4th Grade
In District 68, we offer students a comprehensive educational experience that provides students with a range of programs and services to meet their educational needs. This grade level link is designed to provide you with an overview of the curriculum we offer our students.
Reading/Language Arts Curriculum
District 68 uses Balanced Literacy as the instructional framework during the reading instructional block. Click on the Balanced Literacy link for an in-depth description of Balanced Literacy as well as the components found within the Balanced Literacy block. Reading instruction takes place for 90-minutes daily.
Common Core State Standards
Illinois, along with 45 other states, adopted the Common Core State Standards to be used to guide teachers in what students at each grade-level need to learn in English/Language Arts. Each set of grade-level standards consists of literature, informational text as well as listening and speaking standards. The primary grades have standards for foundational skills. Grade-level standards build on knowledge and skills learned the previous year and create a stair-step progression across the K-8 instructional years.
Reading: Literature
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Reading: Informational Text
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Reading: Foundational Skills
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Writing
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Speaking and Listening
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Language
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Link to Common Core State Standards Website: http://www.corestandards.org
Comprehensive Curricular Resource
During the 2012-13 school year, District 68 underwent a R/LA curriculum review. After much research and numerous curriculum pilots, the Journeys Common Core Edition was selected as our comprehensive curriculum resource.
Mathematics
Math in Focus is a rigorous curriculum that is well-aligned to the Common Core Standards. Students are exposed to fewer mathematical concepts in great depth at each grade-level. Like the Common Core Standards, Math in Focus curriculum aligns to content standards and embeds mathematical practice standards throughout the curriculum. This rigorous curriculum provides children with rich educational opportunities through direct instruction by the classroom teacher where visual models and problem-solving are used regularly. Children also have time for guided practice, and differentiated grouping practices. Such approaches help to ensure the needs of all children are being met during their daily 60-minute math block. Throughout the year, children learn both the how and why of mathematics and in doing so, learn math concepts and skills that will help them demonstrate mastery.
Overview of the parent presentation on Math in Focus (Fall 2011)
Scope and Sequence of key concepts:
- Number Sense and Numeration Whole Numbers
- Decimals Fractions Place Value Estimation
- Understanding Operations Addition
- Subtraction Multiplication Division
- Geometry and Spatial Sense
- Measurement, Time, and Money
- Data Analysis and Probability
- Real World Connections
- Communicating Mathematically
- Reasoning
- Problem Solving
Operations and Algebraic Thinking
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Number and Operations in Base Ten
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Measurement and Data
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Geometry
Full Standards |
Mathematical Practices
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Number and Operations—Fractions
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Science
Instructional Program
Life Science - Interdependence of Living Things
Physical Science - Electricity
Earth Science - Systems of the Universe
During the 2013-2014 school year, a science learning team will be launched to evaluate next generation standards.
By the end of 4th grade, students will be able to:
- Identify the components of an ecosystem
- Build food chains and food webs representative of a given ecosystem and discuss energy transfer
- Describe the dynamic relationships of living things within an ecosystem
- Identify physical features of animals and plants that help them live in an environment
- Identify conductors and insulators
- Build circuits and describe the pathways of electrons through circuits
- Discuss transfer of energy
- Investigate earth in the solar system in relation to other planets (e.g., their orbits, rotation, and revolution)
- Describe the patterns of motion of planets, moon, and other objects in the solar system
- Examine the role of the sun within the solar system
- Describe the location of the solar system within the Milky Way Galaxy
Social Studies
Significant Question:
Students will explore the concepts of perspective, population density, conservation, natural geographic resources, mass production, culture, and civil rights as they examine the interdependency of the regions of the United States.
By the end of 4th grade, students will be able to:
- Understand how the regions of the U.S. depend upon each other
- Understand the relationship between geographic locations and their people
- Describe the different groups of people and cultures that have inhabited Illinois and other regions
- Identify important historical people and events in Illinois and other regions
- Locate major land forms, waterways and major cities in Illinois and America
- Distinguish between political and physical maps and utilize them fully
- Be knowledgeable in current events as they pertain to their every day life
- Determine ways to conserve water and other natural resources
- Contrast perspectives of individuals on issues facing the U.S.
- Compare and contrast ways to govern
- Examine density in regions across America
- Discuss how farming has changed from 1800-2000
- Distinguish among the roles of political scientist, historian, geographer, and economist in exploring society
Physical Education and Health
By the end of 4th grade, students will be able to:
- Begin to develop the capacity for self-directed learning by selecting a personal health and fitness related goal
- Identify offensive and defensive strategies in soccer, floor hockey, basketball, and volleyball
- Understand athletic terminology such as the names of muscles
- Understand the difference between aerobic and non aerobic activity
- Understand the importance of stretching before and after activity
- Use a variety of motor activities to enhance left and right brain development
- List choices and activities that positively influence health, illness prevention, and safety
- Demonstrate respect for others' feelings, rights, and property
- Explain the roles of school and community members for health-related services
Music
By the end of 4th grade, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate proper vocal technique while singing a reper toire of patriotic, seasonal, spirituals, rounds, cumulative, ballads, and folk songs
- Identify treble clef lines and spaces
- Read and perform pieces on the soprano recorder
- Identify members of the orchestral families visually and au rally
- Create pentatonic melodies using the question and answer technique
- Show a basic understanding of an opera
Art
By the end of 4th grade, students will be able to:
- Develop and experiment with their creative powers
- Develop a visual language which consists of elements of design (line, shape, color, texture, space) and principles of design (repetition, variation, rhythm, balance, and emphasis)
- Relate art history to their own artwork
Additional Programs and Services
- Reading Intervention Support (Response to Intervention info)
- Advanced Learning Program (begins in 3rd grade)
- Psychologist/Social Worker Services
- Speech
- English Language Learners
- Full Continuum of Special Education Services
- Library Media Center Instruction
- Before and After School Childcare (provided by Skokie Park District)
* Clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com
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