Fourth Grade
Teacher: Mrs. Louise Lund
Email: llund@trinityjanesville.com
Religion and Memory Work
The Concordia Publishing House Voyages – Exploring God’s World curriculum is used for religion instruction. The religion program is centered in Christ so that fourth grade students have opportunity to grow in their faith and life with God. The lessons are based on sequential Bible stories beginning with creation through the book of Ruth during the first semester. During the second semester, the student’s studies include the life of Jesus and the early Christian church. Key concepts of faith such as law, Gospel, confession, repentance, forgiveness, and grace are taught within the context of the stories. Each child experiences daily worship, prayer, and study of the Bible. The children also participate in a planned memory program which includes key Bible passages, portions of the Catechism, and selected hymns.
Reading
The fourth grade reading program exposes students to a variety of literary genres, such s fables, tall tales, biographies, poetry, science fiction, and autobiographies. Emphasis is on improving comprehension. Each lesson focuses on a particular reading strategy, building meaning, and practicing writing skills. An appreciation of reading is further encouraged through reading a variety of trade books, as well as using newspaper articles. Students also read books from our Accelerated Reading programs and take quizzes on the books they have read.
English
The English curriculum in the fourth grade includes grammar, sentence and paragraph structure, punctuation, mechanics, vocabulary building, and diagramming of sentences. Creative writing is explored, as students complete individual writing assignments.
Penmanship
In the fourth grade, students work toward improving the legibility of their cursive writing. Review of upper case, lower case, and letter joining are practiced, applied, and evaluated. The lessons are arranged in sequence according to similar strokes. Students use cursive writing in their daily work.
Spelling
The fourth grade student will study the spelling of words directly and indirectly. There will be a list of words to learn each week which will follow a pattern or rule of spelling. That pattern or rule will then be noted as it appears in other words. Spelling will be guided in all writings of the student.
Math
The Saxon Math curriculum is used through the fifth grade at Trinity. Saxon Math is developed with a spiraling curriculum in which math concepts are continuously reviewed and practiced. In the fourth grade, students further advance the concepts of place value, addition and subtraction, measurement and time. The students also study concepts such as collecting and organizing data, geometry, fractions, probability, and decimals. Emphasis is placed on build sills in multiplication and division, with students learning to multiply and divide by 2-digit numbers. The students are challenged daily with real life word problems.
Science
The fourth grade program focuses on life science, earth science, and physical science. Study includes plants and animals, matter and energy, force and motion, properties and patterns of the earth’s surface, and human body systems. Students also develop study skills of vocabulary and content material. They will apply process skills in cooperative learning projects.
Social Studies
In fourth grade, the student will study the geographic regions of the United States. Skills needed for interpretation of information will be practiced, including content reading, thinking skills, study skills, and map skills. A focus will be placed on Minnesota today and its history building appreciation for the student’s state. Students will complete several state projects during the year. Citizenship will be encouraged through discussion of current issues and Minnesota government.
Art
Fourth grade students will use a variety of mediums, such as paint, pastels, paper, crayons, fabric, etc. These mediums will be used to explore design, sculpture, weaving, symmetry, and color. Art will allow each student to discover his/her own creativity through the art classes and appreciate art in general. Monthly studies of famous artists and their works of art are discussed.
Technology
Using the computer lab, students will gain skills in the general use of the computer, saving data, printing, manipulating clipart and keyboarding. Other skills introduced are word processing and using the paint program to draw, erase and highlight. Students also use the KidPix Deluxe Program to enhance their own creativity on computers.
Choir
The main purpose of choir is to provide glory to God through singing together while providing musical enjoyment and growth in vocal technique. The choir sings at scheduled church services, the Christmas service, and at the spring choral festival.
Physical Education
At this grade level, locomotor and non-locomotor skills will be taught in a more mature form than K-2 to prepare for the middle grades. Fitness concepts are reviewed and the teaching of lifetime fitness activities is started – dance/movement units. Teamwork, fair play constructive competition, and leadership are also focused on during the PE classes.
