Fourth Grade
Fourth grade is the “bridge” between the primary and
intermediate grades. Students develop into more independent learners
and are encouraged to use higher-level thinking skills. The curriculum
advances the attainment of these goals.
Bible
Our goal at Faith Christian is to present a Biblical worldview in all
subjects. I addition to that influence, Bible lessons are taught
daily. Fourth graders learn Bible doctrine with the help of two
fictional characters, Randy “Sherlock” Holmes and his dog Woofson.
These characters assist the students in discovering how to use Bible tools
such as timelines, maps, concordance, and context clues. The doctrinal
truths investigated are: God, His Word, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the church,
salvation, as well as heaven and hell. Students learn how to apply
these truths in a personal way through Bible stories, visual aids, memory
verses, and a variety of class activities.
Reading
The reading curriculum for Faith Christian School is Reading for Christian
Schools. It is a very strong reading program with an emphasis on
comprehension. Study skills are taught to enhance comprehension and
opportunities for creative writing are provided to correlate with language.
Biblical principals and Godly character traits are integrated throughout the
lessons. It includes a wide variety of good quality literature for
students which helps develop and maintain an interest in and a love for
reading.
Social Studies
Fourth grade students will study the history of the world and the features
of the earth. They will see the illustrations of God’s wisdom,
omnipotence, sovereignty, and benevolence. History concepts and
geography skills are studied along with Christian philosophy, character, and
attitudes to promote a balanced approach to social studies. In
addition, our program examines the state of North Carolina. The
history, geography, industry, agriculture, and landmarks are key components
of this unit of study. Field trips enhance the students’ learning
experiences.
Math
Skills including the following will be mastered in the fourth grade at Faith
Christian: quick recall of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and
division facts; understanding place value to the billions place; reading
analog and digital time; using money and making change; multiplication of up
to three-digit numbers; division up to two-digit numbers; reading and making
graphs; identifying geometric shapes including triangles, quadrilaterals,
and other polygons; finding perimeter, area, and volume; adding and
subtracting like and unlike fractions; factoring; using customary and metric
measurement for linear, weight, and capacity; adding and subtracting
decimals; finding probability.
Spelling
Spelling is a vital element of written communication. Our curriculum
has been set up with this in mind. In fourth grade we want to expand
visual memory skills and have a stronger focus on the meanings and uses of
words. Phonetic principles are reviewed with information on exceptions
to these principles and to the basic generalizations in spelling.
Accurate spelling is an important element in written communication. It
is more than memorizing a list for a weekly test. The students are
encouraged and reminded that spelling is a tool for precise, and
understandable communication. Errors in spelling create confusion and
have the ability to destroy meaning. The Bible is God’s form of
written communication. His message is clear and precise.
Students should strive to achieve that same standard of excellence.
Language
The study of grammar is valuable in helping students to express themselves
clearly and creatively. Our goals are three-fold covering composition,
grammar, and word usage. In our study of composition our students will
recognize and write good sentences; write friendly letters, business letter,
thank-you notes, and post card; learn the writing process; use the
internet/encyclopedia to write a report; write and give book reports; review
all capitalization and punctuation rules learned in third grade along with
learning additional rules; enjoy creative writing. In grammar our
students will master simple and compound subjects and predicates; recognize
and use all eights parts of speech; diagram subjects, verbs, adjectives, and
adverbs. In word usage our students will learn to use the dictionary;
make subjects and verbs agree; use troublesome words (e.g., lie/lay,
can/may, to/too/two)
Science
Throughout the textbook, “Science 4 for Christian Schools” students learn
some of the details to the wonders of God’s creation. The students
will read exciting facts about themselves, animals and other facets of God’s
creation. As a fourth grader, the students are encouraged to discover
God’s truth through hands-on experiments and projects. They will learn
that God has created everything in an orderly fashion and has given all of
his creation a purpose on this earth. Fourth grade science will
continue adding the details about the great God who created all that we see
and have.