FOURTH GRADE CURRICULUM

Philosophy Statement: Development of a biblical worldview based on God’s Holy Word is the foundation to living the Christian life. Immersing students in Scripture content begins at an early age through grade level Bible curriculum and biblical integration in every core curriculum. Study of God’s Word leads students to the acquisition of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom guiding students in the development of godly inner character, and the pursuit of a personal saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Students’ spiritual, emotional and intellectual needs are met as they commit Scripture to memory, lead an active prayer life, and apply biblical truths daily.

Course Objective: The students will survey the Bible, conduct an in-depth, personalized study of selected biblical passages, and participate in activities to help them apply the Scriptures to important issues faced by fourth grade students. The materials are designed to capture the students’ interest and encourage them to think and become more Christ-like. The focus is on personal Bible study and the understanding of principles which can guide all of life’s decisions.

Resources/Textbook:
• Holy Bible (NIV)
• Positive Action Bible Curriculum
​​​​​​​• Summit Curriculum

Materials:
• Student workbook
• Praise and worship music

Time Allotment: 30 minutes per day, 4 days per week, 2 semesters

Course Content:
• The life of Christ
• The Holy Spirit
• Trust and confidence in the Lord
• Christ-like character
• The ministry of Paul

Areas to be evaluated:
Class participation, workbook pages, memory verses and quizzes.

Additional Activities:
• Chapel (once a week)
• Drama
• Creative writing
• Singing
• Sharing
• Prayer time

Philosophy Statement: By looking at the themes of social studies (commonality and diversity, conflict and cooperation, continuity and change, individualism and interdependence and interaction with environment) we can see that God has a plan He is carrying to completion; history records the progress of that plan. Through studying history and geography, students can better understand the world and become active citizens.

Course Objective: Our students need to learn about themselves, their community, their country, and their world from a Christian perspective in order to become the people God would have them be. The study of World and American History gives the children an appreciation for and understanding of his/her heritage, country and world.

Resources/Textbook:
• Core Knowledge Teacher Handbook, Grade 4
• Holy Bible (NIV)
• History and Geography, Pearson Learning

Materials:
• History and Geography, Core Knowledge Student Books
• Various teacher books, library books, and materials
• Core Knowledge instructional masters
• World and U.S. Maps

Time Allotment: 40 minutes per day, 4 days per week, 2 semesters

Course Content:
• American geography
• Europe in the Middle Ages
• Spread of Islam and the “Holy Wars”
• Early and medieval African Kingdoms
• China: Dynasties and conquerors
• American Revolution
• American Constitution
• Levels and functions of American Government
• Oklahoma history

Areas to be evaluated:
Class participation, rubrics, quizzes, tests, various activities and projects.

Additional Activities:
• Night to Remember

Philosophy Statement: The natural world was created by the word of God and reveals facets of the character and nature of God. Science is taught through problem solving, hands-on experiments, observation and conclusions. Science education should provide students with an understanding of His created world, creating a sense of awe and wonder concerning the creative God. Foundations of science understanding can be used for further study and academic preparation to equip students to compassionately care for people and wisely steward creation.

Course Objective: The science program will provide for the student’s development of scientific knowledge and understanding. Instruction includes hands-on experiences, observations, and book learning to provide a variety of avenues to process and organize knowledge. The student will recognize that God is the Creator of all areas of science and the Force that controls all things.

Resources/Textbook:
• Core Knowledge Teacher Handbook, Grade 4
• Holy Bible (NIV)
• Purposeful Design Grade 4 Systems
• Mystery Science

Materials:
• Student textbook
• Textbook resource materials
• Hands-on materials per subject area

Time Allotment: 30 minutes per day, 4 days per week, 2 semesters

Course Content:
• Life science
• Physical science
• Earth science
• Human body
• Biographies

Areas to be evaluated:
Class participation, quizzes and written evaluations at the end of units.

Additional Activities:
A variety of other activities are included.

