Literacy: Reading and Writing
Fourth Grade Literacy Standards
Reading - Benchmark Literacy
We will be continuing to use Benchmark Literacy in our classes this year. Benchmark Literacy supports all of the daily components of high-quality reading instruction. Benchmark Literacy strongly focuses on the development of comprehension. In each unit of study your student will be involved with:
Interactive read-alouds to model good-reader strategies with strong trade literature.
Shared reading mini-lessons to explicitly model comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency.
Differentiated small-group/guided reading that builds reading instruction and addresses the needs of above-, on-, and below-level readers, as well as English learners and special-needs students.
Independent reading to encourage the transfer of skills and strategies.
Phonemic awareness, phonics, and word study to build strong decoding and word-solving strategies.
Assessment to drive instruction and help teachers monitor progress.
Writing – Lucy Calkins: Units of Study
We will also continue to use Lucy Calkins for our Writing instruction. Her curriculum places a large emphasis on getting students to be excited about writing. In addition, there is an emphasis on how real writers write. Writing time will be structured as a Writers Workshop model where there is a small mini-lesson at the beginning of class, but the majority of the time students will be writing. During this time teachers are conferencing with small groups and individuals about their writing. There is also time during Writers Workshop where students are encouraged to share what they have written. Students will be diving into 4 Units of study: Realistic Fiction, Personal and Persuasive Essays, Historical Information, and Literary Essays. Student goals for each type of writing piece is to have a strong lead, apparent transitions and a strong ending to wrap up their thoughts.
Math – Bridges
Fourth Grade Math Standards
This year brings our second year of the Bridges math program. We are excited to implement everything we learned about this hands on curriculum as we begin our second year of implementation.
Our goal through Bridges is to help young mathematicians explore and discover new strategies with hands on investigations. Bridges is designed to create higher level thinking skills with the continued development of problem solving and skill building. Lessons include visual models, sketching ideas, and the use of manipulatives. All of which, encourage students to invent, understand, explore, and justify their mathematical reasoning.
A Bridges classroom features a mix of whole group, small group, and independent work time for the student. Math manipulatives are available for students use, and accessible to students at all times. The curriculum is separated into 8 units and 3 number corner units. These units focus on multiplication, fractions, measurement, division, fractions, decimals, number sense, and geometry.
Click here for access to the Bridges family support link.
Social Studies
Fourth Grade Social Studies Standards
Colorado History- Discover Colorado
Our 4th graders this year will learn all about Colorado History. We will focus on the geographic and economic features of Colorado as well as the historical context of Colorado. Our fourth grade play will be focused around the history of Colorado.
Economics
Our 4th grade entrepreneurs will develop a basic understanding of the way businesses run and what it takes to turn a profit. They will understand that companies experience loss as well as gain. Together they they will explore their own business ideas and learn that teamwork, perseverance, and executive are all important character traits of an entrepreneur.
Civics
4th graders will learn all about the Government of Colorado. They will be able to identify the three branches of the Government, and understand each ones role in creating a balance of power within our state.
Science – Foss
Fourth Grade Science Standards
We will focus on science concepts 2nd semester. Students will learn about the scientific method, the solar system, magnetism and electricity, and the life cycle.
Again this year, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to work closely with the Roaring Fork Conservancy to better cover our social studies and science standards.
If you have any further questions about the curriculum/materials we use in our classrooms, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher to ask more questions.
Fourth Grade Literacy Standards
Reading - Benchmark Literacy
We will be continuing to use Benchmark Literacy in our classes this year. Benchmark Literacy supports all of the daily components of high-quality reading instruction. Benchmark Literacy strongly focuses on the development of comprehension. In each unit of study your student will be involved with:
Interactive read-alouds to model good-reader strategies with strong trade literature.
Shared reading mini-lessons to explicitly model comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency.
Differentiated small-group/guided reading that builds reading instruction and addresses the needs of above-, on-, and below-level readers, as well as English learners and special-needs students.
Independent reading to encourage the transfer of skills and strategies.
Phonemic awareness, phonics, and word study to build strong decoding and word-solving strategies.
Assessment to drive instruction and help teachers monitor progress.
Writing – Lucy Calkins: Units of Study
We will also continue to use Lucy Calkins for our Writing instruction. Her curriculum places a large emphasis on getting students to be excited about writing. In addition, there is an emphasis on how real writers write. Writing time will be structured as a Writers Workshop model where there is a small mini-lesson at the beginning of class, but the majority of the time students will be writing. During this time teachers are conferencing with small groups and individuals about their writing. There is also time during Writers Workshop where students are encouraged to share what they have written. Students will be diving into 4 Units of study: Realistic Fiction, Personal and Persuasive Essays, Historical Information, and Literary Essays. Student goals for each type of writing piece is to have a strong lead, apparent transitions and a strong ending to wrap up their thoughts.
Math – Bridges
Fourth Grade Math Standards
This year brings our second year of the Bridges math program. We are excited to implement everything we learned about this hands on curriculum as we begin our second year of implementation.
Our goal through Bridges is to help young mathematicians explore and discover new strategies with hands on investigations. Bridges is designed to create higher level thinking skills with the continued development of problem solving and skill building. Lessons include visual models, sketching ideas, and the use of manipulatives. All of which, encourage students to invent, understand, explore, and justify their mathematical reasoning.
A Bridges classroom features a mix of whole group, small group, and independent work time for the student. Math manipulatives are available for students use, and accessible to students at all times. The curriculum is separated into 8 units and 3 number corner units. These units focus on multiplication, fractions, measurement, division, fractions, decimals, number sense, and geometry.
Click here for access to the Bridges family support link.
Social Studies
Fourth Grade Social Studies Standards
Colorado History- Discover Colorado
Our 4th graders this year will learn all about Colorado History. We will focus on the geographic and economic features of Colorado as well as the historical context of Colorado. Our fourth grade play will be focused around the history of Colorado.
Economics
Our 4th grade entrepreneurs will develop a basic understanding of the way businesses run and what it takes to turn a profit. They will understand that companies experience loss as well as gain. Together they they will explore their own business ideas and learn that teamwork, perseverance, and executive are all important character traits of an entrepreneur.
Civics
4th graders will learn all about the Government of Colorado. They will be able to identify the three branches of the Government, and understand each ones role in creating a balance of power within our state.
Science – Foss
Fourth Grade Science Standards
We will focus on science concepts 2nd semester. Students will learn about the scientific method, the solar system, magnetism and electricity, and the life cycle.
Again this year, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to work closely with the Roaring Fork Conservancy to better cover our social studies and science standards.
If you have any further questions about the curriculum/materials we use in our classrooms, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher to ask more questions.