ACADEMICS

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3rd Grade

  • Third grade is known for in depth coverage of Chicago History, as well as a more detailed look at American History.  Students love the unit on immigration, especially when they invite their friends and family in to celebrate their Shining Moment of a simulation of Ellis Island during the turn of the 19th century.
  •  Language Arts continues with the reading and writing workshop with more advanced writing, including some fiction writing and poetry.  A big step for third graders is when they learn cursive handwriting as part of their Language Arts class.
  • Students will read books independently as well as a group, including the novel Because of Winn-Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo.  Literary circles are on topics such as magic, Ellis Island and Chicago.
  •  Math in third grade covers beginning multiplication and division.  By the end of third grade, students are expected to be fluent in all addition and subtraction facts through 20 as well as be fluent in all 0, 1, 2, 5, & 10 of multiplication facts.  They should be proficient of multiplication facts up to 10 X 10.
  • Science takes students through units on ears, eyes, light, sound and then to outer space with an astronomy unit and ending the year with a unit on plants.
  • Social Studies units study communities around the world and around Chicago. The students learn about the geography, governments and culture of various communities

4th Grade

  • Fourth grade transitions students completely to intermediate elementary school.  Coursework and expectations increase.  Fourth graders celebrate their Shining Moment with a unit covering the Regions of the United States.  They invite friends and family to watch and read their exciting projects and reports about the geography, climate, transportation, and evolution of their selected region.
  • Language Arts class continues with the reading and writing workshop and Rebecca Sitton’s spelling program.  Reading units are varied between independent reading and whole class literary circles.  This year, the students will all read a book about survival and then they will discuss similar themes and ideas from their books. 
  • Math advances as students continue to progress with multiplication and division.  They learn estimation and place value with decimals.  By the end of 4th grade, students are expected to be proficient with related division facts.
  • Science class covers topics including chemistry, electro-magnetism, meteorology, cells, as well as the cross-grade level unit on life cycles with the kindergartners with the chicks.
  • Social Studies for 4th graders introduces all regions of the US, learning the geography, culture, economics, government and history of each. A comprehensive unit on the Thirteen Colonies is also taught.

5th Grade

  • Fifth grade is a structured year that focuses on preparing for yet another transition, the transition to middle school.  Student expectations are high, but the high-interest content ensures there is plenty of motivation for success.
  • The fifth grade Shining Moment is an art, science and technology integrated project on Biomes.  The students invite friends and family in to watch and listen to their projects.
  • Language Arts is based on the reading and writing workshop.  The novel study for the year is closely linked with the social studies and science curriculum, integrating novels with units.  Birchbark House, by Louis Erdich integrates a social studies unit on American Indians and settlement with a reading unit.  Students will again do a unit of literary circles based on the Civil War. 
  • Math stresses fractions, percents, decimals, multiplication and division.  By the end of fifth grade, students are expected to know all of their related multiplication and division facts.
  • Science topics range from the periodic table, the endocrine system, a detailed unit on human reproduction and they end the year with a unit on the Earth’s waters and environmental science.
  • Social Studies covers highlights of American history – including the Revolutionary War and the Civil War.