Curriculum Overview (click to view)

 

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In Writing your child will…

This year your child will continue to grow their writing skills through explicit standards-aligned instruction that focuses on why writers write and how writers effectively communicate ideas and information. Students will experience a predictable classroom routine where they take ownership of their writing, share work with peers, and learn to plan, revise, and edit their writing. Students will engage in the writing process as a means to contemplate and develop their ideas, apply powerful revision and editing techniques, and effectively compose their ideas into clear, well-thought pieces that demonstrate an awareness of purpose, style, and audience.

 

Learn more about the writing units for this grade level.

How Writers Work

Text Type: Launching

For a writing workshop to run smoothly, students need to know what they are expected to do. Procedural conversations—such as how writing workshop will function, what writing tools are and how they will be used, and what to do if you think you’re done writing—are presented in this unit. Rituals and routines are necessary components of writing communities wherein students move about the classroom effectively and use their tools and time wisely. As students become familiar and comfortable with writing workshop, they will become more independent. When students are independent, it allows the teacher the time necessary to confer with individuals or small groups of students who need additional support. Writing workshop is the time when we think about how writers work so students can emulate this process. This unit was created to help students understand the writing process and get to know how and why writers write in the ways that they do. They will find out many different reasons for writing and have the chance to build their own writing identities. Fourth graders will explore new and familiar ways to use a Writer’s Notebook and be encouraged to write in their notebooks daily. At the end of the unit, students will publish a text that will provide a baseline or benchmark assessment to help monitor progress through the year. The books in the study help students read closely and think about the authors’ purposes and inspirations. The texts span multiple genres, styles, structures, and themes. The topics will allow students to connect to the authors’ experiences and share their own.

 

Cynthia Rylant Narrative Author Study

Text Type: Narrative

Cynthia Rylant is a renowned author with a great breadth of published works. She writes about the topics she loves most and knows best. Fourth grade writers can easily link her life to the themes in her work. These connections serve as an impetus for young writers to dive into their own rich experiences as food for thought when envisioning their pieces. Rylant is an exemplary mentor author because she inspires students to write about their passions. Fourth grade writers love her lyrical, soulful texts and heartfelt remembrances. The collection of literature in this unit models a variety of craft strategies for students to try out in their own pieces: sentence variety, description using one’s senses, interesting verbs, the choice of proper nouns over general ones, personification, and repetition to create rhythm. Rylant structures her pieces into artful forms that students can emulate. She observes people in her world to create characters and empowers others to discover their own voices. Knowing how her stories come to life becomes a lesson to fourth grade writers. Rylant’s works chant, “Listen to your life; it has stories to tell.”

 

Nonfiction

Text Type: Informational/Explanatory

This unit introduces students to how nonfiction writers think, how they work, the kinds of books they create, and decisions they make about content, including illustrations and charts. Students will learn to identify common nonfiction text features—tables of contents, headings, subheadings, glossaries, bibliographies—and use one or more of these in their own writing. Students will discover and apply different structures with which to organize informational writing, including using an overarching question to explore, using a sequential list of questions to explore, using a journey structure, and using a “how-to” structure. Students will explore how to use their own voices in their nonfiction writing and discover ways to find informational topics they are interested in writing about. The books in this unit allow students to examine both text structures and writer’s craft. Students will research, learn, and then impart knowledge to their readers.

 

Featured Article with Editorial

Text Type: Opinion/Argument

Feature articles are informative, explanatory pieces that profile people, examine a topic, analyze events, explore trends, evoke an emotional response, and cover in-depth stories. Feature article writers begin with an introduction that captures readers’ attention, provide a unique point of view or perspective, often state an opinion or make an argument, employ a variety of research (books, reference materials, interviews, etc.), and end with a concluding section that provides a sense of closure or finality. In this unit students will determine the purpose of feature articles as well as their prevalence and importance in our world. Students will read and analyze the characteristics of feature articles and then publish a clear and coherent feature article of their own. Following publication of their feature articles, students will then write an editorial essays, thereby replicating a familiar real-world process in which feature articles often appear in newspapers, in magazines, or on web sites and then prompt subsequent editorials in which the editorial writers state their own opinions, claims, and/or arguments.

 

How can I support my child at home?

