After using the block building program as a foundation for the social studies program for the 4s through 2nd grade, the 3rd and 4th grade students are immersed in a study of an earlier time period in this geographic area.
The 3rd and 4th grade classes study one of the following curricula in depth for the entire year: Immigration, Colonial Americans, or The Lenape Native Americans. At the end of the year the students plan a culminating project to illustrate their understanding of the people and life styles they explored.
In Language Arts, the 3rd and 4th grade students continue Readers’ and Writers’ Workshops with an emphasis on building skills in reading comprehension, decoding, creative writing, spelling, grammar, editing and revision. The students also utilize Literature Circles to analyze and explore various genres of writing.
Furthermore students investigate mathematical concepts such as problem solving, multiplication, division, measurement and data, addition, subtraction, fractions, decimals and coordinate geometry.
In science, the students begin the year with an introduction of the scientific method and procedures. Students will study trees, plants, magnetism, simple machines and inventors. The students also engage in special classes such as art, music, physical education, Spanish, computers, and creative movement.
3rd and 4th grade students are expected to spend approximately 45 minutes to an hour a day on homework. Homework is assigned daily and may include homework assignments in Science, Social Studies and Spanish in addition to the daily Math, Reading, and Spelling assignments.