4th Grade

4th grade is a year of growth. As emerging leaders, 4th grade students assume a mentor role in our school-wide Buddy program. Each student is paired with a Kindergartner, meeting weekly to collaborate on school-wide service initiatives and developing social skills and relationships with different age groups. Led by full-time teachers and one instructional aide dedicated to both 4th grade classrooms, our 4th graders hone their reading and writing competencies, work on oral presentations, and build upon their developing academic foundation.

4th Grade Curriculum

Writing

Our writing program emphasizes writing for a variety of purposes and audiences. Students learn the five steps in the writing process including prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. We also teach the six traits of writing: ideas and content, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions.

Reading

The 4th grade reading program is primarily based on literature circles, in which students select books of varied reading levels based on a common theme. In addition, students focus on traits of successful readers, reading for specific purposes, and connecting reading and writing. Students developing the skills necessary to read specialized material—including textbooks, newspaper and magazine articles, pamphlets, and encyclopedias, to find specific information.

Math

4th grade math is based on the Common Core State Standards. Content areas include multi-digit multiplication, fractions, decimals, mixed numbers, and area. Core processes include reasoning, problem solving and communication.

Science

We focus on the scientific method as we explore the water cycle, the human body, measurement, magnetism and electricity. Students will keep a science journal in which they take notes and record their thinking and findings in relation to class experiments.

Social Studies

The social studies curriculum in 4th grade focuses on Washington State. This includes the study of history, geography, economy, government, and culture of the state, as well as a study of the Northwest Coast Native American culture and history.

Religion

Religious instruction in 4th grade is based on the Student Learning Expectations and Benchmarks outlined by the Archdiocese of Seattle. Students participate in planning and carrying out prayer services and liturgies throughout the year. In addition to our study of doctrine, we also emphasize Christian living, as well as Catholic social teachings. The final aspect of our religion curriculum is community service.

Drama

Drama uses a variety of artistic skills in the creative process including: mime, improvisation, voice, movement, character development, directing and performance. These skills are learned and developed in a variety of ways including drama games, activities and various performances. World folk tales are studied in both drama and 4th grade reading & writing.

Music

In 4th grade music, we emphasize music reading skills, singing in harmony, and exploring the sounds of the instruments (timbre). Movement is still important in internalizing the music concepts. Students learn to play the recorder in 4th grade music, and have an opportunity to participate in extra-curricular music opportunities such as choir & band.

Physical Education

In 4th grade, physical education instruction focuses on solidifying basic loco-motor movements, hand/foot/eye coordination, and the continued exposure of team sports. Students have PE twice a week and are evaluated based on their attitude, effort, and sportsmanship during class.

Events

Burke Museum

During our cross curricular unit on Native Americans, students visit the Burke Museum at University of Washington, and explore the cultures of Northwest Coast Native Americans.

Native American 4th Grade “Museum”

As a culmination of learning through the Native American unit, students share their knowledge and display their self-created artifacts in our classroom museum. All grades, as well as parents and families are invited to tour the artifacts in the “museum.”

Washington State Capitol Tour

As part of our study of government, 4th grade students enjoy a day trip to Olympia, and experience a guided tour of the Capitol and Legislative buildings. Students observe the three branches of government at work, and take part in a mock trial at the Temple of Justice.

Mariners Game

To celebrate the end of our baseball unit, each spring the 4th grade class and their families have the option to attend a Mariner’s game as a group. This fun tradition is a great community celebration and a memorable experience for the 4th graders.

Famous Washingtonian Presentations

In the final social studies unit of the year, students research an individual who has made significant contributions to Washington State. Students present their findings in an autobiographical presentation, both written and oral.

Resources