>> Howard School Homepage > Curriculum > Grade 4

Grade 4 Teachers:

Ms. Joan MacDonald, BA                                      Room 5

Mrs. Jeanne Menton, BA                                      Room 2

Mrs. Sally Romano, BA, M.Ed.                            Room 3

Ms Lucy Smith, BA, M.Ed.                                    Room 4

 

Reading:    Invitations to Literacy  ~  Imagine  ~  Houghton Mifflin

There are no formal daily homework assignments in reading.  Instead, we ask that each student read something at home for 10-15 minutes four or five times per week.  Preferably, reading a chapter book is recommended, but reading magazines or reading to younger siblings is also acceptable.

One book report will be assigned each month.  these will consist of a different format each month.  Your child will receive the requirements for each report at the start of the month.  Students are expected to read age and grade level appropriate books for these reports. 

The book-It Reading Incentive Program will begin in October.  For those students who fulfill the requirements, there are Book-It prizes awarded each month. 

Mathematics: Everyday Mathematics  ~ Level 4  ~  SRA/McGraw-Hill

The mathematics program is a continuation of the Everyday Mathematics program that all students began in  kindergarten.  Students will continue to progress through this program through the end of grade 6.

The first unit in grade 4 is the study of Geometry.  Students will continue on throughout the school year with: Collecting, Organizing and using Data.  Students will also use mathematics in Geography; Studying Time and Measurement; Using fractions; Understanding Place Value; and Working with Decimals.

Homework in Mathematics will be given Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Language Arts: World of Language ~ Silver Burdett & Ginn ~ 1996
                               Day Book of Critical Reading and Writing ~ Great Source ~ 2001

Language Arts for the fourth grade focuses on the area of writing.  Students will use graphic organizers to aid in their writing  Students will organize their thoughts mentally and with written sketches before putting ideas together for extensive paragraphs and stories.  Emphasis will be given to editing work, checking for grammar, spelling and punctuation.

Homework in language arts will frequently be assigned either in the form of written ideas or worksheets.

Spelling: Macmillan / McGraw Hill 4th Edition ~ 1996

Spelling units will begin each Monday.  Words are introduced along with the meaning, phonetic elements, patterns and rules.  Students should study the words throughout the week.  In addition to the weekly words, students practice their spelling with dictation sentences.  Spelling practice exercises  will be done on a daily basis.  Students are tested on the spelling words and dictation sentences each Friday.

Homework may be assigned in order to review spelling patterns.  The focus of the homework in spelling is to prepare for the weekly test.

Science: Level 4 Scott Foresman ~ 2000~

A variety of subject related materials and text ~ Primary Source Materials

Science and Social Studies units last for approximately 2 to 3 weeks (we alternate between science and social studies). Homework is frequently assigned in these subjects.  Tests and quizzes are given on a regular basis.  Notice of tests or quizzes are given in advance.

 Comparing Regions ~ Silver Burdett & Ginn ~ 1995

Social Studies: Comparing Regions ~ Silver Burdett & Ginn ~ 1995
                                  Daily Geography ~ Great Source ~ 2000

A variety if subject related materials and text ~ Primary Source Materials

Students learn the Five Themes of Geography