Grade 4

Integrated Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Health

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Integrated Language Arts

Children in the fourth grade are exposed to a variety of reading materials including fiction, plays, poetry, and nonfiction. Children engage in literary discussion to interact with the text and extend their understanding of the reading materials. In order to construct meaning from their reading, children use their prior knowledge and make predictions as they read. They self-monitor their own reading and use fix-up strategies when needed. Children also develop their writing skills as they respond to their reading. The writing process is used as students write for a variety of purposes. Most students are exposed to patterns in spelling as they extend their written vocabulary. Cursive handwriting development continues. Speaking and listening skills are refined at this level as students further develop speaking skills and strive to be more attentive listeners.

Essential Unit Outcomes

The fourth grade student will:

1. Reflect an interest in reading.

2. Reflect an interest in writing.

3. Attempt new techniques in reading.

4. Attempt new techniques in writing.

5. Listen effectively.

6. Identify and use parts of books.

7. Make sensible miscues.

8. Recognize story elements.

9. Identify what is learned from informative texts.

10. Set purpose for reading.

11. Make predictions.

12. Use self knowledge for summarization for meaning.

13. Use cuing systems.

14. Use prior knowledge.

15. Use fix-up strategies.

16. Discuss global understanding related to various texts.

17. Develop interpretations related to various texts.

18. Discuss the author's craft related to various texts.

19. Give personal responses to various texts.

20. Identify topics and purposes for writing (to persuade, to inform, to react).

21. Use appropriate styles for the purposes of particular pieces of writing.

22. Engage in the stages of the process writing.

23. Orally focus on a topic.

24. Speak expressively.

25. Give peer responses.

26. Identify and use appropriate technologies and resources to perform an authentic task.

27. Identify and use appropriate spelling and language conventions when communicating.

28. Prepare for and work collaboratively to perform a task.

Helpful Parent Tips:

Read with your child at least 15 minutes daily and discuss what is read. Let your child see you read!
If your child is reading and comes to an unknown word, encourage him/her to ask, "What would make sense there?". He/she could also read on and then come back to it.
Visit the library regularly and choose a variety of books, magazines, and newspapers.
Encourage writing (letters, lists, journals, diaries)
and provide many varieties of paper, pens, and markers. Write notes to your child.
Play word games to help develop vocabulary (Scrabble, Boggle, Scattergories.)

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Mathematics

Mathematics Website

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Science

In the fourth grade science program, students begin to focus upon analysis with units on bio-communities, electricity, chemistry, and energy transfer. Students study pond water to observe the organisms present. In the electricity unit, students undertake investigations that begin with static electricity and continue with series and parallel circuits, electromagnets, conductors and insulators, small motors and buzzers. Fourth graders also study the chemistry of common kitchen products to observe such things as states of matter, mixture solutions, acids, and bases. Students analyze the chemical and physical properties of six common materials and develop a classification key to identify "mystery" powders. In the final unit, students undertake activities including solar energy and the transfer of energy between warm and cold water.

Essential Unit Outcomes

The fourth grade student will:

1. Work cooperatively/independently to use the scientific process to test reactions of various substances to iodine, vinegar, and water.

2. Perform tests to identify, analyze, and classify properties of substances (acid, base, starch).

3. Record data graphically using tables (mystery powders, litmus tests).

4. Describe the properties and characteristics of matter.

5. Use investigative techniques to identify and compare various mixtures.

6. Distinguish between statements of fact and opinion when recording observations.

7. Demonstrate how to use the microscope and hand lens to carry out experiments on organisms.

8. Record observations of living organisms to classify and compare life forms.

9. Cite the importance of each organism in a food chain and food web.

10. Explain how organisms interact with each other in a food chain and food web.

11. Compare data gathered from experiments on organisms.

12. Create static electricity and observe its effects on objects.

13. Predict, develop, and compare a variety of ways to complete a circuit.

14. Conduct experiments to demonstrate types of energy that electricity produces.

15. Identify the parts of a light bulb and recognize how electricity travels through it to generate light and heat.

16. Design experiments to demonstrate the use of an electromagnet.

17. Construct models to demonstrate that electricity can be used to produce sound and movement.

18. Collect and compile data graphically to show how variables affect the strength of an electromagnet.

19. Conduct experiments to identify conductors of electricity.

20. Record data such as temperature change graphically (line plot, line graph, bar graph).

21. Predict, measure, and record the temperature of air, water, and other substances for different physical conditions.

22. Conduct experiments to determine the effect of insulation on energy transfer.

23. Correctly use a thermometer to measure Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature.

24. Predict, measure and record the exchange of energy in solar and thermal energy experiments.

25. Conduct experiments to discover how variables affect temperature change (ice cubes, air temperature, sunshine, color, time, insulation).

