Curriculum - Lower School

Grades 4 and 5

Grade 4 - Language Arts
Reading
  • Vocabulary words (decoding words for pronunciation & meaning through context clues)
  • Base words
  • Guide words
  • Adjusting reading rate
  • Syllabication (prefixes, suffixes)
  • Genre (fantasy, realistic fiction, biography, non-fiction)
  • Comprehension
    • Sequence of events
    • Negative/positive connotations 
    • Compare and contrast
    • Cause and effect
    • Fact and opinion
    • Categorize and classify
    • Following directions
    • Problem solving
    • Parts of a book
    • Topic/main idea
    • Story structure
    • Noting details
    • Author's viewpoint
    • Making judgments
    • Making generalizations
    • Predict/infer
    • Drawing conclusions
    • Summarizing
    • Phonics/decoding
    • Fantasy/reality
    • Monitor/clarify
English
  • Grammar, punctuation, & parts of speech 
    • Sentences (complete/incomplete)
    • Subjects/predicates
    • Compound subjects/predicates
    • Recognizing/creating sentence types (declarative, interrogative, imperative, exclamatory)
    • Recognizing/using nouns (proper, common, singular, plural, plural possessive)
    • Correctly using pronouns (personal, singular, plural, possessive)
    • Identifying adjectives (limiting, comparison)
    • Identifying & comparing adverbs
    • Identifying verbs (action, verbs of being, verb phrases, regular/irregular verbs)
    • Recognize verb tenses (present, past, future)
    • Classify verbs of time, place, & manner
    • Correct subject verb agreement
    • Correctly using capital letters 
    • Correctly using periods (in declarative sentences, abbreviations, titles/initials)
    • Correctly using commas (in direct address, in a series, in direct quotations)
    • Correctly using apostrophes (showing ownership/possession, in contractions)
    • Correctly using quotation marks
  • Alphabetical order (to 4th letter)
  • Homonyms
  • Homophones
  • Synonyms
  • Antonyms
  • Idioms
  • Analogies
  • Similes & metaphors
  • Dictionary skills
    • Entry & base words
    • Table/pronunciation key
    • Dividing words into syllables
    • Prefixes
    • Word histories
    • Parts of speech
    • Multiple meanings
  • Using a thesaurus
  • Using context clues
Information
  • Locating information
  • Charts/diagrams
  • Using maps, graphs, glossaries, directions
  • Using a KWL chart
  • Venn diagrams
  • Reading a grid/bar graph
  • Schedules
  • Phone book
  • Calendar
  • Encyclopedia skills
    • How to skim/scan
    • Taking notes
  • Interviewing
  • Understanding and using timelines
  • Using the library
  • Reference sources
  • Electronic media
  • Using a highlighter to mark information
  • Using a newspaper & magazines
  • Captions
  • Chapter titles and headings
Grade 4 - Math
  • Place value (hundreds, thousands, & ten-thousands digits)
  • Addition
    • Using addition properties to find sums
    • Estimating sums (rounding numbers, using compatible numbers)
    • Regrouping 1's & 10's to add 
    • Adding three or more addends
    • Finding the sum of two 4-digit numbers
  • Subtraction
    • Using subtraction properties to find differences
    • Learning how addition and subtraction are related
    • Rounding numbers to estimate differences
    • Regrouping 10's as 1's when for subtraction
    • Regrouping 10's & 100's to subtract
    • Finding the difference of two 4-digit numbers
    • Subtracting across zeros
  • Multiplication
    • Using multiplication properties to multiply
    • Multiplication facts to 10
    • Multiplication with 3 factors
    • Multiply when one factor is a 3-digit number
    • Multiplying multiples of 10, 100, & 1000
    • Patterns with multiples of 10, 100, & 1000
    • Estimating products 
    • Factors and multiples
    • Multiplying 2-digit numbers by 1-digit numbers
    • Multiplying 2-digit numbers by 2-digit numbers
    • Multiplying 2-digit numbers by 3-digit numbers
  • Division
    • Using rules of division to divide
    • Estimating quotients
    • Regrouping in division
    • Dividing with 1-digit, 2-digit, & 3-digit quotients
    • Dividing multiples of 10, 100, & 1000
    • Deciding where to place the first digit in the quotient
    • Dividing amounts of money
    • Zeros in quotient
    • Dividing greater numbers
    • Prime & composite numbers
    • Finding averages
  • Fractions
    • Equivalent fractions & simplest form
    • Add/subtract fractions with like denominators
    • Comparing/ordering fractions
    • Finding part of a number
  • Decimals
    • Place values (tenths, hundredths, thousandths)
    • Mixed numbers & decimals
    • Fractions & decimal equivalents
    • Comparing/ordering decimals
