THIRD AND FOURTH GRADES
The combined third- and fourth-grade curriculum is designed so that content is not duplicated but reinforced as years A and B alternate. Both years are based upon the Vermont Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities. Year A Social Studies: Students examine state and local history, as they begin to see themselves as members of a community. They focus on the varied ways in which self-governing communities provide education, health, safety, identity, and civic participation. Science: During this year, students explore life science, using birds and their communities to discover habitat, adaptation, evolution,and food webs. They embark on the scientific skills of observation, data collection, and record-keeping. Math: Due to the sequential nature of math, the grades are divided. The school uses the Macmillan series textbooks are used. Third Grade
Fourth Grade
English/Language Arts: Students read a variety of fiction and non-fiction, including memoir, biography, suspense, and humor. They learn the skills appropriate to different purposes: reading for aesthetic and personal response, reading for critical analysis and evaluation, and reading for acquisition, interpretations, and application of information. As well as general expressive vocabulary, they build vocabulary specific to different academic disciplines. In learning to write organized short paragraphs, the students practice four of the five modes of composition: narration, personal expression, explanation, and description. (Third and fourth grades are considered too early for true persuasive writing.) Students also begin to observe parts of speech, such as nouns and action verbs. Art: Students maintain a sketch book to record their studies of classical art techniques. They create projects, including dioramas, that reflect their learning in social studies and science. They examine the work of Audubon and Duhrer. Music: The school offers individual band instrument instruction with performance opportunities twice a year. Students perform individually, in duets, and in ensemble. Year B Similar in structure with the following modifications: Social Studies: Concentration on regions of the United States provides students with the opportunity to development historical thinking skills, as they focus on the ways in which the environment provides economic opportunities and challenges. They study the history of the westward migration and expansion and the ways in which all Americans are bound by common values. Science: During this year, students explore earth science, using space as a theme. They study rocks, minerals, tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes, soil, earthquakes, and the exchange of energy in the form of electricity and magnetism. English/Language Arts: The course reflects the content of year B. Students read and write in a wide variety of the genres and modes represented by the English language. Students maintain a journal of "Starry Night" observations throughout the year. Art: This course, too, reflects year B. Students look at the ways in which the earth has been depicted, from early petroglyphs to Van Gogh's "Starry Night." Students maintain a classical sketch book. |
Third and Fourth Grades
"I can't believe I want to go to school everyday."
-- Third Grade Student
