4th Grade

STRIDING BOLDLY OVER THE LAND

The first phase of childhood has been left behind as the children begin to exhibit characteristics of their emerging individualities, both as gifts and talents, as well as challenges. Through the study of Norse myths they are able to “try on” some of these personality traits in dramatic way and by focusing on animals and the land around them they continue to form this new relationship with their surroundings.

GRADE FOUR

The courage needed for growing into an independent and free human being is illustrated deeply in grade four through Norse mythology. The language arts curriculum deepens, as does the developing consciousness of the child about the risks and gifts of impending independence. In grade 4 the world, which beginning in first grade was whole and good, is now separating and being seen as parts. This breaking apart leads to a deepening of fractions and the child seeing a whole new world between each whole number. A look at animals and their specificity in contrast to human capacities is part of the sciences studied in grade four and the children also go deeply in to local geography beginning with map making of their immediate surroundings and moving outwards. Multiple learning modalities are engaged giving all different kinds of learners routes to successful comprehension and daily the children have the opportunity to work both independently and in groups.

Artwork by David Sussman, Tuscon Waldorf School

4TH GRADE CURRICULUM COMPONENTS

HISTORY AND LITERATURE

Local Native American studies and Colorado history, Norse myths and sagas, local geography and history, poetry.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Grammar, essays, descriptive writing and book reports, daily recitation, reading of historical fiction and myth, plays.

MATHEMATICS

Factors and multiples, four processes and fractions, proper and improper fraction, mental math.

GEOGRAPHY AND SCIENCE

Local and Colorado geography, Ute Indian study, map making, animal kingdom in relationship to humans.

FINE ARTS

Drawing Celtic knots, braiding forms, animal studies in clay, map making, wet-on-wet watercolor painting.

HANDWORK

Using embroidery and sewing needles, cross-stitching, mirrored patterns

MOVEMENT

Circus arts, cooperative games, orienteering.

MUSIC

Recorder, stringed instrument, sign reading, songs from main lesson themes, songs in minor key.

WORLD LANGUAGE

Introduction to written work, basic grammar, main lesson themes, including the importance of Spanish roots in local history, vocabulary.

AGRICULTURE ARTS

Human and natural history of the school site; harvesting, threshing, winnowing and grinding grains.

COOKING ARTS/NUTRITION

Food vocabulary and food from Colorado native people, grinding grains and baking, seasonality of food. Planning balanced meals.

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