Saint Joseph School Intermediate

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Intermediate

Grade 4

Fourth grade continues to learn and practice cursive.

In Religion, the fourth grade text, Jesus Our Guide, covers a simplified introduction to Bible stories and teachings of the faith. Along with this, we have daily prayer to encourage living a life of virtue and we pray together for special intentions.

In Math, we continue to grow our skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, rounding, and estimating. We also begin to convert measurement, gain an understanding for statistics and probability, and continue to develop fraction concepts.

In Language Arts, we learn and apply the rules of English grammar and apply these concepts through creative writing. We incorporate vocabulary and phonics skills with our weekly stories. Through book studies, students explore cross curricular concepts and enhance independent critical thinking skills.

Science is focused on building the basic understanding of the engineering process through various hands-on projects and experiments. Students also explore and learn about The Earth’s Surface, Energy, and Plants/ Animals.

Fourth grade has a strong focus on United States Geography and History, as well as the 50 states and their capitals.

Students have several chapter books read aloud to them throughout the year, these include but are not limited to: Judy Blume's Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor.

Students routinely use Chromebooks for Accelerated Reader Reading. They also use Chromebooks for researching and project based learning. Along with this, students use the classroom’s Clevertouch Board to enhance their technology use, while demonstrating their skills with classroom subjects.

Drop Everything And Read (D.E.A.R.) time is set several times throughout the week, where students read silently for a designated time.

Religion:

The fourth grade text, Jesus Our Guide, covers a simplified introduction to Bible stories and teachings of the faith.
Daily prayer to encourage living a life of virtue and special intentions.

Math:

Grow skills in multi digit arithmetic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
Round and estimate larger numbers
Begin to convert measurements, gain an understanding of statistics and probability
Develop fraction/decimal concepts: Arithmetic operations with fractions and decimals

Language Arts:

Learn and apply the rules of English grammar through creative writing
Incorporate vocabulary and phonics skills with our weekly stories
Students explore cross curricular concepts and enhance independent critical thinking skills with book studies

Science:

Build the basic understanding of the engineering process through various hands-on projects and experiments
Explore and investigate the Earth’s Surface, Energy, Sound, and Plants/ Animals.
LEGO STEM Challenges are completed throughout the year to enhance teamwork skills and engineering concepts.

Social Studies:

Understand the United States Geography and Regions (including 50 States/ Capitals)
Review United States Government and basic U.S history
Continue enhancing map skills

English:

Introduction to different types of writing and the writing process
Understand the mechanics of English
Interactive English Notebook Activities

Additional Information:

Students have several chapter books read aloud to them throughout the year, these include but are not limited to: Judy Blume's Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor.
Students routinely use Chromebooks for Accelerated Reader Reading. They also use Chromebooks for researching and project based learning. Along with this, students use the classroom’s Clevertouch Board to enhance their technology use, while demonstrating their skills with classroom subjects.
Drop Everything And Read (D.E.A.R.) time is set several times throughout the week, where students read silently for a designated time.

Grade 5

English

Determine the correct usage of punctuation through written language, using punctuation mechanics
Determine all forms of nouns; common, proper, singular, plural, and possessive
Identify all forms of verbs; action, helping, and linking
Implement the correct form of adjectives; including comparative/ superlative
Identify and know the difference between an adjective and adverb
Be able to identify a preposition and phrase in which is connected
Construct a complete sentence using all forms of grammar and the seven parts of speech correctly
Continue to improve basic written expression skills, which include proper punctuation, accurate spelling, word choice, fluency, and organization
Be re-introduced to a five paragraph essay model
Focus on three paragraph essays – Introduction- Body – Conclusion – ensuring student ideas are implemented appropriately
Review how to organize paragraphs in an essay response, using 3-5 or 5-7 sentences in length
Be introduced to the idea of self- editing any and all written expression assignments
Develop the necessary skills and experience in reading a variety of age appropriate, grade level novels
Use literary evidence when reading appropriate grade level novels
Identify and explain the author’s purpose
Use context clues
Identify, describe, and use literary skills and story elements correctly; identifying characters, setting, theme, main event(s), climax, resolution, foreshadowing, making predictions, inferring, and listing differences and similarities

Social Studies

Explore the history of the United States from early explorers through post-war America. Students will examine and evaluate major events through the lenses of geography, government, and economics. Students will build skills using maps, conducting and presenting research, thinking critically, and defending their conclusions and predictions.

Math

Compare two numbers from billions to thousandths using the symbols >, =, or < and justify the solution
Round numbers from billions to thousandths place
Add/Subtract/Multiply/Divide multi-digit whole numbers and decimals to the thousandths place, and justify the solution
Understand that parts of a whole can be expressed as fractions and/or decimals
Convert decimals to fractions and fractions to decimals
Compare and order fractions and/or decimals to the thousandths place using the symbols >, =, or < and justify the solution
Solve problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions and mixed numbers with unlike denominators, and justify the solution
Multiply and divide a fraction or whole number by a fraction using models and equations
Write, evaluate, and interpret numerical expressions using the order of operations
Plot and interpret points in the first quadrant of the Cartesian coordinate plane
Convert measurements of capacity, length, and weight within a given measurement system
Analyze the data to answer questions and solve problems

Science

Develop a model to describe that matter is made of particles too small to be seen
Measure and graph quantities to provide evidence that, regardless of the type of change that occurs when heating, cooling, or mixing substances, the total weight of matter is conserved
Conduct an investigation to determine whether the combining of two or more substances results in new substances
Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment
Use models to describe that energy stored in food (used for body repair, growth, motion, and to maintain warmth) was once energy from the Sun
Represent data in graphical displays to reveal patterns of daily changes in length and direction of shadows, amount of daylight, and the seasonal appearance of some stars in the night sky
Develop a model using an example to describe ways the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and/or atmosphere interact
Describe and graph the amounts and percentages of salt water and fresh water in various reservoirs to provide evidence about the distribution of water on Earth
Investigate ways humans protect or damage the Earth’s resources and environment

Theology

The 5th grade curriculum focuses on the Apostles' Creed, salvation history, and the Bible. First semester includes major events of the Old Testament, and second semester focuses on the life of Jesus. Students also have two weeks of Family Life instruction. Students learn using a variety of methods, including skits and projects. They learn to use and pray with the Bible, including the Sunday Gospels. They visit the adoration chapel regularly and observe the liturgical seasons. Students continue to work on developing Christian virtues, character and their personal prayer life.