The Fourth Grade Program at St. Thomas More School

Curriculum Overview

The fourth grade curriculum is aligned with the Diocesan guidelines and Pennsylvania State Academic Standards.

Religion

Students learn the Ten Commandments which helps to develop an understanding of their consciences and Church teachings.

Reading

Students read stories and novels focusing on different genres. The skills studied follow the continuum of learning included in our reading series.

Language Arts

The fourth grade curriculum includes grammar, parts of speech, four types of writing, and poetry.

Math

Students continue to practice with whole numbers within the four operations. The concepts of fractions and geometry are also introduced.

Science

The fourth grade science curriculum includes an extensive study of rocks and minerals, the systems of the human body, plants, and the solar system. Students also participate in scientific labs, create projects, and write news reviews that enhance the curriculum.

Social Studies

The social studies curriculum places emphasis on Pennsylvania and the regions of the United States.  Map skills are integrated throughout the year.

Fourth Grade Highlights

Each year students and their families participate in a Thanksgiving prayer service. Students also travel to Quiet Valley, a living historical farm dedicated to preserving Pennsylvania’s history. Fourth grade students visit Harrisburg where they tour the Pennsylvania State Museum and Capitol.

Technology Highlights, Projects, and Special Events

Teachers use electronic whiteboards and multimedia projectors to introduce concepts and involve students in the learning process. Academy of Math, a computer-based program, is used with all students to enrich and remediate their mathematical understanding. The Classroom Performance System is used as an interactive technology-based review of each unit of study within the science curriculum. Teachers use Discovery Education United Streaming on-line video clips to introduce and develop understanding of concepts in all subject areas.