Teacher - Ofelia Sarate osarate@spepiscopalschool.org
Students in fourth grade are taught through the Open Court Program. Students are expected to apply reading strategies and skills automatically, strategically and flexibly to comprehend fiction, non-fiction, drama and poetry. They read for literary experience to gain information and to perform a task. Students are also expected to use various strategies and writing process elements to compose a variety of written texts. Vocabulary is expanded through wide reading, word study, exposure to content area words and discussions. Fourth grade math is taught through Saxon Math focusing on expanding math concepts such as place value. Fractions, number theory, understanding the relationship of equivalent numbers: whole numbers, fractions, decimals and percent. Students compare and order numbers perform computation and use mental math, manipulatives, paper and pencil algorithms, and calculators to solve and explain problems. Students will also experience graphic and landmark data collection, use estimation, probability and statistics, measurement, geometry and algebra which will ultimately require them to demonstrate an understanding of open sentences; solving for a variable using one of the four basic operations. Fourth grade science is taught in a pull out program that allows students to develop their understanding of the Scientific Method and strengthen critical thinking, research skills, and the ability to synthesize information while developing scientific vocabulary, knowledge and lab skills. Social Studies allows students to examine the history of Texas from its early beginnings to the present within the contexts of influences from North America. As students learn of the rich history of Texas they learn about the first Texans, the Native Americans which then leads to the study of European Explores and their influence on Texan culture. They move to learning about Americans settling in Texas, conflicts and resolutions that develop between settlers and the Mexican government. They begin to learn about independence and statehood as the students study Texas into the 21st century. Students will understand the importance of patriotism, function in a free enterprise society and appreciate the basic democratic values of our state and nation.