BIBLE AND SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

Bible study, prayer and scripture memorization are very important opportunities for our fourth graders. The Bible is interwoven into all curriculum areas. The fourth graders Bible curriculum has a focus on the New Testament, specifically the book of Acts and the history of the Early Church. Students are encouraged to apply Biblical lessons to their own lives and spend time reviewing character traits such as obedience, respect and responsibility. Students participate in Lower School Chapel and House Meetings each week. They also join K-12th grade students in All School Chapel several times throughout the year. 

SOCIAL STUDIES

The fourth graders use Studies Weekly curriculum to study important events, issues, and people of the state of Texas. Students examine Texas history from its early years to the present day in regard to human and natural characteristics of the regions of Texas. Emphasis is placed on the understanding of the impact of Native Americans, European explorers, and Mexican influences, as well as other cultural groups in Texas. At the end of the year, the fourth graders take a special field trip to Taste of Texas as a celebration of their studies in Texas History.

SCIENCE

Fourth grade students use Interactive Science by Pearson and other carefully selected materials as they identify components and processes of the natural world such as properties of soil, effects of oceans, and the role of the sun as our energy source. Physical properties of matter and the causes of change in the states of matter are also studied. Students observe the roles of living and non-living components and recognize the differences between learned characteristics and inherited traits. Students grow in their understanding of God as the Purposeful Creator of our world.

MATHEMATICS

The fourth grade mathematics curriculum is Texas Go Math. Fourth grade students learn to create and apply mathematical concepts in a more abstract manner. The primary focal points of fourth grade are the application of place value concepts, comparing and ordering fractions and decimals, long division, and developing ideas related to measurement and statistics.

LANGUAGE ARTS

The 4th grade language arts curriculum is a combination of Savvas My View and frequent novel studies to instill a love of reading and an ability to think critically as students read. Through group and independent reading, students build their comprehension, grammar and vocabulary. By the end of the year, students will have read many novels together, including Because of Winn-Dixie, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and Number the Stars. Students learn to write elaborate narrative essays, informational pieces, and poetry throughout the year.