the Grosse Pointe Academy
LANGUAGE ARTS - Course Description
Grade 4 students are immersed in the reading and analysis of literature. Chapter books, novels and a literature anthology, Treasures, form 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. 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. Vocabulary development is based on the readings of the students and the Word Web program, which is based on Greek and Latin roots.
MATHEMATICS - Course Description
The Everyday Math text and related activities, as in the Lower School, form the core of the program. Within a single class period, instruction might include: classroom presentation, small group instruction, peer interaction, student presentation and individual instruction. The spiral curriculum along with the variety of activities that compose this program ensures a rich environment in which students continue to develop their computational skills while deepening their understanding of our number system and its various branches of study such as, geometry, data analysis, probability and patterns.
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. Accelerated programs are offered to those students who qualify.
TRAVELING
In preparation for middle school students travel to other 4/5 teachers for their science and social studies instruction. This not only gives the students a feel of what middle school will be like, but also allows the 4/5 teachers to specialize in a specific discipline.
Science - Course Description
Grade 4 builds on the Lower School science curriculum with an increased emphasis on experimentation and activity based projects. During the year students are carefully guided through a science fair project of their choice that follows the proscribed procedures of the scientific method. All this hands-on activity is balanced with collaborative and individual projects based upon readings and research.
Social Studies - Course Description
Students experience an interactive program that includes reading in the content area, research, speakers, videos, role-playing, simulations, crafts and costume making. As part of the in-depth study of Michigan, the students visit northern Michigan for three days. Other activities and field trips bring the program to life. Study of early explorers, Native Americans and our neighbor, Canada, complete the program.
World Languages
Grade 4 is an exploratory year where students are exposed to a different world language (Mandaring Chinese, French and Spanish) each trimester.
SPECIALS
Visual Arts - Course Description
Christian Life - Course Description
Creative Arts Movement - Course Description
World Languages - Course Description
Library - Course Description
Music/Performing Arts - Course Description
Physical Education - Course Description
Technology
FIELD TRIPS
Provencal-Weir One-Room School House
Lansing
Planetarium at North High School
Northern Michigan Trip
SPECIAL RESOURCES
Two full-time learning resource specialists to meet individual needs and provide classroom enrichment
Licensed therapist on staff
School nurse
STANDARDIZED TESTING
ERB Comprehensive Testing Program 4 - Rigorously designed series of assessment in verbal and quantitative ability, auditory comprehension, reading comprehension, writing mechanics and concepts, and mathematics
SPECIAL EXPERIENCES
Grade 4 Play
Buddy Program
Intramurals (Soccer, Basketball, Floor Hockey, Rotating Sports)
Weekly Chapel Assemblies
Grandparents’/Special Friends’ Day
Halloween Parade
Thanksgiving Assembly
Chapel Giving
Special Assemblies & Celebrations
Community Service
Creative Movement Presentation
Field Day
Extracurricular Activities (Chess Club, Cooking, Golf Club, Crafts)
Parents' and Special Friends' Day
Scott Tily
Grades 4-8 Principal
stily@gpacademy.org
313-886-1221 ext. 147
