Fourth Grade

Positive Action is a survey of the Old Testament and is the basis of this study. Beginning in Genesis, students will gain a much clearer perspective of how the stories of the Old Testament fit together. We also have weekly Bible memorization.

This program is a comprehensive program which focuses on improving essential writing skills through the writing process in the three main author's purposes and language mechanics. Students are introduced to strategies to improve their skills for gathering information, using a dictionary or encyclopedia effectively, and writing book reports. They learn the eight parts of speech and master diagraming subjects, verbs, adjectives and adverbs. By the end of the school year we will be working on well organized essays, detailed stories, and convincing persuasion. We participate in a school wide speech meet that supports the presentation aspects of language.

Students have events or field trips that relates to a unit of study. Through the B.E.A.R. program, they also may attend the Swim party and Overnighter at Sea Krest, simply by reading books and meeting class goals during the year.

The objective of the fourth grade reading program is to produce thoughtful, independent readers and writers through providing outstanding literary and character building selections. Critical thinking about reading is developed through the different genres. Students read Christiana's Journey, 2nd to Pilgrim's Progress as a novel study, and Song of the Brook. Student comprehension skills are assessed weekly. They also will be exposed to material that teaches good character traits, larger speaking and listening vocabulary, and be encouraged to read for knowledge and pleasure.

Our curriculum is further enhanced by our focus this year on the Old World starting in Ancient Bible times in the eastern hemisphere comparing and contrasting with modern times. A mastery of geography compliments our study with comprehensive maps. Our Living History Museum is a ten-week project in which students compile research, write a research paper complete with bibliography, and bring to life a famous figure from history in a dramatic 1st person monologue. Our students are challenged to think outside of the box and learn about different cultures and countries.

We use a variety of exercises involving new/review material in each lesson. Students begin: Recognizing place value of numbers through millions, mastering 0 - 12 multiplication and division tables, knowing and converting English/Metric measures, and learning to add, subtract, and multiply fractions. There are also interim level equations, some geometry, and strategies to solve story problems. While learning these concepts, students are also being trained in such life skills as: Being thorough, orderly, careful, and persistent. We also use Creative Mathematics in each grade as supplement.

Students explore God's creation through projects, experiments, and research in the areas of physical science, earth and space science, and life science. We also undertake an eight-week study of the scientific method as students investigate a question, formulate a hypothesis, perform experiments, record data, create graphs, draw conclusions, and create a presentation for our Science Fair.