Parent Handbook (English and Spanish):
   Helpful Information For Language Learners and Their Parents

   Información para estudiantes de segunda lengua y sus padres

In fourth grade, language arts skills are naturally integrated with science and social studies as students add to their knowledge base through reading, writing, and listening. The curriculum is literature-based with the primary focus on reading and writing skills. Fourth graders seek information using basic research skills and organize the results using various formats.
Literature-based themes include shared and individualized reading in genres of:
• Fables/Fantasy
• Realistic Fiction
• Non-Fiction
• Biography
• Poetry
• Plays

Writing Skills Teaching Units include:
• Grammar
• Mechanics
• Writing Process
• Guided Writing
• Persuasive compositions of three-paragraphs
• Narrative compositions of three-paragraphs
• Descriptive compositions of three-paragraphs
• Expository reports that frame a central question about an issue or situation




Fourth graders build on third grade skills expanding prior knowledge and introducing new mathematical concepts. Instruction continues to include a heavy focus on problem-solving, and more advanced computation skills.
Teaching Units include:
• Survey/Data
• Graphing/Analysis
• Patterns
• Place Value
• Problem Solving
• Multiplication
• Factors
• Division
• Fractions
• Geometry
• Measurement
• Perimeter/Area
• Probability
• Money




In fourth grade, students expand their knowledge about systems, generating reports and creating projects on a variety of topics. Fourth graders work together and independently to conduct research and document their results. Units of study include:
• Nutrition and Digestive System
• Electricity and Magnetism
• Environmental Awareness/Ecology




Fourth graders grow as independent learners and add to their skills as researchers through a variety of projects. Students learn more about the world around them as they study regions of the world through these five themes of geography:
• Map Skills
• Regions
• Forests
• Deserts
• International Studies