Language Arts
Welcome
Language Arts includes all skills that have to do with language: reading, writing (including spelling, grammar and the writing process), listening, and speaking. This year we will focus on the elements of literature; 4th Grade William and Mary Curriculum; Informational texts selected from the 4th grade CKLA materials; Michael Clay Thompson’s Caesar’s English and Grammar Town; 3-4 Novel Studies and 1-2 Literature Circle opportunities; and Writing projects. We will focus on three topics in writing, argumentative writing, informational writing and narrative writing.
|
|
|
Language Arts Skills Areas
Reading
This year we will be reading from a variety of different materials including, but not limited to, units from the College of William and Mary, 4th Grade CKLA materials, and Michael Clay Thompson's trilogy set for fourth grade. We will read whole class, in literature circles, and independently. Fourth grade reading instruction starts to make the change from learning to read to reading to learn. There will be an emphasis on comprehension and the ability to get the needed information out of what was read.
Students will be expected to always have a book they are reading independently, with a challenge to read 40 books this school year. Click on the following link to find ideas of books to use for different genres.
Booklist Links to an external site.
We will complete a book report each term on one of the books they've read that term. We will go over the requirements of the first book presentation in the first week of school.
Book Report Schedule
|
Term |
Project |
Due Date |
|
1 |
Dodecahedron |
October 16th |
|
2 |
Puppet Show |
December 20th |
|
3 |
Images of Greatness |
March 7th |
|
4 |
Game Board |
May 16th |
Spelling/Vocabulary
Our Spelling/Vocabulary lists will compliment our Caesar's English stem and classic word studies.
Writing
Fourth grade writing focuses on organizing thoughts and presenting them in a clear and logical manner. We will be writing narrative, expository (informational), and opinion pieces throughout the school year. We will highlight the writing process, making sure to complete the steps of pre-writing, writing, editing, revising, and publishing (or presenting to each other).
Because the editing and revising steps of the writing process focus on grammar, we will also be giving direct instruction in proper use of the English language. Grammar will be taught in conjunction with spelling and writing but will have some explicit units and lessons.
Speaking and Listening 
Speaking and Listening grades will be generally integrated with the other Language Arts Skills. This could be (but not limited to) answering questions about something we've listened to (a read-aloud, podcast, etc.), presenting on a Science or Social Studies project, or responding to a class-mate's presentation. Because these skills are so universal, your student's grade may come from cross-curricular projects.