what your child will learn fourth grade

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What Your Child Will Learn In Fourth Grade

4Student Expectations 2011-2012A Resource Book for Parents

What Your Child Will Learn In Fourth Grade

4Student Expectations 2011-2012A Resource Book for Parents

I want to assure you that the teachers and staff of Henderson County Public Schools are committed to the needs of all the children we serve. We take very seriously the responsibility of providing instructional services to your son/daughter. As a parent you are the primary teacher in your child’s life, and as such, possess valuable insights into his/her unique needs. As your son/daughter progresses through the grades, he/she will face many challenges and demands. Our objective is to prepare your child for an increasingly complex, changing world. Upon graduation, we hope that we have helped equip him/her with the tools necessary to be successful.

We must work together to provide the best education possible for your child. Communication is essential. You can help your child more effectively if you know what will be expected of him/her. This publication features our expectations for students in the fourth grade. It is the fifth in a series published for kindergarten through fifth grade. It is our belief that parents should have a resource book that tells them what we expect their child to learn and know at each elementary grade level. We hope this book proves to be a worthwhile publication for both you and your child.

We begin the publication with two pages of “Ideas For Parents” which identify ways that you can help your child learn. One of the most important things you can do for your son or daughter is spend time with him/her. These ideas illustrate that you can teach your child and have fun at the same time.

Students study North Carolina history and geography in fourth grade. They also concentrate more on reading and writing skills and are taught to become more proficient in active listening, speaking, and the use of media and technology.

Please continue to encourage your son or daughter to read at least 25 to 30 minutes every night. On page 6, we have included “Favorite Books for Fourth Graders.” These are just a few of the excellent books that your child can read. Visit the library often with your child. Books make wonderful gifts. They are powerful tools for learning.

Please don’t hesitate to contact the teacher. It is our privilege to work with you and your child. We are here for the children we serve.

David L. Jones Superintendent

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Ideas for Parents --------------------------------------------------2, 3

Reading and Writing ------------------------------------------------4, 5

Favorite Books for Fourth Graders -----------------------------------6

Information Skills ------------------------------------------------------7

Mathematics -------------------------------------------------------8, 9

Social Studies ---------------------------------------------------------10

Science ---------------------------------------------------------------- 11

Computer and Technology Skills --------------------------------------12

Healthful Living ---------------------------------------------------13, 14

Music -------------------------------------------------------------------15

Visual Arts-------------------------------------------------------------16

School Counseling -----------------------------------------------------17

Character Education --------------------------------------------------18

Programs For Children With Special Needs ------------------------18

Family Resources ------------------------------------------------ 19, 20

Core Values ------------------------------------------------------------21

Promotion Standards ------------------------------------------------ 22

Our Schools ---------------------------------------------------------- 23

Homework In Fourth Grade ----------------------------------------- 24

What Teachers Have To Say About Fourth Grade ---------------- 25

Mission Statement, Guiding Principle, Strategic Plan Goals ------- 26

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● Read to your child often, choosing a book that is harder than he/she can read alone. This will help him/her hear and learn new vocabulary. ● Encourage your child to read silently every night, and occasionally ask him/her to read aloud to you. ● Have your child use road maps when taking trips. Discuss distance, direction, and vocabulary such as mile, foot, inches, and metric, when applicable. ● North Carolina history is studied in fourth grade. Have your child pick up brochures and discuss them with your child. Plan family trips to places of interest.

● Have your child write letters and thank-you notes to friends and relatives. Also, have your child keep a journal. Let your child see you write. ● Cook with your child. Have him/her read recipes, then half and double the recipe. Discuss the measurements. ● Play board games and card games requiring logical reasoning and mathematical operations. ● Build simple objects, sew or do crafts with your child. ● Have your child create a poem about family activities or holidays.

● Let your child keep a scrapbook.

● Encourage your child to read the newspaper/ magazines and discuss current events.

