Fourth Grade Curriculum
Reading:
Standard
1: Reading Process
Benchmark: Demonstrate phonics.
a.
TLW apply decoding skills to words, i.e.: prefixes, suffixes,
plurals . . .
Benchmark: Demonstrate
vocabulary skills.
a.
TLW identify grade appropriate sight words
b.
TLW recognize and define grade appropriate or content
appropriate vocabulary
Standard
2: Reading a Variety of Texts
Benchmark: Demonstrate comprehension
a.
TLW interpret the author’s view or purpose
b.
TLW recognize clue words as a means of sequencing
c.
TLW use prior knowledge and experience to respond to new
information, i.e.: predicting, inferring, drawing conclusions, deducing meaning
. .
d.
TLW identify basic information from texts
e.
TLW, after reading a selection, summarize their reading with
a response
f.
TLW recognize the use of cause and effect in passages
g.
TLW locate the main idea in paragraphs
h.
TLW recognize the story elements: character, plot, and
setting
i.
TLW identify the different literary forms, i.e.: tall tales,
folk tales, biographies, fables, historical and realistic fiction . . .
j.
TLW interpret non-literal language in a variety of literary
and informational texts
Benchmark: Understand self-monitoring and self-correction strategies
a.
TLW use context clues to determine meaning of familiar and unfamiliar
words
Benchmark: Demonstrate fluency
a.
TLW read grade-appropriate text with fluency and expression
Language:
Standard 1: Writing Process
Benchmark: Write with coherence and organization
a. TLW write a paragraph that contains a topic sentence and 3 supporting details
b. TLW re-state their topic sentence as the concluding sentence
Benchmark: Select words that are appropriate to audience and purpose
a. TLW use written communication for a variety of purpose, i.e.: invitations, thank-you’s, e-mails, messages
b. TLW write a persuasive paragraph with a clear opinion statement
Benchmark: Correctly apply the rules of mechanics and grammar
a. TLW edit various works for proper mechanics and spelling
b. TLW spell 80% of words correctly in spontaneous writing
c. TLW write using grade-appropriate punctuation and capitalization in their writing
d. TLW correctly apply the rules of grammar
e. TLW use adjectives and adverbs in their writing
Benchmark: Use general reference materials (dictionary, encyclopedia, atlas, phone book and almanac)
a. TLW use an atlas to locate information
Benchmark: Identify and use appropriate parts of a book to locate information
a. TLW use the glossary to locate information
Benchmark: Demonstrate listening skills for learning
a. TLW listen for information from a selection that is read aloud
Benchmark: Demonstrate speaking skills for learning
a. TLW ask questions to gain information
b. TLW verbalize thoughts clearly
c. TLW contribute to a group discussion
d. TLW respond appropriately to questions
e. TLW demonstrate oral presentation skills
Benchmark: Demonstrate viewing skills for learning
a. TLW interpret meaning from pictures or video
Math:
Standard
1: Numbers and Operations
a.
TLW compute
sums
b.
TLW compute
differences
c.
TLW compute
products
d.
TLW compute
quotients
e.
TLW understand
numbers, i.e.: read, write, compare, and order
f.
TLW add fractions with like denominators
g.
TLW subtract
fractions with like denominators
h.
TLW add
decimals to the tenth
i.
TLW subtract decimals to the tenth
j.
TLW estimate sums, differences, products, and quotients
Standard
2: Data Analysis and Problem Solving
a.
TLW use a
variety of formats to locate, read, and/or interpret data, i.e.: tables, graphs
b.
TLW apply
appropriate strategies for problem solving
Standard
3: Measurement
a.
TLW understand
measurement in standard system, i.e.:
length, temperature, weight
b.
TLW use
appropriate tools for measurement, i.e.:
ruler, thermometer, scale
Standard
4: Algebra
a.
TLW analyze
repeating and extended patterns
b.
TLW solve
number sentences with one variable, i.e.:
addition, subtraction
Standard
5: Geometry
a.
TLW compute
basic area of a variety of figures
b.
TLW figure
perimeter of polygons
c.
TLW identify,
describe, and draw polygons, right angles, and lines
d.
TLW, given a
plane, demonstrate motion, i.e.: flips,
turns, slides
e.
TLW clarify
lines as parallel, perpendicular, and intersecting
Science/Health:
Standard 1: Science as Inquiry
Benchmark: Demonstrate the abilities necessary for scientific inquiry
Identify and generate questions that can be answered through scientific investigations.
Recognize that scientists perform different types of investigations.
Plan and conduct scientific investigations.
Use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, process, and analyze data.
Incorporate mathematics in science inquiries.
Use evidence to develop reasonable explanations.
Communicate scientific procedures and explanations.
Follow appropriate safety procedures when conducting investigations.
Benchmark: Understand and apply knowledge of how forces are related to an object’s motion.
· The motion of an object can be described by its position, direction of motion, and speed. That motion can be measured and represented on a graph.
· Changes in speed or direction of motion are caused by forces. The greater the force, the greater the change in motion. The more massive an object, the less effect a given force will have in changing its motion.
Benchmark: Understand and demonstrate knowledge of how individual organisms are influenced by internal and external factors.
· Animals depend on plants. Some animals eat plants for food. Other animals eat animals that eat the plants.
