COMMUNICATIONS LEARNING STANDARDS
The fourth-grade student will begin developing oral
communication skills for larger groups (assemblies,
etc.), as well as communicating orally in small group
settings. Students will read a variety of literature,
with an emphasis on multicultural classical and contemporary
works and African and African American experiences.
A significant percentage of reading materials will relate
to the study of math, science, history and social studies. The student will use text organizers to summarize information and draw conclusions that demonstrate reading comprehension. The student will use text organizers, summarize
information, and draw conclusions to demonstrate reading
comprehension. Reading, writing, and reporting skills
support an increased emphasis on content-area learning
and on utilizing the resources of the media center,
especially to locate and read primary sources of information
(speeches and other historical documents) related to
the study of the District of Columbia. Students will
plan, write, revise, and edit narratives and explanations.
The student will routinely use information resources
and word references while writing.
MATH LEARNING
STANDARDS
Fourth-grade standards place emphasis on division with
whole numbers and solving problems involving addition
and subtraction of fractions and decimals. Students
will continue to learn and use the basic multiplication
facts as they become proficient in multiplying larger
numbers. Students also will refine their estimation
skills for computations and measurements and investigate
the relationships between and among points, lines, segments,
and rays.
Mathematics has its own language, and the acquisition
of specialized vocabulary and language patterns is crucial
to a student's understanding and appreciation
of the subject. Students will be encouraged to use correctly
the concepts, skills, symbols, and vocabulary identified
in the following set of standards.
Problem solving has been integrated throughout the
six content strands. The development of problem-solving
skills is a major goal of the mathematics program at
every grade level. Instruction in the process of problem
solving is integrated early and continuously into each
student's mathematics education. Students will
be helped to develop a wide range of skills and strategies
for solving a variety of problem types.
The use of appropriate technologies such as computers
and calculators begins early but they will not be regarded
as a substitute for a student's understanding
of quantitative concepts and relationships or for proficiency
in basic computations.
HISTORY & SOCIAL
STUDIES LEARNING STANDARDS
FOCUS ON WASHINGTON, DC AND
THE WASHINGTON STANDARD METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA (SMSA)
The standards for fourth-grade students allow them
to explore the rich history of Washington, DC and the
SMSA from 1783 to the present. Geographic, economic,
and civic concepts continue to be represented within
this historic context. Students should use geographic
tools to analyze the influence of physical and cultural
geography on Washington, DC and the SMSA history. Fourth
graders should also focus on the concept of a national
capital city as the seat of government and subsequently
the determination of its location.
SCIENCE LEARNING STANDARDS
The fourth-grade standards stress the importance of
using information, analyzing data, and validating experimental
results. Defining variables in experimentation in emphasized,
and making simple predictions from picture, bar, and
line graphs is underscored. Questioning and hypothesizing
become more detailed at this level. Students are introduced
to basic principles of electricity and to the concept
of energy as it relates to work and machines. Relationships
are investigated in the interactions among the earth,
moon, and sun and among plants and animals and their
environments. In examining weather phenomena and conditions,
students identify various factors, make predictions
based on data, and evaluate the results. The importance
of natural resources in the District of Columbia is
emphasized.
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