Fourth Grade

Units of Inquiry
Break a Leg
Decisions, Decisions
Which Way Did They Go?
Head On
An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
Water, Water, Everywhere
Water, Water, "Know Where"

Language Skills
The fourth-grade curriculum is designed not only for the refinement of reading skills but for the reinforcement and maintenance of all communication skills. A complete and coordinated program provide a curriculum that includes oral and silent reading, vocabulary and decoding skills, dictionary and research enrichment, grammar, and usage. Speaking and writing skills are expanded through written composition and impromptu and prepared talks.

Mathematics
The mathematics program, which is integrated with science and computer instruction, is designed to motivate students and give them opportunities to apply mathematics on a daily basis. Math manipulatives, used in special activities, serve to reinforce problem-solving techniques. The use of games enriches the development of skills and concepts.

Science
The fourth-grade science program was written and developed at Charlotte Country Day. Through a combination of classroom and science lab experiences, students are exposed to each major domain in life, earth, and physical science. Focus on science processes continues, with special emphasis placed on problem-solving skills. Each student completes a project that focuses on a problem to be solved or a question to be answered. This event integrates science and computer classes by allowing each student to prepare a PowerPoint presentation of the experiment.

Computer
Fourth graders come to the computer lab for instruction on more advanced word processing, spreadsheet, and database skills. Integrated with the social studies, science, and math curricula, database and spreadsheet activities are planned to give students significant experience with different types of research while reinforcing concepts being studied in the classroom. The Internet is used as a tool for guided research as fourth graders learn how to search for and responsibly select data. In addition to the computers in each classroom, fourth graders have access to the computer lab in the library for teacher-led computer activities.

Social Studies
Fourth graders study the history, resources, and government of North Carolina and its relationship to surrounding states and the world. Map- and graph-reading skills are reviewed and expanded. Each class takes a trip to a small town in North Carolina to compare life there to life in Charlotte. The culminating activity of the year is an overnight trip to Raleigh, the state capital.

French and Spanish
The main thrust of French and Spanish in fourth grade is to connect, apply, and demonstrate understanding in the target language. Lessons include subject-content goals with a variety of cognitive levels that are adapted to integrate the classroom program. Language learning activities are content-based and require comprehension, communication, reading, and writing skills.

Music
Musical experiences continue to be varied but become more subtle and complex as a child's musical responsiveness increases and musical sensitivity is further developed. Emphasis is continued on discovering one's creative approach and exploring musical concepts. By the fourth grade, students are ready to examine other artists' approaches to the creative process in greater depth and to relate this to their own experience and compositions. The instruction of the recorder is continued.

Art
The fourth grade art curriculum focuses on developing skillful use of materials, expanding art vocabulary, increasing aesthetic and perceptual awareness, as well as introducing various artists and cultures. Students are required to become critical of their own work as well as the work of others.

Physical Education
The third- and fourth-grade PE programs provide a transition between the simplified activity programs of lower grades and sports interests. Modified games in soccer, hockey, volleyball, basketball, and softball are introduced as coordination develops. The mastery and application of physical skills are encouraged, as well as improvement of personal fitness levels. Sportsmanship and the playing of team games with rules are learned. Fourth graders have PE every day for 30 minutes.

Library
Through flexible scheduling, the library curriculum enhances and extends the classroom curriculum, fosters literary appreciation, and targets information and research skills. Students enjoy a variety of genres in story time, develop active listening and viewing skills, reinforce concepts through experiential activities, learn to confidently use a library, and purposefully explore a wide array of media, both traditional and technological.