FOURTH GRADE CURRICULUM
RELIGION
Voyages: Exploring God’s Word is a religion workbook from which the class explores both Old and New Testament teachings. Students learn of God’s love and His gift of salvation through selected Bible readings, well known Christian stories and contemporary anecdotal lessons. Fourth graders are assigned Bible verses to memorize and are tested twice a week. Among these are the 10 Commandments, the Apostle’s Creed, and the Beatitudes. Anchor Lutheran students attend chapel every Wednesday. Fourth graders also compose and lead a chapel service once during the school year.
ENGLISH
We use the Houghton Mifflin English series. We study many aspects of the written language throughout the year. Students study the sentence, language mechanics, and grammar skills within the context of written work. Students participate in discussions about language applications. Their achievement is measured both by end of unit tests and mastery demonstration of writing techniques. Students also are encouraged to practice these skills in weekly journal entries, various written subject reports, and daily oral language.
SCIENCE
Students in the fourth grade use the Scott Foresman Discover Science series to explore the many fascinating aspects of the world in which we live. We study Life Science, properties of matter, electricity and its relationship with magnetism, landforms and weather, and the amazing human machine. We go on many field trips, do hands-on activities, engage in lively discussion, and look for related scientific facts during our Weekly Reader Magazine investigations and oral reading from the text. Students learn about science from the Christian perspective as we live as guests in God’s Kingdom.
HANDWRITING
Fourth graders are expected to utilize well formed cursive handwriting for all assignments. With an emphasis on letter formation, students are reminded of just how important good handwriting is!
SOCIAL STUDIES
Fourth graders use the McMillan McGraw Regions Near and Far Social Studies series. We learn map and globe skills, explore basic earth geography, and study each region of the United States. Students memorize state locations and capitals, compose and read aloud extensive research papers, and explore social study themes within the contemporary Weekly Reader magazine, Weekly Reader. Students are encouraged to take part in the school geography bee, to think critically about their surroundings, and how taking a proactive role in their community enhances their lives.
MATH
The fourth grade math curriculum is centered on the Saxon math series. Saxon math focuses on computational proficiency and problem solving. Students focus on whole numbers, fractions, mixed numbers, time, measurements, and story problems. Two very strong core traits of Saxon math is the focus on “reading” for information (at least ½ of each problem set is written and needs to be interpreted before solving) and the repetition of concepts until mastery is reached. Students also concentrate on memorizing the basic facts in all four operations. The math curriculum is supplemented by hands-on games, “Math Challenge”, and daily oral/mental math.
PHONICS
Students use Kickingbird Kids phonics series. This series teaches and reinforces phonetic concepts of context clues, word formation, and dictionary skills. All forms of language concepts are covered including suffixes, prefixes, digraphs, consonant blends, and vowel enunciation! Students utilize these abilities to read with more meaning, decode context, and enhance the great adventure that is reading.
READING
Fourth graders at Anchor Lutheran use the Houghton Mifflin textbook. We also have 6 complete text sets with supporting material for comprehension and vocabulary proficiency. Students are exposed to different kinds of literature including: fiction, nonfiction, biographies, fantasy, mystery, and poetry. Students practice oral reading and reading to each other within the classroom setting, as well as completing book reports on both fiction and nonfiction selections. They also participate in an annual school wide Read-A- Thon. We frequently read from the Weekly Reader publication. Weekly Reader is a 6th grade reading level publication that covers many contemporary themes and topics. Comprehension and vocabulary testing follow a week of discussion and reading. Parents are encouraged to take part in this exploration at home as part of the fourth grade homework requirements.
SPELLING
Macmillan/McGraw Hill spelling is used to increase vocabulary and transfer spelling skills to enhance vocabulary and improve writing. Weekly tests are given with spelling words dictated with a context sentence. Challenge words are included in each week’s list. The weekly test includes the spelling words and 5 sentences using the weekly challenge words. The sentences help reinforce listening skills, memorization ability, and encourage good study habits. Each sentence must be written correctly with emphasis on capitalization and punctuation mastery. Our spelling program is enriched with games such as Buzz, Speed Reads, Spell-offs, and team/class spelling bees. Anchor Lutheran students participate yearly in the Scripps/Daily News Spelling Bee.
CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
The fourth grade school year is enhanced by a variety of field trips and activities. Among these is an annual overnight field trip with the Kindergarteners to the Alaska SeaLife Center. We attend many first run performances at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, explore our Loussac Library, and produce the annual Anchor Lutheran Talent Show.
