The school curriculum is an outline of learning goals developed by the Diocese of Richmond, VA, aptly named the "consensus Curriculum." This outline provides faculty the opportunity to tailor the curriculum goals to the students' learning style. It was developed and continues to evolve with the guidance of today's Catholic educators considered experts in their various fields of study. The fourth grade curriculum is offered below for reference.
Grade 4 Science Consensus Curriculum
1. Earth and Space Science
a_____ Investigate and understand the Earth in relationship to the moon, sun and other planets. Comparisons may include relative size, position, age and makeup. b _____ Describe the rotation and the revolution of the Earth d _____ Explain the causes of the Earth’s seasons e _____ Compare physical properties of fresh and salt water. f_____ Explain differences between atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. g_____ Describe the water cycle. (precipitation, evaporation, and condensation)
2. Life Science
2a _____ Compare and contrast different environments and habitats. Concepts may include: desert, fresh water , salt water , and tropical environments c _____ List animal and plant adaptations that enable them to live in different environments. d _____ Demonstrate the understanding of anatomy, classification, and life processes of plants. Concepts may include: 1. typical plant structure 2. reproduction of plants 3. photosynthesis
3.Science as Inquiry
a _____ Demonstrate the process of scientific investigations by classifying, sorting, estimating, predicting, observing, experimenting, and hypothesizing. b _____ Use tools to measure experimental data. c _____ Recognize the different forms of energy. Concepts may include: 1. electrical 2. mechanical 3. chemical 4. potential 5. kinetic d ____ Demonstrate an understanding that energy is needed to do work. e _____ Define and explain friction and inertia. f _____ List the characteristics of electricity and magnetism. Concepts may include 1. static electricity 2. current electricity 3. circuits 4. magnetic fields g _____ Describe properties, structure and changes in matter (solid, liquid, gas) h_____ Demonstrate how heating and cooling can change the different states of a material.
4. Environmental Science
a _____ Demonstrate how plants and animals interact in an ecosystem. b _____ Compare and contrast between the living and non-living parts of an ecosystem. c _____ Specify ways to conserve natural resources.
5. Historical Perspectives
a _____ Compare and contrast scientific discoveries of the Colonial period to present day. b _____ Explain how fossils record changes in the Earth and the organisms that inhabit it. c _____ Identify and evaluate contributions of scientists. Scientists may include: 1. Michael Faraday (electricity) 2. Anton Van Leeuwenhoek (microscope)
6. Science and Technology
a _____ Research and report using available technology. b _____ Investigate how new technology affects scientific progress Personal and Social Perspectives c _____ Investigate important natural resources and man’s use of them. d _____ Demonstrate the need to keep our bodies healthy including proper eating, exercising and proper health habits. e _____ Identify and use safe lab procedures. f _____ List ways to prepare for natural disasters.
7. Ethical/Moral Perspectives
a _____ Discuss Catholic beliefs in relationship to science topics including being good stewards of the Earth b _____ Discuss the importance of respecting mind, body, and spirit.
2008 Mathematics Curriculum Grade 4 Diocese of Richmond
*Denotes new skill being taught for the first time.
A. Numeration (Meaning-Values-Relationships) 1. ________Identify factors and multiples of a given number 2. ________Identify orally and in writing the place value of each digit in a whole number to six digit numerals and introduce to one million 3. ________Count by number patterns including tens and hundreds 4. ________* Compare whole numbers, expressed through millions, using symbols (<, >, and =) 5. ________Count in sequence starting on any given number more than 10,000 6. ________* Write word names for numbers with seven digit numerals or greater 7. ________Read, write, and name the place value of whole numbers through thehundreds, thousands, ten thousands, hundred thousands, and millions in: a_____standard form b_____expanded form c_____ordinal form through three digits d_____word form 8. ________* Understand the place-value structure of the base ten number system and be able to represent and compare whole numbers and decimals 9. ________* Read and write Roman Numerals to 500 10. ________Round whole numbers expressed through millions to the nearest thousand, ten thousand, and hundred thousand 11. _______Recognize and count by even and odd numbers 12. _______Recognize prime and composite numbers 13. _______Recognize the relationship between multiplication and division 14. _______Demonstrate whole numbers, mixed numbers, fractions, decimals, and percent relationships 15. _______Recognize and name commonly used fractions (1/3, 1/2, 1/4, 1/5, 1/6, 1/7, 1/8, 1/9, 1/10, 1/11, and 1/12) in their equivalent forms 16. _______Read, write, and compare decimals to the nearest tenth, hundredth, and thousandth 17. _______Read, write, and compare the value of two fractions / mixed numbers having unlike denominators that include halves, thirds, fourths, eighths, tenths, and twelfths 18. _______Write a fraction for a shaded region 19. _______Use models / manipulatives and equivalent forms to judge the size of fractions
Computation (Operating with Numbers) Use of manipulatives is imperative.
