Mrs. Leahy

  

 

 

St. Thecla School

2011-2012

Mrs. Yolanda Leahy

Grade 4

Room 206

 

 

 

St. Thecla School

Course Outline – Grade 4

Teacher: Mrs. Leahy

Timeline:  2011 – 2012 School Year: General Overview 

Outcomes: The goals for the fourth grade learners are to expand development of basic skills and nurture lifelong learning skills. Specific outcomes are listed by courses with content, strategies and activities.

Texts: The following texts, programs and systems are used.  There are numerous teacher made materials with supplemental resources including manipulatives and technology.

Language: Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Treasures and language materials created by the teacher and various writing resources with supplemental materials

Reading: Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Basal Reading Program Treasures, Practice Book and Leveled Trade Books

Spelling:  Macmillan/McGraw –Hill Treasures

Math: Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Everyday Mathematics, Practice Book and manipulatives

Social Studies: Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Our Country’s Regions, Illinois Our Home

Science:  Macmillan/ McGraw-Hill Science, Activity Workbook   

TEACHING METHODS

Reasonable accommodations will be made for differences among all students and varied instructional methods will be used.  These are broad expectations for students. The timelines and activities are guidelines and can change to promote student achievement.

 

GRADE 4  

Outcomes: The goals of the fourth grade pupils are to support students to be successful fourth grade readers, writers, scientists, mathematicians, and Americans, as outlined in the “Standards”.

Homework Policy:

Fourth grade students will do about 30 minutes of homework daily, Monday-Thursday. An extra 15 minutes is required for reading and daily practice of multiplication tables. Students will also have long-term projects that will be completed at home.

 

 

Student Responsibilities:

1) Fill out an assignment book completely and accurately. 

2) Bring the Student Planner assignment book home every night and return it to school daily.

3) Complete, check and return all assignments on the due date.

4) Check EnGrade regularly for feedback and missing assignments.

Note: In the absence of assignments, independent reading is required.

 

Parent Responsibilities

1) Check assignments daily please.

2) Provide a designated quiet place with necessary supplies and adequate time

3) Access information and grades on the EnGrade website. 

 

Teacher Responsibilities

1) List daily assignments in class, on the website as well as, state and repeat assignments.    

2) Inform parents if homework is incomplete, incorrect or not submitted.  This information will be available on EnGrade.  If assignments are not submitted within  reasonable time, the teacher will contact the student’s parents by email or phone. 

 

 

Archdiocesan Curriculum Materials

Topic Outline:

*Religion

Texts: Silver Burdett Ginn Blest Are We

Resources: Benziger Family Life

 

Praying, meditating and promoting spiritual growth will be the foundation in Religious instruction and faith formation.  The central premise will be on enriching students’ lives through the sacraments and focusing less on secular materialism.  A Catholic education teaches students to go beyond tolerance to embrace, respect and celebrate differences in all God’s people. The students will participate in liturgies so they can live their beliefs as active, respected members of the school’s Catholic community.  Our studies will expand their awareness about the special gifts of family, friends and the sanctity of human life.  Respect begins within each individual; so we will learn to respect ourselves by caring for our bodies.  Feasts, seasons, our Catholic heritage, scripture, liturgy, prayer and social justice will be incorporated into our lessons.                  

 

RCL Benziger’s Family Life encompasses topics regarding rules, feelings, stages of life, health and bodily changes during puberty.  Essential physical and spiritual health is addressed.  

Course Content and Activities:  Specific learning activities are noted.

Language

Students will work with supplemental resources and methods, worksheets, daily oral language, journal writing to strengthen sentence and paragraph structure, punctuation, word usage, dictionary skills, written and oral expression as well as, listening skills.  Writing across curriculum areas enhances writing skills.  Focal points include: ideas, voice, organization, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions and presentation.  Writing practice will utilize sensory, descriptive, analytical, expository, informative and imaginative assignments.     

Reading

Students will continue with the developmental reading program to expand vocabulary skills, phonics, word recognition, fluency and text comprehension. Instruction will include collaborative cohort learning, small group practice, individual instruction and the Scholastic Reading Counts Incentive Program.  Literature will be read throughout the academic year.

