Maestra Julia​
Our Studies
Science...Is awesome
We start off the year studying land and water by performing experiments with stream tables. This unit serves as a perfect launching point for our work in the water garden.
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We also study electric circuits, studying how to form a complete circuit, turn on a light bulb, power a fan and build switches and fuses.​​
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Later in the year we study bones and skeletons, and will be taking a trip to PSU to see their animal skeletons exhibit. It is a great opportunity to see in real life what they've been studying in the classroom.
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We will also engage in hands-on lessons in our water garden and in our classroom to learn about preservation and stewardship of our local and global environment.
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Social Studies
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Our social studies in 4th grade is all about the Pacific Northwest. We study its geography, the cultures that originated here, why and how people emigrated here from across the country, and how that affected and shaped the area. To augment our study we will be taking several field study trips: the Portland Art museum to see Native American art of the region, the Lelooska Foundation to see traditional storytelling, and an overnight trip related to the Oregon Trail.​
Math
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Math in 4th grade focuses a lot on multiplication and its many applications. We explore story problems with multiplication and division and then learn more efficient strategies to solve them. Students learn to use the array model, create fractions and decimals, and learn how to be more purposeful in their thinking. The students also learn about different forms of measurement, elementary algebra, and geometry.
Reading
Our district has adopted a new Reading Curriculum called Units of Study. There are four different reading units: Interpretting Characters (The Heart of the Story); Reading the Weather, Reading the World; Reading History: Revolutionary War (we may switch our focus to the Oregon Trail in lieu of the American Revolution); and Historical Fiction Book Clubs. We will alernate the language of instruction unit by unit.
Writing
Our district has adopted a new Writing Curriculum called Units of Study. There are four different writing units: Realistic Fiction, Boxes and Bullets (Opinion), Information (Bringing History to Life), and a Literary Essay. We will alernate the language of instruction unit by unit.Please remember that 4th grade writing may be very challenging for immersion students because they are being asked to start thinking more deeply about their stories and demonstrate their understanding of subjects that are more complex in both languages.