Grade Four
Grade four students often display self-assurance and the sense that they have ‘arrived’, and often enjoy the feeling of their speed, strength and agility. Students need a great deal of form to meet school tasks, both academic and otherwise. Self-discipline and healthy work habits are developed at this age.
- Increasing objectivity permeates the curriculum, such as the first overt science study: study of the self and observation of similarities, differences and relationships between the human being and animals. This study is extended through painting, modelling, play acting and poetry recitation.
- Geography study starts with the local area and its geographical characteristics. The class studies lives of the First Nations people before the arrival of Europeans, the effect of their arrival, intermingling between the peoples locally and the history of settlement in our region.
- Introduction of weekly homework assignments often occurs.
Main Lesson Subject Blocks
- Language Arts – composition writing, spelling, grammar, and reading through the presentation of northern mythologies such as the Norse Myths
- Grammar
- Arithmetic (introduction to fractions and continued skill-building)
- Local Geography and History
- Study of the Human Being and Animals
Daily practice of singing, recorder playing, recitation, and mental math are incorporated into the main lesson. A curriculum-based play is also produced during this time over a period of several weeks (usually one play per year).
Specialty Subjects
French, German, reading practice, music (sight reading), painting, handwork (cross-stitch, embroidery), crafting/baking/gardening, games/physical education, form drawing.
Field Trips
Field trips in Grade Four include day trips for seasonal and curriculum-based activities such as local geography excursions, and typically an overnight camping trip.