, body parts, Age,  class objects, Days, months, Seasons, Articles, House words, Clothing, Classroom commands & objects. Religion: Hail Mary prayer Cultural: Holiday vocabulary such as Easter, Day of the Dead, Christmas & Cinco de Mayo.

TECHNOLOGY

Fourth use a Google account and Chromebooks. They learn how to use Google apps, including the drive to save files. Copy and Paste skills are taught, and full document skills will be learned. Proper methods of research, including simple citations, are taught. More advanced document formatting is learned, including proper name/date headings using tabs.

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES

• KENTUCKY UNIT: Students learn about the history, geography, and economics of Kentucky. They culminate their study with a field trip to Frankfort in the spring.
• YOUNG AUTHORS: Students follow the Writing Process to draft, revise, and edit their very own book. Those students who wish, may publish their piece which can be entered into the Young Authors competition for the Archdiocese.
• KENTUCKY FISH AND WILDLIFE: A ranger from KY Fish and Wildlife comes to talk to the classes exploring Kentucky’s ecosystems and conservation of resources.
• AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS: STEM Robotics Club- Vex Competitive Level, Quick Recall, Book Bee, Art Club, Rosary Club, Math Club, The Green Team
• PARENT LUNCH: Parents come to eat lunch with their child.