Fourth
Grade
This is the transition to upper grades but making friends and exploring friendships also count!
It’s on to California! Students join the pioneers, at least in spirit, and make the journey across the continent of North America which they have studied in earlier grades. They join the fifth graders and select the famous and the not so famous women of America and “become” that character. They can be seen busily researching, drawing, designing, and then finally, sewing their own period costumes. On stage (what better place to practice speaking skills?) they present their historical times and lives. Research is the bridge to the big world and there are many steps to take in learning to use reference materials well. These strong readers enjoy literature that gives life to the times they are studying in history. New, abstract thinking takes these nine year olds into an exciting realm of critical thinking and math skills. Organization and study skills become increasingly important and empower students to take responsibility and become full fledged students. All of this takes place in the magical web of friends, community, and extracurricular activities like sports and dance. Fourth grade is the bridge to the challenges and joys of the upper grades.