Fourth Grade Curriculum Talk

September 2015

I believe that the work of excellence is transformational.

Once a student sees that he or she is capable of excellence,
That student is never quite the same. There is a new self-image,
a new notion of possibility. There is an appetite for excellence.
After students have had a taste of excellence, theyre never
quite
satisfied with less; theyre always hungry.
-Ron Berger, author of An Ethic of Excellence

Schedule
Math: Every day
Chinese/Science: Twice a cycle
Music/Spanish: Three times a cycle
PE: Four times a cycle
Art, Assembly, and Community Meeting: Once
a cycle
Information Literature and Library will
alternate meeting once a cycle

Curriculum Overview
Fusion of Inquiry-Based Learning
(Social Studies Component), Direct
Language Arts Instruction and Math
in Focus
Inspiration: One School Vision

Strength of Mind

Purpose of Inquiry

Academic Excellence + Life

Skills + Accountability =
The Real Meaning of Rigor

Inquiry-Based Learning
Student-centered approach to learning
Focuses on questioning, critical thinking, &
problem solving
Interdisciplinary in nature
Students participate in authentic
experiences to bring their learning to life

Students are Accountable for Learning

First hand experiences learning from experts

Feedback from experts
Student-centered lessons
Thinking maps
Relevant literature
Flipping the classroom
Building upon prior knowledge

Students continue to develop the following:

Academic Excellence

Life Skills

Effective Study Skills

A Love of Learning

Research Skills

Collaboration

Listening Skills

Communicate Ideas
Effectively

Time Management
Skills

Curiosity

Overarching Question: How Do People Effect Change?

Trimester 1 Line of Inquiry:
How Do People Utilize the Land for their survival and to their
advantage?

Trimester 2 Lines of Inquiry:

Within a singular culture, how does an individual contribute to a
larger society?
What are the possible outcomes when different cultures
encounter each other?

Trimester 3 Line of Inquiry:

How and why do individuals or groups of people in a community
share their ideas and experiences to make their perspectives
known widely?

Language Arts Direct Instruction Programs

Great Books

Six Way Paragraphs

Specific Language Training: Greek & Latin Roots

Spelling Mastery

Write From The Beginning

Great Books
Shared Inquiry Approach
o Teachers guide students in reaching
own interpretations and practicing
habits of good readers
Students actively seek out meaning by
asking and exploring questions
High quality literature: short stories and
poetry read as a whole class
Practice reading comprehension and
critical thinking skills

Six Way Paragraphs

Workbook: 100 non-fiction passages to
develop reading comprehension
Six main components: main idea,
subject matter, supporting details,
conclusion, clarifying devices, and
vocabulary in context
Provides students practice with the basic
skills necessary to read factual material
Gives students tricks of the trade to
carry with them throughout fourth grade
and beyond

SLT: Specific Language Training

Greek & Latin Roots
Structured, systematic approach
Multisensory instruction
Learning the meaning of word
parts to increase reading
fluency, vocabulary, and
comprehension
Two week word study

Spelling Mastery
Direct instruction
Highly interactive
Focuses on morphographs
and phonemes of words

Write From The Beginning

Focus on narrative and
expository writing
Integrated with Thinking Maps
Program
Grammar and mechanics
instruction are imbedded in
curriculum

Cursive Requirement
Far Hills Heading
Name
Date
Subject

Dictation

Math in Focus
Grouping based on third grade
end of the year assessments,
teacher recommendations, and
ERB scores
Class meetings are an hour
Problem solving is at the core of
the program
Review of facts using Reflex

Math in Focus: Topics Covered

Place Value
Geometry
Data and Graphing
Multi-digit Multiplication
Area/Perimeter
Fractions/Decimals
Estimation
Long Division
Algebra

ERBS
Administered in December
4th graders read test
independently
Chandler Learning Center
Test-Ready and 6 Way
Paragraphs

Homework
Assigned Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday nights
Homework is the students responsibility.
The students errors are a way to track their
understanding.
Student should spend no more than 30-40
minutes on homework per night.
Homework can be viewed on Far Hills website
each night.
*Stay tuned for Keyboarding information.

Homework Contract
4th Grade Missing Homework Consequences
1st Missing Assignment: A warning from your teacher,
assignment to be completed by next school day
2nd Missing Assignment: You cannot participate in
Free Time Friday, and you will sit quietly and complete
the missing assignment
3rd Missing Assignment: Your parents will be
contacted
*Your child will bring home a contract that details fourth
grade consequences and expectations.

Weekly Reading Assignment (20 min per

night)

Reading Log
o Independent choice book
o Practice writing a complete summary
o 4 log entries must be completed per week

Wonderopolis
o Non-fiction reading
o Encourages independent questioning/wonders
o Will require internet access
o Student will receive suggested time management
schedule

Strength of Character

Growth Mindset
Fixed Mindset: basic qualities
are fixed traits
Growth Mindset: basic abilities
can be developed through hard
work and perseverance
Embedded in academic curriculum
and Social Emotional Learning
curriculum

Closure Information
If Far Hills needs to close for an
extended period of time for any
reason, please visit my class webpage
where I will post assignments and
information regarding the best way to
communicate with me, if necessary.

Parent Teacher Communication

Best way to contact me:
nudell@fhcds.org
Kindly inform me if you are not able
to attend a conference during the
Pick a Time scheduled times and I
am happy to coordinate another
time.

Thank You- Questions??