Fourth Grade

Language Arts

The Language Arts program will focus on four strands: reading, writing, spelling, and grammar and mechanics. The fourth graders will read five main novels and will complete a poetry unit. Our spelling series allows students to learn spelling skills based on phonics through unique, cross-curricular reading passages, practice, and writing activities. The materials for language arts focus on the grammar and mechanics, study skills, vocabulary development, and sentence structure. Students write daily to practice spelling, grammar, handwriting, and composition. They write in many different genres, and most often their writing is born from the science/history topic that we are currently studying. They will publish at least 6 reports and other projects over the course of the year.

Fourth graders will work to master the following key concepts:

• follow complex oral directions and instructions
• demonstrate comprehension of information presented orally
• plan, organize, and deliver oral presentations in small groups and individually
• read aloud expressively with a natural rhythm and flow
• participate effectively in large and small group discussions; express thoughts and ideas with clarity
• demonstrate interest in reading for enjoyment and to gather information
• choose literature and informational material appropriate to own reading skill
• read appropriate material with understanding from a variety of genres
• use reference materials to extend knowledge
• recall main ideas and important details from reading materials
• choose from a repertoire of decoding and comprehension strategies to unlock meaning of unknown words
• engage in all steps of the writing process; use a variety of organizational strategies to compose (e.g., word webs, outlines)
• write for a variety of purposes and audiences; compose in narrative, descriptive, and expository styles
• persevere through the writing process; edit own work for punctuation, spelling, basic grammar, and paragraphing
• incorporate feedback from others into written compositions; provide others with feedback
• spell grade-level words accurately
• use legible cursive handwriting

Math

The world of fractions permeates all concepts in math in fourth grade. Through fractions, the four processes and math facts are strengthened, word problems become more complex, and students make connections into the world of decimals and percentages. The students realize that not only pizza pies can be divided into fractions, but also length, weight, capacity, time, sets of objects, and countless other dimensions. By the end of fourth grade students should be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions with different denominators. They should understand the logic behind reducing and expanding equivalent fractions.

Our math program covers advanced fourth grade math in its scope. Students review, maintain, and build upon previously learned skills. It provides explicit instruction of new content and vocabulary. It promotes cumulative learning and conceptual understanding. Key concepts that will be mastered, inshaAllah:

• knows addition and subtraction facts to 20
• rounds whole numbers through the millions
• adds and subtracts 4-digit numbers with and without regrouping
• knows multiplication facts to 12 x 12
• knows division facts up to 144 ÷ 12
• multiplies a multi-digit number by a two-digit number
• divides a multi-digit number by a one-digit number
• factors whole numbers up to 100
• recognizes and generates equivalent forms of commonly used fractions and decimals
• identifies on a number line the relative position of fractions, mixed numbers and decimals to two decimal places
• explains different interpretations of fractions
• adds and subtracts decimals to two places including dollars and cents
• uses letters, boxes, or other symbols to stand for any number in simple expressions or equations
• measures and computes area and perimeter labeling appropriate units
• identifies and compares attributes of 2D shapes according to their properties and develops definitions of triangles and quadrilaterals
• plots points on a graph to describe a pattern and make predictions
• collects, organizes, displays and interprets data
• represents all possible outcomes for a simple probability situation
• justifies the reasonableness of the solution by using various strategies
• expresses solutions clearly and logically using the appropriate terms, pictures and number

Science

In fourth grade we explore the world of animals and their specialized adaptations which lead us into deeper studies of animals in relationship to their own species and to other species within non-local ecosystems. Students explore the laws of electricity and magnetism, experimenting and inventing devices that use electrical circuits and switches.

Units of study will include:

Animal Studies I and II

Interdependence of living organisms

• Ecosystems
• Web of life
• Water Cycle
• Relationship between plants and animals
• Role of microorganisms

Electricity and Magnetism

• Build series and parallel circuits
• Build a simple compass
• Electromagnets
• Behavior of electrically charged objects
• Magnets
• Electrical power

History

California History permeates the fourth grade. History is shaped not only by people but also by landscape. Therefore our study of history is better termed California Geography. We start by looking the native lifestyles in the San Francisco East Bay, supported by our local naturalists at Coyote Hills. Later in the year, our scope widens to see the influences of Spanish, Mexican, and Gold Rush immigrants to our state. We end by looking specifically at Hayward, and how our own city developed and changed within this history up to looking at our personal family histories. Throughout the year students will draw many maps, mostly from sight, but also from images and memory. In other history units throughout the year, students will listen to and read Native Mythologies such as the Hopi and Navaho which allows the imagination to grow in writing and art.

Local Geography

History of Alameda County

• research and make timelines of local historical events

Ohlone Nation

• understand the ways in which physical geography, including climate, influences how the local Indian nations adapted to their natural environment
• understand national identities, religious beliefs, customs, and various folklore traditions (with focus on the Ohlone Indians)

History of California

• describe the early explores, the newcomers who settled here, and the people who continue to come to the region, identifying land and sea routes they traveled
• discuss the period of Mexican rule in California including land grants and the rise of the rancho economy
• analyze the effects of the Gold Rush on settlements, daily life, politics, economy, and the physical environment
• use maps to locate California, its regions, areas within the United States and countries with historical importance to California
• uses map coordinates, latitude and longitude, to locate places on world maps and globes
• describe rapid American Immigration, settlement and growth of towns and cities

Movement

Morning sessions will begin with a short body-mind-speech coordination game, and/or learning activities will involve acting, concentration, and cooperative movement games.

Twice a week all year long, students build strength and agility in aerobic exercises, cooperative and competitive games. In the winter the students continue martial arts.

Electives

Throughout the year, we will study different artistic techniques: stitching, drawing, painting, collage, poetry, speech and drama, and movement.

Qur’an

Fourth graders will memorize the following suras: Al-Waqaah, Ar-Rahman, Al-Hujurat, and Al-Fath. Students in the fourth grade will read, write, and memorize these beautiful Suras and learn many of the stories they contains.   Students will continue to practice the reading of the Qur’an on a daily basis and based on their level.

Islamic Studies

The following will be the main topics of study in fourth grade:

The Content of Character Copybook – This text is a wonderful way to teach children about the character of our beloved Prophet (SAW). We will work towards the goal of memorizing two hadiths per week. By writing and memorizing the sayings of the Prophet (SAW) we will work to instill a love for the Prophet (SAW), build awareness of his noble characteristics, and discuss the traits of good character exemplified in these sayings.

Fiqh of Prayer and Wudu – Students will complete a formal study of the fiqh of prayer and wudu.

Bir al Walidayn (The Rights of Parents) – The Rights of Parents is an important topic introduced this year. We will review materials from the Birr al Walidayn text, inshaAllah.

Hadith Study- Fourth graders will begin a study of the science of hadith classification and collection. They will learn the about the biographies of Sahaba who transmitted many hadith as well as the biographies of collectors of hadith. We will engage in weekly discussions and recording of well known hadith guided by The Content of Character hadith workbook.

Seerah – Each Friday, the focus of our Islamic Studies session will be on the seerah of the Prophet (SAW). We will review major events in the life of the prophet as well as aspects of his noble character.