Philosophy Statement: The language arts are based on the knowledge that God is a communicating God. He desires for us to understand and obey his spoken and written Word. He has given us the ability to communicate with each other. We desire to develop this gift to become effective communicators by a strong emphasis on reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Course Objective: The goal of our language arts program is the development of both the attitudes and skills necessary for the student to be an effective reader and writer. A balanced program will be used that emphasizes writing, spelling, grammar, listening, speaking, and different genres of literature. The student will develop independent reading strategies to foster optimal literacy growth. The student will work to develop self-monitoring skills, fluency, and comprehension. These strong foundational skills will allow the student to critically evaluate written material from the Christian perspective.

Resources/Textbook:
• Core Knowledge Teacher Handbook, Grade 4
• MacMillan/McGraw Hill Language Arts
• Holy Bible (NIV)
• Wordly Wise Purposeful Design 4
• Six Trait Writing Model
• Novel Ties
• Student dictionary
• Student thesaurus
• Mountain Language
• Mentor Sentences

Materials:
• Student workbooks
• Various teacher websites and games

Time Allotment: 90 minutes per day, 5 days per week, 2 semesters

Course Content:
• Writing
• Spelling
• Grammar
• Reading

Areas to be evaluated:
Class participation, rubrics, quizzes, tests, research projects and book reports.

Additional Activities:
A variety of other activities are included.

Philosophy Statement: Mathematical truths demonstrate the orderliness, precision and consistency of God. Man’s creativity, like God’s, often requires mathematical understanding and the knowledge of mathematical concepts add to our understanding of expressions in other areas of life.

Course Objective: The math program will provide incremental review and steady practice as needed to master basic facts and encourage higher-order problem solving skills. Instruction includes demonstration, guided practice, drills, independent practice, with re-teaching and enrichment as needed. The student will recognize that God used numbers in various ways when creating the world and dealing with His people in Old and New Testament times.

Resources/Textbook:
• Core Knowledge Teacher Handbook, Grade 4
• Holy Bible (NIV)
• Mathematics: Saxon Math, Mountain Math, Saxon Power Ups

Materials:
• Student workbook
• Practice and enrichment worksheets
• Drill sheets
• Manipulative materials

Time Allotment: 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week, 2 semesters

Course Content:
• Place value and money
• Adding and subtracting whole numbers and money
• Multiplication and division concepts and facts
• Time, data, and graphs
• Multiplying by one-digit numbers
• Multiplying by two-digit numbers
• Dividing
• Geometry and measurement
• Fraction concepts
• Fraction operations and customary measurement
• Decimals and metric measurement
• Graphing and probability

Areas to be evaluated:
Class participation, homework assignments, tests and quizzes.

Additional Activities:
A variety of other activities are included.

Philosophy Statement: God’s creation includes a variety of people and languages. The Bible says, “Every knee will bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God” (Romans 14:11), regardless of the language an individual speaks. The study of cultures and languages is necessary, then, for God’s children to communicate the gift of salvation to various people groups. Jesus told us, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). An awareness of culture and the ability to communicate using the Latin language equips students to serve God and others on a broader level.

Course Objective: Students will pronounce, spell, and translate words in Latin. Students will also learn multiple Latin sayings, prayers, and songs. Students of Latin will learn various components of Latin grammar and be able recognize and understand the concept of derivatives.

Resources/Textbook:
• Core Knowledge Teacher Handbook, Grade 4
• Holy Bible (NIV)
• Prima Latina, Introduction to Christian Latin (Memoria Press)

Materials:
• Student workbook
• Flashcards

Time Allotment: 25 minutes per day, 2 days per week, 2 semesters

Course Content:
• Vocabulary
• Grammar
• Derivatives
• Latin Sayings

Areas to be evaluated:
Class participation, lesson quizzes and homework assignments.

Additional Activities:
A variety of other activities are included.

Philosophy Statement: Art is based on the truth that God is the Supreme Creator and is interested in beauty (Genesis 1:1). His original creation is both artful and awe-inspiring. Christians are to understand and appreciate the beauty of God and utilize their imaginations to create works that reflect his nature and inspire worship.

Course Objective: The students will explore and experience various mediums, while studying art history including artists, works of art, and movements. Students will also become familiar with color theory, the elements of art, principles of design and artistic concepts and techniques. Integrating God’s word will help students grasp that God is a God of beauty.

