GRADE 4

Curriculum Overview

Grade 4

Contents English/Language Arts

English as a Second Language (Levels 1, 2)

Math

Science

Social Studies

Língua Portuguesa

Portuguese as a Foreign Language (Levels 1, 2, 3)

Information Technology

Art

Music

Physical Education

Personal, Social, and Health Education

English/Language Arts Readers and Writers Workshop is the basis of the 4th Grade Language Arts Program. The reading and writing of literature are combined through mini lessons, silent reading, oral reading and group discussions. The students learn about Language Arts in the daily mini-lessons. The purpose of the mini-lessons is to give students daily language experiences. They reinforce and improve upon their basic writing skills by doing daily oral language sentences as well. Students also write using their own ideas and experiences although there are times when the teacher will choose the topic to broaden selection of ideas. Spelling and Grammar are also incorporated in lessons. Reading is a meaning-seeking process and an individualized one as well. The goal is to provide opportunities, both in school and at home, for students to become actively involved as readers of others’ writing, along with developing strategies for better reading and understanding. The purpose of Readers’ Workshop is to instill the passion of reading in children and turn them into lifelong readers. CAISL uses MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) Tests in fourth grade. These tests measure student growth in Language Usage and Reading. They provide teachers with data that can be used to individualize instruction and analyze progress and achievement in these areas. The reading test also generates a Lexile Reading Score for each student which helps teachers accurately match reading materials to reading ability. In addition, we use DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment) for some students, where we feel additional information about their reading is needed. The DRA is administered by teachers in a one-on-one conference where the teacher can observe, record, and evaluate a student’s reading accuracy, comprehension and fluency. Textbooks: Writers Express, Write Source (Heath) Traditions (Houghton Mifflin)

Major Readings: Coffin on a Case, Eve Bunting Number the Stars, Lois Lowry Witches, Roald Dahl Sing a Song of Seasons (Poetry Anthology) A Child’s Anthology of Poetry (Elizabeth Hauge Sword Edition)

English as a Second Language - Level 1 The goal of this course is to offer the student a basic knowledge of the language so that he/she will be able to express him/herself orally, and later on with simple sentence structure. Students will acquire basic vocabulary on general topics, basic ability to express themselves orally with simple sentences, and basic understanding of American culture. Students will learn to follow class instructions and basic grammar rules, write simple sentences and paragraphs. They will also learn to read at approximately the third grade level and develop proper pronunciation and rhythm for speaking in English. Students take the DRA (Development Reading Assessment) which is administered by the ESL teacher in a one-on-one conference where the teacher can observe, record, and evaluate a student’s reading accuracy, comprehension, and fluency. The DRA results provide the ESL teacher with detailed information on students’ reading progress.

English as a Second Language - Level 2 The reading, writing, speaking and listening skills acquired during the first year will be reinforced and expanded. As students learn more vocabulary, they will use it in everyday situations. They will engage in conversation with their classmates and teachers. Students will choose their own reading materials and respond to these materials appropriately. They will explore a variety of genres including poetry, fiction and non-fiction. Among a variety of writing

skills, students will continue to learn grammar rules, write several sentences and paragraphs describing a familiar topic or experience, and use correct spelling and mechanics.

Math The 4th Grade program places emphasis on defining basic computational skills to include proficiency in multiplication and division. Problem-solving skills and strategies are reinforced and integrated throughout the year. The use of concrete materials and calculators are used when appropriate. Topics include Place Value, Computation and Estimation, Geometry, Measurement and Time, Graphing and Data, and an introduction to Fractions. The acquisition of a specialized math vocabulary is also stressed to help students with their understanding and appreciation of the subject. Review Sheets, Quizzes, Teacher-made tests, End-of-Chapter tests, Cumulative tests, class work, homework and independent projects will be used to assess the students´ knowledge of the material taught.

CAISL uses MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) Tests for Math in Fourth Grade. These tests measure student growth in key areas of Mathematical understanding, such as number sense, computation, problem solving, measurement, and data handling. They provide teachers with data that can be used to individualize instruction and analyze progress and achievement in these areas. Textbook: Houghton Mifflin Math 2007 (for Grade 4)

Science The curriculum is divided into five units of study in order to place the standards in appropriate themes.. Each unit explores the theme and leads students into learning the scientific method. Students study content, analyze data, make predictions and test their predictions through experimentation. Research, record keeping,

and note-taking skills are ongoing throughout the year. Textbook Modules: Discover the Wonder, Scott Foresman

Social Studies Students will be motivated to learn about their world and to become world citizens. In an attempt to understand our changing world, students are presented with geography content and skills to learn more about where places are and what they look like, how people affect their environment, and how places are linked to one another. Students study the regions of the United States, along with a variety of cultures, and develop a global awareness through various activities and research. Critical thinking opportunities also allow students to examine their world (past and present) and learn through decision-making.