    • Adding/subtracting decimals
  • Basic geometric figures (plane figures)
    • Identify, classify, & describe (rays, angles, triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons)
    • Circles (radius, diameter, chord)
    • Identify & draw congruent figures
    • Rotations, reflections, & translations
    • Identify & draw lines of symmetry
    • Finding perimeter of figures
    • Finding area of rectangles
  • Solid figures
    • Identify, classify, & compare
    • Identify faces, edges, & vertices
    • Finding volume of solid figures
  • Capacity
    • Metric units of capacity
    • Changing units of capacity
  • Length
    • Metric units of length
    • Changing units of length
  • Weight & mass
    • Metric units of mass
    • Changing units of weight
  • Money
    • Understanding value (penny, nickel, dime, quarter, dollar)
    • Making change from a given amount
  • Temperature (negative numbers)
  • Time
    • Reading and understanding a calendar and a schedule
    • Elapsed time
  • Data analysis
    • Taking a survey
    • Collecting and organizing data
    • Finding range, median, mode, & mean of number sets
    • Reading/making line plots, stem-and-leaf plots, line graphs, double bar graphs, circle graphs
    • Analyzing graphs
  • Probability
    • Making predictions
    • Certain, likely, unlikely, & impossible 
    • Probability experiments
    • Calculating probability
    • Recording outcomes
    • Tracking experiment results to predict outcomes
    • Using probability to decide fairness of a game
    • Using cubes/spinners
  • Problem-solving strategies
    • Choosing operations
    • Order of operations 
    • Writing/comparing expressions
    • Variables & equations
    • Writing equations & formulas
    • Function tables
    • Explaining the solution
    • Using multiple steps to find answer
    • Guessing and checking
    • Working backward
    • Interpreting remainders
    • Solving complex problems by breaking into simpler problems
  • Analyzing and evaluating thinking
    • Determine reasonableness of an answer
    • Estimating an answer
    • Explaining reasoning
    • Identifying relevant information
    • Recognizing too much/too little information
Grade 5 - Language Arts
Reading
  • Vocabulary words (decoding words for pronunciation & meaning through context clues)
  • Comprehension
    • Sequence of events
    • Negative/positive connotations 
    • Compare and contrast
    • Cause and effect
    • Fact and opinion
    • Propaganda
    • Categorize and classify
    • Map reading
    • Following directions
    • Problem solving
    • Parts of a book
    • Topic/main idea
    • Story structure
    • Noting details
    • Author's viewpoint
    • Making judgments
    • Making generalizations
    • Predict/infer
    • Drawing conclusions
    • Paraphrasing
    • Outlining
    • Summarizing
    • Phonics/decoding
    • Fantasy/reality
    • Monitor/clarify
English
  • Grammar, punctuation, & parts of speech 
    • Sentences (complete/incomplete)
    • Simple subjects/predicates
    • Complete subjects/predicates 
    • Combining compound subjects/predicates in sentences
    • Recognizing/creating sentence types (declarative, interrogative, imperative, exclamatory)
    • Implied subjects in imperative sentences
    • Run-on sentences
    • Conjunctions
    • Natural & inverted sentence order
    • Recognizing/using nouns (proper, common, singular, plural, singular/plural possessive)
    • Correctly using pronouns (personal, singular, plural, possessive)
    • Pronouns (subjects, objects, reflexive, intensive)
    • Identifying adjectives (limiting, comparison, demonstrative, proper)
    • Identifying & comparing adverbs
    • Distinguishing adverbs from adjectives
    • Adverbial/Adjectival phrases
    • Identifying prepositions
    • Prepositional phrases (objects, compound objects, pronouns as objects)
    • Identifying articles
    • Interjections
    • Identifying verbs (action, verbs of being, verb phrases, regular/irregular verbs)
    • Verbs (main, helping, linking)
    • Troublesome verbs
    • Predicate adjective/nominative
    • Direct objects
    • Recognize verb tenses (present, past, future)
    • Classify verbs of time, place, & manner
    • Correct subject/verb agreement
    • Correct forms of to be
  • Homonyms
  • Homophones
  • Synonyms
  • Antonyms
  • Idioms
  • Analogies
  • Similes & metaphors
  • Dictionary skills
    • Entry & base words
    • Table/pronunciation key
    • Word variations
    • Dividing words into syllables
    • Prefixes
    • Word histories
    • Parts of speech
    • Multiple meanings
Information
  • Comparing information in different forms and with more than one source
