In this course, students will:

• Make connections with reading in the content areas using nonfiction, news articles, biographies and expository pieces
• Develop skills in monitoring comprehension with both fiction and nonfiction pieces. Genre study will include: narratives, poems, plays and fantasy
• Focus on comprehension and fluency during weekly repeated readings of stories
• Use leveled readers to align to weekly comprehension skills, reinforce vocabulary and build understanding of connected concepts
• Focus on developing the structure and organization necessary for persuasive writing while extending and building upon prior experience with other writing forms including narrative, explanatory and research reports
• Through modeling with mentor texts and participation in the writing process, students will develop proficiency in using the elements and traits of writing--voice, ideas, organization, word choice, sentence fluency and conventions
  
  

Materials:

Harcourt: Grade 4 Storytown
Grade 4 Spelling Practice Book
Grade 4 Grammar Practice Book
Night of the Twister, Ivy Ruckman
Because of Winn Dixie, Kate DiCamillo

In this course, students will:

• Solve problems in basic computation and estimation involving fractions, decimals and whole numbers, geometry, measurement and analysis and probability
• Broaden the knowledge of mathematical language used in computation and problem solving
• Develop proficiency with problem solving strategies
• Introduce the basic skills for higher level mathematics such as algebra, geometry, analysis and probability and advanced problem solving
• Incorporate newly acquired math skills into everyday activities
• Participate in hands-on and interactive activities that reinforce grade-level math concepts
  

Materials:

Harcourt: Grade 4 Textbook
Harcourt: Grade 4 Practice Workbook
Math Manipulatives Kit

In this course, students will:

• Explore the geography, history and climate of the different regions of the United States: Northeast, South, Middle-West and West

• Investigate Pennsylvania including its location, settlement and transformation from colony to commonwealth

• Compare geography's impact on world culture and its impact on the United States and Pennsylvania

An expanded understanding of the 5 themes of Geography is an emphasis of 4th grade Social Studies.

Materials:

Harcourt: Pennsylvania
Harcourt: Pennsylvania Activity Book

Materials:

Scott Foresman: Grade 4 Textbook
Scott Foresman: Grade 4 Workbook
Science Kit

In this course, students will:

• Develop an understanding of the Food Guide Pyramid and how it relates to a healthy diet
• Identify factors that influence drug use: Peers, Media, Emotional Health
• Learn Conflict Resolution skills
• Maintain a Weekly Activity Journal
• Develop and reinforce Conditioning Skills and Fitness for Health
• Develop and reinforce Social/Emotional Skills and Commitment to a Healthy Lifestyle

All course work is aligned to the Pennsylvania Department of Education Standards in Health, Safety and Physical Education.

Health, Safety and PE 4-5 is a multi-age curriculum spanning two grade levels.

Materials:

MacMillan/McGraw-Hill: Health and Wellness, 2005
www.gozonkers.tv
www.bam.gov
www.brainpop.com
www.kidshealth.org

Students will explore:

• Perception: Introducing of the elements of art and principles of design, such as form, texture and balance
• Creative Expression: Studying and creating artworks in various media, including portraits, quilts, sculpture, collage and more. Students create artworks inspired by works they learn about, using a variety of materials and techniques. For example, after studying the art of Henri Rousseau, students create their own mixed media paintings of a jungle based on the artwork of Rousseau. Also, inspired by works of Faith Ringgold, they create fabric designs demonstrating pattern and composition
• Historical/Cultural Heritage and Response/Evaluation: Investigating artworks from the United States, Europe, Asia, Mexico and Africa, students learn about many styles and periods of art. A critical and aesthetic response to visual art will be developed.

Exploring Art 4-5 is a multi-age curriculum spanning two grade levels.

Materials:

Art Kit

In this course, students will:

• Learn the basic music vocabulary and notation
• Listen actively to music
• Identify different vocal timbres/range
• Study The Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saens to learn how music can express a story
• Identify the elements of compositional genre (opera, symphony, musical theatre, etc.)
• Learn to read and write music
• Learn to play the Recorder
• Identify the elements that create texture/harmony
• Identify theme and variation
• Identify specific metric patterns (time signatures)
• Introduce the musical concept of style and the elements that generate stylistic differences; e.g., take a known song and make a new arrangement of the song (folk to rock), changing the beat, accents, tempo and other expressive qualities of the music
• Create a simple accompaniment for a familiar three-chord folk song; e.g., create rhythm/strum patterns, riffs, interludes or improvisations to create interest and musical individuality

Exploring Music 4-5 is a multi-age curriculum spanning two grade levels.

Materials:

Music Websites
Recorder

In this course, students will:

• Explore the parts of a computer.
• Learn safe practices for using the Internet.
• Explore the processes involved in communication technologies.
• Discover word processing software, e-mail basics and much more.
• Explore the effects of technology on our world.
• Learn to type using an interactive on-line program.

Materials:

Learning.com
TypingMaster.com
BrainPop.com

In this course, students will:

• Be introduced to two languages: French and Spanish
• Learn the sound system of each language and will be able to see how the language has impacted English
• Learn basic greetings, numbers, foods, days of the week, weather, etc.
• Be introduced to the cultures and communities where the target languages are spoken
• Compare, contrast, interpret and show comprehension of the cultures by completing a variety of lessons and activities

Materials:

Interactive websites
Audio and Video components embedded in the lessons