• English Language Arts and Literacy: K-5

    The North Salem Central School District curricula are based on the current New York State Next Generation Learning Standards.

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    Fourth Grade Overview

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    Mathematics

    In Grade 4, math instruction is focused on three key areas:

    • Developing understanding and fluency with multi-digit multiplication as well as developing an understanding of dividing to find quotients involving multi-digit dividends 
    • Developing an understanding of fraction equivalence, addition and subtraction of fractions with like denominators, and multiplication of fractions by whole numbers
    • Understanding that geometric figures can be analyzed and classified based on their properties, such as having parallel sides, perpendicular sides, particular angle measures, and symmetry.

    The Common Core Learning Standards focus on the following Mathematical Practices:

    1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
    2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
    3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
    4. Model with mathematics.
    5. Use appropriate tools strategically.
    6. Attend to precision.
    7. Look for and make use of structure.
    8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

    Social Studies

    Our Social Studies Curriculum is focused on New York State and local communities and their change over time. Students learn about the geography, history, resources, significant people, places and issues that have helped shape our state.

    Topics include:

    • Geography of New York 
    • Native Americans of New York State
    • Explorers who came to North America and explored the region that is now New York
    • Colonization of New Netherlands
    • The American Revolution
    • Industrial Growth and Expansion
    • Government

    Science

    The 4th grade science curriculum focuses on developing the following major understandings:

    • Energy exists in various forms: heat, electrical, sound, chemical, mechani­cal, light.
    • Energy can be transferred from one place to another.
    • Some materials transfer energy better than others (heat and electricity)
    • Energy and matter interact: water is evaporated by the Sun’s heat; a bulb is lighted by means of electrical cur­rent; a musical instrument is played to produce sound; dark colors may absorb light, light colors may reflect light.
    • Electricity travels in a closed circuit.
    • Heat can be released in many ways, for example, by burning, rubbing (friction), or combining one sub­stance with another.
    • Interactions with forms of energy can be either helpful or harmful.
    • Everyday events involve one form of energy being changed to another.
      •  Animals convert food to heat and motion
      • The Sun’s energy warms the air and water
      • Humans utilize interactions between matter and energy.
      • Chemical to electrical,light, and heat: battery and bulb
      • Electrical to sound(e.g., doorbell buzzer)
      • Mechanical to sound(e.g., musical instruments, clap­ping)
      • Light to electrical(e.g.,solar- powered calculator)

    Health

    The health program, The Great Body Shop, is designed to promote decision-making and behaviors that foster better health. Though students study similar topics at each grade, the depth of content and complexity of ideas builds from grade to grade. All students study injury prevention and personal safety, nutrition, functions of the body, growth and development/cycles of family life, disease and illness prevention, substance abuse prevention, community health and safety/violence prevention, self worth, mental and emotional well-being, environmental and consumer health, physical fitness.