Curriculum Overview

The fourth grade program provides students with an opportunity to develop and broaden their basic skills in reading, writing and mathematics.

Subjects taught every day:

• Language Arts includes reading, grammar, writing, spelling, fluency, speaking and listening.
• Mathematics includes problem solving, critical thinking and applications.

Subjects taught on nine week rotations:

• Social Studies including map/globe skills, regions of the United States and Pennsylvania History
• Science including Electric Circuits and Environmental Studies

Students also participate in Music, Art, Arts Alive, Physical Education and Library classes.

A Shared Responsibility

If students are to benefit from their school experience, learning becomes a shared responsibility between the student, the parent, and the teacher. The South Fayette Township School District staff has identified key expectations that need to take place if we are to improve student achievement.

Student Expectations

• Complete all homework assignments
• Bring all required materials to class
• Participate in class discussions
• Follow classroom rules
• Respect the rights of others
• Read for fun

Parent Expectations

• Provide a quiet place for the child to do homework or study
• Establish time for homework and review the assignments to see if they are complete
• Read to your child often
• Communicate with the school on a regular basis

Teacher Expectations

• Provide instruction to meet various learning styles of students
• Communicate with parents on a regular basis
• Provide feedback on assignments

Special Projects

Research Project

Various interdisciplinary rotations throughout the year

Math 24

Accelerated Reader

Evaluations

A variety of methods will be used to evaluate each student’s work in the classroom. Several methods include:

• Observable Behavior
• Oral Responses
• Tests
• Quizzes
• Written Responses
• Class Participation
• Projects
• Rubrics

Specific criteria for evaluating the students will be provided.

Language Arts/Reading/Writing

PA Academic Standards/Assessment anchors:
• R4.A.1 Understand fiction appropriate to grade level
• R4.A.2 Understand nonfiction appropriate to grade level
• R4.B.1 Understand components within and between texts
• R4.B.2 Understand literary devices in fictional and nonficational text
• R4.B.3 Understand concepts and organization of nonfictional text

Science

PA Academic Standards/Assessment Anchors:
• S4.A.1 Reasoning and Analysis
• S4.A.2 Processes, Procedures, and Tools of Scientific Investigation
• S4.A.3 Systems, Models and Patterns
• S4.B.1 Structure and Function of Organisms
• S4.B.2 Continuity of Life
• S4.B.3 Ecological Behavior and Systems
• S4.C.1 Structure, Properties, and Interaction of Matter and Energy
• S4.C.2 Forms, Sources, Conversion, and Transfer of Energy

Mathematics

PA Academic Standards/Assessment Anchors
• M4.A.1 Demonstrate an understanding of numbers, ways of representing numbers, relationships among numbers and number systems
• M4.A.2 Understand the meanings of operations, use operations and understand how they relate to each other
• M4.A.3 Compute accurately and fluently and make reasonable estimates
• M4.B.1 Demonstrate an understanding of measurable attributes of objects and figures, and the units, systems and processes of measurement
• M4.B.2 Apply appropriate techniques, tools and formulas to determine measurements
• M4.C.1 Analyze characteristics and properties of two- and three- dimensional geometric shapes and demonstrate understanding of geometric relationships
• M4.C.2 Identify and/or apply concepts of transformations or symmetry
• M4.C.3 Locate and describe relationships using the coordinate plane
• M4.D.1 Demonstrate an understanding of patterns, relations and functions
• M4.D.2 Represent and/or analyze mathematical situations and structures using algebraic symbols, words, tables and graphs
• M4.E.1 Formulate questions that can be addressed with data and/or collect, organize, display and analyze data
• M4.E.2 Select and use appropriate statistical methods to analyze data
• M4.E.3 Understand and apply basic concepts of probability or outcomes

Social Studies

• Demonstrate map and globe skills
• Demonstrate acquisition of information
through graphic skills, study skills,
and research skills
• Demonstrate the use of latitude and
longitude
• Describe the characteristics of states
• Identify and analyze culture
throughout history in Pennsylvania
• Describe key people, events, and
discoveries in Pennsylvania
• Identify aspects of state and local government
• Predict the effect that climate has on people living in a certain region
• Identify natural resources within a region

Art

• Describe basic elements of the arts.
• Identify primary and secondary colors.
• Create various projects using the basic
elements of the arts.

Arts Alive

• Demonstrate basic script writing techniques.
• Play musical instruments and explore creative movements as it relates to musical theater.

Library

• Identify and locate books in different areas of the library.
• Access information from traditional and non-traditional reference sources and the general collection..

Music

• Demonstrate a steady beat using body percussion and other instruments
• Echo and sing songs using the major scale incorporating hand signs
• Demonstrate proper technique and care of the Orff instruments and recorders.

Physical Education

• Identify several activities related to each component of physical fitness.
• Recognize the attributes that individuals with differences can bring to group activities.
• Demonstrate various techniques and skills in game activities.