Fourth Grade Curriculum
The RPDS Upper School experience begins in fourth grade. Children receive instruction in six academic areas as they rotate among teachers. Each fourth grade homeroom teacher provides plenty of support to ensure an easy transition from the self-contained classrooms of lower school to the new experience of changing classes. Fourth graders typically comment that changing classes is one of their favorite aspects of the program.
English
The English curriculum develops both grammar and writing skills. Students extend the skills learned in earlier grades as they progress in writing fluency, detail and complexity through use of personal journals and in-class writing workshops. Writing is emphasized across the curriculum with nonfiction and creative topic assignments in reading, science, social studies, and sometimes even math classes! The study of grammar is also a substantial component of the fourth grade English curriculum. Students study and practice punctuation, mechanics, sentences, paragraph formation, and the parts of speech to become better writers, speakers, and proofreaders.
Reading
Students build comprehension skills through a variety of exciting literary genres, including (among others) adventure, humor, mystery, legends, drama, essays and non-fiction. Vocabulary development and the mastery of study skills are emphasized, while fostering a positive, enthusiastic attitude toward reading as both a useful and pleasurable life skill. The fourth graders are encouraged to carry a pleasure book with them at all times to instill and practice a lifetime habit of loving great literature.
Mathematics
Fourth grade math students work on cementing the building blocks of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts using these processes in problem solving situations. Two-digit multiplication and long division are covered along with the topics of graphing, interpretation, place value, probability, algebraic functions, and measurement. The final trimester expands student understanding of fractions and decimals utilizing these mathematical forms in addition and subtraction operations. Throughout the year, the students explore advanced mathematical topics such as algebra through “Hands-On Equations” software, the web-based CORE curriculum and math centers.
Social Studies
Fourth grade social studies begins a more comprehensive study of Florida history through topics of interest within our state. Students also utilize Florida topography and map skills to study geography terms and study our state government. By examining Florida’s role in American history, students are exposed to our nation’s history, such as the Revolutionary and Civil Wars as the stage is set continued exploration in 5th Grade Social Studies. Occasional projects and study trips, including an annual trip to St. Augustine, supplement in-class study. Writing skills are integrated frequently throughout our social studies curriculum.
Science
RPDS fourth grade fosters a multisensory approach to teaching science. In addition to daily classroom instruction by a science specialist the science curriculum continues the commitment to providing weekly hands-on lab experiences in the learning process. Students view, draw, and label a variety of slides/specimens through micro-viewers. Each unit of study is complimented with experiments in which the students implement the scientific method. Students are encouraged to manipulate items and record the outcome as data. The topics covered build upon concepts introduced at lower grades to include the following areas: earthquakes, volcanoes, fossils, weather conditions, oceans, solar system, the states of matter, thermal energy, electricity, and magnetism. Study trips to the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Challenger Space Discovery Center supplement science topics.
Spelling
Spelling instruction continues in fourth grade with the utilization of a workbook and technology. Organized lists of words are taught by patterns and rules of spelling, followed by exercises on the computer to practice the mastery of the words. Each unit culminates with a test on the Scholastic Spelling Studio computer software.
Learn more about Riverside's Fifth and Sixth Grade Upper School Programs »»
