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PALOS COMMUNITY CONSOLIDATED
SCHOOL DISTRICT 118
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GRADE
FOUR CURRICULUM |
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The Palos District 118
Teaching for Understanding Framework has established learning benchmarks, which
are those essential concepts, processes, and content that students should know
and be able to do at the end of each grade.
District
118 teachers and administrators have developed these benchmarks based on the
Illinois State Standards, national standards, and updated
research.
Our
community's standards and grade level expectations are often higher than those
suggested by our Illinois State Board of Education. Such expectations are
incorporated within and continue to produce excellence in our students and staff
as indicated on state testing. We are, of
course, always looking to continually improve.
While
District 118 emphasizes "the basics," our Board-adopted curriculum uses the
basics to establish a foundation for students' understanding of the major
concepts in each of the content areas.
Reading/Language
Arts
The reading/language
arts program is designed to balance instruction in reading skills and strategies
with instruction in interpretation and oral and written response to
literature. The use of a variety of fiction and nonfiction literature, as
well as electronic media, helps develop in-depth understanding of topics and
also helps teachers meet the diverse needs of students. Students will use
the 2006 Harcourt Trophies language arts core program.
Reading
Fourth grade
literature is composed of:
- poetry
- mysteries
- nonfiction
- realistic fiction
- historical fiction
- fiction (Topic/Author
study)
Strategies and skills
incorporated in the fourth grade reading program include:
- increasing vocabulary
- decoding words and using context clues
to construct meaning
- identifying main idea and supporting
details
- drawing conclusions
- making predictions
- comparing and contrasting
- identifying cause and
effect
- distinguishing between fact and
opinion
- summarizing
- sequencing story order and
events
- identifying plot, problem, theme, and
resolution
- identifying literary elements and
techniques
Writing
Fourth grade students
use writing to express themselves. Students will develop the mechanics and
fluency of writing in projects such as:
- narrative essays
- expository essays
- persuasive essays
- poetry writing
- journal writing
- daily language/grammar
activities
Handwriting
Fourth grade students
will develop and practice cursive penmanship through the use of handwriting
exercises and daily writing activities.
Listening
Fourth grade students
will listen respectfully to oral presentations and in discussion groups and also
for directions and information.
Speaking
Fourth grade students
will develop their speaking ability through participating in or leading group
discussions and responding in class with ideas, opinions, and feelings.
They will focus on maintaining eye contact and speaking loudly and
clearly.
Spelling
Fourth grade students
will improve their spelling skills in written work through tests focusing on
frequently misspelled words and through the review of spelling patterns and
rules.
Information Fluency
Skills/Technology
Technology skills,
taught to students in the classroom and library media center, are integrated
throughout the curriculum to support and enhance learning.
Mathematics
Mathematics skills,
strategies and concepts are taught through a variety of resources including
textbooks and manipulatives for "hands on" experiences. Thinking skills
are developed as students learn different problem solving
strategies.
Fourth grade students
will be taught the following:
- Place value of whole numbers to the
millions and decimals to the thousandths.
- Multiplication and division of whole
numbers.
- Compare and order whole numbers,
decimals, and fractions.
- Addition, subtraction, multiplication
and division of whole numbers and currency.
- Word problems using a variety of
strategies.
- Rounding and estimation
- Mean,
mode, and range of a set of
numbers.
- Collecting, organizing and displaying
data
- Graphs including pictographs, tally
charts, tables, bar graphs, and line graphs.
- Measurement of perimeter and area
- Measurement in standard and metric
units.
- Geometric terms such as congruent,
similar, parallel lines, perpendicular lines, angles, line segments, rays and
lines
- Geometric figures such as polygons
(triangles, quadrilaterals, parallelograms, and trapezoids)
- Simple algebraic problems using the
associative, commutative, and zero properties.
- Mental calculation of simple whole
number addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems.
Science
Science is a content
area consisting of a variety of topics. Inquiry into topics is pursued
using textbooks, nonfiction literature, "hands on" experimentation and the
scientific inquiry method. The teaching and learning emphasis goes beyond
the coverage of facts to understanding concepts related to topics being
studied.
Fourth grade students
will develop an understanding of concepts through the following
topics:
Earth Science
- Interactions produce
change.
- Cycles repeat over time.
Life Cycles
- Living things change.
- Survival depends upon
interdependence.
- Systems provide order.
Electricity
Body Systems
- Systems require
interdependence.
- Behaviors affect systems.
Social
Studies
Social Studies is a
content area. District 118 uses concepts to focus the study of topics and
promote in-depth understanding. The primary purpose of social studies is
to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions
for themselves and the public good. Fourth grade students will develop an
understanding of concepts through the following topics:
- U.S. Regions
- Economics
- Government
Fine Arts
The Fine Arts teachers
in District #118 have constructed a comprehensive, integrated, sequential
curriculum to develop the whole child. Through "hands on" interaction
students will develop criticism skills, an aesthetic appreciation of the Arts,
and study the historical perspectives that help shape our
society.
Art
In fourth grade,
students will explore a variety of more sophisticated materials and
techniques. Students will:
- experiment with tools.
- use elements and principles of art to
express ideas.
- talk about and share products and
experiences.
- interpret artistic products and
experiences.
- artistically explore to solve
problems.
Music
In fourth grade
students will recognize how music and movement reflect various cultures.
Students will:
- learn by singing, moving, playing,
reading, and creating.
- increase proficiency with symbolic
notation.
- interpret musical compositions and
literature through moving, drawing, playing, and listening.
- study the evolution of the symphony
orchestra.
Physical
Education
The physical education
program is planned around the growth and development of the child. It
provides a wide range of activities consistent with the requirements of our
state goals. In fourth grade, students will:
- develop physical skills through
lead-up games.
- understand the components of physical
fitness.
- demonstrate safety
awareness.
- combine the elements of dance to
express ideas through movement.
- develop socialization
skills.
Suggestions for
Supporting Your Child's Learning at Home
- Read with your child daily and discuss
what you have read together.
- Engage in daily conversations relating
to a variety of topics including moral issues and values, family history,
current events, etc.
- Provide your child with a variety of
cultural experiences.
- Instruct your child in social and
personal etiquette.
- Regularly review basic math
facts.
- Allow your child to be responsible for
starting and finishing activities including homework, projects, household
chores, etc.
- Communicate the importance of quality
work by looking over and discussing your child's school work.
- Check your child's assignment notebook
daily.
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Graphics on this page are
from
DiscoverySchool.com Teacher Clip Art
Last updated September
2007
Copyright © 2006 Palos
Community Consolidated School District 118. All rights reserved.
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