Fourth Grade

Language Arts - Reading

Media literacy and critical thinking are components of reading in fourth grade. Students read nonfiction books and articles related to the core curriculum. They also use these texts as sources for their written research and daily meeting discussions. Children in the fourth grade choose from a wide variety of appropriate chapter books in many genres and read independently. They learn strategies for reading comprehension, book selection, and in-depth interpretation of text. Students share their understanding of books with their peers in child-led, teacher-facilitated reading response groups. In these groups, fourth-graders answer comprehension questions and study author craft. There is also a daily read-aloud time that can be connected to a social studies unit or used as a touchstone text for a genre study.

Students often have content reading for homework and are expected to read independently for half an hour each night.

Language Arts - Writing

Fiction, nonfiction, research, and poetry are components of the fourth-grade writing curriculum. Writer’s craft in these and other genres is explored using a "writer’s notebook," in which students collect ideas and draft, revise, and edit their writing. The children learn pre-writing techniques (how to free-write, brainstorm, web, and list).

Written research in the fourth grade takes on the form of a published animal research book. Children read, collect, and categorize information. They also write observations and notes about the animal of their choice. Through thoughtfully organized visual and written presentations, fourth-graders refine their nonfiction writing skills.

During the course of the year, students develop their sense of paragraphing and organization to plan their thinking on paper. By the end of the fourth grade, children are expected to have mastered the rules of capitalization and punctuation (periods, question marks, exclamation points, etc.)

Students become more competent and confident spellers by learning common spelling patterns, generalizations or rules that apply to many words, and how meaning influences spelling—for example, words based on derivatives, words that are acronyms or eponyms, words formed by adding prefixes and suffixes to base words, compound words.

Social Studies

Students begin the school year investigating the diverse natural environments of California. The children gain an appreciation for California’s land and animals through a variety of hands-on experiences, including tide-pooling, bird-watching, and sketching. This environmental study of California culminates in the publishing of an animal research book.

Fourth-graders explore the concept of "long ago," embarking upon an in-depth investigation of the daily life and belief systems of Native Peoples before European settlement. Modern Native American culture is studied as well. Unlearning "Indian" stereotypes is an essential part of our study. The children examine the complex relationships between the original peoples, the priests, and the soldiers of the Mission period. They study the pioneers of the "Westward movement," the Oregon Trail, the California Gold Rush, and succeeding waves of immigration. Fourth-graders step into the shoes of their California ancestors, deepening their appreciation of different perspectives. Trips, visitors, and videotapes are also used as primary sources for information. The children integrate their learning through writing, science, and the arts. California topographical mapmaking, model-making, Native American craftwork and games are examples of hands-on work done in the fourth grade. Daily social studies meetings are forums for generation of questions, discussion of concepts, and acquisition of information. Note-taking, comprehension of related reading, and practice of oral presentation are skills the children are expected to learn this year.

Mathematics

The fourth-grade math curriculum combines work in computation, problem-solving, and applied mathematics. Children start the year by collecting information and graphing their data. As addition and subtraction with regrouping are reviewed, fourth-graders work on spatial and conceptual problems with a variety of materials.

A major part of the computational work for the year centers on building a deep understanding of the multiplication and division algorithms. The children practice the standard algorithms for multi-digit multiplication and division and are introduced to the addition and subtraction of fractions. For those who are ready, this year may also include multiplication and division of fractions.

Fourth-grade students explore other areas of mathematics, such as probability; basic relationships between fractions, decimals, and percents; pre-algebra in equation-making; multi-step problem-solving; standard and metric measurement; and geometric concepts like area and perimeter, properties of a cube, identification of basic shapes, and geometric language such as radius and diameter.

Discussions about the joys of mathematical discovery, use of strategy, and overcoming math anxiety commonly take place in the fourth-grade classroom. Students engage in mental math activities and discover and refine strategies for problem-solving. Mathematical test-taking strategies are interwoven throughout the year

Science

Fourth-graders continue to focus on content, reinforcing and developing scientific skills, and applying knowledge. Content areas and materials derived from the California Science Standards and the National Science Education Standards are presented using a variety of hands-on formats.