1. ________* Solve addition equations with 4 or more addends 2. ________* Add and subtract 5 and 6 digit numbers with and without regrouping 3. ________* Add and subtract whole numbers, written in vertical and horizontal form, choosing appropriately between paper and pencil methods and calculators 4. ________* Multiply and divide 3 and 4-digit numbers by a 1-digit number (or greater) with and without regrouping 5. ________* Multiply 3-digit numbers by 3-digit numbers 6. ________* Divide by 2 and 3-digit divisors with 0 in the quotient 7. ________* Divide 2, 3, and 4-digit dividends by 2-digit divisors 8. ________Divide 4-digit numbers by 2-digit numbers with and without remainders 9. ________Identify and represent equivalent fractions and relate fractions to decimals using concrete objects 10. _______Add and subtract with fractions having like and unlike denominators of 12 or less, using concrete materials, pictorial representations, and paper and pencil 11. _______Identify inverse operations 12. _______Recognize mixed numbers 13. _______* Add and subtract with decimals through thousandths 14. _______Give the value of a collection of dollars, bills, and change
C. Communication
1. ________Interpret and design graphs: bar, pictographs, pie, and line 2. ________Use appropriate mathematical vocabulary: a_____sum, addends, difference, products, factors, quotient, divisor, dividend, fraction, numerator, denominator, geometry terms, metric terms, multiplicand, multiplies 3. ________Design flow chart 4. ________Interpret mathematical symbols 5. ________* Explain verbally and in writing the strategy, process, and solution 6. ________Create and use journals to organize, record, and communicate mathematical ideas
D. Estimation
1. ________Round numbers greater than four digits to the nearest ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, and hundred thousand 2. ________Estimate sums, differences, products, and quotients 3. ________Estimate and measure length using measuring devices 4. ________Describe estimated measurements in both metric and U.S. customary units: feet, yards, millimeters, centimeters, meters, cups, pints, quarts, gallons, liters 5. ________Estimate / round money to the nearest dollar and tenth of a dollar 6. ________* Estimate whole number sums and differences and describe the method of estimation. 7. ________* Refine estimates using terms such as closer to, between, and a littlemore than.
E. Measurement
1. ________Write schedules 2. ________Recognize elapsed time, time intervals, and equivalents 3. ________Create and interpret calendars 4. ________Give oral and written name to the nearest hour, minute, and second 5. ________Represent multiplication and division using area and set modes 6. ________Add and subtract with proper fractions having like denominators of 10 or less using concrete materials and pictorial models representing areas / regions, lengths / measurements, and sets 7. ________Select the appropriate unit of measure and calculate:
Volume/Weight/Degrees/Area/Liquid Measurement, in Metric & Standard systems 8. ________* Use measurement to explore and describe the environment 9. ________* Make “ballpark” comparisons between standard (customary) and metric measurements
F. Geometry
1. ________* Classify angles (right, acute, obtuse) 2. ________* Recognize a simple closed curve 4. ________Analyze and compare the properties of two-dimensional (plane) geometric figures for: circle, . square, rectangle, triangle, parallelogram, rhombus 5 .________Identify congruent and non-congruent shapes 6 .________Investigate congruence of plane figures after geometric transformations such as: flips, turns, slides 7. ________Recognize and describe plane and solid geometric figures: square, rectangle, triangle, cube, rectangular solid, cone, sphere, cylinders, prisms 8. ________Classify using identifying properties: number of corners, number of square corners, number and shape of faces, number of edges 9. ________Identify and describe the relationship between a point, line, ray, line segment, angle, and diagonal 10. ________Identify appropriate congruent and symmetrical two-dimensional figures using tracing procedures when given drawings or models 11. _______Predict and describe the results of sliding, flipping, and turning two- dimensional objects when using concrete materials 12. _______Find and measure the perimeter of polygons using standard formulas 13. _______Calculate the diameter and radius of circle
G. Algebra
1. ________Write number sentences 2. ________Determine missing addends, factors, divisors, subtrahends, and minuends in given equations 3. ________Describe and apply the associative and the commutative properties 4. ________ Recognize a variable 5. ________ Use variables in a number sentence 6. ________* Solve for a variable 7. ________ Translate word expressions into math symbols 8. ________* Recognize and demonstrate the meaning of equality using symbols representing numbers and operations