 

Mathematics:

Math

Texts:  McGraw-Hill Math and manipulatives

Topic Outline:

v Mathematics

Fourth grade students will develop the concepts of whole numbers, decimals, fractions, rates, ratios, proportions, data and probability, geometry, problem solving, and measurement. Instruction will involve whole groups, small groups, and individual instruction as appropriate. Students will work with the Everyday Mathematics curriculum. The program offers a broad math background and emphasizes content: algebra, algorithms/procedures, coordinate systems, data exploration, functions, patterns/sequences, geometry, measurement, numbers/numeration, order relations, operations, number facts and systems, problem solving and mathematical modeling.

 

Science

Texts: McGraw-Hill Science

 

Topic Outline:

v Science

Through the use of hands-on projects, experiments and demonstrations, students will study astronomy, Earth and its resources, weather and climate, variables, inventions, levers and pulleys, and environments. Students will study the Human Body, Earth Materials, Magnetism and Electricity, and Measurement.

 

 

Handwriting

Students will continue cursive handwriting and concentrate on the correct size, formation, slant, and shape of letters and numbers.

Spelling:

Spelling concepts will help students to remember spelling, meaning and connotation.  Students will have weekly spelling tests that are linked to their Reading stories.  Tests will usually be on Fridays.  Weekly tests will demonstrate the level of mastery of the spelling focus.   The weekly word lists are posted on my website. The students will use their expanded vocabulary in speaking and writing.

Social Studies:

Students will expand their knowledge of our world and social science skills by studying Illinois’ geography, government/citizenship and history.

Handwriting: Students will review and use cursive writing.  Print will be used when appropriate.

Study Skills: Effective study skills will be taught and practiced throughout the curriculum.  The skills include researching, using graphic organizers and implementing organization using time management .  Checking one’s work will be constantly reinforced for better outcomes.         

Special Requirements: A monthly newsletter will posted on my website.

Homework:  Homework is assigned Monday – Thursday for approximately 45 minutes.

TECHNOLOGY / INFORMATION LITERACY 

TEACHER: MS. KALBLE

Please see Ms. Kalble for specific technology education.    

 Students will regularly use technology. They will practice math skills, publish written stories, research, practice keyboarding skills, create PowerPoint Presentations linked to books and stories that have been read and do other special projects.   Students will use library resources and technology on a regular basis in Grade 4 for investigation, keyboarding, spreadsheets, word-processing, and Internet research. Technology will be used as a resource for problem solving, communicating, deciding, and illustrating thoughts, ideas and stories. Students will continue to evaluate websites for bias, relevance, accuracy and appropriateness, while exploring a variety of interactive websites related to their curriculum and do web-quests. Students will increase their proficiency using Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Microsoft Excel.  Fourth graders will continue to develop skills regarding the safe use of search engines to research information and personal safety on the Internet. Students will expand their ability to cite Internet and printed sources. Students will also learn research and reference skills including evaluation of resources and will use material such as non-fiction books, magazines, dictionaries, thesauruses, encyclopedias, and atlases.

 

 

 

 

 

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

TEACHER: MS. ALYWARD

 

Please see Ms. Alyward for specific Physical Education information.

OUTCOMES: Completing Grade 4 PE, students will:

·         Demonstrate developmentally appropriate movement, rhythms, body management and game skills.

·         Play cooperatively displaying socially acceptable behaviors.

·         Participate in many fitness related activities.

COURSE CONTENT AND ACTIVITIES: Activities Include movement, self- participation with partners or small groups

·         Demonstrate proper techniques previously learned 

Rhythms: Self, partners and small groups

·         Dance to patterns using classroom concepts as themes

·         Learn new dance steps

Body Management- Self or with partner

Game Skills, self, partners and small groups

1.       Demonstrate mature throwing patterns, catching , striking a volleyball with forearms, making a lead pass to a partner, and shooting accurately

2.       Understand offensive and defensive concepts

3.       Participate in sports such as soccer, field hockey, volleyball and softball

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Safety concerns during PE require that each child wears athletic shoes and socks, gym uniforms and, where applicable, long hair pulled away from face. Removal of hanging jewelry ensures a safer and more enjoyable participation time.

*Please write to Ms. Alyward and myself for PE excuses.

 

ART

TEACHER: MRS. LEAHY

 

Mission Statement for the Fine Arts:

Art is an indispensable and vital part of the life-long learning to engage our students in. Art classes are an atmosphere where students can develop and refine their creative expressions through intimate, teacher-guided opportunities. As a student matures developing ideas emotionally and intellectually, art provides a mode to which they can look into themselves, while becoming more conscious of the world around them. This progression of thought is harbored through an environment that upholds high expectations for quality, aesthetic judgment, feedback appreciation, and analysis. A diverse array of art history, rich in culture, medium, technique and skill, combines with adjoining projects, allows students to appreciate the inherent creativity in all people. Recognizing that students have dominant and highly individual learning styles, art provides flexibility and an opportunity for all students to contribute. Art is an integral part of the human experience.