● Play a “time” game to help your child study elapsed time.

● Practice counting money and making change.

● Practice multiplication tables and division facts but make it fun!

● Place an object in front of the child and have him/her write about it using elaboration.

● Listen to your child talk about his/her interests.

● Help your child start hobby or collection.

● Visit museums and the library together.

Above, a wagon on display at the Historic Johnson Farm. To the right, laundry aids from the past in the old farmhouse.

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Students will use a variety of strategies and skills to read and write fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama. They will also become more proficient in active listening, speaking, and using media and technology.

Students will learn to

● Expand vocabulary by reading a variety of print materials and engaging in word study activities.

● Spell high frequency words routinely and use resources to check spelling.

● Communicate effectively with different audiences through spoken, written, and visual formats.

● Apply comprehension strategies, such as rereading the text, consulting other sources, asking for help, paraphrasing, and questioning.

● Read a variety of texts, including legends, novels, folklore, science fiction, autobiographies, informational books, diaries, journals, poetry, and drama.

● Identify and interpret the differences between fiction and nonfiction.

● Identify the author’s purpose and choice of words, plot, theme, main idea, and supporting details.

● Verify the meaning and accuracy of the author’s statements.

● Consider a situation or problem from different characters’ points of view.

● Make inferences, draw conclusions, and make generalizations by referencing the text.

● Integrate information from two or more sources to expand understanding of text.

● Read self-selected books independently for 20-30 minutes a day.

● Conduct research for assigned self-selected projects from a variety of sources, such as print and non-print texts, artifacts, people, libraries, databases, and computer networks.

● Write for a variety of purposes and audiences.

● Use correct capitalization and punctuation to compose, edit, and revise a written draft that conveys major ideas and maintains focus on the topic with specific, relevant, and supporting details.

● Use appropriate pronouns, subject/verb agreement, verb tense, and subject agreement when speaking or writing.

● Elaborate written and spoken information by using simple and compound sentences, regular and irregular verbs, adverbs, prepositions, and coordinating conjunctions.

● Compose multiple paragraphs which have a topic sentence, specific and relevant details, coherence, elaboration, and a concluding statement.

● Proofread and correct most misspellings independently with reference to resources, such as dictionaries, thesauri, glossaries, and computer spell-checks.

● Produce personal and imaginative narratives, research reports, learning logs, letters of request and complaint, diaries, journals, rules, and instructions.

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Summer of the Monkeys, by Wilson Rawls

Littlejim, by Gloria Houston

Who Comes With Cannons, by Patricia Beatty

There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Restroom, by Louis Sachar

Because of Winn-Dixie, by Kate DiCamille

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, by Judy Blume

Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame

My Teacher is an Alien, by Bruce Coville

Fourth Grade Rats, by Jerry Spinelli

Tucker’s Countryside, by George Sheldon, Garth Williams

Sarah Plain and Tall, by Patricia MacLachlan

Tuck Everlasting, by Natalie Babbitt

Dear Dr. Henshaw, by Beverly Cleary

Morgan’s Zoo, by James Howe

Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry

Bunnicula, by James Howe

Who Stole the Wizard of Oz, by Avi

Owls in the Family, by Farley Mowat

Castle in the Attic, by Elizabeth Winthrop

By the Great Horn Spoon!, by Sid Fleischman

Cricket in Times Square, by George Sheldon, Garth Williams

Nancy Drew series

The American Girls series

Beverly Cleary books

Matt Christopher collection of sports books


● Select resources for personal and informational purposes.

● Participate in reading aloud, storytelling, and booktalking events.

● Identify story elements such as problem, moral, theme, and compare and contrast events and characters.

● Identify characteristics of various genres such as folklore and legends.

● Identify different reference sources (almanac, newspaper, magazine, encyclopedia,) and select the most appropriate source of information.

● Identify parts of a book such as a bibliography.

● Recognize Newbery Medal or other notably recognized books.

