WELCOME TO THE
GRADE 4 CURRICULUM PAGE!

 Below you will find a brief description overview of the Mars Area School District’s Grade 4 curriculum. To explore specific content areas and view unit descriptions alongside of the standards, simply click on the specific content name located to the right.

GRADE 4 CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

English Language Arts (ELA)

Fourth Grade English Language Arts (ELA) encompasses listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students will use a variety of strategies to decode unknown words. They will read grade level texts accurately and fluently with appropriate speed, rhythm, flow, and expression. Students will learn to identify fiction/non-fiction text and summarize using story elements and correct sequence. In addition, they will use comprehension strategies including making inferences and generalizations, comparing and contrasting, and drawing conclusions to make meaning from the text. Students will be given opportunities to use speaking and listening skills with responses and discussions that are focused and on topic. Students will learn spelling and grammar skills, which they will apply to their daily writing.

Mathematics

In Fourth Grade Mathematics, the students will develop an understanding of multi-digit multiplication with fluency, and an understanding of dividing to find quotients involving multi-digit dividends. Additionally, students will develop an understanding of fraction equivalence, addition and subtraction of fractions with like denominators, and multiplication of fractions by whole numbers. Students will deepen their geometry awareness by categorizing geometric figures that may be analyzed and classified based on their properties, such as having parallel sides, perpendicular sides, particular angle measures, and symmetry.    

Science

In Fourth Grade Science, students will be challenged through small group, hands-on, inquiry-based investigations that provide opportunities for conducting approximately sixteen sequential experiments. Through the investigative process, the students will hypothesize, explore with the use of manipulatives, record their findings, and draw/write scientific conclusions. Additionally, to support the concept that Engineering is Elementary (EiE), a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) unit, The Attraction is Obvious: Designing MagLev Systems, will be taught in conjunction with the ASSET Science module Magnetism & Electricity. This EiE unit aims to increase student engagement in engineering with an emphasis on critical thinking skills and persistence in problem solving.

Social Studies

 Students will explore the history, geography, government, and economy of the United States with a particular focus on the state of Pennsylvania.  Students will develop a knowledge base regarding the foundations of the United States government and its working entities. Additionally, students will deepen their understanding of the physical essence of the United States through exploration of its various regions. 

Art

Fourth Grade Art is designed to encourage students to demonstrate their previously-learned skills and build upon them to create meaningful projects. Students will be given the opportunity to learn new techniques and improve existing artistic abilities. Elements and principles of art and design will continue to be a part of the underlying basis of student projects.  

Health

Fourth Grade students will study the three areas of Health and how mental and emotional health, family and social health, and physical health interrelate and effect one another. Students will learn that to be considered “totally healthy”, they must be healthy in all three areas. Students will also learn about several body systems and how to practice healthy habits to keep those body systems healthy. Students will explore various types of drugs and the effects these drugs have on their body. They will also learn about getting along with others and ways to deal with stress.

Library

Students will build upon their prior learning/understanding of the functions and procedures of a library system. Library skills will be practiced and reinforced to support independent learning. Students will continue to broaden their literary experiences and develop solid foundational research skills. Technology usage as well as safe digital citizenship will be practiced and encouraged throughout the year of library lessons.  

Music

Fourth Grade students will be able to adequately execute previously learned music skills and concepts and delve into new and complex musical ideas. Students will still be refining and developing their individual and group skills, music reading skills, and music knowledge through singing, playing, listening, moving, creating, improvising, and responding to music. Students in this class will be able to demonstrate their knowledge by discussing components of music with accurate vocabulary and informed ideas. Fourth grade students have the opportunity to explore the idea of further music education by playing an instrument, the recorder.

Physical Education

In the Fourth Grade Physical Education course, students are expected to extend previously learned skills in all activities and pre-sport activities. Since competition becomes very important to students, cooperation and teamwork is emphasized at this point. Students are encouraged to explore and be open to various activities such as dancing as well as pre-sport activities. Students are expected to report to class dressed in appropriate clothing to allow for free movement. Students must wear properly tied athletic shoes which support their feet. Students are graded on participation, fitness, rhythm and dance, pre-sport skills, and heart healthy activities.

STEAM (K-6)

Mars Area School District's Elementary (K-6) STEAM Program is an authentic and engaging learning environment that challenges students to problem-solve through innovation, imagination, and creation. Students learn through a progression of skills aligned to the K-6 curriculum through the collaborative use of multi-media tools, computational thinking, and tinkering. STEAM instruction focuses on an integrated blend of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. Students work collaboratively on projects that extend learning beyond curriculum content by tinkering/designing with tools and various materials as well as through coding and programming. STEAM classrooms at each elementary building are designed to promote teamwork and innovation in a high-tech maker space. Accessibility to iPads, robotics, building materials and resources enable students to hit their peak of curiosity and creativity.