To build confidence in writing at home, parents play a crucial role in supporting and celebrating their child's journey as an author and illustrator. Reading together is a fundamental practice, intertwined with developing writing skills. Spend quality time exploring books, discussing characters, plotlines, and various writing styles. Acknowledge and celebrate your child's writing accomplishments, both big and small, providing positive reinforcement to boost their confidence and motivation.

In the process of supporting your child's writing at home, resist the urge to correct the writing. Instead, encourage them to share their message using some of the questions below. Over the course of the year, students will be focusing on revision and editing for grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Building their grade level knowledge of grammar, sound patterns, and conventions will be taught in tandem with applying it in their writing. You will notice progress over the year in the clarity of their pieces. 

If they ask for help spelling a word, guide them to isolate the sounds and explore the spelling together. For instance, ask, "What sound are you trying to spell?" and then provide guidance based on the identified sound. Remember, it's okay if they start by representing a word with only the beginning sound —skills will naturally develop over time. By creating a supportive and encouraging writing environment at home, parents contribute significantly to their child's growth as a confident and capable writer.

Praise your child for their writing achievements, reinforcing the idea that writing is a valuable and enjoyable skill. Respect and celebrate their unique writing voice by avoiding excessive corrections and instead appreciating the knowledge and ideas they express.

 

Questions to Ask about Their Writing Pieces

• What Inspired You to Write This?
  • Encourage your child to share the inspiration behind their writing. Understanding their motivations can provide insights into their interests and thought processes.
• Can You Tell Me More About [Specific Part of Their Writing]?
  • Ask specific questions about elements in their writing, such as characters, plot points, or details. This helps them elaborate on specific aspects of their work.
• How Did You Decide on the Title?
  • Discussing the title can lead to a conversation about the main idea or theme of their writing. It also encourages them to think creatively about capturing the essence of their piece.
• What Challenges Did You Face While Writing?
  • Addressing challenges fosters resilience. Discussing obstacles they encountered and how they overcame them provides valuable insights into their problem-solving skills.
• Did You Use Any Writing Strategies or Techniques?
  • Explore their writing process. Discussing strategies they used, such as brainstorming, outlining, or revising, highlights the importance of the writing process itself.
• Who is Your Audience?
  • Understanding the intended audience helps your child think about tailoring their writing to different readers. This can also lead to discussions about how writing styles may vary for different audiences.
• What Part of the Writing Did You Enjoy the Most?
  • Focus on the positive aspects. Identifying the enjoyable parts reinforces a sense of accomplishment and helps them recognize their strengths.
• Is There Anything You Would Like to Add or Change?
  • Encourage reflection by asking if there's anything they would like to add or modify. This empowers them to take ownership of their writing and make improvements.

Compliments to Give

• I Love How You Express Your Ideas:
  • Compliment their ability to articulate thoughts and ideas. This reinforces the value of self-expression through writing.
• Your Descriptions Paint a Vivid Picture:
  • Acknowledge strong descriptive elements in their writing. Highlighting their ability to create imagery adds a positive dimension to their work.
• You Have a Unique Writing Style:
  • Celebrate their individuality by recognizing their unique writing style. This fosters confidence in their own voice.
• I'm Impressed by Your Creativity:
  • Praise their imaginative thinking. Recognizing creativity encourages them to continue exploring and pushing boundaries in their writing.
• Your Organization Makes the Writing Easy to Follow:
  • Acknowledge their organizational skills. Highlighting clear structure and organization reinforces the importance of clarity in writing.
• Your Writing Shows Growth and Improvement:
  • Recognize progress over time. Complimenting improvement emphasizes the value of continuous learning and effort.
• I Appreciate the Effort You Put Into Editing:
  • If they've made efforts to edit and revise, commend their commitment to refining their work. This reinforces the importance of the editing process.
• Your Writing Reflects a Strong Understanding of [Topic]:
  • Acknowledge their understanding of the subject matter. This reinforces the connection between knowledge and effective communication through writing.

