4th Grade

Reading
Literature is the foundation of the reading program. The focus is to develop the students’ knowledge and understanding of literary elements. Students will learn the components of literature-genre, theme, character, setting, plot, point of view, and text structure. In the reading workshop, students will experience guided literature through whole-class mini-lessons, small group guided reading, and independent reading of “just right” books. Strategies are taught through a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts. Students will evaluate, discuss and write what they think, explaining their ideas with evidence from the text.
Language Arts/Writing
The Writing Program is a workshop model. Writing Units of study will focus on narrative, non-fiction, poetry, and opinion writing. Students will learn about each genre by reading and analyzing mentor texts. Through whole-class mini-lessons, small-group instruction, and individual conferences, students will receive instruction on essential writing strategies and skills. Students will be taught grammar and usage. Students will be able to spell with a high degree of accuracy, use punctuation correctly, write short book reports and short research reports.
Religion
Fourth-grade catechism facilitates the spiritual growth and formation of the child. In addition to daily prayer and attending mass, students will gain a deeper understanding of the different seasons of the Church, the Beatitudes, the Ten Commandments, and how we are called to holiness.
Science and Social Studies
Science Focus is primarily on Life Cycles, Earth Science and Physical Science. In Life Science, students will learn to classify living things, life cycles, adaptations, and human body systems. In Earth Science, students will learn about the Earth’s changing surface, weather, and space. In Physical Science, students will learn about matter and energy, forces and motion. Science labs encourage students to reinforce and discover the topic covered in class.
In Social Studies, we will focus on the state of New York, its antiquity, and how it developed into the huge prosperous city, it is today.
Math
Students will learn to perform many arithmetic operations with whole numbers and decimals. Students will learn about place value, addition and subtraction to one million, multiply by 1- and 2-digit numbers, division, fractions, decimals- (addition, subtraction, and multiplication), angles, geometry, perimeter, and area. Students are expected to be fluent in multiplication and division tables. Automaticity will be assessed throughout the year. Students will explain their strategies and solutions using pictures, numbers, and words. Students will make connections using math in everyday situations.