Fourth Grade Curriculum
Bible
Biblical Choices is a study of various Bible stories from both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Special focus is on Old Testament prophets and Paul’s missionary journeys. Students learn of God’s love and care for people through the ages. Fourth graders study some miracles of Jesus. They memorize selected Bible verses. Each week students attend a school chapel service. Prayer and sharing from God’s Word are intertwined throughout the day.
Reading
In the Bob Jones University Press, I Met You in a Story, students read samples from award winning authors. They are exposed to all kinds of literature – fiction, nonfiction, biographies, fantasy, mystery, and poetry. Written exercises emphasize comprehension, interpretation, and vocabulary. Students also read novels in small groups to enhance the joy of reading. Fourth graders also do monthly book reports based on home reading.
Phonics
Students review their long and short vowel sounds, blends, silent letters, syllables, suffixes digraphs, diphthongs, plurals, possessives, prefixes, synonyms, antonyms, and homonyms. With the ability to decode, reading becomes a great adeventure!
English
We use English for Christian Schools by Bob Jones University Press. Students apply writing and grammar skills with instruction on parts of speech, mechanics, and vocabulary. Practice is also given in listening and speaking skills as well as reference and study strategies. Students are instructed to use writing steps that include planning, first draft, revising, proofreading, final copy and presentation. Writing assignments: personal narrative, friendly letter with instructions, compare/contrast essay, book review, tall tale, research report, business letter, and poetry. Daily Oral Language and journaling are completed every morning to practice proofreading and writing.
Spelling
Spelling is used to increase vocabulary and transfer spelling skills to descriptive writing. Weekly tests are given. Challenge words are also included each week.
Mathematics
We use ACSI Mathematics or Saxon. Lesson and activities focus on computational proficiency and problem solving. Students focus on whole numbers (up to one million), fractions, mixed numbers, place value, time, graphing, geometry, data, measurement, multiplying and dividing by two-digit numbers, probability, decimals, estimation, story problems, and mental math. Fourth graders concentrate on learning the basic facts in all four operations by memory.
Science
FOSS Science kits are used in the fourth grade for discovery and learning. Units include magnetism and electricity, water, and the human body. Extra reading in those areas is used to enhance their learning. Students learn science from a Christian perspective, emphasizing the wonders of God in our world.
Social Studies
We use News Current by God’s World, which presents current events from a Christian perspective. Fourth grade use Heritage Studies to learn about states and regions of the United States. In U.S. History, we cover the time periods beginning at the War for Independence through the movement westward, Pony Express, and Civil War. Areas covered include history, geography, government, resources, the land, the people, the the regions. They learn map and globe skills, chart and graph skills, and critical thinking and research skills. We have a field trip to the State Capital at Olympia to study government. In Washington State history, we use Discovering Washington to study our state and government history. The students study a unit on Lewis & Clark with a field trip to the Lewis & Clark Memorial. They write a famous person report on someone influential in U. S. History.
WASL Preparation
We use a supplemental workbook, “Show What You Know,” to familiarize students with the style and format of the state test.