Overview


The Third/Fourth grade classrooms provides a stable and structured environment in which the children feel comfortable to express themselves and to ask questions. Students work in ways that encourage the development of cooperation and mutual respect. Learning experiences are presented according to the students' learning levels in order to provide challenges without frustrations. Students are challenged to think critically, to problem solve, and to relate their education to their everyday lives. Students are encouraged to develop their sense of independence and to become self learners with an enthusiasm for learning. The development of organizational skills and study skills is stressed as an essential aspect of student growth.

The Language Arts program includes speaking, listening, writing, and reading from a variety of genres to develop more sophisticated comprehension and interpretive reasoning skills. The students' development of reading fluency, vocabulary, grammar and spelling skills is monitored as well. The program includes the Trophies Harcourt Reading Series, Junior Great Books, and Novel Studies. The students gain an understanding of the writing process and the various purposes of writing by learning the 'Six Traits of Writing' Program. The Language Arts program is integrated into other areas of the curriculum, where ongoing cross-curricular projects provide an opportunity for the students to utilize and to develop their language art skills.

The Mathematics program includes the Houghton Mifflin Series along with a variety of other resources. The mathematics program is challenging and incorporates the development of students' logical reasoning and problem solving skills. The students study multiplication, division, measurement, geometry, fractions, and decimals.

The Social Studies program encourages the acquisition of information through inquiry. Audio-visual and Information Technology skills are incorporated into this program. Themes studied are Ancient Civilization, Maps and Globes, and Nutrition. Ideas and Inventions and Biomes are studied both from a social and science perspective. All themes integrate with the Language Arts program. Class, group, and individual projects/ presentations are methods used for the students to review and to display information learned.

The Science program covers topics in the physical, earth and life sciences. The units are thematic and integrated into the math, social studies, and language arts program. Topics studied are Earth Materials, Structures of Life, Water, Magnetism/Electricity, and Measurement with Math. The 'hands on,' inquiry based investigations help to develop critical thinking skills, to develop an understanding of the use and application of the science processes, and to encourage scientific thought. Students enjoy reflections, sharing discoveries, and presenting information learned through classroom displays and science fairs.

The students also participate in classes taught by specialists, including physical education, music, art, Hebrew, computers and swimming.