Fourth Grade


Fourth grade classes are more in-depth, requiring reading for meaning and showing comprehension in a variety of ways.

Curriculum Highlights

  • A Minnesota Unit, which includes field trips to the History Center and Fort Snelling.
  • Science: A hermit crab Unit.
  • Math: Solve mathematical problems using arithmetic such as long division and use fraction models to add & subtract fractions with like & unlike denominators. We also use tables, bar graphs and Venn diagrams to display data.
  • Mastery of Cursive Handwriting.
  • Novel Studies and Reader’s Theater.
  • Study of Ten Commandments, Beatitudes, and Corporal Works of Mercy.

IB Themes for Fourth Grade

Who We Are
  • An inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; human relationships including families, friends, communities, and cultures; rights and responsibilities; what it means to be human.
    • Central Idea:  Governments are created to provide structure, services and management of societies. 
      • An iquiry into:
        • Who makes the laws/rules
        • Government systems and structures
        • Civic engagement
Where We Are in Place & Time
  • An inquiry into orientation in place and time; personal histories; homes and journeys; the discoveries, explorations and migrations of humankind; the relationships between and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives.  
    • Central Idea:  Migration patterns can show peoples' response to opportunities and challenges.     
      • An inquiry into:
        • Types of migration
        • Human settlement over time
        • Immigrants' stories  
How We Express Ourselves
  • An inquiry into the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of the aesthetic.
    • Central Idea: Authors use language to express and provoke ideas.     
      • An inquiry into:
        • aAuthor's purpose
        • How word choice can convey ideas, emotions and/or perspective
        • Effective communication techniques   
How the World Works
  • An inquiry into the natural world and its laws; the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and human societies; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment.
    • Central Ideas:  Energy is used and transformed for many purposes.      
      • An inquiry into:
        • Electrical and magnetic forms of energy
        • How energy is generated
        • Energy transformation and conservation
        • Solving problems with engineering  
How We Organize Ourselves
  • An inquiry into the inter connectedness of human-made systems and communities; the structure and function or organizations; societal decision-making; economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment.
    • Central Idea:  People organize themselves based on geographic, economic and human factors.     
      • An inquiry into:
        • How and why regions are formed
        • The themes of geography
        • Population distribution
        • The stories maps tell 
Sharing the Planet
  • An inquiry into the rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things; communities and the relationships within and between them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.
    • Central Idea:  Humans share and reuse the limited resource of water.  
      • An inquiry into:
        • Ways water is used in different places
        • Characteristics of water
        • Distribution and availability of useable water