In Fourth Grade students make a transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.”

Language Arts
The school follows the diocesan curriculum for Language Arts. The students are taught multi-sensory grammar using a hands-on approach to learning whenever possible. Students utilize the writing process as they learn to prewrite, proofread, revise, and publish. They learn the five major writing genres: personal narrative, how-to, informational, persuasive, and research. In reading, students study the six major genres: realistic fiction, historical fiction, biographies, poetry, mystery, and fantasy. Cursive handwriting is stressed in all areas.

Math
Standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics form the basis of instruction in mathematics. Students focus on the six strands of mathematics: developing algebraic thinking, measurement, probability and statistics, fractions and decimals, geometry, and operations and computations. Manipulative materials are used to introduce new concepts and to guide students from concrete to abstract thinking and symbolic representation. Each classroom is well-equipped with a large selection of manipulative materials such as pattern blocks, Cuisenaire rods, geoboards, color tiles, place value blocks, calculators, and measurement tools.

Science
In fourth grade students are provided a wide variety of learning experiences emphasizing hands-on activities. The Science Process Skills of observing, classifying, comparing, inferring, measuring, predicting, communicating, and interpreting data are directly taught in specific lessons, and then incorporated into each unit of study. Students are encouraged to question, discover, explore, and create as they become scientific thinkers.

Social Studies
In fourth grade, students learn about the history of our country region by region. Instruction follows the thematic strands of citizenship, economics, history, government, geography, culture, science, technology, current events, and global connections. During the second semester, students begin learning about Texas history including the fight for independence and the Indians who lived here.

Religion
At CCCS we firmly believe that religion must be infused in our entire day by stressing Christian values across the curriculum. Each school day begins and ends with group prayer. Fourth grade attends all-school Mass weekly, and takes part in planning the liturgy.

Spanish
Students in fourth grade are taught Spanish on a weekly basis. The main goal is to introduce the children to vocabulary, focusing on increasing basic vocabulary and improving conversational Spanish.

Fine Arts
Students attend music class weekly to learn the joy of music as well as music fundamentals. They perform for special events such as Grandparents Day, the Christmas Program, and the Spring Program. They also have the opportunity to participate in our band.

Students receive art instruction weekly. The children use a variety of media and techniques including paper, paint, clay, ceramics, textiles, and more. Students are able to express themselves in creative and original formats.

 

*Note: The class schedule is in PDF format. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, get a free copy by clicking on the icon .