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Curriculum - 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.
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 4. (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- Treasury of Literature:
Feast Your Eyes. (Harcourt Brace Jovanovich)
Students are introduced to
God's gift of stories and language through
a variety of short stories. Fourth graders
develop an understanding of people, comprehension
skills, cultural traditions, vocabulary,
reference skills, and the use of illustrations.
Language- World of Language.
(Silver Burdett)
Fourth graders enjoy God's
gift of words and how they are used by studying
the parts of speech, the rules of language,
and by learning to use them through a variety
of writing assignments.
History/Geography/Social
Studies- Oh, California! (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- CSI Science and
Healthy Living. (CSI)
Discovering God's beautiful
design in creation, fourth graders study
areas from plants to oceans. Students discuss
the responsibility God placed on us to take
care of the resources and gifts he has provided
for us.
Computer- Fourth Graders visit
the computer lab every week to keep up and
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.
An example of a fun activity which promotes
advanced paint/draw, graphics skills, and
Internet interaction in this grade, is for
each student to design a “Wanted”
poster for him/herself using a mock alias
and “crime”. The posters are posted
to the Web.
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
as they play recorder. Highlights include
an intense symphony unit which culminates
in attendance of the San Francisco Symphony.
Students also watch and study “Amahl
and the Night Visitors.” 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 an awareness that God is the ultimate
artist.
Spanish- Teach them Spanish.
(Instructional Faire, Inc.)
Fourth grade students continue
building vocabulary, sentence formation,
and comprehension skills. Vocabulary includes
greetings, Bible verses, family members,
meals, opposites, numbers, weather, and
more. Culturally, students learn about important
Latin American people who made a difference,
and about how all people are part of God's
plan. In addition to Teach them Spanish,
students use various audio, visual and reading
materials.
Physical Education- Physical
Education 4. (CSI)
Physical Education in fourth
grade switches the focus from the development
of fundamental skills, motor abilities,
and integrative skills towards the development
of skills in various team sports and gymnastics.
Students develop these skills through games
and drills. Building personal health fitness
is also emphasized in fourth grade. Students
engage in strength and flexibility training
along with cardiovascular endurance training.
The concepts of teamwork and fair play are
stressed throughout each activity.
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