Fourth Grade

 

Language Arts

Language Arts provides the grammar as children build a proper foundation for mastering language.  Since there is no other study that does not use language in some way, it is imperative that we construct a firm foundation here.  Therefore, reading is acquired by a systematic use of phonics; handwriting is reinforced by frequent copy work; grammatical components are named, studied, and practiced; spelling is learned by pattern and rule; and even the meaning of words is made systematically knowable by memorized Latin and Greek roots.  In Fourth Grade, students master 100 Latin vocabulary words, preparing them for Middle School Latin.

  • Intermediate Language Lessons by Emma Serl

Literature

The approach to literature in Fourth Grade ties to Imago Dei, a foundational Catholic idea based on Genesis 1:27

God created mankind in His own image, in the Image of God
He created them; male and female He created them.‍ ‍

This Scripture teaches how all people bear the image of God (or Imago Dei, in the Latin). The idea holds that every human life is precious, and every person is inherently valuable and worthy. Sadly, because we live in a fallen world, the Imago Dei is often ignored or violated. In this program, we read stories that speak to the suffering from the violation of the Imago Dei. We learn about heroic people who risked their lives to stand up for human dignity. We see the power of defending the Imago Dei. 

History

Students in Fourth Grade learn the story of their history as Americans. 

The Revolutionary War

  • A Voice of Her Own: The Story of Phillis Wheatley, Slave Poet by Kathryn Lasky

  • George vs. George: The American Revolution as Seen From Both Sides by Rosalyn Schanzer

  • Toliver’s Secret by Esther Wood Brady

  • Why Not, Lafayette? by Jean Fritz

The Young United States

  • How We Crossed the West: The Adventures of Lewis & Clark by Rosalyn Schanzer

  • Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus

  • The Story of Harriet Tubman, Conductor of the Underground Railroad by Kate McMullan

The Civil War

  • Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman

  • John Lincoln Clem: Civil War Drummer Boy by E.F. Abbott

  • Seven Miles to Freedom: The Robert Smalls Story by Janet Halfmann

A critical part to understanding our American heritage is reading about those who paved the way for us.

  • Eliza: The Story of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton by Margaret McNamara

  • Henry Knox: Bookseller, Soldier, Patriot by Anita Silvey

  • The Escape of Oney Judge by Emily Arnold McCulley

  • Revolutionary Friends: General George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette by Selene Castrovilla

  • A Spy Called James: The True Story of James Lafayette by Anne Rockwell

  • Thomas Jefferson: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Everything by Maira Kalman

  • Worst of Friends: Thomas Jefferson and John Adams by Suzanne Tripp Jurmain

  • Red Cloud and Buffalo Bird Girl by S.D. Nelson

Catechesis

Students continue their participation in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at the Good Shepherd School Atrium, where they begin Level III Atrium.  This level centers around the image of Christ as the True Vine.  Children are taught about their life in Christ and his Church as they discover the parts of the Mass in the Liturgy of the Word and the Eucharist.

Science & Nature Study

Drawing from the world of science all around us, teachers lead students in a guided study of nature.  Students form a broad basis of knowledge as they learn about the continents, rock and mineral formations, weather, flora, fauna, food chains, and constellations.  Children take weekly nature hikes and keep detailed journals, with specimens drawn and labelled.  Particular focus is given to cross-disciplinary topics, such as the trumpeter swan while reading E. B. White’s Trumpet of the Swan.

Math

Our study of mathematics aims to give students mastery of concepts and skills. Rather than using a spiral system, we focus on single topics in-depth in order to truly understand  them before rushing on.  We gladly use repetition and practice in order to aid understanding, but not as an end in itself.   As in all studies, the grammar of mathematics – addition and subtraction, multiplication tables, number sense – must be firmly established before more complex topics are broached.  We use the Math Mammoth curriculum, as it best aligns with our goals. 

Students in Fourth Grade practice their skills in multi-digit multiplication as they unpack how the system works. They use their skills to learn about time, temperature, length, weight, and volume, and unit conversion before moving on to long division in word problems, geometric concepts of perimeter, area, angles, and finally fractions and decimals.