Grade 4

CREATIVE ARTS
ART: Elements of Art: space, form, value, portraiture, caricature, art criticism, synthesize, conceptual art; the STEAM Design Process; DRAMA: individual and small group ensemble work, play production, analyze and evaluate; MUSIC: triple meter, seven-note scale, complex layered patterns, I-V harmony, conducting, composition, theme/ variations; CHORUS: two-part songs; BAND (elective): intermediate instrument study and ensemble development.

HEALTH
The Health Promotion Wave curriculum: Safety and Injury Prevention; Stress Management; Nutrition and Fitness; Growth and Development; and Disease Prevention. Social competency lessons from the Second Step Program are included. 

LANGUAGE ARTS
Oral and silent reading from various genres; reading for meaning in narrative and informational texts; reading for pleasure; identifying story elements and themes; analyzing, interpreting, drawing conclusions, inferential reasoning; research skills; extraction of main idea, sequencing, cause/effect, summarizing; review of phonics rules; vocabulary development: using context clues, etymology, parts of speech; creative and expository writing; writing process: brainstorming, revision, proofreading, editing; writing mechanics: grammar, punctuation, capitalization; writing structure: sentence and paragraph composition; dictionary skills.

MATHEMATICS
Explore structure of the number system through “landmark” numbers; use “landmark” numbers to solve addition and subtraction problems, place value; begin study of decimals using money; explore processes and applications of multiplication and division; solve multi-step problems using multiplication and division; represent fractions; find equivalent fractions; order fractions, explore different ways to represent data; develop spatial visualization skills; collect, describe, display, and compare data; Geometry: identification of polygons, angles, and the science of symmetry; develop problem-solving strategies.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Demonstrate the skills and knowledge of individual and team sports: soccer, field hockey, football, badminton, handball, basketball, floor hockey, volleyball, lacrosse, softball, track and field, and tennis. Additional activities: fitness skills, yoga, indoor and outdoor games, the PE Central Cooperative and Fitness Challenges. Introduction to the five components of health-related fitness: cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, flexibility, muscle endurance, and muscle strength. Understand the importance of sportsmanship, teamwork, and exhibiting a positive attitude during all activities.

SCIENCE
Understanding of and appreciation for scientific method; introduction to coding; Environmental Science ColLab with fifth grade; geology: rock cycle, plate tectonics; magnets: magnetic vs. non-magnetic materials, strength, force, poles, attraction and repulsion; human body: cell biology, bones and muscles; experiment-based unit on variables; the Design Process.

SOCIAL STUDIES
World Geography; landforms; Silk Road; Asia past and present: lifestyle and environment; focus on Asia; Asian immigration to the United States; U.S. geography. Essential Question: What is culture? What is identity?

TECHNOLOGY
Use of apps and online resources in support of grade-level curriculum; interdisciplinary projects planned with classroom teachers and specialists, particularly connected to units on Asia, and Asian-American immigration; continued keyboarding, 3D printing, and 1-to-1 iPad program.
WORLD LANGUAGES
Review and enrich vocabulary and conversational skills; use of a bilingual dictionary; develop reading and writing skills; introduction to basic grammar; use of language learning apps on the iPad; citizenship exam.
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Brimmer and May School

69 Middlesex Road
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-566-7462
As an inclusive private school community, Brimmer welcomes students who will increase the diversity of our school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, or any other characteristic protected from discrimination under state or federal law, in the administration of our educational policies, admissions practices, financial aid decisions, and athletic and other school-administered programs.