WM 4th Grade Curriculum Update
January 2020
Reading and Writing
Reading
We will begin finishing our book clubs work where we practiced developing stronger skills in identifying character traits, motivations, and external forces and transition to reading pourquoi tales, also known as “why tales”.
The big work of this unit is for students to:
find and explain details from a text to support ideas about literary texts.
determine the theme of a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text
compare and contrast two texts
Writing
We will finish writing literary essays based on the books we're reading in our book clubs and then start a short Haiku unit to participate in the Haiku Contest put on by Greater Dane County Advanced Learning Network.
4th Grade Math
Unit 4: Addition, Subtraction, and Measurement
- Compare multi-digit numbers and identify the value of digits in such numbers.
- Use the standard algorithm for addition and subtraction.
- Measure length, distance, liquid volume, time, mass, and weight.
- Convert measurements from one unit to another within the same system (example: centimeters to meters)
5th Grade Math
Unit 4: Multiplying and Dividing Whole Numbers and Decimals
- Use a variety of strategies for multiplying and dividing multi-digit whole numbers
- Practice using the standard algorithm to multiply multi-digit whole numbers.
- Begin multiplying and dividing with decimal numbers.
Science
Throughout the school year 4th graders will study:
Environments: organisms and how they interact with their ecosystems
Energy: circuits, magnetism, and how energy transfers
This is our current unit
Rocks, Soil, and Landforms: weathering, landforms, and mapping Earth’s surface
Social Studies
We’re finishing our timelines about Wisconsin’s first people and continuing our learning of Wisconsin history by focusing on the Fur Trade Era
LMC - Library
This month, we’ll talk about the Caldecott Medal. We’ll share past award winners and honor books, and we’ll talk about how a book is chosen for the award.
Music
Mrs. Spahn’s classes will be working on: Theme and Variations - identifying the form and listening to various examples
Ms. Soltis’ classes will be working on: Maori culture and their Maori stick routines
Technology
Students will continue to strengthen their typing speed and words per minute. They are learning about the MCPASD Student Technology Acceptable Use Policy. Students are creating a poster in Google Drawings about a specific computer rule.
Art
How can art be powerful? What are some art careers? (Goonies)
PE
This month, students will learn, practice, and review how to play games and activities that use both short and long-handled implements. We will be starting with Floor Hockey and finishing out the month with Net Games (volleying and racquet sports). Keep an eye out for a swimming permission slip that will be passed out next month.