H. Patterns
1. ________Recognize, create, and extend numerical and geometric patterns using concrete materials, number lines, symbols, tables, and words 2. ________Identify patterns in real world 3. ________Explore and predict visual, arithmetic, and geometric patterns
I. Reasoning / Logic (Justification of answers and process)
1. ________Make and investigate mathematical conjectures 2. ________Justify answers and give verbal explanations 3. ________Verify answers by using inverse operations 4. ________Use calculator to verify answers 5. ________Make and investigate mathematical predictions, arguments, and proofs 6. ________Recognize and apply mathematics in context outside of mathematics 7. ________Recognize the inverse relationship between multiplication and division
J. Probability / Statistics / Data Analysis
1. ________Collect, organize, design, read, interpret, and predict data represented on: pictographs, bar graphs, line graphs, tables, circle graphs, Venn diagrams, flow charts 2. ________Identify the mean, median, and mode 3. ________Find the average for a set of data 4. ________* Propose and justify conclusions and predictions that are based on data 5. ________* Design studies to further investigate the conclusions or predictions 6. ________* Describe events as likely or unlikely and discuss the degree of likelihood using such words as certain, equally likely, and impossible 7. ________* Determine in a graph the scale increments of one or greater than one and use the display to interpret the results, draw conclusions, and make predictions 8. ________* Determine the probability of a given simple event using concrete
2008 Consensus Curriculum Religion Fourth Grade
A. PRAYER/LITURGY
1. _________Pray formally and spontaneously as an integral part of the day 2. _________Practice various types of prayer (adoration, contrition, thanksgiving supplication) 3. _________Use various forms of prayers (litany, intercession, psalms, song, scripture) 4. _________Celebrate the liturgical year 5. _________Learn the holy days of obligation/dates in the United States (see addendum) 6. _________Encourage participation in Sunday liturgy through reflection on scripture 7. _________Recognize and explain the meaning of Eucharist (thanksgiving) as well as the other parts of the mass. 8. _________Recite and pray: Prayer of St. Francis, Acts of Faith, Hope and Love, Angelus 9. _________Pray the rosary; know the mysteries of the rosary (see addendum)
TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH/FAITH
1. _________ Recognize the Blessed Trinity 2. _________ Name the Ten Commandments 3. _________ Learn the Beatitudes (see addendum) 4. _________ Recite the Apostles Creed 5. _________ Learn the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy (see addendum)
C. CHURCH HISTORY/TRADITIONS
1. _________Recognize Pentecost as the formal beginning of the church 2. _________Recognize the Immaculate Conception as a special feast of Mary/review feast of the Annunciation and other Marian feasts. 3. _________Review church traditions for liturgical year 4. _________Recognize and review the seven sacraments as signs of initiation, healing, vocation Recognize how vocation is related to sacrament 5. _________Learn symbols of the sacraments
D. SACRAMENTS
1. _________Recognize and review the seven sacraments as signs of initiation, healing, vocation 2. _________Recognize how vocation is related to sacrament 3. _________Learn symbols of the sacraments
E. NEW TESTAMENT
1. _________ Model reverence for the bible as God’s revelation 2. _________ Examine the structure of the bible and recognize scriptural notation 3. _________ Recall stories of Jesus and the early church
F. OLD TEST AMENT
1. _________ Model reverence for the bible as God’s revelation 2. _________ Recall creation and covenant stories of God and his people 3. _________ Review parts of the bible
G. MORALITY
1. _________ Understand and know that the Ten Commandments are the basis for decision making 2. _________ Recognize mortal and venial sin 3. _________ Recognize the need for the sacrament of reconciliation
H. PEACE/JUSTICE
1. _________Model responsibility for the gifts and talents that God has given us. 2. _________Explore the role and work of peacemakers; identify current peacemakers practice responsibility for the varied needs of others 3. ________Practice tolerance and acceptance of others Participate in service and advocacy projects to help persons who are less fortunate
I. MISSION AND EVANGELIZATION/SERVICE
1. _________ Identify Jesus’ mission as the call to love/serve others 2. _________ Create and participate in outreach programs
J. STEWARDSHIP
1. _________ Define the role of steward as one who uses God’s gifts wisely 2. _________ Identify the ways one can share time, talent, and treasure with the church
K. ECUMENISM