In fourth grade, the curriculum includes areas such as structure of the earth/plate tectonics/earthquakes, geology, ecosystems/food web, and an extended unit on the solar system and astronomy. Some activities in fourth grade include using graham crackers and frosting to re-create the three types of plate boundaries, dissection of owl pellets, and making a planet travel brochure with hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions.

Spanish

The fourth-grade Spanish curriculum continues the students’ oral development by reviewing and expanding the subjects they have studied in the Pods. A wide variety of activities is used to help the children practice material learned in class, to encourage them to communicate confidently in Spanish, and to motivate them to apply their newly acquired language skills to their everyday lives.

We begin the school year talking about the importance of learning a second language. The children became acquainted with the many countries whose primary language is Spanish.

Students learn and use the Spanish words for greetings, numbers, colors, and family members. In addition to learning and using vocabulary words, the children gain a thorough understanding of following directions and commands in Spanish.

Through the continuation of interactive activities, children develop a comfort level with a language other than English. By listening and interacting, the children comprehend basic vocabulary, syntax, and idiomatic expressions essential for everyday communication.

Visual Arts

The fourth-grade visual arts program promotes self-confidence and enthusiastic expressiveness through a rich variety of materials, exploring drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculptural projects. The children are challenged to experiment, become decision-makers, and find personal meaning in their art.

Fourth-graders focus on spontaneous painting. With this approach to painting, the children use tempera colors on large papers and are encouraged to paint from imagination, concentrating on color, shape, and imagery, creating without self-criticism or comparisons.

Performing Arts

The fourth-grade performing arts rotation features in great detail the life, struggles, and arts of the historical local Chumash tribe. The history, geography, geology, botany, and wildlife of the Santa Monica Mountains region and the tribe’s cultural/artistic aspects are investigated. Original and historical chanting, instrumentation, dramatic and movement scenarios are created in small working groups, requiring astute and reverent integration of known customs alongside further imaginings. This rich curriculum culminates in an "Expedition" day at a secluded coastal location, where on-site activities highlight the traditions/lifestyle of these peoples. Gourd-painting with natural pigments, native chanting and dancing, cave and tide pool explorations, authentic food preparation, and latrine-building are some of the aspects experienced during this in-depth immersion. The full day’s activities conclude with an "Explorers" feast on the beach at sunset for all participants, students, faculty, and parent leaders. A follow-up "Share" evening with slides is presented in the Commons.

Fourth-grade students participate in a grade-level choir that meets weekly and performs throughout the year at All-School Meetings and in the Spring Concert.

Physical Education and Health

Fourth-graders continue to develop their physical skills in a variety of games, exercises, and team sports. Activities that promote lifelong fitness, such as jump rope, walking and running, and aerobic games, strengthen students’ endurance, flexibility, and cardiovascular health. In games such as soccer, softball, hockey, and handball, fourth-grade students develop positive interaction and good sportsmanship.

The fourth-grade health curriculum focuses on physical health, mental/emotional health, and social health. Students learn information and skills that can be applied to everyday living. Fourth-graders study personal health and nutrition. Human development includes discussion of body image. Information is given on the harmful effects of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.

Life Skills

Fourth-graders work both formally and informally on the Wildwood Life Skills throughout the year. The social studies core curriculum has at its roots exploring and developing "people issues." Life Skills are central to the classroom culture and are integrated into all academic areas, connecting each fourth-grader’s understanding of "long ago" with their present-day struggles and celebrations of diversity both inside the classroom and out. Discussions, activities, and reflective writing focus in developmentally appropriate ways on issues such as fairness, expectations, prejudice, discrimination, stereotypes, group dynamics, and family diversity. This work empowers children to build positive identities around race, gender, and ethnicity as well as academic, physical, and social abilities.

Service Learning

Wildwood fourth-graders work with fourth-grade students at Grandview, the public elementary school across the street. Together the children work to "break boundaries and build bridges" between the two schools, forging new friendships and doing meaningful work in our shared neighborhood community. In past years, the schools have created gifts for the local Meals on Wheels program and worked on a small-scale mural project on the benefits of getting to know one’s neighbors that was displayed at each of our schools.