Grade 4

Language Arts

* Philosophy of Language Arts curriculum: Balanced literacy
* Critical thinking and investigative reading strategies are fostered
* Genres include fiction, non-fiction, and poetry
* Skills developed include: public speaking, listening, composition format, and critical reading
* Students are encouraged to express themselves through journal entries, letter writing, poetry composition, research projects, and dramatic productions
* Preparation for the New York State English Language Arts Exam

Social Studies

* Focus of Social Studies curriculum: Preparation for future civic responsibilities and our students' roles as citizens of the United States
* Topics include: culture (both U.S. and global); turning points in history; global interdependence; migration; democracy and various types of government; and civic identity and values
* Skills developed include: reading and creating time-lines; reading and interpreting maps, charts and graphs; using a variety of resources for building models and gathering data for projects

Mathematics

* Philosophy of Mathematics curriculum: Hands-on investigation and reading in mathematics
* Skills developed include: problem-solving, decision making, and written expression and explanation of solutions in acceptable mathematical language
* Students use manipulatives in both individual and group settings
* Topics include: estimation; relationships between decimals and fractions; graphing and interpreting data obtained from the Internet and other resources; and confidently using the four operations with whole and mixed numbers, as well as numbers between 0 and 1
* Preparation for the New York State Mathematics Assessment Exam

Science

* Philosophy of Science curriculum: Application of scientific concepts in life, physical, and earth science
* Skills developed include: problem solving; critical thinking; writing a lab report; working in a cooperative group
* Topics include: plants; the environment; animal and human interdependence; magnetism; and electricity
* Preparation for the New York State Science Assessment Exam