4th Grade Curriculum Conferences2019 - 2020

“The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught, as that every child should be given the wish to learn.” - John Lubbock

Overview 4th GradeThe 4th Grade begins the intermediate years of elementary school. Fourthgraders are expected to follow both oral and written instructions and completework responsibly and independently. They must master, integrate, and apply theskills they have acquired in the early elementary grades. This year, students’abilities will be evaluated through formalized state assessments in EnglishLanguage Arts (ELA), Mathematics, and Science.In 4th grade children continue to make the transition to independentstudents. They are encouraged to progress at their own rate and to achieve theirpersonal best. Students in the 4th grade become more self-sufficient and will beable to organize their learning.Mathematics, science, and technology programs build upon critical thinkingand problem solving, involving students in inquiry, experimentation, and findingsolutions.

WritingOur goal this year is to investigate and apply writing elements

whilecreating narrative, expository, persuasive, and descriptive writing pieces. We willdo this by…• Understanding and applying the writing process to develop, revise, and edit• Developing ideas from personal experiences, research, and literature• Examining and applying spelling patterns and rules in daily writing• Recognizing and applying writing mechanics and grammar usage independently

As you know, we follow the Teacher’s College curriculum for Writing. The4th grade units are as follows…

Unit 1 The Arc of Story – Writing Realistic Fiction

Unit 2 Boxes & Bullets – Personal & Persuasive Essays

Unit 3 The Literary Essay – Writing About Fiction

Unit 4 Compare/Contrast Essays

Unit 5 Historical Fiction

Unit 6 Test Sophistication

Unit 7 Poetry AnthologiesUnit 8 Comics Writing Through Pictures

ReadingOur goal this year is to expand

students’ love of reading and establish their identities as readers. We will do this by…

• Investigating a range of texts to explorecomplex themes • Strengthening comprehension by applyingappropriate reading strategies• Reading beyond the literal meaning of textsto analyze and evaluate an author’s intent• Using a full range of word-solving strategies to increase fluency and buildvocabulary• Modeling appreciation for the power of the written word and working todevelop a deeper understanding of self, others, and the world

As you know, we follow the Teacher’s College curriculum for Reading. The4th grade units are as follows…

Unit 1 Interpreting Characters – The Heart of the Story

Unit 2 Purposeful Reading of Nonfiction – Weather/World

Unit 3 Interpretation Book Clubs

Unit 4 Reading History – The American Revolution

Unit 5 Test Preparation

Unit 6 Historical Fiction Book Clubs

Unit 7 Lenses of Power and Perspective

4th Grade Benchmarks for ReadingSeptember November January March June

1 = M or below2 = N/O3 = P/Q4 = R or above

1 = n or below2 = O/P3 = Q/R4 = S or above

1 = O or below2 = P/Q3 = R/S4 = T or above

1 = O or below2 = P/Q3 = R/S4 = T or above

1 = P or below2 = Q/R3 = S/T4 = U or above

Social Studies

The grade 4 social studies program builds on students’ understanding of families, schools, and communities and highlights the political institutions and historic development of their local community with connections to New York State and the U.S.

The grade 4 units are as follows…

Unit 1THE GEOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK STATE: New York State has a diverse geography. Various maps can be used to represent and examine the geography of New York State. (Standard: 3; Theme: GEO)

Unit 2

NATIVE AMERICANS: FIRST INHABITANTS OF NY STATE: NativeAmerican groups, chiefly the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) andAlgonquian-speaking groups, inhabited the region that became NewYork. Native American Indians interacted with the environment anddeveloped unique cultures. (Standards: 1, 3, 5; Themes: ID, MOV, GEO, GOV)

Unit 3

COLONIAL AND REVOLUTIONARY PERIODS: European exploration led to the colonization of the region that became New York State. Beginning in the early 1600s, colonial New York was home to people from many different countries. Colonial New York was important during the Revolutionary Period. (Standards 1, 3, 4; Themes: MOV, TCC, GEO,SOC, GOV)

Unit 4

FREEDOM & THE NEW NATION: Different groups of people did not have equal rights and freedoms. People worked to bring about change. The struggle for rights and freedoms was one factor in the division of the United States that resulted in the Civil War. (Standards: 1, 5; Themes: ID, TCC, SOC, CIV)

Unit 5

MAKING THE EMPIRE STATE: INDUSTRIALIZATION, IMMIGRATION, AND WESTWARD MOVEMENT: Economic activities in New York State are varied and have changed over time. Various individuals and groups have contributed to the growth and development of New York State. (Standards 1, 3, 4; Themes: MOV, TCC, GEO, ECO, TECH)

Math

The Mathematics program at PS 36 aligns and supports the New York StateCommon Core Standards through the application of the Eureka and the Context for Learning program. Through this program, students will participate in hands-on activities and solve real world problems while working to master each standard.

