Welcome to fourth grade! We look forward to an exciting and challenging year. Look below to see what life is like in fourth grade.
Teacher Tips
Encourage your child to read at least 15 minutes each night just for fun!!
Encourage quality work without “pressuring.”
Provide a quiet place for your child to complete his/her homework. Each child has a Parkland School District Assignment book. Students are responsible for copying their own assignments into their book. Please check your child’s book daily.
Lastly, and most importantly, if you have any question or concerns at any time, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our main goal is to ensure that your child has a successful and enjoyable year. We are happy to work with any concerns you might have. Together, we can make fourth grade a year to remember!!
Math
In fourth grade mathematics, students will learn to utilize whole numbers to the millions place and subtract four digit numbers including money and decimals. They will learn to round numbers to various places, read and construct various tables, multiply three-digit by two-digit numbers, and find averages. By the end of fourth grade, students will also be expected to determine area and perimeter of shapes and identify geometric figures in two and three dimensions. They will also learn to add, subtract, and simplify fractions to lowest terms.
To help students reach these goals, a strong base in the basic multiplications tables would be very beneficial. There will be a strong emphasis on written explanations of mathematic concepts.
Reading
Students will need to read independently for both enjoyment and information. They will be asked to apply reading comprehension strategies and skills while they begin to develop higher-level reading and thinking skills. Students will also learn to summarize information and identify story elements. Each student will receive instruction at their reading level in a directed reading group.
Language Arts
Students will continue to develop analytical writing traits, learn to revise and edit, write personal narratives with extended descriptions, and write paragraphs to inform or persuade. This is the year that students will be asked to develop proper and legible cursive writing. Students will be asked to learn assigned spelling words weekly. They will be introduced to formal study skills and test taking strategies. Students will be taught how to apply correct usage, capitalization, spelling, and punctuation in compositions, learn parts of speech and correct paragraph structure.
Social Studies
Students will compare and contrast the major landforms, bodies of water, climate, natural resources and products of our country’s five regions. They will learn how historical events have affected life in the United States today. They will also have an in-depth study of Pennsylvania’s history, culture, geography, and government. Learning the states and capitals will be an ongoing project throughout the year. We also take a full day field trip to the state capital in Harrisburg.
Science/Health
Students in fourth grade will explore four major areas in science. They will learn about the solid earth, its composition and its formation. They will learn about rocks and minerals and their various uses. Next, they will study electricity and magnetism. The students will learn how and why magnets work. They will also learn about magnetic poles. Students will learn how electricity flows, how it is made, and how it can be used safely. Parallel and series circuits will be constructed. Next the students will learn about living things. They will learn how to compare and contrast plants and animals. Finally, the students will learn about some basic systems of the human body. We will be discussing the respiratory system, the circulatory system, and the excretory system.