The 4th grade English Language Arts curriculum focuses on empathy building and essential aspects of functioning as a community together. Students are asked to step into the shoes of various characters and animals on their journeys of discovery and belonging. Through novel studies and text-based discussions, students learn to not just enjoy their books but also examine their literary depth. A portion of the year will connect with themes of ecosystems also studied in science class and will include a research project and trips to the McWane Center. Another portion of the year will connect with the 4th-grade Alabama history curriculum and the Civil Rights movement.

In fourth-grade mathematics, students deepen their understanding of our base-ten number system by exploring place value, powers of ten, decimals, and operations with whole numbers and decimals. They learn to read, write, compare, round, and compute with numbers while recognizing patterns and relationships that help make complex calculations more efficient. Students also develop algebraic thinking through numerical expressions and problem-solving. In geometry and measurement, they classify two-dimensional figures and apply formulas to find the volume of rectangular prisms, including composite solid figures, connecting mathematical concepts to real-world situations.

Fourth Grade Alabama History explores how geography, native peoples, colonization, and economic development shaped the state. Students examine key events like the Civil War, Reconstruction, and Civil Rights Movement, connecting Alabama’s story to broader themes in U.S. history.

Fourth Grade Science explores energy, motion, and waves, examining how they transfer and interact with matter. Students study ecosystems, Earth’s systems, and natural patterns, applying science to solve problems and use energy efficiently and sustainably.

In fourth-grade French, students develop their listening, speaking, reading, and cultural understanding through storytelling, conversation, music, and interactive experiences. Using the Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS) approach, students acquire language naturally as they engage with stories, retell events, and communicate using vocabulary related to topics such as animals, family, and food. Through songs, role-playing activities, and creative projects, students build confidence in pronunciation and communication while exploring French culture and traditions. Highlights of the course include learning music for Lessons & Carols, creating French menus, participating in shopping and restaurant simulations, and researching famous landmarks in Paris.

Fourth graders begin to learn the recorder, learn more about the structure of larger works of music, and transposition of simple melodies from treble to bass clef or vice versa. They expand upon their knowledge of musical keys going up to four sharps and flats both major and minor. They begin learning about the qualities of musical intervals as well as reading in more compound time signatures. Students can transpose a simple melody from treble to bass clef or vice versa. Students can read rhythms in compound time signatures. They can identify major and minor keys up to 4 sharps or flats. Students can identify intervals and their quality. Students learn to play recorder notes GAB, High D, and High C.

Fourth grade students begin to solidify their understanding of art materials and processes. They continue to explore how the elements of art work and learn about art principles (different ways the elements can work together). We develop further skills in techniques of painting, drawing, collage, and sculpture. We will explore personal and cultural expression as well as universal themes and the styles of master artists. Students create a sketchbook to use for planning their creations, practicing techniques and reflecting on their completed artworks.