Welcome to Fourth Grade! Fourth Grade is an exciting year for students. With fundamental reading skills in place, the focus shifts to content – science and social studies. Many reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills are taught through these two subjects, so interest is high. Fourth Graders are learning about their larger world.
I am sure you have heard about the Fourth Grade State tests. Don’t panic! These tests evaluate Fourth Grade skills and content based on the New York state curriculum guidelines and standards. They cover material from kindergarten through Fourth Grade. Because our rich program incorporates the state directives, SHDS students have been preparing for these since the first day of kindergarten. By the time they take the tests, they will be familiar with both form and content. These tests are used to identify students whose skills are weak enough to merit intervention and to ensure that proper resources are provided for those students.
Another Fourth Grade change is the grading procedure. At this level, academic work is evaluated using percentages. Classwork, test grades and project grades are averaged to determine a letter grade.
90%-100% A
80%- 89% B
70%- 79% C
60%-69% D
Behavior and study skills are graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Students are judged by a standard, not by how they compare to each other. The goal is for students to learn that performing well earns good grades.
Students also need to learn good social skills to navigate difficulties with peers in a positive manner with solving the problem as the goal. They need our guidance and support to help model proper social behaviors and helpful solutions.
I look forward to working with you to make this year a most productive and positive one for our Fourth Graders. Please call me if you have concerns during the year. Leave a message at school at 446-1900 or email me at msgrover@shds.org. Apryl Grover
Grade Four General Studies Curriculum
Reading – comprehension, vocabulary, literature
Language Arts
- Spelling – 20 words per week
- Penmanship – letter formation, neatness, form
- English – grammar, usage
- Writing
Creative – descriptive, organized, grammatically correct, a voice
Expository – main idea, supporting details, clear, correct
Study Skills – note taking, summarizing, outlining
Process – ideas, organize, rough draft, edit, final draft
Math – multiplication, long division, fractions, ratios, probability, decimals,
perimeter, area, problem solving, measurement
Social Studies – New York state geography and history, current events
Science –
Life Science – plant and animal life cycles and adaptations
Physical Science – electricity, light and sound
Earth Science – measuring, weather, composition of earth, movements in solar system
Human Body – digestive, circulatory, nervous systems
Testing Schedule
Spelling test every Friday
Science and social studies tests when content area is studied and reviewed
Reading skill and comprehension tests quarterly
Math test at the end of each chapter
State Tests
English Language Arts – Monday, April 26th through Wednesday, April 28th
Science – Monday, May 24th through Thursday, June 3rd
Math – Wednesda,y May 5th through Friday, May 7th
Special Assignments
Read one book every two weeks
Various projects
Homework
First and foremost, be sure that your child has time to do homework. Count on about one half hour a night. If homework is taking a great deal longer, let me know and we will address the problem.
Homework should be done independently except for a question now and then. Assignments should reinforce what has been learned and if a great deal of help is being asked let me know. I need to know what your child can do without help.
Please check your child’s assignment pad EVERY DAY. Each assignment is entered when given. Work completed in class is checked off. Unchecked work is homework. Teachers will note anything that needs attention or comment in the message box. Please use the message box to ask questions or note your concerns. It is a quick easy way to communicate. Through the assignment pad,
you can keep abreast of what your child is doing.
When school is missed, it is impossible to make up all the work. With your child, teachers will decide what is critical and realistic and make a plan for assignments. If you take your child on vacation during the school year, as much as possible should be done before leaving.
Expectations for Fourth Grade
Try different strategies for mastering skills and content.
Develop personal work, study skills that are productive.
Use resources that are available (printed word and technology) to find information and answer questions.
Do homework independently.
Learn to be a cooperative, contributing member of a working group of peers.
Learn to express ideas in oral, written, and project form.
Learn to solve social problems positively.
Show respect for property.
Be mannerly.
Learn to work through frustration to success.