1. An Overview of the Fourth Grade Curriculum
Scott Forseman Math Program
Since kindergarten your child has learned math using the Saxon Math Program. In fourth
grade we switch programs. This year we use the Scott Forseman program in which your child has a
textbook that they use during lessons and is also required to take notes to aid in homework and
tests. This program progresses topic by topic using manipulatives and online resources to aid in
understanding.
Each day the students are required to complete the following tasks in math:
o Morning Math Meeting – Every morning there is an over head up with 7 areas of questioning: date,
time, problem of the day, money, number of the day, quick thinking, and let’s practice. Each area
offers a different type of operation to be performed. This is completed individually first thing in
the morning. Then as a class we go over the questions and children correct mistakes and ask for
clarification.
o Daily lesson – Depending on the topic and type of lesson, we may use manipulatives, white boards, or
our notebooks. Here are some of the topics that we will be covering:
Numeration (understanding place value, value, and rounding of numbers into the hundred
millions)
Addition and Subtraction of whole numbers (including borrowing and word problems)
Multiplication (multiplication of facts, multiplying 2 or 3 digit numbers)
Division (division facts, long division, and correct use of division in word problems)
Fractions ( equivalent fractions, placing them in simplest form, improper and mixed numbers,
comparing and ordering fractions and addition and subtraction of fractions)
Understanding and operations with decimals
Area and Perimeter (using regular and irregular shapes)
Time, Measurement, and Temperature (using customary and metric units)
Graphing data (interpreting graphs, line plots, ordered pairs, mean, median, and mode, stem
and leaf plots)
* Your child will most likely have homework every night. Written assessments are given after
topics are complete and reviewed.
2. Macmillan Reading Program
The District has adopted the Macmillan Reading Program for use in grades K through 6. This is a
comprehensive program that incorporates phonics, vocabulary development, whole group reading,
guided reading, spelling and grammar.
Guided Reading is completed everyday for a full hour. The class is broken up into 3 groups and each
is assigned a different chapter book. I work with each group daily. During our time together we
read, discuss and work on comprehension and fluency skills. When groups are not with me they are at
a literacy center completing.
Effective Communicator
This is an on-going, district-wide writing assessment that students begin in Pre-K. Students in each
grade are exposed to four different writing task, which are then assessed quarterly during the
school year. Students work will be kept in a portfolio, which follows them throughout their school
career. In Fourth Grade, the four writing styles that are taught and assessed are:
1. Chronological Narrative
2. Persuasive Essay
3. How-to Essay
4. Compare/Contrast Essay
We use a 4 square model when we write. It is a type of organizer that enables students to write 5
detailed paragraphs. This is the only organizer that we use and writing is completed everyday for 45
minutes. Writing is taught through a teacher modeled approach. Students work and meet with me
on a daily basis.
Science and Social Studies
Science topics include:
Plants, Prey and Predator: Students explore life cycles of plants and animals, understand
adaptations and survival of both, and how humans depend on both plants and animals. Students
also have the opportunity to dissect and owl pellet and reconstruct the skeletal system of the
animal that was eaten.
Data- Data plus Astronomy: Here students complete a variety of data collecting tasks where
they then have to graph their results. An example would be measuring the amount of sugar lost in
a piece of bubble gum. For astronomy, students study the different aspects of our galaxy and
3. work in groups on a project of our solar system in which they conduct research, write a report,
and make a model of their planet of study.
Landforms and Boulders: Students explore our earth and its formations. Also students study the
different types of natural disasters, their cause and the effect it has on our planet.
Electricity: This topic is new to our grade this year. Here students will understand and construct
circuits, and explore conductors and nonconductors of electricity.
Social Studies topics include the history of New York State:
Geography of New York – Major towns, rivers, and mountain ranges.
Native Americans – the 5 Iroquois Nations
Colonial Times – Students will look at the different life styles and compare it to modern
times
Explorers – Those who discovered different parts of our state.
Revolutionary War – The cause and effect the war had on our nation
Industrial Revolution – How the Erie Canal aided in the travel of people and goods and
helped the growth of our state
Government – The three branches of our government and the role they play