26. Identify and record variables that affect temperature change.

27. Predict an outcome based on observed results.

28. Relate their prior knowledge to a new situation.

Helpful Parent Tips:

Encourage your child to be observant. Ask, "How?" "What?" "Why?".
Extend units taught in class by doing activities at home together (pond life, electricity, temperature).

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Social Studies

The fourth grade social studies curriculum provides an in-depth study of the student's home state of Maryland. By focusing on the geography and history of Maryland, the Chesapeake Bay, and growth of the state's industries, students will explore Maryland from the mountains to the ocean. The units of study are designed to accommodate the varying needs of the fourth grade learner through the use of student-centered activities. Students are given opportunities to investigate the problems and events of the past that have led to the development of present day Maryland and to become aware of geographical features that molded their local environment. Students evaluate the processes of historical changes as they examine the events that led to the development of the state. Studying their home state will bring a new awareness of the challenges that they will face in the 21st century. The program provides many small group activities, hands-on projects, and research opportunities to help each child meet his/her individual needs.

Essential Unit Outcomes

The fourth grade student will:

1. Independently, and as a member of a group, use a variety of resources to gather information about Maryland's state boundaries, the regions of Maryland, physical characteristics, and climate and communicate this information in a variety of ways.

2. Explain the relationships among natural resources, recreation, tourism, industry, business, and services found in the different geographical regions of Maryland.

3. Using acquired information about the geographical and physical features of Maryland, predict the effects of living in given geographic settings on people's lives.

4. Locate places and natural features of the regions of Maryland by interpreting maps, using directions, legends, boundary lines, and scales.

5. Work independently and as a member of a group to gather information from a variety of sources about the early history of Maryland, its settlement, and its role in Revolutionary times and the War of 1812 and present this information in a variety of ways.

6. Compare objects from Maryland's past with objects that perform comparable tasks today.

7. Examine and analyze decisions made by individuals and groups that contributed to the industrial growth of Maryland.

8. Analyze the diverse and common characteristics of groups of immigrants and cultural contributions that have influenced the development of Maryland and the United States.

9. Acquire, access, examine, and evaluate information about health problems, industries, technology, and forms of energy that affected people living in Baltimore in the early 1900's.

10. Using information about Maryland's transportation and communication networks, examine people's adaptation to and modification of their environment as a result of changes in technology.

11. Identify, examine, and communicate information related to the interdependence of Maryland and the world.

12. Analyze geographical, historical, and economical factors which have contributed to the growth and development of Maryland.

Helpful Parent Tips:

Use maps to show places where your family has traveled.
Plan a trip together to a point of interest in Maryland such as Union Mills, the Carroll County Farm Museum, Baltimore, and Annapolis. (Use travel brochures to plan what to see; estimate mileage and time by using the key; determine the best route to take).
Have your child keep a journal/scrapbook of a trip.
Share current events.

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Health

The health and safety program is designed to help children achieve and maintain healthy bodies and healthy minds, and to help children recognize and react in a positive manner to situations regarding safety.

In fourth grade health, students continue the focus on their own bodies through the study of how the body fights disease and how tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs affect the body. Girls also learn about the menstrual cycle, and boys learn about growing into manhood. A basic understanding of inherited characteristics is discussed. Students become more aware of the similarities and differences between themselves and others.

Essential Unit Outcomes

The fourth grade student will:

1. Recognize the risks associated with using drugs or alcohol while operating vehicles.

2. Identify and analyze influences of advertising on the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.

3. Assess and respond to situations that threaten personal safety and may result in physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.

4. Describe the growth and developmental process.

5. Describe the emotional, physical, and psychological changes of adolescence.

6. Discuss the effects of hormonal changes on behavior throughout the life cycle.

7. Differentiate between communicable and non-communicable disease.

8. Discuss the role of the immune system in combating disease.

9. Examine methods of coping with disease and disability.

10. Describe services and programs that address disability awareness and assist people with disabilities.

Helpful Parent Tips:

Frequently discuss health-related issues with your child to maintain open communication.
Share family decision-making situations with your child. Help them to see the advantages and disadvantages of different choices.
Analyze advertisements with your child and discuss their messages.