Grade Four Curriculum
Time management, organization, responsibility, and community building are keys to success for Milton’s fourth grade students. Students are assigned a homeroom, from which they move to various classes. Homework and calendar information are distributed online, as students take more ownership of their learning. Weekly affective education classes address problem-solving skills and character development, and encourage Milton’s fourth graders to be “upstanders” who advocate for what is right. An overnight trip to Milton’s Mountain School in Vershire, Vermont, is an opportunity for the class to come together as a cohesive group.
How did the world begin? How is the world interconnected? These essential questions focus learning in Grade 4. In social studies, students explore and understand prehistoric and ancient civilizations, and study the history of Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism and Islam. In math, students work toward a strong grasp of multiplication, and in science, they focus on physics, human anatomy and engineering. A “Living Arts” project requires them to research a particular artist and create artwork inspired by their subject. Fourth graders hone public-speaking skills during presentations to the class. They learn about digital citizenry as they use iPads on a one-to-one basis.
Studies and Skills
Language Arts
Reading many texts, both fiction and non-fiction that connect to the Social Studies curriculum
Participation in book discussions that are more student-directed
Practicing the elements of a good literature discussion—posing interesting questions, supporting inferences by citing the text, focusing during others’ contributions, and adding relevant ideas and information in a supportive and courteous way
Choosing writing topics of genuine interest and sharing work with real audiences
Developing techniques for writing fiction, nonfiction and persuasion
Implementing the recursive phases of the writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing and publishing
Participation in teacher and peer writing conferences
Continued focus on the conventions of writing—capitalization, punctuation, spelling and grammar
Spanish Language and Culture
Extending knowledge of vocabulary and grammar structures through visuals
Interpreting simple stories and skits
Mapping countries where Spanish is spoken
Describing people and things in their daily lives
Developing cultural awareness of the Spanish speaking world through games, songs and activities
Learning partnership with El Pilar school in Madrid
Social Studies and Geography
Archeology and ancient human history
Ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt with emphasis on elements of civilization
World religions and belief systems
Project management and presentation
Practicing research skills (note-taking, categorizing, synthesizing)
Drama
Improvisation, characterization, storytelling, interpretation of poetry, prose and dramatic texts
Performance and public speaking skills (projection, diction, breath, expression, rhythm and focus)
Learning to develop a presentation and understanding the rehearsal process
Collaborating in small groups and as a large ensemble
Taking on diverse perspectives through character explorations
Mathematics
Whole number multiplication and division
Addition and subtraction of fractions and decimals
Calculating and understanding percents
Three-dimensional geometry
Communicating strategies and ideas about math
Science
Engineering process—creative thinking, data collection, measurement and timing
Physics of motion, buoyancy, inertia
Studying the human body
Studying the miniature and microscopic world
Observing, classifying, predicting and collecting data
Computer Science and Instructional Technology
Learning about digital citizenship—using internal school email appropriately; explain and follow rules for treating others appropriately online
Continued practice with Google applications—Drive, Docs and Sheets
Coding and Robotics using a variety of programming languages
Use 2D and 3D design tools to create models that can be printed
Physical Education and Fitness
Building endurance and stamina
Developing sport-specific skills
Understanding the balance between competitiveness, sportsmanship and fair play
Music and Performing Arts
Living Arts unit: music of the Harlem Renaissance and influence of Jazz and Blues
Body and instrument percussion, and continued work with the ukulele
Choral techniques—breath control, music reading and movement
Ensemble collaboration and listening
Learning new musical vocabulary
Visual Arts
Interdisciplinary artist study unit that begins with summer work
Self-portraits, story paintings, collages, impressionistic landscapes, and prints based on the eight selected artists for each year
Egyptian god and goddess masks and jewelry
Islamic ceramic tile designs
Me, You and Us: Affective Education
Practicing conflict resolution, articulating feelings, perspective taking and active listening
Recognizing body language and facial expressions
Understanding and appreciating differences
Building and maintaining friendships
Cultivating individual responsibility and organization
Fostering self-motivation and goal setting
Library and Information Science
Learning the Dewey Decimal system; skilled use of library catalogue
Using internet resources curated by a teacher to gather information
Creating a list of sources or bibliography of information used in a project
Searching online databases or apps for information
Evaluating web and database resources for usefulness and accuracy
Illustrating and communicating original ideas and stories using digital tools and media-rich resources
