Curriculum

Language Arts

The McGraw-Hill Reading series introduces a rich blend of notable fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and artwork with meaningful skill and strategy instruction. Writing, grammar, and spelling skills are integrated throughout this reading program.

Students will focus on the following New York State English Language Arts Standards to prepare them for the New York State ELA test.

Standard 1 Students will read, write, listen, and speak for information and understanding.
Standard 2 Students will read, write, listen, and speak for literary response and expression.
Standard 3 Students will read, write, listen, and speak for critical analysis and evaluation.
Standard 4 Students will read, write, listen, and speak for social interaction.

1. Reading/Literature
A variety of literary sources are used to implement the language arts curriculum.

2. Reading to children
Reading to children is an important daily part of the class reading program. This is a time for the teacher and children to enjoy stories and expand their reading interests.

3. Shared Reading
The purpose of shared reading is to learn about different genres, different book formats, and different styles and literacy qualities, and to explore more sophisticated reading skills. The children will extend their understanding of the materials and reading processes through discussion with peers and the teacher.

• Vocabulary is extended
• Development of study skills
• Comprehension Strategies
• identification of story elements
• inferences
• drawing conclusions
• main idea
• cause and effect
• sequencing
• context clues

4. NYS Standards require all children read at least 25 books per year. These books will be logged in their portfolio, which is passed on to the next grade.

WRITING

1. Shared Writing
In shared writing, teachers and children in partnership share the creating and writing process. Sharing with others gives children feedback on whether their ideas have worked out.

2. Guided Writing
In guided writing, a group of children write together with the teacher or child recording.

3. Independent Writing
In independent writing, children are responsible for the drafting and editing of their written work.

4. New York Standards require all students to write at least 1,000 words per month.

5. Spelling - Based on weekly reading selection. Pre-tests and final test as per teacher.

6. Phonics - To reinforce spelling skills

7. Handwriting - Cursive reinforced

8. Grammar

• Punctuation
• Parts of speech
• Proofreading
• Sentence structure

9. New York State English Language Arts Test (ELA) in January - This is a pupil evaluation test

10. Listening/Speaking - A variety of listening and speaking opportunities are woven into the language arts curriculum.

Social Studies

NEW YORK STATE HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT

The 4th grade Social Studies program emphasizes the history and geography of New York State and American History as it applies to New York State. The four units of study are:

• I. The Three Worlds: Native Americans, Europeans, and Africans Meet in New York State
• II. The Impact of the Colonial and Revolutionary Periods on New York and the New Nation
• III. Industrial Growth and Expansion Leads to Changes for the People and Communities of New York State
• IV. Local and State Government in New York State

The following essential questions will focus the study of NYS History and Government:

• How does geography influence growth and development?
• What causes the creation of political systems and the participation of individuals in local and state government?
• How has immigration impacted New York State throughout its history?
• How did New York's economy evolve over time?

Math

PHASES H, I

1. Addition & Subtraction

• Review facts
• Greater numbers
• Place value
• Rounding

2. Multiplication & Division

• Facts 0 - 10
• Factors, Multiples
• Multiplication of 2 digit factors
• Division with 2 digit divisors (with or without remainders)
• Rounding/Estimating
• Averaging

3. Fractions & Decimals

• Equivalent Fractions & Decimals
• Mixed Numbers
• Addition, Subtraction, Fractions (like & unlike denominators) & Decimals
• Comparing Fractions & Decimals
• Renaming Fractions as Decimals

4. Geometry

• Shapes
• Perimeter, Area, Volume
• Symmetry, Congruency
• Angles, Lines, Segments, Rays
• Circles

5. Measurements

• Metric Units
• English Units
• Time
• Calendar

6. Money

• Making Change
• Basic operations using money

7. NYS Mathematics Test in March
This is a pupil evaluation test.

Problem solving strategies are taught in conjunction with all of the topics covered.

Science

1. Trees

• Classification of trees
• Classification of leaves
• Understanding Properties

2. Plants

• Life Cycle
• Pollination/cross pollination
• Measurement - linear
• What plants need in order to grow well

3. Electric and Magnetic Forces

• Magnetism
• Electricity
• Electric Circuits
• Conductors and insulators
• Electromagnetism
• Metric measurement - linear

4. Buoyant Forces

• Force
• Properties of objects
• Factors affecting buoyancy
• Metric measurement - volume, mass, force
• Density

5. Forces, Motions, and Machines

• Wheel and axle
• Levers
• Models
• Consumer testing
• Design-and-test problem solving
• Metric measurement - linear

6. Science Fair - April

7. Elementary Level Science Test (ELS) - May
This is a pupil evaluation test.