GRADE FOUR

In Grade Four, children begin to form their personality in response to their experience of the world, consciously choosing those qualities that will become a part of their characters. The telling of Norse myths and sagas strongly echoes this element of conscious choice in a manner that poetically focuses on strength and boldness, demonstrating dramatic consequences and deeds of courage. This courage and independence is re-enforced in the child through the participation of overnight skiing and hiking field trips.

The curriculum for Grade Four focuses on:

Language Arts

• Writing
• Reading
• Spelling
• Grammar
• Speech Formation/Dramatics
• Personal Letter Writing
• Composition

In composition, simple narration of the child’s own real experiences continues into a more in-depth study of English grammar. Paragraph and short story writing focus on clarity and descriptiveness.

Mathematics

• Fractions
• Long Division
• Long Multiplication
• Geometric Movement

The world, once exhibiting a magical wholeness, is now seen by the ten-year-old as broken into many parts. This is the appropriate time for studying fractions. Fractions are introduced with concrete objects to demonstrate truths before forming mental concepts. Fraction work continues with adding, subtracting, multiplying dividing, expanding and reducing.

Natural Sciences

• Zoology

The study of the animal kingdom affords the children an opportunity to study the relationships that exist between humans and animals.

Earth Sciences

• Local Geography
• Map Making

Simple map making is introduced focusing on travel routes, home and school. This process leads the student to a study of Alberta geography.

Social Sciences

• Norse Mythology and Sagas
• Alberta History
• Native American History
• Early Settlers

Native American stories and map drawing provide a connection between history and local geography.

Second Languages

• French
• German

The children now begin to write as well as speak both languages. Their understanding of grammar progresses to the point where they can consciously grasp rules underlying the construction of French and German

Fine Arts

• Watercolour Painting
• Form and Freehand Drawing
• Beeswax Modelling
• Class Play

Handwork

• Cross Stitch
• Embroidery
• Felting

Music

• Soprano Recorder
• Singing
• Choir

The children’s newly strengthened individuality provides them the ability to hold their own in part singing; canons and rounds form a natural bridge to this exciting new skill.

Physical Education

• Eurythmy
• Cooperative Games and Sports
• Day Hikes and Overnight Trips