Curriculum
The following briefly describes the texts and materials used for fourth grade instruction. All texts are California standards based:
Language Arts:
Reading:
In reading class, we will teach the California state standards through independent reading, including teacher-student conferences and small group instruction, class read-alouds, word-work, small group reading, whole class novels, and vocabulary, The children will learn and practice Notice and Note fiction and nonfiction strategies to increase motivation and achievement. We will read Island of the Blue Dolphins in the first trimester and By the Great Horn Spoon in the third trimester. Reading instruction will take place mostly in the homeroom class this year. Students will be grouped as in previous years, with instruction at their personal levels, but done in the homeroom class.
40 Book Challenge:
All students in room 20 will participate in the 40 Book Challenge. This will be my fourth year of issuing this challenge to my students to read 40 books in 40 weeks of school, plus 4 weeks of vacation. They will read books across several genres. The students will record books read, plan for future reading, and write reading reflections in a reading notebook. Our class will be an environment where reading is discussed, encouraged, and celebrated everyday. We celebrate all progress toward the goal and focus on improvement! I plan to create a reading culture, where students discuss and share about books and reading. If you are interested in learning more about this idea, check out The Book Whisperer by Donalynn Miller, who developed the idea of this challenge. If you ask any of my previous students or parents, you will hear them say that this challenge increased love for and fluency in reading.
Writing:
The students will practice writing several times a week between formal and informal writing. The first trimester will focus on narrative writing, the second will be informational writing, and in the third trimester, opinion writing. USD has adopted Lucy Calkin's Units of Study in Writing as our writing curriculum.
Math:
Eureka Math is the district adopted math program that we will use this year. The rigor of this program is very high, and the work that they will produce this year will be impressive!
The following website should be very valuable in helping you to assist your child with their math homework . On this website, you will find parent letters and teaching videos for each homework lesson for the year.
http://www.oakdale.k12.ca.us/ENY_Hmwk_Intro_Math
Also, if you ever need assistance helping your child with concepts or homework, please use You Tube to locate teaching videos by Duane Habecker. On YouTube, simply type "Duane Habecker fourth grade" in the search bar. You will further need to locate the Module number and the lesson number that we are currently working on. You and your child should find these videos very useful.
In addition, the Oakdale link also has homework for every lesson! Just print out the homework from home if your child ever loses it or is unable to come to school. Homework is also located by going to the district website parent page.
Science:
Union School District has enabled us to have a subscription to Mystery Science. This is a web-based program that is highly engaging and incorporates hands-on activities and video.
History:
The study of California is the major emphasis in history studies for fourth grade. Students will also enjoy two field trips that will allow them to go back in time in our state's history. We will also assign some home-school projects involving Native Americans and the mission era. In addition, we will have a wonderful assembly that takes place at school for the fourth graders only called Walk Through California. It is an excellent reenactment of the entire history of the state of California.
Art:
The students will participate in periodic art lessons, usually on Friday afternoons.
Physical Education:
In order to provide physical fitness and health instruction, the students will take part in P.E. several times a week.