TEACHERS: MRS. METE, MS. DOMENEGATO, MR. MAGEAU
We look forward to a year filled with productive and rewarding activities that will lead to an enriching Grade 4 year for all. This document is outlined with various routines, expectations, and academic overviews for the 2014 – 2015 year.
CURRICULM OVERVIEW
RELIGION & FAMILY LIFE
Text: God Fulfills His Promise
The religion text explores the life of Jesus Christ as revealed to us in the Gospel of the New Testament. Students will be also be exploring the virtues of the month and how these virtues are present through bible scriptures. Our program will also be enhanced with weekly visits from Father Kachur.
Text: Grade 4 - Fully Alive
The family life aspect of the curriculum is guided by the Fully Alive text, which was written, produced and approved by the Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops for the use in the Catholic schools. The themes that will be covered this year are:
Theme one: Created and Loved by God
Theme two: Living in Relationships
Theme three: Created sexual: Male and Female
Theme four: Growing in Commitment
Theme five: Living in the World
LANGUAGE ARTS
“Literacy In the Middle Grades” is a board-wide literacy instruction framework for Grades 4-8. This literacy framework provides a balance of direct instruction of reading and comprehension strategies for students and is based on exemplary practices.
Reading Workshops |
Writing Workshops |
Teacher Read– Alouds |
Writing Traits Mini-Lessons |
Shared Reading |
Use of Graphic Organizers |
Guided Reading |
Teacher/Student Writing Conferences |
Self-Selected Reading |
Participation in writing tasks (ie. graffiti, webs, place-mat, etc) |
Literature Circles |
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Booktalks |
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Reading Workshop Goals
Read a variety of literary, biographical, informational and graphic texts
Develop and deepen reading skills through the following reading strategies: Making Connections, Synthesizing, Asking Questions, Inferring, Visualizing, and Determining Important Ideas
Respond to reading in a variety of ways, (ie. reading journals, drama, booktalks, etc.
Develop oral language and vocabulary skills across all subject areas
Writing Workshop Goals
Learn and appreciate the writing process through teacher modeling and scaffolding
Engage in the writing process through various forms of writing
Revise, edit, and share published pieces within community of writers
Receive direct instruction and teacher modeling of the writing traits: Word Choice, Ideas, Organization, Sentence Fluency, Conventions, & Voice
MATHEMATICS
Text: Nelson Mathematics 4
Students will be assigned a key assessment question on a regular basis in order to monitor their understanding of the math concepts taught. These questions are graded and recorded for assessment purposes. Please take the time to look through your child’s math notebook to see his/her progress. Students will also be assigned questions from the Nelson math workbook to reinforce the various skills taught and learned in class. If you would like extra exercises for your child, you may visit the Nelson website at
http://www.mathK8.nelson.com. There is a “Parent Centre”, as well as, a “Student Centre”. The Nelson chapters will be covered in the following sequence:
| Numeration |
3- D Geometry & Measurement |
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| Patterns in Mathematics |
Fractions & Decimals |
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| Data Management |
Probability |
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| Measuring Length & Time |
Multiplying & Dividing Greater Numbers |
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| 2- D Geometry |
Multiplication & Division |
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| Addition and Subtraction |
Motion Geometry |
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| Area and Perimeter |
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SOCIAL STUDIES
Text: Many Gifts & Other Sources
Students will be studying Canada’s provinces and territories, focusing on Canada’s landform regions. Also, students will be developing their mapping skills. In the latter term, students will be examining the social and political aspects of the Medieval Times.
SCIENCE AND TECHOLOGY
Text: Addison Wesley Series & Other Sources
The science curriculum is organized into four strands which include:
Life Systems: Habitats and Communities
Earth and Space Systems: Rocks and Minerals
Matter and Energy: Light and Sound
Structures and Mechanisms: Pulleys and Gears
PHYSICAL EDUCATION & HEALTH
Students are expected to have appropriate clothing and shoes for the scheduled physical education time period. The following three strands will be covered throughout the year:
| Fundamental Movement Skills |
Healthy Living |
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| Active Participation |
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VISUAL ARTS
The Grade 4 visual arts program focuses on self-expression and the ability to communicate through visual images. The students will be encouraged to develop their reading skills of various works of art. The students will have the opportunity to develop and explore various mediums of art, with a focus on line, colour, texture, form, shape and space.
DRAMA AND DANCE
Drama and dance will be incorporated into other subject areas of the curriculum like Family Life, Health, and Language Arts.
HOMEWORK/AGENDA
Homework will include research projects/major assignments, studying for tests or quizzes, and completing unfinished classroom work. Every morning, students will write down the homework assignments of the day. Most assignments will be completed in class and any unfinished work will have to be taken home and submitted on the assigned due date. If concerns arise because your child is experiencing difficulty in meeting homework demands and/or assignments, please express your written comments through the agenda or you may contact me at the school. If your child has not completed a homework assignment on time, you will be notified via a yellow slip. Yellow slips must be initialed by parents and the student is expected to complete the unfinished work for the next day.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
The Grade 4 students have been discussing what is to be expected in our classroom in order to ensure a positive learning environment for everyone. The following list is an overview of expectations that were discussed:
Always show kindness in your words and actions towards others
Show respect towards your teachers, and peers by using polite words
Work quietly and do not disturb others during work periods
Listen attentively to what others have to say
Raise your hand when you would like to share your thoughts and ideas
Mistakes are welcome and we will learn from them
Enter and leave the classroom in a quiet and orderly manner so that other classrooms are not being disturbed
Keep your books neat and organized by always putting forth your best efforts
Always use polite words like: “Please, Thank you, and Excuse Me”
Be proud of your work and be ready to share your ideas with others
CLASSROOM TRIPS/SCIENTIST PROGRAMS
Hands-on experiences from excursions help to create a better understanding of the world outside the classroom. The table below is a tentative list of Grade 4 excursions and activities planned for the year. The exact dates and cost of the following activities will be announced to parents in advance through written notifications.
| October |
The Kortright Centre -- Habitats & Communities |
| November |
Scientist in School -- Rocks & Minerals |
| January |
Centennial Park skiing |
| February |
Centennial Park skiing |
| March |
Scientist in School -- Sound is Music to my Ears |
| April |
Scientist in School -- Light Up Your Life |
| May |
Scientist in School -- Pulleys & Gears |
| June |
The Medieval Times
Art Workshop – Medieval Brass
Rubbings Workshop |