Mrs. Lourdon's 4th Grade Subject Areas

Math

     Math lessons are taught to the students and then revisited each day during their homework and practice.  Timed math drills and mental math are also part of each lesson.  Homework consists of practicing the new concept being taught as well as practice from previous lessons.  Children constantly revisit math skills throughout homework and tests.

   Children are taught three digit multiplication, division, perimeter, area, graphing, fractions, word problems...

    Each of my lessons include drill and practice using a dry erase board.  Students must correctly work the problem given and show it to me, so that I know that they have understood the lesson.  This type of participation provides me with immediate feedback.  Any concept not understood is then re-taught.   Students love this part of the day!  

Text used:  Saxon Math

Spelling

     Each of our spelling lists consist of spelling words as well as vocabulary words.  The children are taught spelling rules, exceptions to the rules, phonics, and spelling challenges.    

     Children are expected to correctly spell 20 words each week.  Five words are vocabulary words, while fifteen are spelling words only.  They are also required to memorize the definitions of the five vocabulary words.  As the year progresses, the vocabulary list increases until students are given ten vocabulary words and definitions, which they correctly spell and define.  Every nine lessons, the students are given a review of thirty words from previous lessons.

     Daily review and practice is done with dry erase boards.  Students must correctly spell the word on their board and show it to me.  This gives me immediate feedback and provides them with great practice.  Again, the students enjoy this type of participation.  

  Text used:  A Beka Spelling   

Language    

     Students review the skills to correctly punctuate and write good sentences.  They are taught grammar (nouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, pronouns ...), diagramming sentences, research and writing skills.  Students also correct sentences and paragraphs through Daily Oral Language.

    As with the other subjects, I use the dry erase boards to practice the skills taught.  The students also work in the textbook to review skills taught.

Text used:  A Beka Language

Writing

    Writing is an important and enjoyable part of our day.  Students love to write and create stories.  We discuss the writing process.  Children are taught to Pre-Write, Draft, Revise, Edit, and Publish. We spend time discussing different types of writing.  Students will write expository essays, narratives, persuasive essays...  
    Poetry is also part of our writing in fourth grade.  Students learn the various types of poetry and write their own poems.

Text used:  Writers Express

Reading

    Students are given various opportunities to develop their reading skills in fourth grade.  We spend time reading a Reading Text as a class, timed reading and comprehension exercises, and free reading each day.   We also read Mr. Popper's Penguins as a class and study penguins.  Students then research a specific type of penguin and write a paper on that type of penguin.  

Texts used:  A Beka Reading books, various trade books

Science   

     We spend two quarters of the year learning about Matter, Energy, Geology, and Oceanography.  Students participate in simple experiments and activities that reinforce the material.

Text used:  A Beka Science

Social Studies

     The second half of the year is spent studying Pennsylvania history and map skills.  We study the regions, landforms, history, and people.  We also study Government.  

Text used:  Pennsylvania Time and Place

Bible

In Bible, we study Noah, Abraham, Moses, Hannah, David, Saul, and Solomon. We learn about serving God and others.   We also study kings from the Bible.  

Text Used: Journeys With God