Grade 4 Curriculum Overview
	Mission The mission of Holy Spirit Episcopal School is to provide a unique and outstanding high school preparatory education which combines the best traditions of learning with relevant and contemporary programs that promote excellence in scholarship, richness of soul, godly character, and physical well-being.   Core Values   A heart stands for our loving, nurturing, joyful environment, which is essential to the healthy development of our students.   A sunburst represents our spirit of optimism and a commitment to diversity, which prepare our students for the larger world.   An open book symbolizes our strong, research-based academic programs, which combine traditional and experiential learning methods.   A leaf signifies enrichment and growth through offerings that allow each student to follow their unique path.   These elements are bound together by the symbol of the cross, in recognition of the strong core of faith-based character that we strive to build in every member of our school community.   Curriculum   The language arts is an integrated program combining authentic literature anthologies, decoding strategies, vocabulary development, information and study skills, listening strategies, and fluency practice. In addition entire books are enjoyed and analyzed as the skills for this grade are incorporated into class discussions and activities. Literature selection is the core of the curriculum for language arts and parallels units of study in social studies and science. Book reports continue and individual and small group projects, including Book Talks, reflect the student's evolving understanding of both written and spoken language. Writing skills in a variety of formats, as well as grammar, parts of speech, and spelling instruction, are included in the comprehensive language arts program.     The core of the math curriculum is Harcourt Math, a research based program aligned with the NCTM standards. Instruction focuses on effective learning processes and strategies that are essential for success in math. Hands-on activities continue to be utilized to promote conceptual learning. The strands of mathematics take on an expanded role at this level. These include pattern and function, measurement, multiplication and long division, adding and subtracting fractions, logical thinking and problem solving, geometry, and numeration. Students learn the place value of large numbers; multiplication and division with one, two and three digit numbers; and fractions are compared, ordered, reduced to simplest form, and changed to like denominators. Algebraic concepts are incorporated throughout the concept strands. Students learn to view math as an integral part of daily life. Children are encouraged to take risks as they approach the challenges of mathematics. Students in grade four are required to pass an addition and subtraction test that consists of one hundred problems each. The problems have sums and minuends of eighteen or less. Students are expected to achieve 70 percent accuracy in three minutes. Students in grade four are also required to pass a multiplication and division test that consists of one hundred problems each. The facts include fact families of two factors, both less than ten. Students are expected to achieve 70 percent accuracy in four minutes. Students are required to pass these tests before moving to the next grade level.     During science fourth grade students turn their attention to the rich variety of life around them. They study recycling, Texas dinosaurs, ecosystems including deserts, wetlands, land formation, erosion, oceans, and coral reefs, as well as electricity. Observational and organizational skills are strengthened with increasing emphasis placed on the experimental processes and the development of skills. Both in the fall and spring, students are involved in long-term projects that incorporate technology with research skills.     Through the study of the history of Texas each student develops an awareness of the different geographical areas, the contributions of early native tribes, and the influence of early settlers. The role of Texas in the Civil War as well as the major changes in Texas after Reconstruction will be researched and discussed. Individual and small group projects are undertaken.     The visual arts program students develop an awareness and sensitivity to natural and manmade environments. Students are presented opportunities to explore elements of line, color, texture, shape, value, form, and space. Through the elements of drawing, painting, print making, and sculpture, students will express their ideas through a variety of art media. Students learn to compare content in artworks from the past and present for various purposes and develop a critical eye when evaluating art of their own creation.     Christian education is facilitated through participation in global outreach, as well as chapel and Holy Eucharist services. During Chapel twice a week and weekly Christian education classes, students come to understand that they are uniquely created and loved by God. The students study the lives of various biblical characters on order to better understand God’s providence, provision and protection of his children.     Incorporating monthly themes presented over a three year rotation, the classroom character education curriculum uses a variety of instructional activities to help students develop good ethical values by reinforcing positive character traits, as well as teaching specific life skills. Classroom activities might include discussion, hands-on activities, relating character traits to characters in literature, role play, and videos. This year students will focus on the virtues of: Self-discipline—Self-control, self-restraint, self-reliance, independence Choices and Accountability—Making decisions, accepting consequences, being responsible for your choices Empathy—Understanding, compassion, charity, sensitivity, concern Honesty—Truthfulness, sincerity, honor, fairness, trustworthiness, being genuine Leadership—Setting a good example, leading others, being a good follower Courage—Bravery, boldness, daring, confidence, resolve Conservation—Preservation, thriftiness, moderation   The health and fitness program provides an opportunity for students to acquire lifetime skills, knowledge, and positive attitudes toward their health and physical well-being. Individual physical conditioning, coordination and fitness, team sports, and health education are integral parts of our program.     