● Follow the Acceptable Use of Internet and Computer Resources guidelines (Policy 630).

Sample Bibliographies1. Book by One Author: Robinson, Adam. What Smart Students Know. New York: Crown Paperbacks, 1993.2. Book by Two Authors: Smith, Richard J., and Mark Gibbs. Navigating the Internet. Indianapolis: Sams, 1994.3. Book with No Author Listed: The World of Learning. London: Europa Publications, 1995.4. Encyclopedia Article: Rupp, Ernest Gordon. “Erasmus.” Encyclopaedia Britannica: Macropaedia. 1991 ed.5. Article in a Magazine, Author Known: Hamill, Pete. “Breaking the Silence.” Esquire 16 May 1995: 22-24.6. Website, No Author: “Pets.” 9 Oct. 2002 <http://www.petsrus.com/>

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● Develop number sense for decimals, fractions, and whole numbers from one hundredth (.01) through 99,999.

● Develop fluency in computing multiplication and division with multi-digit numbers.

● Understand relationships among fractions such as equivalence of halves, fourths, eighths, thirds, sixths, twelfths, fifths, tenths, hundredths, and identifying mixed numbers.

● Develop and analyze strategies for adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators.

● Solve problems using a variety of strategies such as setting up a table and using calculators when appropriate.

Input Output

2 6

3 9

4 18

5 ?

+ + = ?


● Solve problems that involve perimeter of two-dimensional shapes and areas of rectangles.

● Collect, organize, analyze, and display data in line and bar graphs.

● Describe the results of reflections, translations (slides) and rotations of two-dimensional shapes.

● Use median, range, and mode to describe the distribution of data.

● Describe the location of points on a coordinate grid.

● Describe how change in one quantity proportionally relates to change in a second quantity.

● Understand order of operations and identity, commutative, associative, and distributive properties.

5in

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Example: Sally can make 6 dozen cookies with 4 cups of flour. How many cups of flour are needed for 12 dozen cookies?

3 + 4 = 4 + 3 4 + 8 x 3 = 28

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● Identify ways the individual can contribute to the community.

● Examine the important roles ethnic groups have played in the development of North Carolina.

● Trace the history of North Carolina from colonization to present day.

● Apply the five themes of geography to North Carolina and its people.

● Evaluate how North Carolinians apply economic principles within the community, state, and nation.

● Give examples of interdependence that North Carolina has with other states and nations.

● Identify advantages and disadvantages of technology in the lives of North Carolinians.

● Examine the development of political and social institutions of North America.

North Carolina history and geography is the focus of the Social Studies curriculum in fourth grade.


● Investigate animal characteristics and behaviors in their particular habitats.

● Evaluate living and nonliving things that affect animal life such as climate, water, and air.

● Investigate the composition and uses of rocks and minerals.

● Observe, investigate, and design electric circuits.

● Investigate the properties of magnets and their effects on various substances.

● Investigate how food provides energy and materials for the growth and repair of the body.

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● Use databases and spreadsheets to collect and display information.

● Locate information on the Internet.

● Evaluate Internet information for content and usefulness.

● Develop word processing documents.

● Understand uses of email.

At grade four, the focus for health and physical education is on setting personal health and fitness goals and recognizing the benefits of physical activity.

HealthStudents will learn to● Recognize health risks.

● Recognize social, emotional, physical, and mental health risks involving substance abuse. ● Demonstrate refusal skills in response to peer pressure.

● Recognize signs and behaviors of substance abuse.

● Analyze advertisements for health-related products.

FitnessStudents will learn to● Understand the benefits of physical activity.

● Learn age-appropriate movement skills. ● Practice balance routines.

SafetyStudents will learn to● Follow rules, procedures, and etiquette.

● Provide basic first aid in emergency situations. ● Learn bicycle safety.

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Nutrition


● Compare different food guide pyramids.

