Fourth Grade

 

     Fourth grade is a time of transition as the students work toward independence in classroom expectations, class work, and homework. The steps toward independence are supported by the teachers who meet each student at his/her readiness level. Academics reflect this step up to independence. Skills that have been acquired in the lower grades are the tools used in fourth grade. For example, reading is the skill that has been taught; now reading is the tool for acquiring necessary knowledge in content areas.

 

     Fourth-grade students are taught and encouraged to manage their time and materials throughout the year. Two key techniques are used to support students’ learning.  Students write all assignments down in a daily planner.  This enables them to know what assignments are due the next day or for long-term projects.  Students also use the school grading system, Skyward.  On Skyward students can keep updated on their daily assignments and the grade earned on each assignment.  Parents are also able to keep abreast of their child’s grades throughout the trimester.  

     The fourth-grade classes show their civic responsibility through support of Operation Gratitude. Throughout the year, the students write letters and send care packages to military members.

 

• Our November Thanksgiving Food Drive teaches the importance of stewardship and giving to others. The entire student body creates about two dozen “baskets” that include non-perishable food items and gift cards to create a great Thanksgiving meal and help stock the family pantry. Together with the help of the Parish and St. Vincent de Paul, the baskets are distributed to families in need right here in the St. Louise Community.
• Throughout the year, students support New Bethlehem Programs – a part of Catholic Community Services. New Bethlehem Programs offer day center and shelter services for families that are experiencing homelessness. During Advent students and families support the program by collecting much needed supplies for them.
• During Lent, students learn the importance of fasting and almsgiving. This 40-day season of giving begins on Ash Wednesday with a school-wide “Rice and Beans Lunch,” when all the students and staff give up their usual lunch for rice and beans. The money they would have spent on an ample meal is donated to New Bethlehem Programs.

     There are many exciting enrichment opportunities in fourth grade! Fourth-grade students attend at least one local play as well as a tour of the Corn Maze in the shape of Washington State. Students use clues to travel the roads of Washington to visit historical landmarks across the state. This supports our Social Studies curriculum.  
Every other year, fourth graders participate in a two day, in-school enrichment grant called “Of Cedar and Salmon”. Over the course of two days, students are taught in depth about Native American culture and customs through lectures, storytelling, games, dances, crafts, and receive exposure to various artifacts including pelts, weapons, and jewelry. Students not only silk screen shirts as an activity but attend an evening pot-latch as a culminating event.
The fourth-grade Science program has many hands-on units. One unit on the human eye is supported with the dissection of a cow’s eye. This allows students to see the individual parts of the eye.  Another unit is on electricity and students work to assemble a simple circuit.

     Students end the year with a Marketplace project. Students create and design a business, plan cost and earnings, design and create a commercial for the business, create business cards, and create surveys and map the results of popular business factors.  The culmination of the learning experience is to build the business and sell the product or service to others. 

     Students create a Person of Faith Report. Research on a faith filled person is done and students create a report on this faith-filled person.  Students will dress as their faith filled person and give a presentation.  All learn about the holy men and women who are doing God’s work in the world.  

     Fourth graders experience being “Big Buddies” for the first-grade students. They meet with their buddies monthly to help them practice basic skills, read to them, and complete seasonal activities. Fourth graders also sit with their buddies at all school Masses to help model appropriate church behavior.