1. _________ Demonstrate respect for the children of other faiths 2. _________ Recognize that other faith; communities have special celebrations 3. _________ Share the message of the Good News of Jesus Christ with others
L. HUMAN SEXUALITY
1. _________Recognize that each individual is unique and special and should be treated with respect and love . 2. _________Recognize that self-knowledge is important 3. _________Recognize that all humans grown and change at different rates 4. _________Recognize that there is a fundamental God-given equality between the sexes 5. _________Set boundaries for good-bad touch 6. _________Identify one adult with whom you can talk about safe touch 7. _________Identify possible areas of abuse 8. _________Know the private parts of the body by correct name 9.__________Know what to do if one is touched improperly
(Policy #204 calls for an annual orientation program for parents on human sexuality and sexual abuse)
2011 Consensus Curriculum Language Arts Diocese of Richmond 4th Grade
A. ORAL COMMUNICATION: SPEAKING/LISTENING
1. _________Demonstrates ability to speak clearly with appropriate pauses and inflections in discussion and oral reading . 2. _________Uses effective communication skills (correct grammar, sentence structure, volume, pitch, expression, etc.) for a variety of purposes: reports, presentations, dramatizations, debates, recitations, discussions, interviews, improvisations, narrations and dialogs, etc. 3. _________Gives clear and concise directions and explanations 4. _________Dramatizes stories and plays 5. _________Participates in group discussion 6. _________Recites a passage from memory 7. _________Uses evidence to support opinions 8. _________Uses reading and listening skills to follow oral and written directions 9. _________Listens to and writes dictated sentences 10. _________Restates oral or written directions to demonstrate understanding . Recalls plot, setting, characters, main idea, details and sequence of a story 11. _________Uses a rubric to guide group discussion to analyze written work
B. WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
1. _________Demonstrates correct formation of all letters in manuscript/cursive 2. _________Replicates neatly and correctly written work from a chart/board/book 3. _________Constructs sentences/paragraphs using correct spacing and formatting in written work and word processing 4. _________Creates nonfiction pieces such as articles/charts/signs, focusing on margins/placement of necessary parts and choosing appropriate information to include 5. _________Identifies intended audience before writing, recognizing its effect on style/content 6. _________Demonstrates ability to gather and select facts for research, taking notes in simple phrases from textbooks and research resources 7. _________Organizes paragraphs to convey a central idea, choosing from a variety of prewriting strategies and tools, including graphic organizers and outlines 8. _________Develops paragraphs in content areas that demonstrate an understanding of vocabulary/concepts and an ability to communicate 9. _________Creates effective paragraphs that contain a topic sentence followed by four sentences that include supporting facts/details and end with a concluding sentence 10. _________Constructs 1-3 paragraph essays and uses transitional sentences to connect essay paragraphs as needed 11. _________Brainstorms with the teacher to revise work for clarity and to determine where elaboration is needed; revises to use specific nouns, vivid verbs, descriptive adjectives, and a variety of sentence structures 12. _________Edits writing both independently and with input from the teacher and peer mentors for spelling, capitalization and punctuation; recognizes editing marks 13. _________Creates a final copy for display 14. _________Constructs compare/contrast essay, using evidence to support assertions Summarizes stories addressing setting, characters, story problem, climax and resolution 15. _________Practices writing through regular journal and free writing 16. _________Demonstrates ability to use a rubric to guide written work 17. _________Responds to a prompt by correctly organizing ideas in a paragraph
C. Word Patterns
1. _________Analyzes words, attending to relationships and formation of: antonyms, synonyms, homographs, homophones, plurals and possessives 2. _________Identifies word characteristics and rules for forming: contractions, compound words and multiple meanings of words 3. _________Recognizes and understands analogies 4. _________Recognizes and applies syllabication rules in the decoding of words 5. _________Alphabetizes words using all letters of the word 6. _________Identifies and uses rules of spelling regarding vowel sounds and spelling patterns 7. _________Recognizes alliteration, onomatopoeia, repetition and rhyming patterns 8. _________Identifies words in the dictionary and uses them correctly in sentences 9. _________Analyzes words to determine roots, prefixes and suffixes