 

 

Outcomes:

1. Experience the visual arts including art production, art history, art appreciation, and aesthetics.

2. Develop the skills needed by learning and take pride in accomplishment.

3. Use different media, techniques, and processes to communicate and express ideas.

4. Understand the visual arts in relation to history and cultures.

5. Learn and understand the visual elements: color, shape, form, space, line, and texture.

6. Reflect upon their work and the work of others.

7. Make connections between the visual arts and other disciplines.

 

Course Content and Activities: Art Production: Basic drawing techniques, painting methods, and 3-D construction will be incorporated in art. Multicultural activities will be introduced for art appreciation. Students will begin to contrast and compare the diversity of styles, including folk and fine art.  Students will begin to analyze and critic to bring a new dimension to the art experience. As fourth graders they will:

Create a self-portrait and incorporate shading proper proportions.

Make Egyptian Heiroglyphs.

Learn about perspective.

Learn color theory.

Explore art with global perspectives.

Evaluate their progress and accomplishments.

 

Evaluation:

Effort, participation, and direct observation.

 

 

ENRICHMENT

TEACHER: MRS. LEAHY

In our classroom, I will support learning that models differentiated instruction, tiered lesson planning, and creative and critical thinking. There will be several opportunities to team-teach lessons with Mr. Cerjak and Ms. Kalble.  This will extend classroom instruction for units of study that will expand the curricula and integrate technology.   Each students needs will be addressed.

 

MUSIC

TEACHER: MS. TONI

Please see Ms. Toni for specific Music information.

Goals:

1. Promote skills and knowledge directly applicable to further specialized study and participation in music.

2. Provide understanding and attitudes allowing children to perceive and respond to the aesthetic s of music.

3. Provide experiences that demonstrate the elements of music.

4. Expose students to a variety of musical styles and composers.

5. Develop fundamental skills in rhythm, melody, harmony, form, tone color, and expression.

6. Encourage creativity through movement, singing, composing and the playing instruments.

 

Course Content and Activities:

Introduce musical time periods

Research famous composers

Understand music in relation to history and culture

Read notes and musical symbols

Understand basic musical symbols and vocabulary

Build a deeper understanding of musical elements: rhythm, melody, harmony, form, color and expression.

Listen, analyze, and describe music.

 

 

Unique Opportunities:

Rehearse and perform in the Christmas concert

Praise God in Church by performing at the St. Francis of Assisi Mass  

Learn to play an instrument in band with Ms. Knudsen

Technology:

Research composers

Methods of Evaluation:

Effort

Participation

Direct observation

 

4th Grade Success Standards          

Successful 4th grade Readers….

1. Discuss and write using appropriate vocabulary

2. Make inferences about the characters, setting, and action in a story

3. Obtain information from texts and use the information to answer questions

4. Summarize what they have read using key ideas

5. Identify literary devices that enhance what they are reading

 

Successful 4th grade Writers….

6. Write quality paragraphs with a topic sentence, 3 supporting details and a concluding sentence

7. State and maintain a focus/controlling idea when writing reports

8. Organize their ideas and use transition words/phrases when writing multiple paragraphs

9. Vary sentence lengths to enhance the quality of their writing

10. Maintain subject and verb agreement

11. Correctly spell high frequency words

12. Use punctuation to clarify meaning

 

Successful 4th grade Americans….

13. Understand that they play an important role as a community member

14. Know the rights and responsibilities of being an American

15. Know people work to make laws that influence our lives

16. Understand that elected officials work with citizens to govern

17. Realize that the people and environments surrounding us are ever changing

18. Understand that the past has shaped our lives

19. Understand that technology has changed the way people live in the world

 

Successful 4th grade Scientists….

20. Ask questions and wonder why

21. Follow the steps by observing, investigating, identifying, recording, analyzing, and applying knowledge

22. Make connections between their learning and the real world

 

Successful4th grade Mathematicians….

23. Compute accurately

24. Identify, apply and explain their steps for solving a problem using correct vocabulary and symbols

25. Recognize and accurately use the proper tools to measure and solve problems

26. Use mathematical thinking to solve problems

27. Collect, organize and interpret data to make reasonable predictions and to draw conclusions