Textbook: Regions and Resources (Silver Burdett Ginn)

Língua Portuguesa O programa apresenta os domínios: Comunicação Oral, Comunicação Escrita e Conhecimento Explícito da Língua, Análise e Reflexão, em três blocos distintos mas pressupondo uma prática integrada. Considera-se essencial que através do uso da Língua e da aprendizagem da Escrita e da Leitura se mobilizem situações de diálogo, de cooperação, de confronto de opiniões, se fomente a curiosidade de aprender; se descubra e se desenvolva, nas dimensões cultural, lúdica e estética da Língua, o gosto de falar, ler e escrever. O ritmo de aprendizagem dos alunos e os níveis de progressão serão os indicadores e os reguladores do processo de aprendizagem. A adopção desta perspetiva pedagógica contribuirá para que o aluno ao longo deste ano, na Língua em que pensa, fala, lê e escreve, construa a sua identidade e a sua relação com o mundo. Far-se-á ao longo do ano, uma abordagem à Cultura portuguesa.

Material Didáctico: Língua Portuguesa 4 – Pasta Mágica – (Areal Editores) Livros: Beatriz e o Plátano, Ilse Losa Uma Aventura, Ana Maria Magalhães e Isabel Alçada Caminho O Meu Primeiro Livro de Versos, Tradução de Maria José Marques

Portuguese as a Foreign Language - Level 1 The students are encouraged to enjoy and take an active interest in learning the Portuguese language and its uses. The PFL 1 program aims to give the students a basic facility in listening, speaking, and understanding functional Portuguese. Students read and write simple sentences and introduce regular verbs in the present tense. Vocabulary will increase and will be determined by the topics under consideration. The teacher will use active learning to help students reach their optimum ability level. The students will enjoy and take an active role in learning the Portuguese customs and culture.

Textbook: Português a Brincar (Lidel)

Portuguese as a Foreign Language - Level 2 The goal of this course is to interest the students to study the Portuguese language. This course is designed to offer them a basic knowledge of the language so that they will be able to understand and express themselves in both written and verbal form. In addition, the course enables the student awareness and curiosity of another culture. The course stresses oral expression with a gradual progression from reading to writing. This course is a continuation of Portuguese 1 and involves a review and extension of Portuguese grammar (regular and irregular verbs; present, past and future tenses) along with writing simple paragraphs, reading and intensive oral practice. This course includes history, social structures and the cultural life of Portugal. Textbook: Voa com as palavras (Lidel)

Portuguese as a Foreign Language - Level 3 This course is a continuation of PFL Level 2. The aim is to reinforce oral skills, increasing the vocabulary about different topics. Simultaneously, grammar is expanded: singular/plural; pronouns; synonyms/antonyms; adjectives; verbs; punctuation. The students read and write texts, compositions and simple essays. Textbook: Pasta Mágica 3º ano, Língua Portuguesa 3, Areal Editores

Information Technology In Fourth Grade technology is integrated into all other subject areas of the curriculum. Students are introduced to logo programming and continue developing their ICT skills using word processing and presentation software. Students are also introduced to spreadsheets. Students practice correct posture and fingering techniques when keyboarding and continue building speed when typing. Students work cooperatively and collaboratively with others when using technology within the classroom. Students use safe and correct security procedures by protecting user passwords. They use and explore teacher selected technology tools, including software and hardware. Students use communication tools identified by the teacher to help gather information, share ideas and respond to questions when communicating with various audiences, including school and community, making use of different media formats. Multimedia and publishing tools are used to express original ideas with print, drawings, digital images, video, sounds and/or personal recordings. Students present ideas and information in formats such as electronic presentations, web pages or graphic organizers that are suitable to a specific audience. Students learn how to deal with cyber bullying and which are the right informational sites to use when researching. Students have a ratio of one computer per two children providing IT integration into the other curriculum areas.

Art In Grade Four, constant focus remains on the elements of art and principles of design introduced and reinforced at various levels. Art projects will involve the students working from their imagination and observation, primarily through drawing, painting and mixed media sculpture. Through their artwork students articulate and demonstrate greater creativity and originality. Skills are further developed especially in the area of drawing and color theory. The student’s experience of art is broadened by studying work from different artists and cultures.

Music Fourth grade musicians focus on the implementation of previous musical skills both vocally and on instruments. Students perform beginning choral pieces and start playing recorder both individually and with others. Students also participate in drumming circles that enhance musical ability as well as cultural and community awareness. Grade 4 students perform twice annually: the Winter Concert and the Fine Arts Festival.

Physical Education The Fourth Grade Physical Education curriculum is designed to increase the level of gymnastics, games, sports, cross country, and track. In gymnastics students have to perform complex sequences. Games and sports classes will introduce strategy, to make sure that the students apply basic offensive and defensive tactics. Sports classes will introduce volleyball, kickball and badminton to the students and improve their skills and tactical level in soccer and basketball. With the cross country classes, we teach the students to measure their heart rates and, at the same time, to know how to modify their physical activity to be more health-enhancing.

Personal, Social, and Health Education The goal of PSHE in Elementary School is to help students develop strategies to make healthy choices related to their personal and social health.

In Grade 4, students will focus on students will focus on several topics related to personal, social and emotional health: Six Pillars of Character (Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship), self-esteem, peer pressure, bullying and introduction to puberty.

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in which we challenge ourselves and each other

to do our best and to make positive contributions

to our diverse and ever-changing world.