School Programs :: Fourth Grade
Fourth grade is an exciting year for students, both academically and socially. Fourth grade teachers continue to build on the foundations laid in previous grades by providing extended opportunities for independent learning. Students in the fourth grade are exposed to a variety of multidisciplinary projects that allow them to express creativity, problem solve and work cooperatively in groups. Literacy efforts continue to extend students by challenging them to articulate logic, improve concentration, diction and poise through public speaking opportunities. The range of abilities is addressed by using a differentiated curriculum and fostering open communication among peers and between students and teachers. Through Lafayette Elementary School's "Character Matters" curriculum, fourth grade instruction also provides for social and emotional development by emphasizing appropriate ways to function in a classroom community, as well as within the whole school community.
A sample of skills by subject matter is described below. Please note these skills are not all inclusive and all Lafayette Elementary School curriculum adheres to BVSD's curriculum standards and goals for 4th grade.
Social Studies: While third grade studies focused on how human settlement of Colorado evolved, fourth graders move on to a more general survey of American History and the concepts of government and society.
Science: It's time for the Science Fair. By studying inventions and innovations, fourth grade instruction seeks to inspire students to independently pursue ideas. Student's explorations and independent research culminates in the Lafayette Elementary School science fair in the spring. In addition to independent inquiry, fourth grade students split their year between physics (electricity and magnetism) and biology (the human body, structures of life).
Writing: Writing supports all subject areas. During fourth grade students focus on the pre-writing process including research, brainstorming, identifying resources, evaluating information, taking notes, determining the importance, creating a topic, and organizing material. Writing is also a primary focus as students study sentence structure (simple, compound, complex) and continue to work on voice, and supporting paragraphs.
Reading: Reading is thinking! Our fourth grade readers continue to discern and distill information. The ideas of fact vs. opinion, point of view, inferences, as well as basic literary devices are just some of the abstract concepts covered.
Character Traits: Lafayette Elementary School "Character Trait" curriculum reviews positive traits through class discussion, action, integration with curriculum and recognition. The whole school learns about the following attributes. Responsibility (Sept.), Cooperation (Oct.), Generosity (Nov.), Respect (Dec.), Nonviolence (Jan.), Kindness (Feb.), Perseverance (March), Honesty (Apr.), Appreciation (May). Through a multi-year grant, Lafayette Elementary School has a counselor who provides class and small group instruction on conflict resolution and mediation.