|  Language
Arts
Fourth-grade students learn additional strategies to effectively
express themselves in both written and spoken language. Listening
is also an important skill that students work on. Students
participate in individual and group oral reports and presentations
in different curricular areas. They continue to learn and
practice strategies to differentiate fact and opinion, the
author's viewpoint, making inferences, predicting outcomes,
and summarizing.
Vocabulary development includes using context clues, word
analysis, multiple-meaning words, and word analogies. Students
expand their personal vocabularies through a variety of reading,
writing, and listening activities. Children become more competent
in understanding structure in both fiction and nonfiction
text. Through the use of a variety of writing activities,
students are given ample opportunities to draft, revise, proofread,
and create final copies.
Mathematics
Fourth graders explore geometry concepts and apply shape properties
to create geometric figures. They use several different techniques
to find the perimeter and area of assorted shapes. Children
in fourth grade apply their knowledge of math facts to fact
extensions, such as 4 X 8 = 32 so 40 X 80 = 3200, and develop
strategies for multi-digit multiplication problems. They use
their knowledge of estimation, place value, and the relationship
between multiplication and division to develop a division
strategy.
Children are able to apply a variety of strategies for adding
or subtracting multi-digit numbers and can apply them to situations
involving decimal values. In the fourth grade, children use
manipulatives to conduct probability experiments and to explore
equivalent decimals and percents. Homework pages are now called
Math Links.
Fourth-grade students experience a yearlong project, the World
Tour. They "travel" to Washington, D.C. from Troy and then
"visit" five other regions of the world. Math skills include
reading tables for information, collecting numerical data,
using map scales to estimate distance, locating points on
a grid, and using latitude and longitude for locations on
Earth. Children are also involved in performing experiments
and conducting surveys where they have the opportunity to
collect and organize data, display the information, and analyze
and interpret the results.
 Media
Center
Fourth graders expand their research skills adding more
sophisticated encyclopedias, electronic resources, online
databases, atlases and almanacs. They evaluate the resources
to decide which are best for answering specific types of questions.
In fourth grade, students begin to use selected sites on the
Internet to find curriculum related information. This also
allows them to practice their Internet safety lessons. Technology
is an important component of fourth grade media as these students
can create multimedia projects that integrate media skills
with curriculum studies. Literature and reading are also important
as students refine their skill in selecting books for enjoyment
reading.
Science
Students learn important science concepts and develop the
ability to think critically by actively constructing ideas
through their own inquiries, investigations, and analyses.
Students are actively engaged in the process of science as
they explore the natural world.
The Earth Materials Module consists of four sequential investigations
dealing with observable characteristics of solid materials
from the earth—rocks and minerals. The focus is on taking
materials apart to find what they are made of and putting
materials together to better understand their properties.
The module introduces fundamental concepts in earth science
and takes advantage of the students' intrinsic interest in
the subject matter and in the physical world around them.
The Magnetism and Electricity Module consists of five sequential
investigations, each designed to introduce or reinforce concepts
in physical science. The investigations provide opportunities
for students to explore the natural and human-made worlds
by observing and manipulating materials in focused settings
using simple tools.
Chemistry is the study of the structure of matter and the
changes or transformations that take place in it. Learning
about the makeup of substances gives us knowledge about how
things go together and how they can be taken apart. Learning
about changes in substances is important for several reasons:
changes can be controlled to produce new materials; changes
can be used to give off energy to run machines. The Mixtures
and Solutions Module has four investigations that introduce
students to these fundamental ideas in chemistry.
All living things depend on the conditions in their environment.
The study of the relationships between one organism and its
environment builds knowledge of all organisms. With this knowledge
comes an awareness of limits. Changes in an environment can
be hard on organisms. Such knowledge is important because
humans can change environments. To do so without awareness
of possible consequences can lead to disasters. The Environments
Module consists of six investigations that introduce students
to these basic concepts in environmental biology.
Social Studies
Fourth grade students take part in an in-depth study of Michigan’s
geography, history, economics, and government. Students are
given the opportunity to discover differences and similarities
between Michigan and other states. Students use knowledge
of core democratic values to take a stand on current public
policy issues.
Visual Art
In fourth grade, students employ the artistic elements and
principles as their creativity, knowledge-base, interest,
and enthusiasm for art are nurtured by an elementary visual
art specialist. Based on the study of various cultures, historical
periods, and famous works of art, the sequential curriculum
focuses on challenging the students' problem-solving abilities.
Students are taught to manipulate an increasing variety of
tools and materials and to utilize more complex artistic techniques.
Throughout the year, student art may be displayed in individual
school buildings and the community.
Vocal/General Music
In fourth-grade Vocal/general music, students continue
to build upon their past information-base as they refine their
understanding of musical elements and concepts. Musical literacy
is stressed as students learn to read and sing standard musical
notation, to analyze, move to, and to create more complex
songs.
A strong correlation is made among the songs, instruments,
and ethnic dances and their geographic, historical and cultural
roots.
Health
In fourth grade, students become aware that the outcome
of situations depends on the choices they make. Students recognize
how health products can be used or misused and learn some
common reasons for drug misuse. They learn how smoking and
alcohol affect the body.
The students continue to study the human body and how it is
composed of cells, organs, and tissues. Students gain an understanding
of the structure and functions of the heart, circulatory system,
respiratory system, and digestive system.
Physical Education
Fourth-grade students continue to work on gross-motor skills,
spatial awareness, body control, and many movement activities.
At this level, there is a marked increase in the areas of
cardiopulmonary fitness, muscular strength, endurance, and
flexibility. Push-ups, sit-ups, and continuous movement, such
as jogging, are a few of the activities stressed. Students
take the President's Challenge Physical Fitness test during
the spring.
Competency in gymnastics with and without apparatus (tumbling
and balancing) is expected of fourth-graders. Students work
on skills that develop eye-hand-foot coordination. Skills,
including dribbling, are used to introduce soccer, basketball,
and floor hockey. Students participate in a variety of games
that develop body coordination, strength and endurance, a
sense of fair play, and cooperation with others.
Spanish
Troy School District's elementary Spanish program is intended
to help children achieve a positive, successful experience
in their exposure to learning another language. Elementary
students in grades 1 through 5 receive 25 minutes of oral
instruction per week. In fourth grade, the children will continue
reading and writing in Spanish. The students will engage in
independent oral activities as they focus on listening comprehension
skills, which are a vital part of language learning. Some
topics of instruction include greetings, colors, numbers,
family, community, animals, alphabet, calendar, lunch foods,
and adjectives.
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