Fourth Grade
Fourth grade at St. Mark’s is an action packed, fun year of discovery. Fourth graders begin to change classes and enjoy learning academic subjects from several teachers.
Language arts Writing is a strong focus in fourth grade and is often incorporated in a cross-curricular approach. Language arts continues with Houghton Mifflin English grammar and Wordly Wise vocabulary curriculum, at least one novel book study, and writing formats including personal narrative, non-fiction, and report writing. Reading in fourth grade continues to be supported by the skills-based curriculum of Houghton Mifflin. The focus here is on genre studies of mysteries, plays, poetry, and pourquoi tales. The STAR tests and AR program are quite popular with our fourth graders.
Mathematics A dynamic approach is taken to fourth grade math. As the spiraled curriculum progresses, a strong bridge is made at this level with the new enVisions Math program. Combining the strength of Singapore Math problem-solving strategies with the visual and constructive approach of enVisions, the students become able to learn how to: manipulate money, work with elapsed time, multiply and divide multi-digit numbers, explore fractions, find the common denominator, and understand geometry. More important, the students become able to share problem-solving thinking with their classmates. Fourth graders love FASTT math and use the computers to improve their fact knowledge.
Social studies Fourth graders will memorize the states and capitals this year in preparation for their study of American history. They also cover the world’s seven continents, four oceans, latitude and longitude, as well as Native Americans and early English settlements, with History Alive! curriculum. Their year concludes with a fabulous hands-on experience studying Colonial Williamsburg.
Advanced science studies begin in our Science Lab with units on matter, physics, chemistry, electricity and magnets, and the human body.
Fourth graders choose between studying Mandarin Chinese or Spanish. Languages are taught by enthusiastic teachers in the classroom and supplemented by the Rosetta Stone computer program.
A wonderful part of the fourth grade year is the Chapel Buddy program in which fourth graders are paired with first graders, and through a variety of joint activities they develop a strong sense of responsibility.
Fourth graders attend all the resources; art, computer, Christian education, music, physical education, and library throughout the week.
