Fourth Grade

Intermediate level children are growing in
an environment where they have already achieved some basic skills and experiences.  The Fourth Grade curriculum reviews
those skills and builds on them.  Many new ideas and concepts are presented and
learned during this academic year.  Respect for self and others are most important,
as well as responsibility for work actions.  The students are encouraged to make
good choices, which will help him/her to grow into a responsible, caring, well-rounded Christian person.

ENGLISH
Text: English, Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

The Fourth Grade program includes written and oral communication.  The students build on the writing skills to continue to learn and use correct grammar in daily life.

READING/SPELLING
Text: Reading Street, Publisher: Scott Foresman

The goals and the outcomes of this program are organized into five categories representing the major area of literature-based, integrated language arts instruction and assessment.  Each area contains specific strategies and skills taught and reinforced throughout the grade level.  The five categories are reading, writing, listening/speaking, and literature/language appreciation, study skills/information resources.  This program is designed to help students become self-directed, strategic readers with the ability to analyze, understand, develop, and respond to ideas from the selections in their anthology.  Skill practice exercises in the workbook accompany each story to strengthen study skills.  Vocabulary, unit and level tests are used to evaluate progress.  Encourage your child to read a variety of good literature from the library.

SCIENCE
Text: Science, Publisher: MacMillan/McGraw-Hill

Scientists use a defined method to investigate and interpret the events of the natural and physical world.  The scientific method involves making observations, recognizing a problem, asking questions, formulating a hypothesis, testing through observation and/or experimentation, and arriving at a conclusion.  Learning these skills and how to effectively use them is most important.  This year, students will learn about plant and animal life, life processes, rocks, minerals, water, weather, energy, and the Solar System.

MATH
Text: Math, Publisher: McGraw-Hill

The Fourth Grade curriculum includes addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers; standard numerals to the million, rounding to 1,000; plane geometric figures; time; consumer math; perimeter; area and volume; graphs; measurement in customary and metric units; naming, comparing, addition and subtraction of fractions; and problem solving.  Emphasis is placed on a command of the basic facts, accuracy and logical and mathematical thinking.  Daily practice includes written assignments, flash cards, board work, and mental problem solving.  The students are encouraged to practice their daily facts on their own by carefully reviewing homework and drilling flash cards.

SOCIAL STUDIES
Text: Adventures In Time and Place, Publisher: MacMillan/McGraw-Hill

Regions of the United States are explored.  Geography’s impact on history is emphasized.  Past and present are linked through the study of people, places, and events.

RELIGION
Text: We Believe, Publisher: Sadlier

The Fourth Grade program emphasizes the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes, but also offers lessons that include Scriptures; doctrine and church tradition, celebration of sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation, liturgies and prayer services.  Virtues, works of mercy, church seasons, saints, the Rosary, and other devotions, and the parts of the Mass are also part of the curriculum.

ART
Teacher resources are utilized

Fourth Grade students will share their creative expression through the use of various media.  Projects are graded on completion rather than artistic quality.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Please see Other Areas of Study for more information regarding the gym curriculum.

MUSIC
Please see Other Areas of Study for more information regarding the music curriculum.

The Fourth Grade program takes an in-depth study of the instruments of the orchestra, band, and folk categories.

COMPUTER
Please see Other Areas of Study for more information regarding the computer curriculum.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGIES
The Fourth Grade classroom teacher will use a variety of instructional methodologies including whole group discussions, small group cooperative learning, individual work, and one-on-one support.

Teacher Biography
Ms. Cathy Johnson has a Bachelor of Arts from Rosary College and a Master of Teaching from National Louis University.  She has been teaching for 19 years.  Ms. Johnson has taught 4th grade at Saint Zachary School for nine years and prior to that she taught Kindergarten for two years.  Previously, Ms. Johnson taught at St. John Vianney for six years and St. Simeon for one year.  Ms. Johnson holds a K-9 Illinois Standard Teaching Certificate with endorsements in Science, Social Studies, and Home Economics.

Ms. Johnson’s fourth grade page coming soon!