The fabulous fourth graders in Mrs. Olson's class are reading lots and lots of narrative texts. In fourth grade we use CRAFT strategies, which is an upper-elementary version of the CAFE strategies from the younger grades. We are learning many strategies, such as Check for Understanding, Back Up and Reread, and Make a Mental Image. CRAFT stands for Comprehension, Respond to Text, Accuracy, Fluency, and Text Features. In fourth grade we also spend lots of time practicing inferring. As students encounter more challenging texts, the author requires the reader to infer more and more throughout the text. We spend a lot of time in fourth grade with vocabulary. A large vocabulary is one of the best secrets to success in school! We are also learning about idioms. These sayings can "put us at a loss" if we aren't familiar with them, but once you've heard them a time or two, idioms are a "piece of cake!"
In writing we are writing realistic fiction. We are learning how to develop characters and tell our stories bit by bit.
In math we are studying place value. A huge part of this is the understanding that each place in the place value chart represents ten times more than it does in the place to the right. For example, a 5 in the hundreds place is worth 500, which is ten times more than 50, which is its value if a 5 is in the tens place. In this unit we also focus on rounding, comparing numbers, reading large numbers, and adding and subtracting with regrouping.
Students should practice addition and subtraction facts. They also should review their rocket math sheet if they bring one home.
In social studies we have started our new unit on geography. We will study the different regions of the United States as we learn about our country's physical features. In science we are reviewing the scientific method. We read a lot of science and social studies content in our reading lessons.