It takes courage to grow up and turn out to be who you really are!
The 4th grade at Saint Joseph Elementary School is a year of incredible academic and personal growth. The students embark on a journey that will lead them to discover how to be an independent and responsible learner. The challenging, yet interesting curriculum widens their horizons from the banks of the Mississippi to the Redwood Forest of California. Throughout the year, numerous field trips enhance the learning process by giving the students the opportunity to experience information in a real world context. Throughout the fourth grade, the increased academic responsibility in the classroom and at home helps the students gain personal knowledge of how they learn best.
Religion: Catholic schools are unique. The integration of religious truths and values with life distinguishes Catholic Schools from other schools. Our faith and belief in the Gospel message is an intricate part of our entire curriculum. In grade 4, specific aspects of our religious studies are observed through example, practice, church liturgies, service projects, discussions and interaction with priests and deacons.
Language Arts: Through lectures, drill worksheets, research reports, cooperative learning, independent reading, process writing and discovery, the students’ learning experiences are rich and varied in the following content areas:
Reading: Literature based collection of stories with emphasis on language, vocabulary, and comprehension.
English: Grammar, correct usage, mechanics, and writing skills
Writing: Strong emphasis is placed on the Reading/Writing connections. Students will continue to hone their writing skills to utilize the Writing Process including Prewriting, Drafting, Revising, Conferencing, Proofreading and Publishing.
Mathematics: The Fourth Grade Math Curriculum covers a wide range of concepts and skills including the following: Graph Reading, Understanding place value through thousands, Time and Calendar, Multiplication facts and multiplying by 1 and 2-digit factors, Division facts and dividing by 1 and 2-digit divisors, Geometry (solids, triangles, lines and segments, quadrilaterals, symmetry, and perimeter), Addition and Subtraction of fractions, Linear Measurement and Decimals.
Social Studies: Students in grade 4 are at a perfect age to begin to dive into the area of Social Studies and Geography. The following topics are covered: Regions of the Earth, Maps and globes, Geography of the United States and Study of Arizona.
Science: The fourth grade Science Curriculum covers the following units of Study: Animals, Properties of Matter, Magnetism and Electricity, The Earth’s Land Resources, Weather and Climate and the Human Body.