  • Using multiple sources to locate information 
  • Evaluating information for accuracy/bias
  • Completing applications/forms
  • Encyclopedia skills
    • How to skim/scan
    • Taking notes
  • Interviewing
  • Understanding and using timelines
  • Using the library
  • Using the internet
  • Reference sources  
Grade 5 - Math
  • Place value (through hundred-billions, exponents)
  • Compare, order, & round (whole numbers, decimals) 
  • Addition/Subtraction
    • Whole numbers
    • Greater numbers
    • Addition/subtraction expressions & properties
    • Estimating sums/differences
    • Addition/subtraction equations
  • Multiplication
    • Multiplication expressions & properties
    • Distributive property
    • Estimating products 
    • Solving multiplication equations
    • Multiplying 2-digit numbers by 1-digit numbers
    • Multiplying 2-digit numbers by 2-digit numbers
    • Multiplying 2-digit numbers by 3-digit numbers
  • Division
    • Using rules of division to divide
    • Estimating quotients
    • Regrouping in division
    • Dividing with 1-digit, 2-digit, & 3-digit quotients
    • Dividing with 1-digit, 2-digit divisors
    • Dividing by multiples of 10, 100, & 1000
    • Zeros in quotient
    • Adjusting quotients
    • Dividing greater numbers
  • Number theory
    • Prime & composite numbers
    • Prime factorization
    • Greatest common factor
    • Least common multiple
  • Fractions
    • Equivalent fractions & simplest form
    • Mixed numbers & fractions
    • Estimating with fractions
    • Relating fractions, mixed numbers, & decimals
    • Add/subtract fractions & mixed numbers with like/unlike denominators
    • Comparing/ordering fractions
    • Finding part of a number
    • Model multiplication/division
    • Multiplying/dividing (fractions, fractions with mixed numbers)
  • Decimals
    • Place values (tenths, hundredths, thousandths)
    • Mixed numbers & decimals
    • Fractions & decimal equivalents
    • Comparing/ordering decimals
    • Adding/subtracting decimals
    • Estimating decimal sums/differences
    • Multiplying/dividing (decimals, decimals with whole numbers)
    • Multiplying/dividing by powers of 10
    • Dividing a decimal by a decimal
    • Repeating decimals
    • Writing zeros in product/dividend
  • Plane figures & geometric concepts 
    • Identify, classify, & describe (points, lines, rays, triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons)
    • Measure, draw, & classify angles
    • Circles (radius, diameter, chord)
    • Congruence
    • Symmetry
    • Rotations, reflections, & translations
    • Finding perimeter, area, & circumference
    • Perimeter & area of parallelograms, triangles, circles, & irregular figures
  • Ratios/proportions
    • Ratios
    • Equivalent ratios
    • Rates
    • Proportions
    • Similar figures/scale drawings
  • Units of measure
    • Measurement concepts
    • Customary units (length, weight, capacity)
    • Metric units (length, weight, capacity)
    • Add/subtract measurements
  • Percent
    • Understanding percentages
    • Relating/comparing fractions, decimals, & percentages
    • Finding 10% of a number
    • Finding any percent of a number
  • Integers
    • Integers & absolute value
    • Comparing/ordering integers
    • Addition/subtraction of integers
  • Coordinate graphing
    • Integers and the coordinate plane
    • Integers & functions
    • Using functions & graphs
    • Transformations in the coordinate plane
  • Problem-solving strategies
    • Choosing operations
    • Order of operations 
    • Writing/comparing expressions
    • Variables & equations
    • Writing equations & formulas
    • Function tables
    • Explaining the solution
    • Using multiple steps to find answer
    • Guessing and checking
    • Working backward
    • Interpreting remainders
    • Solving complex problems by breaking into simpler problems
  • Analyzing and evaluating thinking
    • Determine reasonableness of an answer
    • Estimating an answer
    • Explaining reasoning
    • Identifying relevant information
    • Recognizing too much/too little information
Grade 5 - Social Studies
  • Explain how first Americans arrived to Western Hemisphere
  • Identify significant cultures (Olmec, Maya, Mound Builders, Anasazi, Inca, Aztec)
  • Compare cultures of Southwestern Native American groups
  • Explain importance of art & tradition to the Hopi
  • Compare Navajo life before/after Spanish arrival
  • Identify the role of natural resources on Eastern Woodland tribes
  • Identify/describe (Hodenosaunee culture, Iroquois Confederacy)
  • Explain the role of horses in the Plains People groups
  • Identify roles of Lakota men/women