 

Additional Ways to Support Writing at Home

• Reading is closely linked to writing skills. Spend time reading with your child, discussing the content, characters, and plot. This exposure to different writing styles will enhance their own writing abilities.
• Acknowledge and celebrate your child's writing achievements, whether big or small. Positive reinforcement can boost their confidence and motivation to continue improving.
• Celebrate inventive spelling! When your child attempts to sound out words, celebrate where they are in their knowledge of sounds rather than immediately correcting. This helps them build confidence and a love for expressing themselves through writing.
• Embrace and celebrate the power of lists! Encourage your child to make grocery lists, to-do lists, or lists of their favorite things. These real-life writing opportunities enhance practical writing skills.
• Start a family journal where everyone contributes short notes, thoughts, or drawings. This shared journal is a wonderful way to celebrate the uniqueness of each family member's writing style.
• Foster creativity by allowing your child to write stories, create poems, or even compose songs based on their experiences. Celebrate their imagination and unique way of expressing ideas.
• Praise your child for their writing accomplishments, whether it's a well-constructed list, a story, or a note. Celebrating their efforts reinforces the idea that writing is a valuable and enjoyable skill.
• Respect and celebrate your child's unique writing voice. Avoid overly correcting their writing and instead, focus on appreciating the knowledge and ideas they are expressing.

 

Additional Information about our core resource:

• Introduction to Writing Fundamentals and the Writing Process (Video 2:30)

 

In math, your child will:

• Understand factors and multiples, e.g., 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, and 20 are all factors of 20, and 20 is a multiple of each of those numbers
• Understand that a prime number has only 2 factors—1 and itself, while a composite number has more than 2 factors
• Multiply multi-digit numbers using strategies based on place value and properties of operations
• Divide 2-digit numbers by 1-digit numbers using strategies based on place value and the relationship between multiplication and division
• Read, write, and compare multi-digit numbers and round multi-digit numbers to any place
• Add and subtract multi-digit numbers accurately and efficiently
• Recognize and generate equivalent fractions
• Compare two fractions with different numerators and denominators
• Add and subtract fractions and mixed numbers with like denominators
• Multiply a fraction by a whole number
• Write fractions with denominators of 10 or 100 in decimal notation
• Compare decimal numbers with digits to the hundredths place
• Know the relative sizes of measurement units within one system of units, including metric length, metric mass, customary weight, metric volume, and time
• Use formulas for area and perimeter of a rectangle to solve problems
• Measure and sketch angles with a protractor
• Classify 2-D shapes
• Identify and draw lines of symmetry

 

How can I support my child at home?

• Check out a parent guide for each unit of instruction: Fourth Grade Family Support Page

 

• Math at Home is an additional resource by The Math Learning Center that includes thought-provoking, Bridges-aligned math activities and games that can be used at home or at school throughout the year for students from kindergarten through fifth grade.  

 

Is there an online platform or app available?

• Yes! Dreambox is a personalized math program that builds students' confidence and competence.  Learn more about how to support the program at home.

 

Additional Information about our core resource:

• Bridges in Mathematics Overview English / Spanish

 

• Video: Introduction to Bridges in Mathematics
• Video: Grade K-2 Bridges in Mathematics: Mathematical Models & Strategies
• Video: Grade 3-5 Bridges in Mathematics: Mathematical Models & Strategies

 

District 58 incorporates an inquiry-based approach. Students engage in inquiry through rich discussion, questioning, research using various resources, and summarizing their understanding with a project for an audience. DG58 started inquiry with social studies and embeds it throughout other content areas. Ultimately, District 58 staff light the way for students to engage in a path of exploration and discovery.

 

The gradual release process of inquiry.

 

In Social Studies your child will…

• Explore disciplinary concepts throughout the year within the Our State, Our Nation theme.
• Engage individually and collaboratively in inquiry within four disciplinary concepts; civics, economics, history, and geography.
• Throughout each chapter, explore essential and supporting questions through the SAVVAS Quest Connections 
• Gather and evaluate sources
• Develop claims and use evidence
• Communicate conclusions
• Take informed action to demonstrate understanding

 

Additional Information about our core resource:

Savvas immerses students in history through a perspective-rich environment that grows as the student moves through elementary school. Learn more about the Savvas social studies program by clicking this link.

 

What is inquiry?

Simply put, inquiry-based learning is founded on a "big question". In our K-5 social studies resource, the big question is researched through what we call, Quest. Each lesson begins with a big question. Then, reading and activities guide students through investigation to answer the big question. In the end, students complete a quest project to demonstrate learning and understanding.  

The inquiry process, according to C3, includes 4 stages:  

• Developing Questions and planning inquiries
• Applying the disciplines (civics, economics, geography, history)
• Evaluating resources
• Communicating conclusions and taking informed action

To learn more, watch this quick and helpful video.

 

How can I support my child at home?

