4th Grade
Welcome to 4th grade! 4th grade is a year of exploring new topics, mastering skills, and engaging activities. Here's some additional information on some of the skills and topics students will be learning this year.
Reading
In reading students will be focusing on finding the main idea and supporting details of both fiction and informational texts. Other key skills including using context clues to determine the meaning of a word, finding the theme of a text, comparing and contrasting two readings, explaining the differences between different types of texts, and looking for the author's purpose. Throughout the year we'll be doing three novel studies in addition to using the reading text book and small group instruction. These books and when we're reading them will be announced shortly. The books can be borrowed from a friend/ library or bought (Amazon, Scholastic, Barnes and Noble, etc...).
Reading
In reading students will be focusing on finding the main idea and supporting details of both fiction and informational texts. Other key skills including using context clues to determine the meaning of a word, finding the theme of a text, comparing and contrasting two readings, explaining the differences between different types of texts, and looking for the author's purpose. Throughout the year we'll be doing three novel studies in addition to using the reading text book and small group instruction. These books and when we're reading them will be announced shortly. The books can be borrowed from a friend/ library or bought (Amazon, Scholastic, Barnes and Noble, etc...).
Writing
Students focus on writing paragraphs and short essays. We'll be working on creating introduction, body, and conclusion paragraphs when writing essays. For short responses we'll be learning RACE (restate, answer, cite two details, and explain). Students will be using two key details in each of their responses. In 4th grade we explore informational, narrative, sequential, and creative writing. We will also be learning grammar including nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, prepositions, and adverbs.
Students focus on writing paragraphs and short essays. We'll be working on creating introduction, body, and conclusion paragraphs when writing essays. For short responses we'll be learning RACE (restate, answer, cite two details, and explain). Students will be using two key details in each of their responses. In 4th grade we explore informational, narrative, sequential, and creative writing. We will also be learning grammar including nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, prepositions, and adverbs.
Math
This year DeSales is starting to use the Eureka Math Modules. While this contains the same skills students have been learning, the format is different. For more information on Eureka Math please check out the helpful websites tab. All students should have their basic addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts memorized to ensure success for the school year. Additionally students should continue to study the math unit sheet sent home in report cards at the end of the year.
Major skills taught in 4th grade include double digit multiplication, long division, and fractions (addition, subtraction, understanding value, and converting mixed numbers to improper fractions and vice versa). We'll also be covering place value, metric units, and customary units.
This year DeSales is starting to use the Eureka Math Modules. While this contains the same skills students have been learning, the format is different. For more information on Eureka Math please check out the helpful websites tab. All students should have their basic addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts memorized to ensure success for the school year. Additionally students should continue to study the math unit sheet sent home in report cards at the end of the year.
Major skills taught in 4th grade include double digit multiplication, long division, and fractions (addition, subtraction, understanding value, and converting mixed numbers to improper fractions and vice versa). We'll also be covering place value, metric units, and customary units.
Social Studies
This year students explore New York State history. We'll be learning about the geography and natural resources of New York. We also spend a lot of time on the different Native American groups of New York. Additional topics include early New Yorkers, New York during the major American wars, the Industrial Revolution, and modern New York (including government).
Once a week we will be learning about another country and what makes their culture unique, along with some of the country's geography.
This year students explore New York State history. We'll be learning about the geography and natural resources of New York. We also spend a lot of time on the different Native American groups of New York. Additional topics include early New Yorkers, New York during the major American wars, the Industrial Revolution, and modern New York (including government).
Once a week we will be learning about another country and what makes their culture unique, along with some of the country's geography.
Science
Science in fourth grade focuses on several topics- forces, energy, ecosystems, the water cycle, rocks, electricity, simple machines,weather, natural disasters, and plants. Throughout this year we'll also be completing research projects and experiments to learn more about the world around us. Fourth grade students take the New York State Science Test at the end of the year.
Science in fourth grade focuses on several topics- forces, energy, ecosystems, the water cycle, rocks, electricity, simple machines,weather, natural disasters, and plants. Throughout this year we'll also be completing research projects and experiments to learn more about the world around us. Fourth grade students take the New York State Science Test at the end of the year.
Religion
This year we will be learning more about being a better Catholic and follower of Christ, the Sacraments, the liturgical year, the 10 Commandments, and the Beatitudes. We also talk about the right thing to do in different situations and learn more about Mass. Students will serve as readers, altar servers, and gift bearers during the fourth grade masses along with the Generation Celebration.
This year we will be learning more about being a better Catholic and follower of Christ, the Sacraments, the liturgical year, the 10 Commandments, and the Beatitudes. We also talk about the right thing to do in different situations and learn more about Mass. Students will serve as readers, altar servers, and gift bearers during the fourth grade masses along with the Generation Celebration.
Homework
Students will typically have nightly math homework and a weekly reading sheet. There is no spelling homework, but students have the option to complete an extra credit spelling assignment each week. Students will have a monthly reading project that will be given to them on the first of every month. There is NO homework on Fridays unless students have incomplete work.
Tests/ Quizzes
Each week (other than some shorter weeks) there will be a spelling quiz and reading quiz on Friday. Practice addition, subtraction, and multiplication quizzes will be given as well. By the end of the year students are expected to be able to complete a 50 problem multiplication quiz (0-12) in 2 minutes.
For all other tests and quizzes extra credit study guides will be given at least one week in advance. Extra credit study guides are due the morning of the test and will not be accepted late (other than if a student is absent/ late to school that day).
For all other tests and quizzes extra credit study guides will be given at least one week in advance. Extra credit study guides are due the morning of the test and will not be accepted late (other than if a student is absent/ late to school that day).