  • Explain function of Lakota winter
  • Identify major changes in 13th-century Europe (economic, cultural)
  • Examine influence of Europe on Marco Polo
  • Explore how trade developed European cities/towns
  • Identify effects of international trade on Europe, Africa, & Asia
  • Explain how international trade changed world culture in 1400s
  • Identify improvements in 1400s (shipping, technology, trade routes)
  • Explain effects of Columbus's voyage on Europe & the Americas
  • Describe Cortez's events leading to fall of Aztec Empire
  • Describe results of Pizzaro's conquest of Inca Empire
  • Analyze growth/describe economics of New Spain
  • Identify features of Colonial cities
  • Explain why Europeans began exploring eastern coast of North America
  • Identify explorers
    • John Cabot
    • Giovanni di Verrazano
    • Henry Hudson
    • Jacques Cartier
    • Samuel de Champlain
    • Jacques Marquette
    • Louis Jolliet
  • Describe founding of New France
  • Explain England's need for a colony
  • Analyze success of Jamestown
  • Identify Jamestown's changes (1607-1622)
  • Explain need for Pilgrims to form colony & describe events of their first year
  • Compare development of Jamestown/Plymouth
  • Describe colonization of New England, middle colonies, southern colonies
  • Describe colonial leaders' accomplishments
    • Ann Hutchinson
    • John Winthrop
    • Roger Williams
    • Thomas Hooker
  • Explain why Dutch & French settled in middle colonies
  • Compare/contrast colonies founded in Maryland, Carolinas, & Georgia
  • Describe conditions of travel to colonies
  • Distinguish between indentured servants/enslaved captives
  • Evaluate the effect of slave codes on African captives
  • Describe how plantation system affected slavery
  • Identify major industries in Colonial America
  • Understand effects of supply/demand on plantation system
  • Explain need for establishment of new government by American colonists
  • Analyze structure of colonial government
  • Describe contributions of Benjamin Franklin
  • Describe purpose of Spanish settlements in New Mexico
  • Describe conflicts between Spanish & Pueblos
  • Describe Spanish expansion (Texas, California)
  • Explain importance of fur trade in New France
  • Describe early French settlements in Louisiana
  • Know the land conflict between England & France
  • Know the events leading to the French Indian War
  • Identify contributions of revolutionaries
    • Patrick Henry
    • Samuel Adams
    • Crispus Attucks
    • Abigail Adams
  • Describe unrest prior to American Revolution
  • Explain response to Intolerance Act
  • Define representative government in American colonies
  • Explain importance of Declaration of Independence
  • Identify contributions to American colonies
    • John Hancock
    • Thomas Gage
    • Paul Revere
    • William Dawes
    • John Parker
    • Ethan Allen
    • Benedict Arnold
    • Thomas Jefferson
    • Henry Knox
    • William Howe
    • Thomas Paine
  • Know strengths/weaknesses of British & Continental armies
  • Describe George Washington's role in Revolutionary War
  • Know the roles in the Revolutionary War of women & African Americans
  • Describe significance of Revolutionary battles
    • Trenton
    • Princeton
    • Philadelphia
    • Saratoga
    • Fort Vincennes
    • Yorktown
  • Understand hardship of Valley Forge
  • Summarize Treaty of Paris
  • Know the effect of Patriot victory on loyalists & Native Americans
  • Explain Articles of Confederation
  • Describe the Northeast Ordinance
  • Identify roles in U.S. Constitution of James Madison & Roger Sherman
  • Describe basic structure of Constitution
  • Explain the preamble of the Constitution
  • Define role of checks & balances in Constitution
  • Describe Bill of Rights
  • Explain structure of first political system
  • Identify reasons people moved west
  • Describe significance of Daniel Boone, Cumberland Gap, & Appalachian settlements
  • Louisiana Purchase (relationships between Great Britain, France, & United States)
  • Analyze land size in Louisiana Purchase
  • Know contributions of Sacagawea, Merriwether Lewis, & William Clark
  • Know causes of War of 1812
  • Understand why U.S. declared victory in War of 1812
  • Explain the Monroe Doctrine
  • Explain life changes caused by industry/technology
  • Identify inventors/inventions
    • Samuel Slater
    • Eli Whitney
    • Francis C. Howell
    • Cyrus McCormick
    • John Deere
    • Robert Fulton
    • DeWitt Clinton
    • Peter Cooper
  • Explain changes caused by Andrew Jackson's Presidency
  • Describe forced removal of Native Americans
  • Explain how migration increased growth of U.S.
