COMPUTERS - Mr. Friedman

Grade four students began the year with an introduction to the new lower school technology lab. Students were told all about the new computers and monitors and were also informed about our Internet AUP, Acceptable Use Policy, for Internet usage. Several exciting and enriching technology activities unfolded during this first semester of school. The children used the multimedia program, Microsoft PowerPoint, to create a slide presentation about their trip to the College Settlement Camp. Students also continued to sharpen their touch-typing skills by using the highly animated program, Type To Learn 3.  To support the social studies curriculum, the students completed an Internet Web Quest on Amish quilts using our web browser, Microsoft Internet Explorer. This fun activity coincided with the grade four trip to Lancaster. In relation to word processing, the children practiced their formatting and editing skills by completing a tutorial on Microsoft Word. The students then had an opportunity to display their word processing skills by completing a short story using Microsoft Word to detail classroom island projects. The students also learned about proper file management and its importance in saving and opening files. 

FRENCH - Ms. Flippo

Fourth grade continued their study of the French language by reviewing the French alphabet and playing “Comment S’écrit?” (How do you spell?) using French vocabulary learned in previous classes. They then practiced a dialogue that incorporated basic French conversational vocabulary. They learned how to describe themselves physically in five sentences. Numbers forty through one hundred were introduced and several activities (math games and listening exercise) were done for practice and assessment. Finally, the semester was completed by listening to the story of “Casse-Noisette” (The Nutcracker) read in French then English. After the story was completed, they rewrote the ending in five sentences or less.

LIBRARY - Mrs. Holt

The primary goal of the library program is to instill in our students a lifelong love of books and an appreciation of the joy of reading. We encourage them to value the written word and to be independent in their ability to use the resources of the library, both print and electronic. To this end, fourth graders focus on developing and fine tuning locating skills. They have begun studying the Dewey decimal system, the rationale behind it, and its application to our library. Precise location of a book on the shelf requires proficiency in alphabetizing to the third letter and using decimals to the hundredth place. Projects with a partner, the use of related web sites and hands-on practice are used to develop competency. During each library period students are provided time to select books and practice their searching skills using the on-lone catalog.

 MUSIC - Mrs. Wilson 

This semester fourth grade students practiced sight singing and notation skills using the Kodaly method. Utilizing the new music text, Share the Music, students sang and studied the history of songs from around the world. Each song’s origin would then be identified on a large map outside the music room. In September, fourth grade students focused on patriotic songs of our American heritage. Great works of American composers were introduced this semester, including; Copland’s, Fanfare for the Common Man, and Sousa’s, Washington Post March. In chorus, fourth graders honed their vocal skills by practicing vocal warm-ups, diction, intonation, timbre and good posture. The students also prepared unison, two and three part songs and performed them from memory at the December 17 Winter Concert. In the music lab, the software programs Music Ace and Making More Music reinforced note reading, the piano keyboard, treble and bass clef, whole and half steps, sharps and flats, key signatures, and major scales. Using Music Ace, students composed ostinato bass accompaniments, melodies, repeat patterns and original pieces from poetry. Music Ace’s listening library allowed each student to hear and view the form of many great musical works.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION - Mr. Jewitt

A new format was incorporated into the fourth grade physical education program at the start of the school year. All three classes have physical education at the same time with different instructors and in three separate locations. In the old gym, one class participated in a physical fitness unit. The students learned and practiced the components of physical fitness; flexibility, muscular strengthening and endurance, aerobic endurance, and body composition. The students were provided with opportunities to learn fitness concepts while participating in enjoyable activities that enhanced their personal fitness levels and to recognize the need of setting a personal goal of being physically fit. The second class divided its time between the new gym and the outside fields. Foot and eye coordination were emphasized through the practice of soccer skills such as dribbling, passing, trapping, ball control, play making and shooting on goal. The third class stayed in the new gym where eye and hand coordination were emphasized through the practice of hockey skills such as stick handling, dribbling, passing, tackling, dodging, play making and shooting on goal. During the course of the semester, each class rotated through all three locations. All learned skills were practiced individually in repetitive drills and partner games. Emphasis was also placed on a variety of small-sided games for the continued development of the learned skills. A typical class in the soccer and hockey units consisted of practicing basic learned skills and eventually incorporating them into small-sided games such as 3 on 3 and 6 on 6. These games provided an opportunity for the students to practice play making and simple offensive and defensive tactics, and to foster good sportsmanship and teamwork as they worked together to accomplish a goal.

SCIENCE - Mr. Young

We began this semester learning about owls and their many adaptations. We learned about their habitat and behavior from watching videos and visiting teacher selected sites on the Internet. We also discussed habitats on our three-day trip to The College Settlement Camps. Each student discovered the diet of a typical barn owl by dissecting an owl pellet and mounting the bones that were found inside. This required working carefully to avoid damaging bones, using similarities and differences in the bones that were uncovered to help with their identification, matching these bones to the bones of animals known to be the prey of owls and following directions in the mounting process. They also placed the information they learned about what their owl ate on a website that collects student data. Students were evaluated on their pellet project and on a written test. The test was also used as a vehicle to help them learn how to organize homework, lab papers, notes and handouts in order to review vocabulary and concepts.