Fourth Grade

Mathematics
Fourth graders utilize the Everyday Math curriculum, which incorporates mathematics into language arts, social studies and science studies. Lessons are reinforced with daily practice and math games that help students learn basic math facts with automaticity. Math units explore geometry, numbers and organizing data, multiplication and division, decimals, fractions, percents, weight, volume, perimeter, area, and logic. Students also spend much time mastering the basic multiplication and division facts.

Reading
Fourth graders use a new reading program called Foundations and Frameworks. Developed at a Christian school in Birmingham, this program uses high quality children's literature to intentionally teach literary skills that can be applied to future reading and which span across the curriculum. Literary skills taught in fourth grade include sequence of events, main idea and supporting detail, cause and effect, character, plot and problem solving. Students spend time every day independently reading these novels and answering process questions that develop critical thinking skills. Students also create visual tools such as timelines, plot lines, cause and effect maps, and flow charts every day to help map out and organize their thinking. Last, students meet in small groups multiple times a week. These small group meetings provide an opportunity for students to strengthen their understanding of the book and the specific skill they are studying.

Grammar
Fourth graders continue to study the basic concepts of our English language in grammar. The Sadlier-Oxford curriculum provides opportunities for students to practice new skills in a variety of exercises such as writing, proofreading, and fill in the blank. The units of study are kinds of sentences, verbs, nouns, adjectives, adverbs and prepositions. Emphasis is placed on carrying these concepts they've learned into their everyday writing.

Spelling
Fourth graders use the research based Sitton Spelling curriculum.  This curriculum is based off of the 1,200 most commonly used words in writing. Students are challenged to not just memorize words for a Friday test and forget them later, but actually master them and be able to use them correctly in everyday writing. Therefore, using this curriculum students learn concepts and spelling patterns that help them become better spellers. They will be assessed each week from words off of the Core Words List for the 4th grade and words missed go on their "Words to Learn List" for continual study.

Social Studies
Fourth graders spend the year studying United States history. Units of study include early European explorers, Native American influence on American settlements, conflict between American colonies and England, establishment of the U.S. government, westward expansion, and the Civil War. A highlight of fourth-grade social studies is the Biography Fair. Students select a famous American, prepare an oral presentation, and dress in costume for the event. Visitors come to listen to their presentation, and the student comes alive as their famous American. A second highlight of fourth-grade social studies is the field trip to the Hermitage. At the Hermitage, students serve as Junior docents and recite historical information about different parts of the plantation to the visitors. States and capitals are mastered during the fourth grade as well.

Science
Fourth-grade science involves the study of magnets, electricity, mixtures and solutions, and inventions. Students spend the majority of science class in the science lab participating in hands-on learning experiences and activities. A highlight in science is the Invention Convention in the spring when students plan out an invention, make a working model of it, and present it in front of their peers. Science concepts are also supplemented with a field trip to the Adventure Science Museum.