As parents, it can be hard to see our children struggle. However, by not giving the answer, through "failure" (F-first, A-attempt, I-in, L-learning), children learn and build self-efficacy. 

 

Below are helpful ideas to easily incorporate inquiry into your home.

• Learn along with children through books, TV programs, and learning hobbies, such rock collecting.
• Visit museums, zoos, aquariums, and historical sites with children. The Downers Grove Public Library has museum passes available. Downers Grove also has a rich history. To learn more, visit the Downers Grove Historical Museum.
• Explore quality television programs like PBS, the Discovery Channel, and the History Channel.
• Subscribe children to magazines.

 

1. Bring Inquiry into Your Home

Meet a question with a question. Our first instinct when a child asks a question is to provide an answer. This can prevent a golden opportunity to learn about how to learn. So, next time your child asks you a question (“How do you spell ….?” “What are the types of energy?”), instead of supplying the answer, try responding like this:

Great question! How could you find that out? What resource could you use to discover that? 

 

Be prepared to inquire together. Sometimes, when you meet a question with a question, you get an “I don’t know”. That is an invitation to a great teachable moment! If your child doesn’t know how to find out on their own or what resource to use, you can respond with:

Let’s figure it out together. Maybe we can try this….Let’s see if this resource has the answer…

 

Ask the magic question – “What do you notice?”. No matter what subject – the secret ingredient to inquiry is asking learners to think about what they notice. That one question works every time, and can be followed up with “what else do you notice?”.

You don’t have to be an expert, just be a learner. It is okay to not know. That presents an opportunity to model your own approaches to learning. Confidently to say, “I don’t know”.  Follow it up with, “But now I want to know, so here is how I am going to find out!” or, “Let’s figure this out together!”

 

2. Encourage Reflection

Get them thinking about their thinking. There are two magic questions you can ask your child to help them think deeper – any subject:

 

How do you know?

What makes you say that?

 

3. Support your child’s agency 

Invite their voice. Give space for children to articulate what they like and don’t like about learning. Listen to what they care about and what matters to them and try to understand and find ways to support it.

Respect and support their choices. Be aware of choices you make for your child that they could make themselves. Choices may include when, where, and how they learn. Teach  the decision-making process (What choice are you making for yourself?). Then follow up with a reflection (How did that choice work out for you? How do you know? What will you choose differently next time?).

Emphasize ownership. Sometimes learning can get misrepresented as something done to learners. These phrases build that sense of ownership over their learning:

 

It’s your learning.

You’re in the driver’s seat.

Your learning, your choice. 

*Credit: makinggoodhumans.wordpress.com

In Science your child will study...

•  Plants and Animal Structures: Students are introduced to the unit’s anchoring phenomenon of that while most animals have eyes, the location of the eyes will vary depending on the animal and its needs. In this unit, students explore plant structures that are used for support and growth, protection, reproduction, and responding to the environment. Students examine animal structures that are used for digestion, circulation, support, movement, protection, reproduction, and sensing and responding to the environment. Can students use what they know about the structures of both plants and animals to give a comic book artist ideas for creating new creatures for his latest work?

 

•  Energy: Students are introduced to the unit’s anchoring phenomenon of how bike helmets protect you. In this unit, students explore how energy and motion are related, how energy is transferred between colliding objects, and how energy is transferred by sound, light, heat, and electric currents. Students examine the ways energy is stored and used, and how people choose energy resources. Students design a safety device for bike riding that uses energy. How can students use what they know to help teach others about how energy transfers from one place to another by creating a safety pamphlet about bike helmets?

 

•  Earth’s Changing Surface: Students are introduced to the anchoring phenomenon of how the once tall and pointy Appalachian Mountains have become low and rounded over time. In this unit, students investigate Earth’s changing surface as they explore clues that show Earth’s surface changes. Students examine how water, wind, and living things also make changes to Earth’s surface. Students find out about fossils and how the location of fossils can indicate past changes to Earth’s surface. Students locate where earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountains are found, and discover what people can do about natural hazards. Using what they know about how Earth’s surface changes and the resulting natural hazards, can students develop a hazard plan for their community?

 

• Waves and Information: Students are introduced to the anchoring phenomenon of how, by using sound waves, people can communicate. In this unit, students explore waves and their properties, how waves affect objects, and which waves travel through Earth causing seismic activity. Students understand how sound waves and patterns are used to send messages. Using their knowledge, can students demonstrate different ways information can be transferred by creating a new communication method?