The LRC (Learning Resource Center) supports the classroom language arts program. It provides instruction for using the computerized card catalog system and in conjunction with classroom projects introduces students to the The Big Six Steps of Research. A variety of reading incentive programs including; Accelerated Reader, Read Together Grow Together, Reading Is Magic, and The Texas Bluebonnets, encourage the students love for reading for pleasure. Accelerated Reader tests a students’ comprehension as they read and earn points towards prizes. After reading a book, either as class work or for pleasure, students may go to the LRC to take computerized test that check their comprehension. Students accumulate points based on their performance on the tests. Prizes are awarded based on the number of points accumulated. At the end of the year, Accelerated Reader trophies are awarded to students earning at least a certain number of points by the end of the year: 1st graders need 25 points, 2nd graders need 50 points, 3rd graders need 75 points, and 4th graders need 100 points. In addition to Accelerated Reader, we enrich our language arts curriculum through the Texas Bluebonnet and Texas Two by Two programs. Each year Texas librarians choose 20 recently published books for the appropriate grade levels that deserve recognition. Accelerated Reader compliments the program providing tests for each of the books. Students who read all of the Texas Two by Two or Texas Bluebonnet books and successfully takes all 20 AR tests will receive a trophy at the end of the year.     In performance arts students will be participate in an exciting, well rounded, age appropriate music and theatre arts curriculum. Within each of those experiences the students, will be offered engaging opportunities to express themselves through song, dance, and the written word. Students will be introduced to the elements of music, music theory, music genre, music history, and the joys of musical and theatre expression. Students’ develop poise and confidence through their involvement in various musical performances, including one staged musical production each year.     Technology is integrated across the curriculum. Students will be using and developing their skills in keyboarding, word processing, Excel, Word, Kidspiration, KidPix, Time Liner, Print Shop and Power Point. Students will be introduced to using the internet as one of several sources to collect information for research and other classroom activities. A dedicated Lower School computer lab, in addition to classroom computers, enhances the overall learning experience.     Spanish is taught through experiential activities and interactive conversations. Starting in kindergarten students are exposed to the Costa Rican culture as reflected in daily practices in public and private life. A familiarity with Spanish-speaking countries enhances the motivation for learning the language and provides a global perspective.     The social science and foreign language disciplines are enriched through interactions with St. Michael Archangel School, our sister school in Costa Rica. Middle school students from St. Michael’s and HSES have the opportunity to exchange visits staying with host families every other year. The St. Michael students come to visit cultural sites in Houston and Galveston while learning more about our culture. When in Costa Rica, Holy Spirit students explore the rain forest, see a volcano, and experience the Costa Rican culture first hand. These experiences have given our students an authentic reason to learn the Spanish language.     Field trips are an integral part of the Lower School curriculum and are arranged by the teachers to correlate with what the students are studying.     The ECO-link program offers trips of varying length dependent upon grade level and difficulty. These trips provide students a hands-on look at man’s impact on the environment. Fourth grade students spend three days and two nights at Camp Allen, outside Navasota, learning teambuilding and outdoor skills. Activities include: canoeing, horseback riding, aquatic studies, hiking, orienteering, rock climbing, and participating in a living history hike complete with interaction with famous Texans and early Texas settlers.   Special Interests Special interests are cultivated through clubs that meet before or after school throughout the year. Clubs vary from year-to-year depending on student and teacher interests. Students and parents receive information about these clubs at the beginning of each school year.     The Holy Spirit Chess Club strives to instill a general love for the game of chess. A secondary goal is to develop a scholastically competitive team. Meetings are held once a week after school under the guidance of a chess coach, a school faculty sponsor and parent volunteers. Membership is open to anyone in grades K- through eight. Prior knowledge of how to play chess is not required. The club annually registers with the National Chess Federation and several times a year sends students to local scholastic chess tournaments.     The Showchoir provides students in grades 1-4 an opportunity to advance their musical skills The Showchoir meets one day a week before school. During the year, the choir will participate in multiple performances for both the school and Church communities. Information about this opportunity is provided to students and parents at the beginning of each school year.     Opportunities to develop athletic prowess are available to Pre-K through 4th grade students through the Youth Sports programs. Soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter and T-ball, softball and baseball in the spring are parent coached and offered through affiliated church leagues.     Marvelous Math and the Technology Club allow students to enrich and extend those skills taught in the classroom. Information about these opportunities is provided to students and parents at the beginning of each school year. An additional fee is assessed monthly for these activities.