Resources/Textbook:
• Core Knowledge Teacher Handbook, Grade 4
• Selected prints from the Core Knowledge Sequence for Visual Art
• Holy Bible (NIV)

Materials:
• Student sketchbook
• Graphite, oil pastels, charcoal, drawing materials
• Various types of paints and related materials
• Various materials for collage, sculpture, etc.
• Clay/Kiln for firing
• Color wheel

Time Allotment: 40 minutes per day, 1 day per week, 2 semesters

Course Content:
• Art of the Middle Ages in Europe
• Islamic Art and Architecture
• The art of a new nation: the United States
• The art of Africa
• Sculpture
• Illustration
• Painting

Areas to be evaluated:
Class participation, project quality and completion

Additional Activities:
• Sketchbooks – students will have sketchbook time to encourage creative thinking.

Philosophy Statement: Music is one of the essential parts of a Christian’s existence. It is the translation of ideas, feelings, and experiences into audible expression before our Lord. As the Bible says, we are created and called to “Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day… “(1 Chronicles 16:23) In music, students will continually be called upon to see, explore and react to the glory of God and His creation through singing, listening, moving, and playing instruments.

Course Objective: The elementary music program includes instruction in three areas of study: general music, choral music and instrumental music and aligns both with the Oklahoma PASS skills and the National Standards of Music. Performance and basic music theory skills are taught and reinforced within an ensemble structure.

Resources/Textbook:
• Core Knowledge Teacher Handbook, Grade 4
• Selected songs from the Core Knowledge Sequence for Vocal Music
• Quaver Curriculum, Grade 4
• Holy Bible (NIV)

Materials:
• Instruments
• Boom whackers
• Rhythm instruments
• Various multi-sensory materials
• Various music CDs

Time Allotment: 25 minutes per day, 2 days per week, 2 semesters

Course Content:
• Elements of music
• Listening and understanding
• Songs
• Language of music
• Music history and culture
• Music expression
• Music appreciation

Areas to be evaluated:
Class participation.

Additional Activities:
Required participation in seasonal programs.

Philosophy Statement: God’s word says in 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” This is our approach to physical education and athletics. Physical education is a tool to develop attitudes toward a personal commitment to health, physical activity, and lifetime fitness that glorifies and honors God.

Course Objective: Students will experience various games and activities while developing gross motor skills and becoming more aware of the importance of physical fitness.

Resources/Textbook:
• Holy Bible (NIV)

Materials:
• Various supplies/equipment needed for some activities.

Time Allotment: 25 minutes per day, 1 day per week, 2 semesters

Course Content:
• Movements and music
• Games
• Basketball skills
• Tennis skills
• Volleyball skills
• Floor Hockey Skills
• Kickball skills
• Soccer skills
• Stunts and tumbling activities
• Jump rope skills
• Speed stacking
• President’s Fitness Testing

Areas to be evaluated:
Class participation.

Additional Activities:
A variety of other activities are included.

Philosophy Statement: Ethical use of technology and honorable business practices should glorify God. Technology is broadly defined as the use and application of knowledge to achieve a practical result. With these things in mind, students will learn effective and ethical business practices to create and use technology to produce results that glorify God.

Course Objective: Students will receive instruction and be able to use technology in conjunction with creative problem solving, project management, and interpersonal communication skills. A major component of the Technology Curriculum is the development of a general set of profiles describing technology-literate students at key developmental points in their pre-college education. These profiles reflect the underlying assumption that all students should have the opportunity to develop technology skills that support learning, personal productivity, decision-making, and daily life. These profiles and associated standards provide a framework for preparing students to be lifelong learners who make informed decisions about the role of technology in their lives.

Resources/Textbook:
• Technokids Project based learning
• Printshop Deluxe
• KidsPix Deluxe

Materials:
• Classroom website
• Student projects
• Computer with Internet access
• Office productivity software
• Graphics communication hardware and software
• Multimedia hardware and software

Time Allotment: 50 minutes per day, 1 day per week, 2 semesters

Course Content:
• TechnoClue – Operating environment skills
• TechnoClue – Applied technology
• TechnoClue – Database
• Typing
• TechnoSales – Content knowledge
• TechnoSales – Spreadsheet
• TechnoSales – Operating environment
• TechnoSales – Applied technology

Areas to be evaluated:
Class participation, project quality and completion

Additional Activities:
• Group projects
• Problem-based learning