The 4th grade units of study are as follows: Module 1: Place Value, Rounding, and Algorithms for Addition and

Subtraction Module 3: Multi-Digit Multiplication and Division Module 5: Fraction Equivalence, Ordering, and Operations Module 4: Angle Measure and Plane Figures Module 2: Unit Conversions and Problem Solving with Metric

Measurement Module 6: Decimal Fractions Module 7: Exploring Measurement

with Multiplication

ScienceThe Science program at PS 36

aligns and supports the New York StateLearning Standards. NYS Learning Standards for Mathematics, Science andTechnology, which are addressed during Science, are as follows:

Standard 1: Analysis, Inquiry and DesignStandard 2: Information SystemsStandard 4: Science- Physical Setting and Learning Environment

The Amplify Science Units that are taught to address these standards are as follows:

Unit 1 Energy Conversions

Unit 2 Vision & Light

Unit 3 Earth’s Features

Unit 4 Waves, Energy, Information

Students will participate in science lessons and lab experiments

in their classrooms. The 4th grade teachers work together to provide

the students with both concept material and hands-on exploration to teach content & boostengagement. Emphasis is placed on learning through the steps of the scientific method.

AssessmentsThe 4th Grade teachers are dedicated to the education of the

children inour classrooms. Instruction is carefully planned to embrace each unique learner.Diverse learning styles require a variety of instructional approaches to ensurestudent success. Assessments (e.g., evaluations; individual and group work; tests;projects) are an integral part of the curricula in all grades to determine studentperformance and needs. On-going evaluation and instruction ensures that eachstudent’s work indicates that he/she is prepared for the future.

Character EducationCharacter Education permeates

the building and classrooms each and every day at PS 36. Both formal and informal discussions are woven into lessons daily that help to shape students’ character.

This year we are continuing to follow a great program - “The Leader In Me.” We will be highlighting the “7 Habits of Happy Kids,” which teaches 21st century leadership and life skills to students and creates a culture of student empowerment based on the idea that every child can be a leader.

Mission StatementOur primary focus is academic achievement. Through

individualized goal setting, teachers assist students in meeting their next academic challenge in an environment that respects their individual differences. We expect all children to learn and to meet content and performance benchmarks through high quality; standards based instruction with a strong emphasis on reading, writing and problem solving. By providing a curriculum that incorporates creativity, physical fitness, scientific exploration and the acquisition of technology skills, we promote the development of a community of lifelong learners.

Home-School ConnectionThe link between home and school is vital for all students. Strong ties can beestablished and maintained throughout the grades when they begin in theprimary grades. Homework, discussion about field trips, and on-goingcommunication between parent and teacher (conferences, phone calls, emails,etc.) are opportunities to strengthen this home-school connection.

HomeworkHomework assignments are a reinforcement or extension of class work. Inthe 4th grade, it is an opportunity to establish good student habits and skills, aswell as to develop a sense of pride in students’ work. Parents should encouragestudents to fulfill this academic responsibility by completing all assigned work.Mutually setting up a schedule for homework and long-term projects is a way to

let your child know that his/her work is important to you. In this way, he/she cando his/her personal best.

It is important that your child has: a quiet, well lit, distraction-free space in which to work sufficient time, set aside for completing homework pencils, crayons, ruler, glue, paper, and other basic supplies organizational aids that will keep work neat and accessible:

(folders; book bag; pencil case; etc.)

Attendance MattersMissing a day of school here and there or arriving 10 minutes

late may seeminconsequential and at times even insignificant, but consider this: a studentwho is 10 minutes late every day will miss over 30 hours ofinstruction during the year — a week of school. A student who isabsent just twice a month will miss 20 school days — 4 weeks ofschool! Each lateness or absence means a student has lost an opportunity tolearn.

Just as we can never regain a moment of time wasted, missing a day of school means missing a day of education that cannot be retrieved. Students may be able to make up an assignment, but they can never recover what is most important… the discussion, the questions, the explanations by the teacher and the thinking that makes learning come alive!

Field TripsStudents will participate in field trips that enrich classroom

experience.

Parents will be notified of specific trips and asked to sign a consent form. Discussthese adventures with your child to enhance his/her learning as he/she sharesexperiences with you.

NYS Assessment DatesELA – Wednesday, March 25th – Friday, March 27th Math – Tuesday, April 21st – Thursday, April 23rd Science Performance Task – Between, Monday, May 18th & Friday, May 29th Science Written – Monday, June 1st

Common Core State Standards can be accessed at www.engageny.org