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4th Grade Picture Gallery
Fourth Grade at Magellan
Students in fourth grade at Magellan are motivated through the use of a wide range of teaching techniques.
Such techniques include role playing, discussions, simulations, written expression, experimentation, and creativity through the arts.
We believe this diversity promotes higher level thinking, maximizes student time-on-task, and allows us to address the various learning
styles in our classrooms. While innovation is a common thrust for us, more traditional means of teaching have not been abandoned.
There are times when drill and practice remain the most effective ways to master certain skills. Additionally, our program strives
to cover and enhance the North Carolina Standard Course of Study through meaningful activities and curriculum integration.
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4th Grade files
Social Studies
The focus of fourth grade social studies is North Carolina. Using textbooks, literature, primary sources, maps, the arts, the Internet, guest speakers, and field trips, students explore the geography, history, people, and culture of our state. Students analyze current events and how they relate to the past. Social studies is integrated with language arts through the use of historical fiction, works by North Carolina authors, creative writing, and research-based writing.
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Language Arts
The reading component of the language arts curriculum explores a wide range of genres including novels, biographies, short stories, non-fiction, poetry, fairy tales, tall tales, and plays. A major goal of our program is to have each child develop a love for reading and writing. We incorporate spelling and grammar into our lessons daily. Students also prepare for the North Carolina Writing Test by learning to write personal and imaginative narratives. There is a strong emphasis in both subjects on application and synthesis of the material, rather than just rote memorization of general information.
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Math
Students are taught according to their skill levels in math only. Classes follow the basic North Carolina topics, such as place value, geometry, fractions, decimals, etc. Students are encouraged to use higher level thinking skills and apply information they know. Hands-on learning is crucial in this class, using manipulatives whenever possible. A favorite activity is the assembly of the annual tessellation quilt, where students sew a quilt containing fabric squares designed by them.
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Science
Although math and science are taught as separate subjects, students quickly see how these two go hand in hand. In science, children learn how calculating degrees of an angle can be applied to the design and construction of a simple machine. Diameter, radius, and proportion all become real when students make their own model of a North Carolina lighthouse. Classes also create a multi-media presentation on an animal of their choice during the animal unit. In both math and science, concepts are learned and then applied to make content more meaningful. Overall we believe that learning is best achieved by doing, going, and seeing. Fourth grade is filled with exciting hands-on experiments, field trips, projects, and visits from community leaders, writers, scientists, and business owners. More specifically, fourth graders go on two three-day voyages during the school year. The first is to The Trinity Center on the coast of North Carolina. To complement our unit of study on animals and the Coastal Plain region, students explore marine life and their habitats and learn techniques for conservation. Fourth graders also culminate the year with a trip to the North Carolina mountain region. Back at Magellan, student writing is enhanced by our participation in the Writer-In-Residence program. Music and science are integrated through a Science and Symphony program offered by the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra. Students also learn the principles of entrepreneurship through our bi-annual "Magellan Marketplace" as they create and operate their own businesses. These are just a few of the rich learning experiences that we feel are an important part of every Magellan fourth grader's daily journey through education. From experiences like these, we know, without a doubt, our students are ready to sail on! 4th Grade Links
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