Fourth Grade

Becoming More Independent Learners

Fourth grade is a wonderful year full of transition and implementation. You will be amazed at how they grow, learn, and mature over the year. Fourth graders learn the importance of responsibility and integrity in their actions, words, and deeds. Students will work a great deal in collaborative groups, and learn to work with others well to enhance their learning and engagement in class. They will continue to develop work habits and study skills that will make them more eager to seek answers, ask more questions, organize self and become more independent on work at home and at school.

Students singing in class. Focus on female student.

Reading

There is an increased emphasis on reading comprehension by comparing fiction and nonfiction texts, identifying cause-and-effect relationships and differentiating between fact and opinion. Students expand vocabulary using knowledge of roots, affixes, synonyms, antonyms and homophones. Teachers encourage the development of reading skills foundational to effective comprehension and critical thinking.

Writing

Students use the writing process to plan, draft, revise and edit writing in a variety of forms to include narrative, descriptive, opinion and expository. They select and narrow a topic, develop a plan for writing and organize information into several paragraphs with a central idea and supporting details. Teachers encourage the development of writing skills foundational to effective written communication and critical thinking.

Mathematics

There is an emphasis on multiplication and division with whole numbers and solving problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions and decimals. Students will be fluent in the basic multiplication facts through the twelves table and the corresponding division facts as they become proficient in multiplying larger numbers. Students refine their estimation skills for computations and measurements.

Accelerated Mathematics

Emphasis is on multiplication and division with whole numbers and solving problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions and decimals. Students will be fluent in the basic multiplication facts through the twelves table and the corresponding division facts as they become proficient in multiplying larger numbers. Students identify and describe representations of points, lines, line segments, rays,and angles, including endpoints and vertices.

Science

Students learn where we fit in our Solar System. Starting with the Solar System and then moving to the planet Earth, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and finally their specific ecosystems, students examine how features of plants and animals support life.

Social Studies

The Virginia Studies curriculum allows students to develop a greater understanding of Virginia’s rich history. Geographic, economic and civic concepts are presented within this historical context. Students use geographic tools to examine the influence of physical and cultural geography on Virginia history. Ideas that form the foundation for political institutions in Virginia and the United States will be included as part of Virginia’s story.

Art

Visual Arts enable students to use their knowledge and skills to synthesize information, thus allowing them to produce and respond to works of art. Emphasis is on communication of personal values and beliefs in art appreciation and production. Students gain fluency in using and understanding the elements of art (color, form, line, shape, space, texture, value) and the principles of design (balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, proportion, rhythm, unity, variety) as they relate to artistic expression and communication.

Health & Physical Education

Students develop proficiency in games, dances and educational gymnastics while demonstrating specialized skills alone, with a partner or in a small group. They access and use resources to improve personal fitness and continue to develop responsible personal and social behaviors as they work with others in safe and respectful ways.

Library

During weekly library visits, students will experience lessons that focus on multiple literacies integrated into grade-level core content. Literacies such as reading, digital, information and multimodal are immersed with the National School Library Standards defined by the American Association of School Librarians. Students have the opportunity to check out books from the school library each week.

Music

General music standards enable students to use music knowledge and skills to synthesize information and create music. Students continue to read, write and compose music, using increasingly complex rhythms and meters. They begin to develop choral skills, including singing in two-and three-part harmony. Students explore and perform a variety of music styles and develop personal criteria to describe and analyze musical performances.

STEAM

Students master the integration of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) content, practices and processes to investigate and solve real world problems while engaging in meaningful, purposeful and relevant hands-on inquiry-based, problem-based learning experiences.