● Analyze the impact of media on food choice.

Social Skills


● Work collaboratively and cooperatively with a partner.

● Work independently.

● Stay on task.

● Use communication effectively in positive ways through body language and verbal expression.

● Express feelings in healthy ways.

● Describe relationships between people.

THE ARTSAll elementary schools have music instruction for at least one semester each year. The other semester of the arts may be either visual art, dance, theater, or continued music instruction. Only music and visual art curriculum goals are noted. The study of arts is cumulative and sequential to include learning introduced from previous grade levels.


● Demonstrate appropriate expressive and technical vocal and instrumental practices.

● Demonstrate pitch and rhythmic accuracy.

● Read and notate rhythmic and melodic patterns.

● Identify traditional symbols and use appropriate terminology.

● Develop skills in improvising, composing, and arranging music.

● Develop listening, analyzing, and evaluating skills.

● Develop an understanding of music in relation to history, culture, and other content areas.

● Show respect for the efforts of others.

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● Organize and sequence events.

● Incorporate multi-step processes in their projects.

● Incorporate North Carolina history, animals, symmetry, and narrative writing.

● Recognize the styles ¡of individual artists.

● Develop listening, analyzing, and evaluating skills.

● Compare and contrast art movements.

● Explore the art of North Carolina.

The counseling program is designed to help all students develop their academic, personal, social, and career development goals. Services may be provided individually, in small groups, or in the classroom. Special classroom lessons provided by school counselors and classroom teachers help students develop skills and attitudes to help them develop their full potential in these areas.


● Consider the consequences of their decisions and choices. ● Develop effective coping skills for dealing with problems. ● Develop study skills necessary for school success. ● Determine the relationship between learning and work. ● Compare personal skills and interests with current career choices. ● Investigate resources to obtain career information.

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We believe in an inclusive instructional program. This means that, to the greatest degree possible, children with special needs will be educated in the regular classroom setting. In some instances, children with special needs are served in a separate classroom. If you think your child has any special learning needs, please notify school personnel when enrolling your child.

August .............................................................................................Responsibility September ....................................................................................Self-Discipline

October ...................................................................................................Integrity

November ................................................................................................ Kindness

December .............................................................................................Generosity

January .......................................................................................... Perseverance

February .................................................................................................. Courage

March ......................................................................................................... Respect

April ............................................................................................. Good Judgment

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ProGrams For chIldren WITh sPecIal

Character Education is learning how to make good decisions and choices. Traits such as respect for self and others, responsibility, integrity, and self-discipline are integrated into the content areas. The Character Education Traits of the Month for Henderson County Public Schools are listed below.

Asheville-Buncombe Christian Community Ministry (ABCCM) ..... 259-5335(provides clothing)

Big Brothers/Big Sisters ......................................................................693-8153(provides a mentoring program for children of single parent families)

Blue Ridge Literacy Council .................................................................. 696-3811 (provides adult literacy tutors and adult English-as-a-Second Language program)

Boy Scouts of America ..........................................................................254-6189 (teaches character development, citizenship and mental and physical fitness)

The Boys and Girls Club ....................................................................... 693-9444(provides educational/recreational afterschool activities)

Children and Family Resource Center ............................................... 698-0674(provides parenting classes, parenting support and child care referrals)

Children’s Clothing Closet ..................................................................... 698-1618(provides clothing with a referral by WCCA, DSS or schools)

Department of Social Services .......................................................... 697-5500(provides child support, employment services, food and guardianship)

Dispute Settlement Center ................................................................. 697-7055(provides mediation for disputes and parent and adolescent communication enhancement)

El Centro .................................................................................................. 693-1981(initiates referrals to other community resources for non-English speaking families)

ESL Family Center ................................................................................. 693-4997(assists international families in registering for school)

4-H Youth Development - NC Cooperative Extension Agency......697-4891(provides youth programs)

The following organizations are excellent resources for families in our community. We have indicated the organization’s name, phone number and main function.

