4th Grade

Welcome to Fourth Grade!

Welcome to a brand new school year!! I am excited and looking forward to meeting all of my new students. I am also excited to see last year's fourth graders as they begin fifth grade. It will be so wonderful to see some of them for the first time in person!  
Fourth grade will be an exciting time for all students. I will be teaching the fourth graders Reading, Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Religion. I will also be teaching the fifth graders Social Studies. 
In Reading and Language Arts, the students will continue using the Journeys series. We will further develop important reading skills, such as identifying main idea and details, drawing conclusions, cause and effect, and making inferences. We will also continue to develop important skills in proper grammar usage, such as sentence types, parts of sentences, parts of speech, and proper punctuation. Then we will use those skills in our writing throughout the year, as well cover the different types of writing.
In Math, we will continue on the skills introduced in the primary grades, while adding to the skills the students learn. Please practice basic facts with your child so that they will become proficient. This will help them to succeed in all areas of math. We will work with larger numbers this year, including  multiplication and division of larger numbers.  The students will use their skills to solve many different types of word problems.
This year begins a new Social Studies curriculum. We will be using the McGraw Hill series. The fourth grade will learn about the regions of the United States. The fifth grade wil be learning about United States history. Both grades will learn about important historic events, current events, as well as geography and map reading skills.
In Religion, we will learn about the Blessed Trinity, the Church, feast days and saints. We will also attend regular Mass.
This year may present some challenges like those we experienced last year. Please know that I will do my best to ensure that every student both succeeds this year, and enjoys their year with me. If at any time you need to contact me, please email. I will respond as quickly as possible.
I wish everyone a wonderful new year. May your families stay safe and healthy.
 

Here are some websites available to help review for tests.

vocabularyworkshop.com for Vocabulary Orange

blestarewe.com  for Religion

quizlet.com for different topics

(When using quizlet enter matrimm in the search bar.  Then scroll down for the topic you want to study.)

Keep checking back to my webpage for updated information on what topics we will be covering throughout the year.

•  MIDWEST PROJECT (pdf)
•  4th grade curriculum (pdf)

Please be aware that ​the following rules will be in place all year. 

1. Everyone needs to remember to bring all of their supplies to each class. 

2. When homework is assigned it is due in class the following day. In order to ensure that it is being done, all assignments should be written in the planner each day. Assignments are always written on my homework board, with time given at the end of each class to write the homework. 

3. All tests need to be signed and returned the day after they are sent home. 

4. Students need to follow all directions on written work and tests. Points will be deducted on tests if complete sentences are not written when directed to do so. Also, points will be deducted if proper capitalization and punctuation are not used in sentences. These skills need to be used in every subject. 

5. The students need to remember to put their name and date on all work that is handed in during class. Work without names will be discarded.  

Please continue to check the website frequently.  Upcoming tests, as well as project due dates will be posted,  There will also be descriptions of the current topics being discussed in each subject.

In fourth grade Social Studies we will be focusing on the state of New Jersey. We will be learning about the geography and history of our state.  We will begin with the arrival of the first people to this area, and continue to modern times.  We will learn about significant events in history, and New Jersey's role in those events. 

In fifth grade Social Studies we will be exploring America. We will cover the geography and history of each region. We will also study how our government functions at the local, state, and national levels.  We will also spend time discussing the culture of the Americas. Students are encouraged to tell the class any news stories that relate to our studies.  

In both fourth and fifth grades we will discuss all holidays and significant dates in history,and their impact on our lives.  We will also be learning important map reading  skills.  

In  Reading we will be using the Journeys series to read many short stories; fiction, non-fiction, and informational.  We will be focusing on important reading skills, such as main idea, context, drawing conclusions, and cause and effect.  This year the students will be using close reading to increase reading skills.  We will also take time to read chapter books during the year.  This books will enable the students to utilize the skills learned in their Journeys textbook. 

In Language Arts we will be learning about parts of speech, grammar, punctuation, and the writing process.  The students will work on narrative, expository, and persuasive writing throughout the year.  

In Grade 4 Religion we will be learning all about the Blessed Trinity. We will learn about the Church, and many different saints. We will attend and participate in weekly Mass, and Christian values will be in place in all areas. 

For certain tests there will be a study guide posted on quizlet.com.  The students will be shown how to access quizlet, and how to locate my study guides.  The students will be told which chapters and units have study guides.  The students will also use other websites, such as digital.readworks, to enhance classroom lessons.