Grade Four English Curriculum

The curriculum of St. Stephen's Armenian Elementary School is comprised of literacy, mathematics,science, social studies, physical education and the fine arts. The Learning Goals under each core area represent the schools end of the year expectations for students in grade four. The fourth grade curriculum will include but not be limited to these topics. The developmental level of students as well as their varying abilities and interest will be taken into account when designing and implementing instruction.

Literacy

Reading:

Make inferences and predictions based on text
Describe an event from different points of view
Role play characters from stories; dramatize stories
Learn about different cultures through literature and discussion
Identify and explain the purpose of the dialect of a literary character
Use known parts of words, word segmentation and syllabication to decode and understand new words
Make generalizations about content read
Relate reading to personal experience, other literature
Distinguish theme from topic
Analyze and respond to poems
Identify a stanza in poetry
Identify a theme in a poem and provide evidence form the text

Writing:

Use dictionary, thesaurus and glossary as reference tools
Apply correct spelling of standard English words to writing
Use simple and compound sentences in writing
Use correct paragraph format
Write a descriptive paragraph
Use elements of plot, character and setting in writing
Identify and use a variety of rhyming patterns in poetry such as end rhyme, free verse, haiku, cinquain, couplets, limericks, acrostic, shape and name
Write a composition with a beginning, middle and end
Write a persuasive essay
Proofread and edit for spelling, mechanics, word usage and sentence structure
Edit to add detail to writing
Use a variety of graphic organizers
Generate an outline
Generate questions, take notes and summarize to develop research paper

Grammar

Identify and use prefixes, suffixes and root words
Make generalizations about English words having similar prefixes and/or roots
Identify homographs and homophones
Identify and use conjunctions
Identify subject and predicate
Identify similes, metaphors and personification and use in personal writing

Communication:

Demonstrate role of leader, recorder, timekeeper and listener in a student led small group discussion
Listen to obtain answers to questions and to obtain general idea
Compose questions and conduct interview/survey
Demonstrate an understanding of questioning techniques for higher level thinking
Give an oral presentation with an awareness of audience and purpose
Use non-fictional information to develop a presentation which includes visual aides

Mathematics:

Number System:

Identify and use landmarks in the number system up to 10,000>
Identify and use multiples of 100 and 1000
Demonstrates understanding of place value to thousands
Can read, write and locate, in sequence, numbers in the thousands
Recognizes square numbers and their properties
Recognizes prime numbers as those that each have only one pair of factors and one array

Fractions and Decimals

Demonstrates understanding that equal fractions of a whole have the same area but are not necessarily congruent
Is familiar with relationships among halves, fourths, eighths, thirds, sixths and twelfths
Compare fractions to the landmarks 0, 1/2, 1 and 2
Uses numerical reasoning and area to compare fractions
Uses the size of the numerator to compare fractions that have the same denominator and the size of the denominator to compare the size of fractions that have the same numerator
Is able to use different combinations of fractions to make a whole
Identify equivalent fractions
Add fractions with like denominators
Read and write mixed and improper fractions
Connect basic fractions to decimals
Model fractions using manipulative
Use manipulative to add and subtract common fractions and to model equivalent fractions
Apply fractions appropriately in a problem situation

Computation:

Translate real world problems into math sentences
Represents factor pairs as dimensions of a rectangular array
Uses multiplication and division notation to write number sentences
Relates knowledge of factors to division situations
Distinguish when an estimate can be used
Estimate numbers up to the thousands
Use estimation in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems to check for reasonableness
Develop more than one way to solve a problem and use one method to check another
Adds 3-digit numbers
Adds strings of numbers by grouping numbers that go together
Recall multiplication facts up to 10x10
Reads and uses standard multiplication and division notation
Use patterns to solve multiplication and division problems
Multiply 2-digit and 1-digit numbers
Multiply 3-digit and 4-digit numbers by 1-digit numbers
Multiply 2-digit numbers by 2-digit numbers
Divide multi-digit dividends and 1-digit divisors
Divide multi-digit dividends by 2-digit divisors
Understand concept of remainders in division and can apply it appropriately in story problems
Determine when it is appropriate to use a calculator
Recognize and solve problems with a variety of givens and unknowns
Recognize that a variable is something that is missing

Data:

Look for patterns in data sets
Create charts and graphs showing change
Interpret graphs and charts
Identify points on a grid using positive and negative coordinates
Find the median in a set of data
Demonstrates an understanding that probability means how likely something is to happen
Estimate how likely something is to happen

Measurements:

Estimate the measure of a length, measure the length and compare the estimate to the actual measure
Understand the rational of standard measurement
Measure in inches feet and yards
Compute conversions using inches, feet and yards
Demonstrate understanding of equivalencies of metric measurement
Demonstrate understanding of equivalencies of capacity, and weight
Use standard units to measure length, weight and volume
Measure in centimeters and meters
Weigh objects using a balance
Understand area and perimeter relationships

Geometry:

Recognize right angles
Recognize parallel and perpendicular lines
Demonstrate understanding of the terms acute and obtuse angle
Explore relationship between 3-D objects and 2-D representations

Communication:

Use appropriate language to describe and compare amounts
Use pictures, numbers or words to record strategies for solving problems
Work cooperatively in groups to solve problems

Science

Earth and Other Planets:

Demonstrate understanding of concepts of revolution, rotation and orbit
Demonstrate beginning understanding of relationship between gravity and mass
Describe what happens during an eclipse of the moon
Describe what happens during a solar eclipse
Distinguish between partial and total solar eclipses
Recall names of planets and their order in distance from the Sun
Describe unique characteristics of planets
Demonstrate understanding of atmosphere
Describe characteristics of meteorites, meteors, comets and asteroids
Compare and contrast three spheres of the earth (atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere)

Volcanoes and Earthquakes:

Identify three layers of the earth (crust, mantle, core) and define characteristics of each layer
Develop understanding of the cause of volcanoes
Understand concepts of convection and subduction
Explain how the earth's plates move
Identify tools used to predict and measure volcanoes
Understand effects of volcanoes on plant and animal life
Understand that moving plates produce mountains and earthquakes
Identify tools used to predict and measure earthquakes

Flying:

Identify layers of the atmosphere
Identify characteristics associated with each layer of the atmosphere
Understand that the atmosphere is made up of a mixture of gases
Demonstrate understanding of the concept of air resistance
Understand the concepts of high- pressure and low-pressure areas
Understand the relationship of thrust and lift to flight
Identify physical adaptations that enable birds to fly
Identify ways in which different birds have adapted to different environments
Identify different ways that people are able to fly (hot-air balloons, gliders, jet propulsion)
Compare how the flight of birds and airplanes is similar

Rainforests

Identify locations of major rainforests on a world map
Demonstrate understanding of why rainforests are able to support abundant life
Identify layers of the rainforest and plants and animals found in each
Explain how different types of plants and animals form beneficial partnerships
Identify demands that are negatively affecting rainforests
Understand how rainforest destruction is upsetting the balance of nature
Identify benefits that people enjoy from rainforests
Demonstrate understanding of the greenhouse effect
Identify ways to protect the rainforest

Social Studies

Ancient Greece:

Geography

Understand where Greece is in relation to Boston
Demonstrate understanding of physical geography of Greece
Understand human characteristics of Ancient Greece including types of homes, principle buildings, clothing
Understand how people interacted with the environment
Understand how environment influenced the development of the civilization

History

Identify what people did with leisure time and compare to modern life
Compare and contrast education in Ancient Greece to modern education system
Identify ways people communicated and traveled
Demonstrate knowledge of religious beliefs of Ancient Greeks (gods and goddesses)
Create artwork and stories based on Greek art and myths

Economics/Government:

Identify types of jobs done by women, men and children
Understand how the civilization made money
Identify rules governing behavior in Greece
Understand form of government developed by the people
Compare government in Ancient Greece to modern government in the U.S.

Ancient Rome:

Geography

Understand where the Roman Empire was in relation to Boston
Understand the timeline of the Roman Empire
Demonstrate understanding of physical geography of the Roman Empire
Understand human characteristics of Ancient Rome including types of homes, principle buildings, clothing
Understand how people interacted with the environment
Understand how environment influenced the development of the civilization

History

Identify what people did with leisure time and compare to modern life
Compare and contrast education in Ancient Rome to modern education system
Identify ways people communicated and traveled
Demonstrate knowledge of religious beliefs of Ancient Romans (gods and goddesses)
Create artwork and stories based on Roman art and myths

Economics/Government:

Identify types of jobs done by women, men and children
Understand how the civilization made money
Identify rules governing behavior in Ancient Rome
Understand form of government developed by the people
Compare government in Roman Empire to modern government in the U.S.

Middle Ages:

Understand time frame of Middle Ages in reference to Roman Empire
Identify aspects of Roman Empire that were present in Middle Ages (Catholicism, Latin)
Understand concept of feudalism
Understand the relationship of Western Europe's increased isolation and feudalism
Understand roles of lord, peasants, serfs and slaves and gender divisions within each class
Demonstrate understanding of lives of children within each class
Understand system of apprenticeship
Demonstrate knowledge of daily life of lord, peasants, serfs and slaves
Understand positive and negative aspects of feudalism to those involved
Understand importance of tools and weaponry of the time
Understand the significance of military during middle ages
Describe life on a medieval manor
Demonstrate understanding of the ideals of chivalry
Examine elements of a castle and scientific principles involved in building a castle

Physical Eucation

Demonstrate mature form in basic manipulative skills (overhand throw, underhand throw, kicking a moving ball, catching a ball thrown overhand)
Demonstrate basic offensive and defensive strategies in invasion (soccer/basketball),striking/fielding (baseball/wiffleball) and target (bowling) activities
Perform simple dances
Use critical elements to improve personal performance
Participate in establishment of rules, procedures and standards of etiquette that are safe and effective for specific activity situations
Work cooperatively and productively in a small group to accomplish a set goal
Recognize the influence of individual differences on participation in physical activities
Recognize the positive attributes individuals with varying gender, age, ability, race, culture and skill level bring to physical activity

Art

Use variety of media to create artwork
Create depth using overlapping shapes
Expand knowledge of color through study of color wheel
Explore complexities of form and space by using found objects and mixed media
Work cooperatively in groups

Music

Learn songs by rote; echo singing; matching tones in appropriate range
Identify musical aspects of sound (long/short, up/down, high/low, soft/loud, fast/slow)
Create body movement to music and rhythm; dances; additional verses to songs; dramatizations of songs, moods, stories
Perform music alone and with others.
Improvise and create music.
Use the vocabulary and notation of music.
Respond to music with aesthetic judgments.
Continue the music learning experience independently.
Perform and/or respond to music of ever-widening variety.
Continue musical participation out of school as both a performer and a consumer.