Curriculum Overview
Reading: Houghton Mifflin Reading Traditions
Students will read at least 4 novels from different historical eras in class this school year. A study guide will accompany each of the novels. You can expect weekly quizzes focusing on vocabulary and comprehension. In addition to novels, students will read stories from a new reading anthology. Reading skills will be targeted and incorporated into the reading program.
Independent reading is strongly encouraged and supported in this year's reading program. Your child will maintain a weekly reading log calculating the number of minutes read per week. Each child should read 60 minutes per week. You can expect book reports every other month throughout the school year. There will be a written and creative component to the book reports and an opportunity in class to celebrate literature.
Language Arts: Text: Silver Burdett Ginn World of Language
Students will learn grammar skills in the form of units of study. Each unit will culminate with a writing piece that utilizes the Writing process. Each piece of writing will be kept in a Writing folder that will be maintained throughout the school year. Students will also utilize a daily Writer's Notebook to support their writing skills.
Math: Text: Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley MATH
Students will be building on their knowledge of math from third grade. Students should master basic addition/subtraction/multiplication/division facts so that higher level math operations can be performed. Problem solving and thinking skills are an integral part of the math curriculum. In addition to learning computation skills, students will also explore place value, estimation, patterns, time, fractions, decimals, geometry, standard & metric measurement, area & perimeter, mean, median, mode & range, and data analysis using charts and graphs.
Most evenings students will have a math workbook page for homework that corresponds with the concept explored in class from the text. Re-teaching and Enrichment will be available based on individual need.
Science: Text: Harcourt Science
The Science curriculum includes units on the Human Body Systems, Matter, Energy Transformations, and Earthquakes and Volcanoes. Students will complete many hands-on experiments pertaining to each unit of study. Particular attention will be paid to utilizing the Scientific Method. There will be an emphasis on working in teams to understand each course of study. Students will even have the opportunity to demonstrate their own knowledge of science principles by performing an individual science experiment in class.
Social Studies: Text: Silver Burdett Ginn New Jersey USA
The Social Studies curriculum focuses on understanding the history and geography of New Jersey. Students will begin with a brief study of the history of Northvale. Next we will explore signs and symbols of New Jersey, map skills, geographic regions of New Jersey, the Lenape Native Americans of New Jersey, Explorers and Colonists in the New Jersey area, New Jersey's role in the American Revolution, the varied people of New Jersey, and New Jersey government. Projects will correlate with relevant units of study and will help students better understand topics explored in class.
Spelling: Houghton Mifflin
We will be using a Spelling series this school year that will target spelling skills to improve spelling and language arts ability. Each unit will be introduced on Monday and there will be a weekly spelling test each Friday. Spelling homework will be assigned on Monday and due on Friday.
Tests/Quizzes
Students are expected to get tests and quizzes signed and return them to school.
Eagle Folders & Agendas
Eagle Folders and Agendas will be used on a daily basis. Communication is strongly encouraged.
Snack
We will have a morning working snack.
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