Grade 4

Religion:
Religion is part of the students’ daily life. Fourth graders have a heightened awareness of right and wrong. It is a prime time to concentrate on the Ten Commandments as they apply to a fourth grade student. Students are introduced to the use of the Bible as a classroom tool for learning. There is a deepening in their understanding of the Sacrament of Penance. Character education, anti-bullying, and conflict resolution are incorporated on a weekly basis.

Language Arts:
This includes reading, writing, grammar, spelling, and phonics. Decoding skills and reading strategies are taught to help the student become better readers and to better understand what it is they are reading. Students are taught the writing process from brainstorming through final copy. This is done in a manner that incorporates proper sentence structure, spelling, and use of grammar. Students are instructed in the different genre types and literary devices that enhance their understanding of literature in general. Literacy is across the curriculum. Reading is used to understand and learn concepts in science and social studies. Responses to questions are done in complete sentences in all areas, including math. Literacy and communication, therefore, are used in all subject areas.

Mathematics:
Fourth grade math begins with reinforcement of skills learned in third grade and rapidly moves into the processes of multi-digit multiplication and long division. Problem solving skills as well as computation are essential to the fourth grade curriculum. Word problems are one way to apply understanding of math concepts and to use computation abilities to solve the problems. Students are expected to solve and compute properly and explain in writing what was done to solve the problem (thus integrating literacy into the math program.)

Social Studies:
Students concentrate on the different regions of the United States and their importance economically today, as well as in our history. States, capitals, and their locations are learned. Students study Pennsylvania so as to comprehend the history of their home state.

Science:
Science is divided into four parts. Life Science, Physical Science, Earth Science, and Health. Students are taught with hands-on investigation through labs. Students learn how to care for ecosystems around them. Health teaches the students about systems of the body and how to properly care for them.