Language Arts

"Reading In Common" experiences with quality trade books continue, with the added strategies of questioning and using inferences. Students explore more sophisticated aspects of literature, including character, setting, theme, and point of view. Students also read nonfiction texts related to science, math, and social studies.

Writing is integrated into all areas of the curriculum. The students are introduced to a variety of strategies and techniques to build their confidence as creative individuals. We use the workshop model of Process Writing (brainstorming, drafting, revising, editing and publishing) along with the Six Trait Model of revision. Students write in a variety of genres including fiction, essays, personal narratives, poetry, myths, adventure tales, and drama. Many of the writing projects have a visual (artistic) component. A variety of materials are used for spelling and vocabulary instruction, along with words culled from the "Reading in Common" texts.

Mathematics

The Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley enVision math program is used and supplemented with TERC Investigations math program and teacher-selected materials to reinforce skills. Topics studied include:

performing whole number operations to billions
understanding decimals to thousandths; adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimals
finding equivalent fractions; adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers with like and unlike denominations
finding percent equivalencies for fractions and decimals
exploring experimental and theoretical probability
interpreting and constructing bar, line, and stem-and-leaf graphs
measuring and constructing angles
ongoing problem-solving in logic and visual/spatial analysis

Science

Pond Study/Ecosystems

on-site observations and collection

habitat of plants and organisms; properties of water

effects of pollution (acid/base testing)

populations and food chains/webs in the pond as well as other earth biomes.

Motion and Design:

building vehicles from technical two- and three-view drawings

investigating how forces affect a vehicle's motion

designing vehicles that are propelled by stored energy

understanding the design process, and solving design problems

Investigate Simple Machines:

identifying/studying basic simple machines

analyzing and identifying simple machines within complex machines

inventing machines which make use of simple machines

Social Studies/Geography

American History Part I:

Students use books, primary sources, periodicals, and the Internet to conduct research, and to devlop skills of note taking, report writing, and oral, written and visualpresentation.

life and times of the original thirteen colonies

issues and events surrounding and leading up to the Declaration of Independence; period of the American Revolution

post-Revolution

Related Studies

Human Growth and Development
Health Education
Merrowvista: Whole-grade 3-day/2-night field trip to environmental camp in the fall.