Fourth Grade
Curriculum
4th Grade
Science
At the fourth grade level, we use STEMscopes, a science curriculum that centers on hands-on exploration. For example, students learn about rock layers through a clay molding activity. Fourth grade begins with the study of organism structure and behavior, in which students examine plant and animal parts. Other units include learning about changes to the Earth's surface and resources, energy transformations, and energy in the form of waves.
Social Studies
In the fourth-grade social studies curriculum, TCI, we explore the five regions of the United States through the lens of four social sciences - economics, geography, political science, and history. We will engage in weekly geography challenges, jeopardy-style review games, and projects focused on each region of the United States.
Reading
Fourth graders follow the Louisiana Believes curriculum along with a combination of other materials and resources that adhere to the Michigan Curriculum Framework. They also will do several novel studies including Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief.
Writing/Grammar/Handwriting
Fourth graders study writing mechanics and skills using the Voyages program, which meets all Michigan state standards. Students also receive a Zaner/Bloser Handwriting book to develop cursive handwriting skills.
Vocabulary
Rather than having spelling words, 4th graders will study vocabulary lists from the Wordly Wise 3000 Instructional Resource, which involves a monthly study of 15 words ending with a test requiring spellings and definitions of those words.
Religion
The Alive in Christ program is the perfect tool to teach students to know, love, and live their Catholic faith through Sacred Scripture, doctrine, prayer, practices of the faith, and seasonal celebrations. The units are as follows: Revelation, Trinity, Jesus Christ, The Church, Morality, Sacraments, and Kingdom of God.
Students will learn through reading, prayer, discussion, developing skits, and other creative projects. Scripture from both the Old Testament and the New Testament is presented in a variety of ways that encourage students to listen to the voice of God in his written word and learn about the people and stories of the Bible. Illustrations, Catholic art, and photos emphasize Scripture and visually present the information in a way that young students can understand and relate to.
New this year is Revealed - Theology of the Body lessons. What is Theology of the Body? It is a program based on public speeches given by Pope St. John Paul II during the first five years of his papacy. This curriculum helps students to understand the very foundation of their identities that are created in God’s image as male or female. These interactive lessons answer such questions as 1) Who am I? 2) Who is God? 3) Why did God give me a body? and 4) What is the purpose of life?
Math
Thoughtfully constructed and designed like a story, Eureka Math is a rigorous program that offers opportunity for differentiation. There is an intense focus on key concepts that layer over time, creating enduring knowledge.
Students gain a complete body of math knowledge, not just a discrete set of skills. They use the same models and problem-solving methods from grade to grade, so math concepts stay with them, year after year. Topics covered in 4th grade are: place value, rounding, addition & subtraction, unit conversions, problem solving with metric measurements, multi-digit multiplication and division, angle measure and plane figures, fraction equivalence and ordering, and decimal fractions.
Science
At the fourth grade level, we use STEMscopes, a science curriculum that centers on hands-on exploration. For example, students learn about rock layers through a clay molding activity. Fourth grade begins with the study of organism structure and behavior, in which students examine plant and animal parts. Other units include learning about changes to the Earth's surface and resources, energy transformations, and energy in the form of waves.
Social Studies
In the fourth-grade social studies curriculum, TCI, we explore the five regions of the United States through the lens of four social sciences - economics, geography, political science, and history. We will engage in weekly geography challenges, jeopardy-style review games, and projects focused on each region of the United States.
Reading
Fourth graders follow the Louisiana Believes curriculum along with a combination of other materials and resources that adhere to the Michigan Curriculum Framework. They also will do several novel studies including Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief.
Writing/Grammar/Handwriting
Fourth graders study writing mechanics and skills using the Voyages program, which meets all Michigan state standards. Students also receive a Zaner/Bloser Handwriting book to develop cursive handwriting skills.
Vocabulary
Rather than having spelling words, 4th graders will study vocabulary lists from the Wordly Wise 3000 Instructional Resource, which involves a monthly study of 15 words ending with a test requiring spellings and definitions of those words.
Religion
The Alive in Christ program is the perfect tool to teach students to know, love, and live their Catholic faith through Sacred Scripture, doctrine, prayer, practices of the faith, and seasonal celebrations. The units are as follows: Revelation, Trinity, Jesus Christ, The Church, Morality, Sacraments, and Kingdom of God.
Students will learn through reading, prayer, discussion, developing skits, and other creative projects. Scripture from both the Old Testament and the New Testament is presented in a variety of ways that encourage students to listen to the voice of God in his written word and learn about the people and stories of the Bible. Illustrations, Catholic art, and photos emphasize Scripture and visually present the information in a way that young students can understand and relate to.
New this year is Revealed - Theology of the Body lessons. What is Theology of the Body? It is a program based on public speeches given by Pope St. John Paul II during the first five years of his papacy. This curriculum helps students to understand the very foundation of their identities that are created in God’s image as male or female. These interactive lessons answer such questions as 1) Who am I? 2) Who is God? 3) Why did God give me a body? and 4) What is the purpose of life?
Math
Thoughtfully constructed and designed like a story, Eureka Math is a rigorous program that offers opportunity for differentiation. There is an intense focus on key concepts that layer over time, creating enduring knowledge.
Students gain a complete body of math knowledge, not just a discrete set of skills. They use the same models and problem-solving methods from grade to grade, so math concepts stay with them, year after year. Topics covered in 4th grade are: place value, rounding, addition & subtraction, unit conversions, problem solving with metric measurements, multi-digit multiplication and division, angle measure and plane figures, fraction equivalence and ordering, and decimal fractions.