Fourth Grade Overview
Bible
Using the entire Bible as a source, in conjunction with our text, young people will find knowledge, wisdom, and understanding for themselves in the Holy Word. A strong emphasis is placed on character development, with practical lessons enabling students to make Christ-centered, life changing decisions. The text includes studies on the life of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit for the gospels, as well as an understanding of how Christian character is defined and implemented, using Paul’s epistles and studying his ministry. A pattern of Scriptural memorization is developed, an active prayer life is encouraged, a Biblical vocabulary is built, and an understanding of the land of Israel is gained through map work and related skills. Each class will present a short chapel special during the school year demonstrating these Christian values.
Book - Building Life Castles - Positive Action for Christ Curriculum
Reading
Narration reading is a method in teaching reading skills and comprehension. Narration holds students accountable for the story as a whole. They are not just required to recall the plot, the characters, or the setting; they are accountable to create the same mental pictures the author did through retelling. Narration is not memorization or parroting. It is not word to word, but point to point. It is a type of essay response-broad, open-ended, questioning with a recall of certain information. Narration maximizes the process of comprehension and meaning. Studies show that children who narrate comprehend far better than those who do not. This method also challenges students to strengthen their reading skills in areas of finding the main idea, sequencing the steps in a story, drawing conclusions, categorizing, inference questioning, and expanding their vocabulary. The Black Stallion, Numbers the Stars, Scout, Song of the Brook, Medallion, and Island of the Blue Dolphins are several of the novels read using the method of narration in 4th grade.
Spelling
This fast-paced, comprehensive, skills-teaching approach is simple and straightforward. It has enjoyable words games, dictionary tips, a phonics key for each lesson, and dictated sentences for extra reinforcement. On the weekly list, five words relate to a specific phonics key, and the remaining words are spelling challenges and vocabulary. This integrated language arts program continuously builds vocabulary. A collection of poetry is included for enrichment.
Book: Spelling, Vocabulary and Poetry 4 - ABEKA Curriculum
Penmanship
Because good penmanship is required on all written work, foundational skills are emphasized as the students are given a variety of opportunities to write for different audiences, such as writing telephone messages, poster writing, or a class newspaper. Students evaluate their own progress frequently and/or maintain a portfolio. A grandparent book is written for enrichment (culminating in a Grandparent Day celebration, with grandparents sharing their favorite stories about growing up).
Book: Penmanship Mastery I - ABEKA Curriculum
Language
With an emphasis on usage and the writing process, students are given extensive instruction in writing book reports, letters, and creative writing exercises. Dictionary and encyclopedia skills are also taught, as well as, a continuation of traditional grammar training. Students learn all eight parts of speech, identify subjects and verbs, diagramming sentences, simple rules for correct word usage, and subject/verb agreement. Students will be able to express themselves clearly and creatively in their communication with others as they begin to think and write in a logical, orderly manner.
Book - God's Gift of Language - ABEKA Curriculum
History
A high-interest narrative approach to American History brings to life famous heroes including: Columbus, the Pilgrims, patriots, inventors, scientists, scholars, missionaries, and gospel preachers, among others, to give students ideals to reach for and aspirations to follow, as presented from a Christian world view. In a positive, enjoyable way, they learn how the United States of America became a great nation, and what important events have shaped our land and her people. It is a 28-week study of American History (with some geography) and a 6-week detailed study of Texas history. Supplementing our text, guest speakers (such as “Sam Houston” and Civil War re-enactors), related field trips, and special events (such as the End-of-the-Trail Chili Cook-off) encourages students to become knowledgeable about their country and inspire patriotism.
Book - The History of the United States - ABEKA Curriculum
Science and Health
Students are immediately fascinated as they begin to see, observe, and understand the world around them. They recognize insects, plants, and birds as they learn to use field guides. They interpret cloud formations, identify rocks, get an introduction to matter, study geology, see how energy relates to sounds, study oceanography, astronomy, and begin to appreciate many other aspects of God’s creative genius and his divine provision for life on this earth. A workbook, insect project, and a variety of activities and experiments provide enrichment. This 27-week science unit is followed by a 9-week health unit. Students discover the miracle of our human body as they take an elementary course study of our skeletal system, muscular system, integumentary (skin) system, and teeth. They are taught and encouraged to practice good hygiene and to incorporate good spiritual habits, as well, for overall well-being.
Book - Understanding God's World and Understanding God's World Student Activity Book - ABEKA Curriculum
Math
Colorful daily worksheets maintain interest as students practice familiar concepts and review new material being taught. The students develop and use their rational thinking to master and apply their skills of computation in four basic processes, fractions, decimals, writing decimals as fractions, measurement, estimation, perimeter, area, and simple geometry. A major emphasis is on working with fractions, proper and improper, and finding the least common denominator. These concepts are applied to everyday life through the use of story problems.
Book - Arithmetic 4 - ABEKA Curriculum
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