4th Grade
Language Arts, Foreign Language: Latin, Science, History, and Fine Arts
Language Arts (Literature, Grammar, Spelling & Writing)
In this class, students will read a variety of great books on their own, using punctuation as clues for meaning. Letter writing, vocabulary skills, both oral and written comprehension skills, art projects and creative activities will be included, adding excitement to their reading. Students will additionally be taught common literary techniques in order to identify them in all the different books, and will examine character qualities and experiences in these enthralling works. Most importantly, they will continue to fall in love with reading!
With opportunities to discuss grammatical skills, show mastery of the skills, and then independently practice them, students will continue to gain understanding in and love of the English language. Grammar concepts include: Four kinds of sentences (declarative, interrogatory, imperative, exclamatory) and principal elements, adverbs, adjectives, predicate verbs and direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives, predicate review, possessive nouns, sentence diagramming (visualizing grammatical relationships within sentences), prepositional phrases, compound elements, subject pronouns, object pronouns, possessive pronouns, interrogative pronouns, compound sentences, relative pronouns and relative clauses.
Spelling is approached from a phonics focus, with lists of spelling words, short reading passages, spelling sentences, and dictation.
This year students will progress through ancient history-based writing prompts. They will use techniques to continue to develop their writing skills with key word outlines, narrative stories, summarizing from notes, and creative and essay writing.
Foreign Language: Latin (Grammar Stage Latin)
This class trains students in Latin grammar, vocabulary, English derivatives and Roman history study in a lively, interactive and incremental way, through the use of interesting and varied language exercises, games, maps, timelines, projects, great stories of Roman history, art study, character lessons, videos, audio files and online games that engage and interest students in learning Latin with ease and delight.
Science: Ancient Era
Experience science through wonder-based learning! During class days, students are introduced to scientific concepts through the guide of history as they learn about the scientists and discoveries of the Ancient Era and perform hands-on experiments and activities that reflect these concepts. They also engage in highly interactive small-group history-based STEM challenges. At home, students dive into living science books and connect with nature through weekly nature study experiences.
History: Ancient Era
Our history sequence studies the history of the world chronologically through a 4-year repeating cycle. Focusing on the Ancient Era this year, this time period comes alive to students as they immerse themselves in its major events, people and different cultures through the story-like format of The Story of the World text, captivating historical fiction literature, and a breadth of hands-on activities such as mapwork, timelines, arts, crafts, writing, highly interactive small-group history-based STEM challenges, and fun supplemental activities!
Fine Arts: Ancient Era
This class includes artist studies & corresponding “meet the masters” type art projects, handicrafts, composer studies, and poet studies along with optional folk songs and more. Our first semester fine arts showcase and our culminating end-of-year historical event provide opportunities for our students to share their talents and creations within our co-op community.