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 SJCS Curriculum by Grade
FOURTH GRADE
Fourth grade students are making the move from primary to intermediate grades. During this move, the students are beginning to take on more responsibility in their learning. The students are excited to be involved in their learning, and to see how this learning applies to their own Christian life.
Highlights in Fourth Grade
Recorders
3rd-5th Grade Musical (every other year)
California History
Gold Country Overnight Trip
Mission Report and Project
Grand Friends Day
San Francisco Symphony “Concert for Kids”
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
Bible- Record of God’s Nation. (Christian Schools International)
Fourth graders study the writings and divisions of the Old Testament, including Judges, the divided kingdom of Israel, the rulers and prophets of Judah, and the return to Jerusalem. The students see God’s faithfulness to all His people, and they see how He works in our lives today. Memory work is used to keep God’s Word alive in each child’s life.
Math- Math 54. (Saxon)
Fourth graders see God’s order in creation as they learn math skills such as basic computation, word problems, fractions, decimals, and measurements. Fourth graders are working hard to learn their multiplication and division skills, as these skills are needed in many concepts we build on later.
Reading- Reading California: Traditions. (Houghton Mifflin)
Students are introduced to God’s gift of stories and language through a variety of short stories. Fourth graders develop an understanding of people, cultural traditions, vocabulary, and the use of illustrations. They also acquire comprehension and reference skills.
Writing/Grammar- Reading California: Traditions. (Houghton Mifflin)
Fourth graders enjoy God’s gift of words and how they are used by studying the parts of speech and the rules of language. They learn to use these things by doing a variety of writing assignments.
Word Knowledge- Reading California: Traditions. (Houghton Mifflin/Sitton), D’Nealian Handwriting (Scott Foresman)
In fourth grade, students review phonemic concepts through weekly spelling words. Students build and strengthen spelling skills through guided daily practice, weekly spelling assessments, and quality literature.
Fourth graders continue working on their D’Nealian handwriting skills, with a primary emphasis on improving their cursive handwriting.
History/Geography/Social Studies- States and Regions (Houghton Mifflin)
Fourth graders explore the earth God created by studying California history. Students discover the diversity God created in the different regions and resources of CA. They study the major historical events throughout California’s existence including the Native Americans, Spanish Missions, the Gold Rush, and California becoming a state.
Science- Science. (CSI)
Discovering God’s beautiful design in creation, fourth graders expand their knowledge through scientific inquiry while recognizing their role in bringing restoration to God’s creation. Topics of study include: organ systems, habits, rocks, minerals, light, sound, and packaging.
Health- Healthy Living: A Healthy You. (CSI)
In Health, students take responsibility for their health as individuals and as members of families and communities. Health class gives students an opportunity to develop basic life skills such as communicating, decision making, and resolving conflicts. This helps to prepare them to meet the challenges of daily living. A Christian perspective leads students to recognize that a healthy lifestyle is a lifestyle of obedience to God.
Computers- Techworks Level 4. (Teacher Created Materials) and Type To Learn. (Sunburst)
Fourth Graders expand on their keyboarding and other computer skills. More emphasis is given to technical details than before. Word processing activities now include cut, copy, paste, spell check, tab, centering and more. Language and math skills are practiced by creating pictographs. Students begin to use the internet for research.
Music- The Music Connection. (Silver Burdett Ginn)
Fourth grade music prepares students to develop and share musical gifts and talents throughout life. Students review, practice, and integrate key musical concepts (melody, harmony, rhythm, beat, composition) as they play recorder. Highlights include an intense symphony unit, which culminates in attendance of the San Francisco Symphony. Students continue vocal study by reviewing the lives and music of specific composers, students intersect music with real life. The building blocks of music needed for Grade 5 Band are given special attention.
Art- Emphasis Art. (Harper & Row)
Fourth grade students begin to make understandable symbols for concepts, to use the qualities of exaggeration, omission or inclusion of visual symbols, and use the elements of art in a complex manner. Students learn to mix colors, produce different textures, and make different kinds of lines and shapes. Students work with the following mediums: watercolor, acrylic paint, tempera paint, crayon, chalk, paper mache, clay, textiles, and resist materials. Art appreciation focuses on California Indian art to present day Western artists. Students continue to develop awareness that God is the ultimate artist.
Physical Education- Physical Education 3-5. (CSI) |