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Families Together ................................................................................. 775-0540(provides mental health counseling)

Four Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care ..........................................692-6178(provides grief support and crisis intervention)

Girl Scouts of America ....................................................................... 252-4442(teaches leadership, service, careers, and interpersonal skills)

Healing Place ...........................................................................................692-3931(provides counseling and support for victims of sexual assault and child abuse; crisis intervention)

Health Department .............................................................................. 692-4223 (provides public health education, immunizations, nutrition and dental health, and parenting classes)

Hendersonville Housing Authority ....................................................692-6175 (provides clean, safe housing for families)

Hendersonville Rescue Mission/Ministry Seven ............................697-1354 (provides temporary emergency shelter, counseling, and food)

Interfaith Assistance Ministry ........................................................ 697-7029(provides food, clothing, and assistance for families in crisis)

Mainstay .................................................................................................. 693-3840 (provides shelter for victims of domestic abuse and violence)

Mainstay - Children’s Corner (provides clothing) ......................... 693-3840

My Sister’s Closet/First United Methodist Church .................... 693-4275(provides clothing for unemployed families)

NC Mentor ............................................................................................. 696-2667(provides mental health and substance abuse counseling)

Pardee Health Education Center ...................................................... 692-4600(provides literature, videos and child care classes)

Salvation Army (provides food and clothing) ..................................693-4181

The Storehouse (provides food) ....................................................... 692-8300

Western Carolina Community Action (WCCA) ................................. 693-1711 (provides food, clothing, day care, mentoring, transportation, and job placement)

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The Henderson County Board of Public Education has developed a set of Core Values to guide us in what we do for our children. These va l ues are d i sp layed prominently in each of our schools.

We are here for the children we serve.

● We value each child.

● We value the development of the whole child.

● We value a safe, supportive, and caring learning environment.

● We value respect, honesty, and integrity.

● We value the commitment of quality employees.

● We value effective learning through high-quality instruction.

● We value the pursuit of excellence.

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Students in grades 3-5 must

● Demonstrate grade level proficiency (Level III or above) on the state end-of-grade (EOG) tests in reading and math; and

● Meet the proficiency standard on the state 4th grade writing test*; and

● Meet the standards of the Henderson County Public Schools’ Attendance Policy (students must be in attendance for a minimum of 164 days); and

● Meet the classroom teacher’s grade level expectations.

Student Accountability

The Schoo l Board and the Henderson County Public Schools have established clear academic performance standards and attendance standards for our students. These standards are designed to insure the opportunity for a quality education and will help identify students who are not successful at grade level. Students who are experiencing academic difficulties will be provided appropriate and timely assistance to strengthen their reading, writing, and mathematical skills before they are promoted to the next grade. All students in grades K-5 are required to meet specific promotion standards.

*Students who do not score at proficiency standard will be given intervention and assistance to develop proficient writing skills. The principal and teachers will use a writing portfolio process to determine whether students have made sufficient writing progress to be promoted to grade 6.

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Apple Valley Middle (6-8) Ph 828/697-4545 43 Fruitland Rd, Hendersonville 28792

Atkinson Elementary (K-5)Ph 828/697-4755 2510 Old Kanuga Rd, Hendersonville 28739

Balfour Education Center (6-12)Ph 828/697-46292529 Asheville Hwy, Hendersonville 28791

Bruce Drysdale Elementary (K-5)Ph 828/697-5568 834 N Main Street, Hendersonville 28792

Clear Creek Elementary (K-5)Ph 828/697-4760 737 N Clear Creek RdHendersonville 28792

Dana Elementary (K-5)Ph 828/685-7743 PO Box 37, 690 Ridge Rd, Dana 28724

East Henderson High (9-12)Ph 828/697-4768 110 Old Upward Rd, East Flat Rock 28726

