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