 

 

District 58 utilizes the Second Step program to support students’ social emotional learning through a holistic approach to building our school communities. Children benefit from social-emotional learning (SEL) at any time, but today it’s especially important to help them develop the skills they need to connect and thrive. Second Step® Elementary is a leading research-based SEL curriculum

 

In Second Step your child will… 

•  Practice skills for learning
•  Practice skill for empathy
•  Learn and practice strategies for emotional management and compassion
•  Learn and practice communication skills and problem-solving strategies during peer interactions

 

How can I support my child at home?

If you are interested in learning more about the Second Step curriculum and approach, please visit their website at SecondStep.org.

Art

In Art your child will…

• Explore art in the environment 
• Learn about various forms and functions of art
• Learn about famous artists

How can I support my child at home?

To inspire your child, visit museums, art shows, and the Downers Grove Public LIbrary where there is exposure to a variety of artwork. The library offers museums free passes that you can check out. Build inspiration for art, by learning about local and historical artists. As you drive around town, see if you can identify various forms of art, whether sculptural or other modes. Finally, have a variety of art materials available at home, such as clay, playdough, paint, colored pencils, fun paper, and more. Many stores have small and large art kits available to encourage children tap into their creativity.

Is there an online platform or app available?

Seesaw is a resource our art teachers rely on the most. Through Seesaw, we connect with parents and share a window into your child’s creative side. At the beginning of each year, your child’s teacher will send you an invitation to their Seesaw class, which will automatically connect you to their art class. Once there, families can see updates, helpful videos, assignments and more.

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Music

In fourth grade Music your child will…

• Learn about various musical elements, including but not limited to Form, Harmony, and the music vocabulary words that are associated with these concepts. 
• Identify various instruments 
• Continue to perform and identify various rhythmic and melodic notations.
• Experience musical concepts through song
• Learn to play the soprano recorder.

How can I support my child at home?

• Attend various styles of musical performances, play music at home, encourage your child to demonstrate what they are learning about in music, or encourage a variety of musical experiences.

Is there an online platform or app available?

• Your child has an account in our music app Quaver that they can access through Clever on their iPad. They can review past activities, explore new games, quizzes, or listen to their favorite songs from class.

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Physical Education (PE)

In physical education your child will engage in the following activities throughout the school year:

• Flag football, soccer, and volleyball focusing on fundamentals skills and game rules 
•  Emphasis on team building activities to foster cooperation and collaboration
•  Develop fitness levels through exercises and drills
•  Bowling skills 
• Floor Hockey skills
• Participate in recreational games that encourage friendly competition and sportsmanship

 

How can I support my child at home?

• Encourage active play: Encourage your child to be physically active every day. Activities such as running, jumping, climbing and playing outdoor games are great for students this age. 
• Make physical activity a family event. Engage in physical activities as a family. Plan trips to the park, nature trails, or the park distinct where everyone can participate in activities like hiking, booking, swimming, or playing sports together. 
• Limit screen time: Set limits on screen time. Excessive screen time can negatively affect a child’s physical activity levels. Encourage your child to engage in more hands-on activities instead. 
• Create a supportive environment: Create an environment that supports physical activity in your child’s daily routine. Provide your child with access to sport equipment, bikes, and other active equipment.  

 

Is there an online platform or app available?

Shape America. Their website offers resources and ideas for parents to support physical education at home and in the community. Website: https://www.shapeamerica.org/MemberPortal/events/parents.aspx

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Library

In Library your child will…

Build an appreciation of literature through a variety of genres that represent neurodiversity and cultures. In Library, students explore the Illinois State Award books, engage in research, and learn how to navigate the library to access books and information online. The library curriculum follows the Association of Illinois School Library Educators standards to engage students in an exploration of genres and modes of media.

 

How can I support my child at home?

Reading and discussing books with children of any age has the most impact on a child’s motivation and ability to read. You can even read the same book that your child is reading. Visit the Downers Grove Public Library to expose your child to a variety of genres and reading materials and even establish a relationship with the local librarian. The library also has free museum passes. The night before your child’s school checkout, brainstorm books or topics they might explore.

 

Is there an online platform or app available? 

Common Sense Media offers helpful resources, articles, videos and digital citizenship parent tips: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles

Visit Destiny to explore books available at your child’s school.