Grade 4/5 Curriculum Guide

Language Arts - Course Description
Students in 4/5 are immersed in the reading and analysis of literature. Treasures, a reading anthology, forms the core of the program exposing the students to a variety of genres and challenging them to comprehend and interpret their readings at ever increasing levels of sophistication. Chapter books, novels and other supplemental literature are read on a regular basis throughout the year and are shared, analyzed and interpreted using literature circles and author studies. The F.A.S.T. reading program continues to enhance student fluency rates and comprehension skills while the library based Academy Book Club encourages students to enrich their literacy by reading literature of their choice in a variety of genres.

Writing and grammar focus on: the writing process, paragraph development, punctuation and capitalization, and usage. The continued use of the 6+1 Traits of Writing allows students to focus specifically on well-defined writing skills while simultaneously immersing themselves in writing's exploratory and creative process. Spelling uses the Rebecca Sitton approach which, among other things, teaches that every time you write you are taking a spelling test.

Mathematics - Course Description
The students in the fourth and fifth grades love math! Instruction is focused on making connections between math and the real world. Everyday Mathematics, The University of Chicago School Mathematics Project's text and related activities form the core of our curriculum. The students work independently and in small groups. If you were to walk into a math class, you would probably find some children working with manipulatives, some working on problem solving, others receiving direct instruction or some playing the excellent math games that come with the series. You might also see students using compasses as they construct geometric shapes, using tape measures as they measure the length of an arm span, or using pattern blocks to create symmetrical designs or solve fraction problems!

Content includes, but is not limited to: number sense and operations, measurement, geometry and spatial sense, patterns, problem solving, and functions and algebra.

The Academy advantage of smaller class sizes, with support from our Learning Specialists, allows teachers to differentiate, support and augment the program for all learners.

TRAVELING

In preparation for middle school students travel to other 4/5 teachers for their science and social studies instruction. This not only give the students a feel of what middle school will be like, but also allows the 4/5 teachers to specialize in either science or social studies.

Science - Course Description
Grades 4/5 build on the Lower School science curriculum and act as a bridge to Middle School. Science is taught in cycles that alternate yearly. Cycle One includes a comprehensive study of the human body and its systems and includes nutrition and health.  In physical science portion of the program the topics included are: matter, force and motion, light and sound, electricity and magnetism. In Cycle Two, the focus is more on earth science and biology and topics include: weather, oceanography, the solar system, plant and animal structures and functions, and ecosystems.

Each year students are immersed in the scientific method as they delve into their science fair projects. Beginning with a problem that each student selects individually, they form a hypothesis, set up a procedure, identify materials needed, run the experiment, collect and present their data, and finally answer their question and write a conclusion. Projects are displayed in our library and our middle school science teachers judge the fifth grade projects.

Social Studies - Course Description
The social studies program, like the science program, has a two-year cycle. Cycle One is the geography, history, government and culture of the United States, which gives the student exposure to American history from the colonial period to the development of our government. Cycle Two offers exposure to our neighboring country, Canada, and examines the geography, history and economics of Michigan.

The 4/5 social studies program is an interactive program that includes speakers, videos, role-playing, simulations, crafts and costume making. As part of the study of the United States, the group takes a comprehensive three-day trip to Washington, D.C. As part of the in-depth study of Michigan, the students visit northern Michigan for three days. Other activities include a visit to Lansing and a day in the Provencal-Weir one-room schoolhouse. The homeroom teachers enhance the social studies program through the reading of literature that corresponds with the units being studied.

World Languages - Chinese, French and Spanish - Course Description
The Grosse Pointe Academy believes strongly that familiarity with other cultures and the ability to communicate in their native tongue is of paramount importance in the global community in which we now live and work. Grade 4 students study Chinese and Spanish along with the French that they began in the Early School. Grade 5 students select a specific world language to study with the idea they will continue this focus throughout middle school.

OUT-OF-CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION (SPECIALS)

Visual Arts - Course Description
Drawing . Painting . Sculpture . Print making . Weaving and textiles . Artists and art styles . Art history

Christian Life - Course Description
Grade 4: Old Testament study of Genesis and Exodus . Study of the life of Jesus

Grade 5:  Understanding Jesus's teachings . Understanding Christian holidays

Creative Movement - Course Description
Awareness of body movement . Varied movement vocabulary . Problem solving through choreographic studies . Class presentation focusing on an artist's work

Music/Performing Arts - Course Description
Vocal music and performance . Orff instruments and rhythm . Movement and choreography . Dramatic interpretations l Music history

Library - Course Description
Book selection . Characteristics of books . Library media procedures . Research

Physical Education - Course Description
Participate successfully in selected health enhancing, lifelong physical activities . Develop and maintain healthy levels of cardiorespiratory and muscular endurance and flexibility

TECHNOLOGY

Technology instruction and application are integrated throughout the curriculum with the focus on word processing, spreadsheet application, desktop publishing, presentation tools and Internet research.

MAJOR FIELD TRIPS

Provencal-Weir One-Room School House
(Curriculum Connection: Social Studies)

Lansing
(Curriculum Connection: Social Studies)

Northern Michigan Trip
(Curriculum Connection: Social Studies)

Washington, D.C.
(Curriculum Connection: Social Studies)

Nutrition Fair
(Curriculum Connection: Science)

Science Fair
(Curriculum Connection: Science)

SPECIAL RESOURCES

Two full-time learning resource specialists to meet individual needs and provide classroom enrichment

Licensed therapist on staff to help with social interaction l School nurse

STANDARDIZED TESTING
ERB Comprehensive Testing
Program 4 (January) - Rigorously designed series of assessment in verbal and quantitative ability, vocabulary, reading comprehension, writing mechanics and concepts, and mathematics

SPECIAL EXPERIENCES

Weekly Chapel Assemblies
Grandparents/Special Friends’ Day
Buddy Program
Intramurals (Soccer, Basketball, Floor Hockey)
CATCH Fun Run
Halloween Parade
Creative Movement Presentation
Thanksgiving Assembly
Lessons and Carols
Chapel Giving
Musical Performances
Community Service
Field Day
Extracurricular Activities (Chess Club, Yoga, Cooking)

Grade 5 Only
Forensics
Blue Crew
Interscholastic Sports

Scott Tily
Grades 4-8 Principal
stily@gpacademy.org
313-886-1221 ext. 147