Edneyville Elementary (K-5)Ph 828/685-76002875 Pace Rd, Hendersonville 28792

Etowah Elementary (K-5)Ph 828/891-6560320 Etowah School Rd, Etowah 28729

Flat Rock Middle (6-8)Ph 828/697-4775191 Preston Ln, East Flat Rock 28726

Fletcher Elementary (K-5)Ph 828/684-0580500 Howard Gap Rd, Fletcher 28732

Glenn C. Marlow Elementary (K-5)Ph 828/654-3225 1985 Butler Bridge Rd, Mills River 28759

HC Early College High School (9-12+)Ph 828/697-4561120 Alumni Way, Flat Rock 28731

Hendersonville Elementary (K-5)Ph 828/697-4752 1039 Randall Circle, Hendersonville 28739

Hendersonville High (9-12)Ph 828/697-4802 311 Eighth Ave W, Hendersonville 28791

Hendersonville Middle (6-8)Ph 828/697-4800 825 N Whitted St, Hendersonville 28791 Hillandale Elementary (K-5)Ph 828/697-4782 40 Preston Ln, East Flat Rock 28726

Mills River Elementary (K-5)Ph 828/891-6563 94 School House Rd,Mills River 28759

North Henderson High (9-12)Ph 828/697-4500 35 Fruitland RdHendersonville 28792

Rugby Middle (6-8)Ph 828/891-6566 3345 Haywood Rd, Hendersonville 28791

Sugarloaf Elementary (K-5)Ph 828/697-46002270 Sugarloaf RdHendersonville 28792 Upward Elementary (K-5)Ph 828/697-4764 45 Education DrFlat Rock 28731

West Henderson High (9-12)Ph 828/891-6571 3600 Haywood RdHendersonville 28791

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How much homework will my child have in fourth grade?

You can expect your child to have about 45 minutes to one hour of homework each night, assuming the child has finished all of the class work. The assignments will usually include 20-30 minutes of reading and 30-40 minutes in other subjects.

It is very important to help your child establish a home-work routine that includes the following practices:

● Set a specific time that you require your child to do homework. Most parents allow their child to have a little free time after school before beginning homework, but be sure that you limit the free time before the homework time.

● Set a specific location in your home for your child to do homework. It is important that this location be free from distractions (TV, loud music, noise, pets, and younger siblings) and has good lighting.

● Make sure your child knows that you expect that he/she will complete homework independently and that you will check over it. If help is needed, guide your child through two or three items and leave the child to work independently. ● Help your child get organized with homework, projects, and completed school work papers, and remind your child often to stay organized.

By establishing a homework routine and reminding your child to stay organized, you are helping your child become a responsible individual. If your child is having trouble completing homework assignments, please contact the teacher and advise him/her of the problem.

“Responsibilities multiply in fourth grade.”

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“In fourth grade, we try to help students become more independent and assume responsibility for their work.”

“The curriculum in fourth grade is rigorous. Expect your child to learn to become responsible, independent, and creative.”

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“Fourth grade is a transition between primary grades and intermediate grades. It is also the beginning of the transition from elementary school to middle school.”

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Strategic Plan Goals

Goal I Focus on Every Child

Goal II Prepare Students to be Globally Competitive in the 21st Century

Goal III Provide an Effective Teaching and Learning Environment

Goal IV Focus on Building Positive Community Relationships

Goal V Maintain Safe, Quality Energy-Efficient Facilities.

Guiding Principle

The success of a child is the result of a collaborative partnership of school, child, parents, and community.

Mission Statement

Henderson County Public Schools will provide all students the opportunity to learn and the encouragement to succeed in a safe environment. We will honor the individual and nurture the potential of all children.

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Copyright 2011Henderson County Public Schools

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It is the policy of the Henderson County Public School System not to discriminate on the basis of race, ethnic origin, sex, or disability in its educational programs, activities, or employment policies.

what your child will learn fourth grade

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