· An organism’s patterns of behavior are related to the nature of that organism’s environment, including the kinds and numbers of other organisms present, the availability of food and resources, and the physical characteristics of the environment. When the environment changes, some plants and animals survive and reproduce, others die or move to new locations.
· All organisms cause changes in the environment in which they live. Some of these changes are detrimental to the organism or other organisms, whereas others are beneficial.
Benchmark: Understand and apply knowledge of weather and weather patterns.
· Weather is always changing and can be described by measurable quantities such as temperature, wind direction and speed and precipitation.
· Large masses of air with certain properties move across the surface of the earth. The movement and interaction of these air masses is used to forecast the weather.
Benchmark: Understand and demonstrate individual responsibility for own health and personal care by identifying the importance of personal hygiene practices
Benchmark: Identify the regions of the U.S.
a. TLW label the countries bordering the U.S.
b. TLW label the regions of the U.S.
c. TLW use latitude and longitude to locate specific items in regions
d. TLW use an atlas, elevation maps, and grids to gather information about regions
e. TLW identify states and their capitals
Benchmark: Understand the environment of Iowa
a. TLW describe the geographic history of Iowa
b. TLW identify the natural resources in Iowa
c. TLW explain the importance of the Iowa prairie
Benchmark: Understand the influence of different cultures on the history of Iowa
a. TLW identify important tribes and their leaders in Iowa
b. TLW identify explorers significant to Iowa
c. TLW describe immigrant communities in Iowa
Benchmark: Compare Iowa life past and present
a. TLW compare pioneer life to present day life
Benchmark: Identify the make-up of Iowa’s government
a. TLW describe Iowa’s steps toward statehood
b. TLW identify the 3 branches of state government, their roles/responsibilities, and the governor
Benchmark: Describe forms of transportation used in
Iowa
a.
TLW
describe usage of transportation systems, i.e. trains, stagecoaches,
steamboats, automobiles
Benchmark: Describe industries and inventions in Iowa
a.
TLW
identify industries started in Iowa
b.
TLW
identify important inventions from Iowa
c.
TLW
describe the growth of tourism in Iowa
Art
Standard Three: Choose and evaluate a range of subject
matter, symbols, and ideas
Benchmark: Examine, select, and use subject matter, content symbols and ideas to communicate meaning
a. TLW create a project using specific subject matter
b. TLW produce a picture depicting a certain mood or feeling
Standard Four: Understand the visual arts in relation to
history and cultures and the roles of art for self and society
Benchmark: Know, identify and demonstrate how the visual arts made historical significance to self and society
a. TLW identify, describe and interpret art styles of various cultures, such as paintings by Leonardo DaVinci
b. TLW recognize that each culture has its own aesthetic values
Standard Five: Reflect upon and assess the characteristics
and merits of their work and works of others
Benchmark: Understand and describe various purposes, experiments and responses to specific artwork
a. TLW describe how experiences influence the development of artwork
b. TLW explain there are various interpretations of their own and others visual art
Standard Six: Make connections between visual arts and
other disciplines
Benchmark: Identify, recognize and use comparisons between visual arts and other disciplines
a. TLW identify the similarities between visual arts and math, such as measuring with a ruler when weaving
Music
Standard 1: Sing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music
Benchmark: Demonstrate an understanding of singing on pitch
a.
TLW sing a variety of songs on pitch
b.
TLW sing using ensemble skills, i.e.: blend, intonation, dynamics,
phrasing, diction
c.
TLW demonstrate appropriate character in a performance setting
Standard 2: Perform on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music
Benchmark: Demonstrate independence in performing on instruments
a.
TLW play specified rhythms on the keyboard
b.
TLW play specified pitches on the keyboard
Standard 3: Read and notate music
Benchmark: Demonstrate the ability to read and notate rhythm and pitch
a.
TLW clap specified rhythms
b.
TLW count specified rhythms
c.
TLW notate a specified pitch on a staff
d.
TLW interpret musical signs, i.e.: repeat signs, D.C.al Fine, piano,
forte
Standard 4: Listen to, analyze, and interpret music
Benchmark: Demonstrate the ability to analyze and interpret music
a.
TLW execute dance steps to music, i.e.: square dancing
b.
TLW describe emotions evoked by listening to selected music
c.
TLW analyze a musical performance
K-5
Standard 1: Components of
Physical Education
Benchmark: Understand pre-activity routine
a.
TLW
demonstrate an appropriate stretching routine
b.
TLW
demonstrate proper physical attire for an elementary physical education class
c.
TLW
demonstrate fast walking/jogging/running during their 5 minute warm-up
Benchmark: Understand the components of wellness
a.
TLW
identify many sports as lifetime activities
b.
TLW
identify the correct techniques in the proper care of their bodies
c.
TLW
exercise moderately and strenuously while socializing with classmates
Benchmark:
Understand the components of individual and team concepts
a.
TLW
identify the basic rules and terminology of each unit
b.
TLW
demonstrate the skills learned for each particular unit
c.
TLW
demonstrate sportsmanlike behavior and attitude
d.
TLW
demonstrate needed safety precautions
e.
TLW
demonstrate responsibility in proper care of equipment
f.
TLW
develop both large and small motor skills