Reading: 85 Minutes Daily

Guided Reading is taught in groups where all students are work at the same reading level using various mentor texts. Teachers facilitate independent interpretation of varied texts through Literature Circles. Students are instructed using the Treasures Reading series that is research based and follows the PA Core Standards. Elements of language emphasizes the reading of real world, informational text, with content, activities, and resources to help students succeed when learning the mechanics of spelling, punctuation, and grammar usage. Teachers utilize stations to reinforce previously taught cooperative skills and strategies.

Writing: 45 Minutes Daily

Students compose narrative writings, essay writings, poetry, opinion/persuasive writings and research-based informational writings using the Lucy Calkins Workshop Model. They focus on structure, development and language conventions. In fourth grade, students are asked to elaborate on facts, details and examples to support their writing. They develop the organization of their writing to ensure they create a cohesive piece of writing. Through the IB Unit of Inquiry, How We Express Ourselves, students explore a variety of poetry and community art. They each compile their poetry units and publish a book at the end of the year.

Mathematics: 75 Minutes Daily

The Everyday Mathematics standards-based curriculum is used to guide differentiated math instruction. Students engage in hands-on math activities that encourage them to work cooperatively and take ownership of their learning each day. Unlike traditional math, during each unit students are grouped by their content knowledge on the specified skills that are being taught. They play math games on computers to review previously taught math skills and receive direct instruction from two different teachers.

Science: 45 Minutes Daily

Teachers use the IB framework to teach the unit of inquiry, How the World Works, using the FOSS Water Module. Students explore the density of water, properties of water and changes in the water cycle. The students also construct a water wheel. In addition, they investigate the characteristics of organisms through the use of the structures of life FOSS Module. Students explore and grow seeds hydroponically and care for a selection of organisms. The Sun, Moon, and Planets FOSS module is used to investigate the Earth’s place in the solar system, as well as the study of the moon phases and patterns in our solar system. The FOSS Modules are hands-on and are used for cooperative learning in the classroom. Science investigations include observation and recording of results in lab notebooks.

Individuals & Societies: 35 Minutes - 3 Days/Week

Teachers use the IB framework through inquiry to teach How We Organize Ourselves, Who We Are, Where We Are in Place and Time, and Sharing the Planet. In the How We Organize Ourselves unit, students work together to learn about government, how communities work together and the way government responds to social needs by providing public goods and services. In the Who We Are unit, students explore their family values, create a family tree, discuss other cultures within the context of their own culture, and examine genealogy and history to gain insight into human relationships. Teachers facilitate the students’ understanding of the characteristics of a region and how it affects human interactions with their environment in the Where We Are in Place and Time unit. During the Sharing the Planet unit, students work together to simulate solving conflict through peaceful methods and tolerance.