FOURTH GRADE CURRICULUM
RELIGION
Voyages: Exploring God’s Word is a religion workbook from which the class explores both Old and New Testament teachings. Students learn of God’s love and His gift of salvation through selected Bible readings, well known Christian stories and contemporary anecdotal lessons. Fourth graders are assigned Bible verses to memorize and are tested twice a week. Among these are the 10 Commandments, the Apostle’s Creed, and the Beatitudes. Anchor Lutheran students attend chapel every Wednesday. Fourth graders also compose and lead a chapel service once during the school year.
ENGLISH
We use the Houghton Mifflin English series. We study many aspects of the written language throughout the year. Students study the sentence, language mechanics, and grammar skills within the context of written work. Students participate in discussions about language applications. Their achievement is measured both by end of unit tests and mastery demonstration of writing techniques. Students also are encouraged to practice these skills in weekly journal entries, various written subject reports, and daily oral language.
SCIENCE
Students in the fourth grade use the Scott Foresman Discover Science series to explore the many fascinating aspects of the world in which we live. We study Life Science, properties of matter, electricity and its relationship with magnetism, landforms and weather, and the amazing human machine. We go on many field trips, do hands-on activities, engage in lively discussion, and look for related scientific facts during our Weekly Reader Magazine investigations and oral reading from the text. Students learn about science from the Christian perspective as we live as guests in God’s Kingdom.
HANDWRITING
Fourth graders are expected to utilize well formed cursive handwriting for all assignments. With an emphasis on letter formation, students are reminded of just how important good handwriting is!
SOCIAL STUDIES
Fourth graders use the McMillan McGraw Regions Near and Far Social Studies series. We learn map and globe skills, explore basic earth geography, and study each region of the United States. Students memorize state locations and capitals, compose and read aloud extensive research papers, and explore social study themes within the contemporary Weekly Reader magazine, Weekly Reader. Students are encouraged to take part in the school geography bee, to think critically about their surroundings, and how taking a proactive role in their community enhances their lives.
MATH
The fourth grade math curriculum is centered on the Saxon math series. Saxon math focuses on computational proficiency and problem solving. Students focus on whole numbers, fractions, mixed numbers, time, measurements, and story problems. Two very strong core traits of Saxon math is the focus on “reading” for information (at least ½ of each problem set is written and needs to be interpreted before solving) and the repetition of concepts until mastery is reached. Students also concentrate on memorizing the basic facts in all four operations. The math curriculum is supplemented by hands-on games, “Math Challenge”, and daily oral/mental math.
PHONICS
Students use Kickingbird Kids phonics series. This series teaches and reinforces phonetic concepts of context clues, word formation, and dictionary skills. All forms of language concepts are covered including suffixes, prefixes, digraphs, consonant blends, and vowel enunciation! Students utilize these abilities to read with more meaning, decode context, and enhance the great adventure that is reading.
READING
Fourth graders at Anchor Lutheran use the Houghton Mifflin textbook. We also have 6 complete text sets with supporting material for comprehension and vocabulary proficiency. Students are exposed to different kinds of literature including: fiction, nonfiction, biographies, fantasy, mystery, and poetry. Students practice oral reading and reading to each other within the classroom setting, as well as completing book reports on both fiction and nonfiction selections. They also participate in an annual school wide Read-A- Thon. We frequently read from the Weekly Reader publication. Weekly Reader is a 6th grade reading level publication that covers many contemporary themes and topics. Comprehension and vocabulary testing follow a week of discussion and reading. Parents are encouraged to take part in this exploration at home as part of the fourth grade homework requirements.
SPELLING
Macmillan/McGraw Hill spelling is used to increase vocabulary and transfer spelling skills to enhance vocabulary and improve writing. Weekly tests are given with spelling words dictated with a context sentence. Challenge words are included in each week’s list. The weekly test includes the spelling words and 5 sentences using the weekly challenge words. The sentences help reinforce listening skills, memorization ability, and encourage good study habits. Each sentence must be written correctly with emphasis on capitalization and punctuation mastery. Our spelling program is enriched with games such as Buzz, Speed Reads, Spell-offs, and team/class spelling bees. Anchor Lutheran students participate yearly in the Scripps/Daily News Spelling Bee.
CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
The fourth grade school year is enhanced by a variety of field trips and activities. Among these is an annual overnight field trip with the Kindergarteners to the Alaska SeaLife Center. We attend many first run performances at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, explore our Loussac Library, and produce the annual Anchor Lutheran Talent Show.