The Concordia Publishing House Voyages – Exploring God’s World curriculum is used for religion instruction. The religion program is centered in Christ so that fourth grade students have opportunity to grow in their faith and life with God. The lessons are based on sequential Bible stories beginning with creation through the book of Ruth during the first semester. During the second semester, the student’s studies include the life of Jesus and the early Christian church. Key concepts of faith such as law, Gospel, confession, repentance, forgiveness, and grace are taught within the context of the stories. Each child experiences daily worship, prayer, and study of the Bible. The children also participate in a planned memory program which includes key Bible passages, portions of the Catechism, and selected hymns.
Reading
The fourth grade reading program exposes students to a variety of literary genres, such s fables, tall tales, biographies, poetry, science fiction, and autobiographies. Emphasis is on improving comprehension. Each lesson focuses on a particular reading strategy, building meaning, and practicing writing skills. An appreciation of reading is further encouraged through reading a variety of trade books, as well as using newspaper articles. Students also read books from our Accelerated Reading programs and take quizzes on the books they have read.
English
The English curriculum in the fourth grade includes grammar, sentence and paragraph structure, punctuation, mechanics, vocabulary building, and diagramming of sentences. Creative writing is explored, as students complete individual writing assignments.
Penmanship
In the fourth grade, students work toward improving the legibility of their cursive writing. Review of upper case, lower case, and letter joining are practiced, applied, and evaluated. The lessons are arranged in sequence according to similar strokes. Students use cursive writing in their daily work.
Spelling
The fourth grade student will study the spelling of words directly and indirectly. There will be a list of words to learn each week which will follow a pattern or rule of spelling. That pattern or rule will then be noted as it appears in other words. Spelling will be guided in all writings of the student.
Math
The Saxon Math curriculum is used through the fifth grade at Trinity. Saxon Math is developed with a spiraling curriculum in which math concepts are continuously reviewed and practiced. In the fourth grade, students further advance the concepts of place value, addition and subtraction, measurement and time. The students also study concepts such as collecting and organizing data, geometry, fractions, probability, and decimals. Emphasis is placed on build sills in multiplication and division, with students learning to multiply and divide by 2-digit numbers. The students are challenged daily with real life word problems.
Science
The fourth grade program focuses on life science, earth science, and physical science. Study includes plants and animals, matter and energy, force and motion, properties and patterns of the earth’s surface, and human body systems. Students also develop study skills of vocabulary and content material. They will apply process skills in cooperative learning projects.
Social Studies
In fourth grade, the student will study the geographic regions of the United States. Skills needed for interpretation of information will be practiced, including content reading, thinking skills, study skills, and map skills. A focus will be placed on Minnesota today and its history building appreciation for the student’s state. Students will complete several state projects during the year. Citizenship will be encouraged through discussion of current issues and Minnesota government.
Art
Fourth grade students will use a variety of mediums, such as paint, pastels, paper, crayons, fabric, etc. These mediums will be used to explore design, sculpture, weaving, symmetry, and color. Art will allow each student to discover his/her own creativity through the art classes and appreciate art in general. Monthly studies of famous artists and their works of art are discussed.
Technology
Using the computer lab, students will gain skills in the general use of the computer, saving data, printing, manipulating clipart and keyboarding. Other skills introduced are word processing and using the paint program to draw, erase and highlight. Students also use the KidPix Deluxe Program to enhance their own creativity on computers.
Choir
The main purpose of choir is to provide glory to God through singing together while providing musical enjoyment and growth in vocal technique. The choir sings at scheduled church services, the Christmas service, and at the spring choral festival.
Physical Education
At this grade level, locomotor and non-locomotor skills will be taught in a more mature form than K-2 to prepare for the middle grades. Fitness concepts are reviewed and the teaching of lifetime fitness activities is started – dance/movement units. Teamwork, fair play constructive competition, and leadership are also focused on during the PE classes.