  • Define the Gold Rush
  • Explain conflict between Texas & Mexico
  • Know how Texas became a state
  • Identify changes in society resulting from industry
  • Understand how economics affected the practice of slavery
  • Evaluate quality of life (freed American slaves & enslaved African Americans)
  • Identify civil rights leaders
    • William Lloyd Garrison
    • Harriet Beecher Stowe
    • Angelina Grimke
    • Sara Grimke
    • Levi Coffin
    • Harriet Tubman
    • Lucretia Mott
    • Elizabeth Cody Stanton
    • Sojouner Truth
  • Explain role of abolitionists
  • Describe how abolitionist movement influenced women's movement
  • Identify slavery laws
    • Missouri Compromise
    • Compromise of 1850
    • Fugitive Slave Law
    • Kansas-Nebraska Act
    • Dred Scott decision
  • Describe cause of Civil War
  • Explain Anaconda Plan
  • Describe impact of Emancipation Proclamation
  • Describe Civil War roles of African Americans & women
  • Summarize important Civil War battles (Vicksburg & Gettysburg)
  • Describe Sherman's march to sea
  • Explain Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court
  • Understand Andrew Jackson's plan for reconstruction
  • Describe reconstruction's effects on whites & blacks
  • Explain significance of Constitutional Amendments 13, 14, & 15
  • Describe 19th-Century changes in U.S.
  • Explain how transcontinental railway changed life in U.S.
  • Describe importance of cattle industry
  • Identify examples of U.S. territorial expansion
  • Explain challenges of Native Americans due to westward expansion
  • Describe contributions of Lakota, Comanche, & Nez Perci
  • Explain how industry changed American lifestyles
  • Explore urbanization of late 1800s
  • Identify challenges/explain opportunities of immigrant groups
  • Identify accomplishments of individuals that helped in territorial expansion
    • James Cook
    • Queen Leliuokalani
    • William McKinley
    • George Dewey
    • Theodore Roosevelt
    • Upton Sinclair
    • Jonita Idar
    • William Gorgas
    • Henry Ford
    • John Muir
  • Explain why U.S. entered WWI
  • Describe migration of African Americans from south to north
  • Identify contributions of Booker T. Washington, W. E. B. DuBois, & Ida Wells Barnett
  • Explain benefits to society of communications & transportation advancements
  • Explain 19th Amendment
  • Identify cause of Great Depression
  • Explain accomplishments of Franklin D. Roosevelt
  • Explain cause of WWII
  • Identify causes of Cold War, Korean War, & Cuban Missile Crisis
  • Describe changes to U.S. in 1950s
  • Explain the Civil Rights movement
  • Identify role of Martin Luther King, Jr. as civil rights leader
  • Identify accomplishments of Lyndon B. Johnson
  • Describe Great Society
  • Analyze cause of Vietnam War
  • Describe why Cold War ended
  • Describe the gains in equal rights for African Americans, women, & people with disabilities
  • Describe role of U.S. in 1990s
  • Describe benefits of U.S. discoveries
    • Science
    • Technology
    • Medicine
    • Communication
    • Transportation
  • Describe how technology has increased popularity of terrorist attacks
  • Maps
    • Use lattitude & longitude
    • Write and outline
    • Use historical maps
    • Use elevation maps
    • Use special purpose maps
    • Use time zone maps
    • Compare maps of different scale
    • Recognize point of view
  • Distinguish fact from opinion
  • Analyze the news
  • Draw inferences
  • Use primary & secondary sources
  • Use references & databases