D. Language Patterns/Grammar/Mechanics
1. _________Recognizes and uses words functioning as verbs in sentences 2. _________Differentiates between action and state-of-being verbs 3. _________Recites state-of-being verbs (23) from memory in a chant/song 4. _________Identifies verb phrases in sentences 5. _________Classifies and differentiates verbs as regular, irregular, linking and helping 6. _________Classifies and correctly forms present, past, and future tenses of verbs 7. _________Recognizes and implements rules for subject/verb agreement in writing Identifies and uses words functioning as adjectives in sentences 8. _________Differentiates and forms adjectives as limiting, demonstrative, descriptive, proper, comparison and superlative 9. _________Diagrams sentences designed to illustrate: simple subject and predicate; compound subject and compound predicate; nouns used as direct objects/subject complements; verb phrases and adjectives 10. _________Constructs simple and compound sentences 11. _________Constructs contractions and possessives and forms them correctly 12. _________Consistently utilizes proper capitalization of words beginning a sentence, proper nouns, abbreviations and titles 13. _________Consistently utilizes proper punctuation in ending of sentences, compound sentences, possessive nouns, contractions and lists in sentences
D. READING COMPREHENSION
1. _________Consensus Curriculum Language Arts Diocese of Richmond 4th Grade 2. _________Identifies and writes the four sentence types: declarative, interrogative, imperative and exclamatory 3. _________Identifies characteristics of a variety of literary genres, including historical fiction, realistic fiction and mystery 4. _________Explains story elements of characterization, plot, setting and theme 5. _________Recognizes the use of figurative language 6. _________Recognizes literary styles and point of view 7. _________Reads classic and contemporary literature for enjoyment and information 8. _________Determines key vocabulary and important ideas in written material 9. _________Monitors comprehension by constructing questions and making inferences 10. _________Monitors comprehension by making connections to self, text and world
E. RESEARCH/MEDIA LITERACY
1. _________Uses the card catalogue or data base to locate appropriate books and information 2. _________Demonstrates a basic understanding of the Dewey Decimal System 3. _________Demonstrates ability to listen to and evaluate various forms of media Reinforces language development through magazines, newspapers, books, computer programs and Internet 4. _________Maintains proper library etiquette (e.g. proper care, usage of library books, and behavior in library and computer lab) 5. _________Acquires knowledge of and uses resource materials such as: dictionary, encyclopedia, thesaurus, atlas, newspaper, computer and Internet 6. _________Uses library visits to develop lifelong reading enjoyment 7. _________Uses reference materials and recognizes electronic references as a source of information 8. _________Interprets and applies concepts from graphic organizers, charts, diagrams, graphs, time lines, etc. 9. _________Analyzes and interprets information from a variety of sources 10. _________Identifies information by independently utilizing school library on-line catalogues 11. _________Demonstrates ability to engage in age-appropriate computer software for reinforcement of curriculum skills
E. TECHNOLOGY
1. _________Designs/creates visual presentations using a variety of media including technology 2. _________Demonstrates basic keyboarding and word processing skills 3. _________Creates a new document, opens, names, saves, closes, exits, moves, renames and reopens personal files 4. _________Demonstrates use of spell check and edit features (cut, copy and paste) in word processing 5. _________Uses information technology as a tool and as a resource for learning and skill-building (e.g. uses spreadsheet programs to generate charts and graphs to illustrate mathematical problems or uses electronic books for reading)
F. CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS/ STUDY SKILLS
1. _________Develops problem solving techniques 2. _________Categorizes words, pictures, objects and ideas 3. _________Uses context clues to infer the meaning of unfamiliar words 4. _________Distinguishes between fact and opinion Identifies cause and effect relationships 5. _________Demonstrates the ability to compare and contrast using a Venn Diagram 6. _________Draws conclusions 7. _________Uses inferential thinking to aid comprehension 8. _________Expands fundamental organizational skills 9. _________Organizes information using graphic organizers and outlines 10. _________Develops note taking skills for reading in the content areas