Curriculum Overview
Reading/Language Arts
SEAS uses a balanced approach for Reading/Language Arts. Reading and writing are foundational skills that we take very seriously at SEAS. Students read in a variety of genres and in Fourth Grade the reading choices are divided 60-40. 60% of what students read in Reading class is fiction and the other 40% consists of informational texts. Students in Fourth Grade continue to practice and refine reading comprehension skills and strategies. Writing is addressed first in Language Arts classes and continues to be important as students write responses in other classes and start to understand the research process. Grammar skills are the underpinnings of good writing, so these are also practiced and refined; in writing but also spoken communication. Students at SEAS learn cursive writing in Third Grade and by the end of Fourth Grade it is used extensively.
Math
Fourth Grade Math instruction focuses on multiplication and division. Fractions, decimals, percentages and the relationship between the three round out the bulk of concepts studied in Fourth Grade. Students also learn data collecting and analysis in Math that is used in other subjects as well; Science, Social Studies and Computer classes.
Religion
The Beatitudes, Sacraments and Commandments are studied in the Fourth Grade Religion curriculum. Students are at the developmental stage where they are beginning to understand how their choices impact not only themselves but also others. Throughout the Religion curriculum, a student’s personal relationship with God, as well as the student’s relationship with others (the community) is stressed. Students become more aware of the global Church, (through our relationship with the Diocese of KItui in Kenya) as well as the local Church. Students participate in the Living Water Project, March Food Drive and other service projects of SEAS Parish. They also go to Feed My Starving Children for the first time.
Science
The Science curriculum includes topics in life science, earth science and physical science. Life science includes classification of living things, adaptations, and environments. Earth science includes landforms and earth processes. Important topics in Physical science are magnetism and electricity.
Social Studies
In Fourth Grade the Social Studies curriculum is about the regions of the United States.
Students learn about the landforms, climate, natural resources, history, culture, and economy of each of the five regions. Students also learn the states included and state capitals in each region.
Computer
At SEAS, in Fourth Grade, the computer is a tool to enhance academics. As such, students learn to use the computer to do schoolwork, since this helps students understand how to use the computer in the workplace. Each Fourth Grader has a login and password for the SEAS google docs site and can upload and share documents, usually a homework assignment or work on a classroom project. Students continue to work on keyboarding and word processing skills. Students also learn the rudiments of research projects, as well as writing computer code.
Reading/Language Arts
SEAS uses a balanced approach for Reading/Language Arts. Reading and writing are foundational skills that we take very seriously at SEAS. Students read in a variety of genres and in Fourth Grade the reading choices are divided 60-40. 60% of what students read in Reading class is fiction and the other 40% consists of informational texts. Students in Fourth Grade continue to practice and refine reading comprehension skills and strategies. Writing is addressed first in Language Arts classes and continues to be important as students write responses in other classes and start to understand the research process. Grammar skills are the underpinnings of good writing, so these are also practiced and refined; in writing but also spoken communication. Students at SEAS learn cursive writing in Third Grade and by the end of Fourth Grade it is used extensively.
Math
Fourth Grade Math instruction focuses on multiplication and division. Fractions, decimals, percentages and the relationship between the three round out the bulk of concepts studied in Fourth Grade. Students also learn data collecting and analysis in Math that is used in other subjects as well; Science, Social Studies and Computer classes.
Religion
The Beatitudes, Sacraments and Commandments are studied in the Fourth Grade Religion curriculum. Students are at the developmental stage where they are beginning to understand how their choices impact not only themselves but also others. Throughout the Religion curriculum, a student’s personal relationship with God, as well as the student’s relationship with others (the community) is stressed. Students become more aware of the global Church, (through our relationship with the Diocese of KItui in Kenya) as well as the local Church. Students participate in the Living Water Project, March Food Drive and other service projects of SEAS Parish. They also go to Feed My Starving Children for the first time.
Science
The Science curriculum includes topics in life science, earth science and physical science. Life science includes classification of living things, adaptations, and environments. Earth science includes landforms and earth processes. Important topics in Physical science are magnetism and electricity.
Social Studies
In Fourth Grade the Social Studies curriculum is about the regions of the United States.
Students learn about the landforms, climate, natural resources, history, culture, and economy of each of the five regions. Students also learn the states included and state capitals in each region.
Computer
At SEAS, in Fourth Grade, the computer is a tool to enhance academics. As such, students learn to use the computer to do schoolwork, since this helps students understand how to use the computer in the workplace. Each Fourth Grader has a login and password for the SEAS google docs site and can upload and share documents, usually a homework assignment or work on a classroom project. Students continue to work on keyboarding and word processing skills. Students also learn the rudiments of research projects, as well as writing computer code.