CURRICULUM
Standards
Reading
Writing
Math
Listening/Speaking
Science
Social Studies
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Reading is a complex skill that involves learning language and using it effectively in the active process of constructing meaning embedded in text. It requires students to fluently decode the words on a page, understand the vocabulary of the writer and use strategies to build comprehension of the text. It is a vital form of communication in the 21st century and a critical skill for students of this "information age" as they learn to synthesize a vast array of texts. Reading Process consistes of the five critical components of reading, which are Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary and Comprehension of connected texts. These elements support each other and are woven together to build a solid foundation of linguistic understanding for the reader. Comprehending Literary Text identifies the comprehension strategies that are specific in the study of a variety of literature. Comprehending Informational Text delineates specific and unique skills that are required to understand the wide array of informational text that is a part of our day-to-day experiences. The purpose of the Writing Standard is to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to participate in society as literate citizens. The ability to communicate effectively in writing will be essential to their success in their communities and careers. Students may realize personal fulfillment and enjoyment as they learn to become proficient writers and continue as writers throughout their lives. Throughout the process, students should reflect on their own writing skills, set goals and evaluate their own progress. Language mechanics are taught within the conventions, as well as being a part of the spelling program. |
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Every student should understand and use all concepts and skills from the previous grade levels. The standard is designed so that new learning builds on preceding skills. Communication, Problem-solving, Reasoning and Proof, Connections, and Representation are the process standards that are embedded throughout the teaching and learning of all mathematical strands. In Grade 4, students build on their prior knowledge of whole numbers, multiplication, division, fractions, and decimals, making connections with percents. They also make connections between decimal notation and the base ten system. Students apply their new understanding to real world problems involving conflict. Students will use symbols, pictures, or mathematical language to explain the reasoning behind their decisions and solutions. Students will become more adept at conjecturing and collecting evidence to make generalizations. |
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The science curriculum is divided into three areas. Life Science emphasizes the relationship and interdependency of living things. In Physical Science, students have fun investigating magnetism and electricity. In Earth Science, the students make discoveries about weather and land erosion. Students will use scientific processes: questioning, planning and conducting investigations, using appropriate tools and techniques to gather data, thinking critically and logically about relationships between evidence and explanations, and communicating results. |
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Fourth grade History Strands emphasize the history of Arizona and the Southwest from its earliest civilizations to modern times. Early civilizations in Central and South America and their encounters with Europeans, as well as events in the Middle Ages which spurred exploration of the New World, are also studied to provide the historical foundation for the exploration and settlement of the Southwest. Through the study of geography, students will be able to understand local, national, regional, and global issues. Students will interpret the arrangement and interactions of human and physical systems on the surface of the Earth. As these patterns have changed over time and are important to governments and economies, geographic reasoning will enhance students' understanding of history, civics, and economics. |
HIGHLIGHTS
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Second
Step - A Social Skills Curriculum |