Glenda Harbison
4th Grade Syllabus
East Elementary School
Reading is our main emphasis at East. We use picture books, chapter books,
the AR program, Time for Kids newspaper, and even our Science and Alabama
History texts to give your child a broad range of reading
experiences. The main skills we will work on this year are comprehension and
vocabulary.
Grades will largely come from response journals and daily reading assignments
(graphic organizers, etc.), comprehension tests, and, to a lesser degree, AR
tests and points.
Language/Writing is an area where I combine the old with the new. The
majority of this time will be spent writing, but we will sometimes use
grammar books to ensure that each child learns the basics of English.
Whenever possible, writing will be combined with another subject. For
example, we will write about what we are studying in reading, science,
Alabama history, and even math! We also do Daily Language and Daily
Paragraph edit.
Grades will be derived from a combination of tests from the grammar book
(always announced ahead of time), the Daily practice work, and grades from
Writer’s Workshop. Students will have access to a grading rubric on writing
assignments.
Spelling words will be distributed each week.
Spelling grades will be based upon weekly tests.
In Math, it is very important for your child to start out with a strong
mastery of addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts. These were taught
in 2nd and 3rd grades. If your child is weak in basic facts, please do not
delay in drilling him/her on this important building block. We will use the
basic text (your student has an extra copy to leave at home) and many hands-
on activities, which will help your child to have a better understanding of
number concepts.
Grades will be based on tests (always announced in advance), daily work, and
homework. Incomplete assignments result in a lowered grade. Usually,
students have time to complete work in class, but will sometimes need to
finish an assignment at home.
Science is an enjoyable subject for most students. Since we are an AMSTI
school, we have access to four big hands-on units: Electrical Circuits,
Sound, Animal Studies, and Motion and Design. These are inquiry-based units
of study where the student has the opportunity to experiment and find
answers. We will also use our main text and a variety of non-fiction books
at various times during the course of the year.
Grades will be based on class assignments, projects, and tests. Study guides
will be provided for tests.
Alabama History is unique to 4th grade. Most students enjoy learning about
the history of our state. The high points of study are: Alabama Indians,
Early Explorers, Slave Times and the Civil War, and The Civil Rights
Movement. As with math, your child has an extra copy of this text to leave
at home.
Grades will be based on class assignments, projects, and tests. Study guides
will be provided for tests.
