Fourth Grade - Mrs. Benfer

Contact Information: nancy.benfer@bdms.org

Summer Reading Requirement:

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume.

Please have this story completed for the first day of school in September.

A variety of interactive lessons are used to satisfy New York State Standards, prepare students for standardized tests, and meet fourth grade curriculum requirements.

Testing:

Students are required to participate in three New York State standardized tests. The New York State English Language Arts Test is given in May to assess skills in reading, writing and listening. The New York State Mathematics Test is also administered in May to assess a variety of mathematical skills including graphing, fractions, computation, and reasoning. In the month of June, New York State testing assesses the students' science understanding and problem-solving skills. Students are also required to take an Archdiocese Religion test towards the end of the school year.

Reading:

In reading, the class focuses on a variety of skills including: comprehension, author's intent, sequencing and main ideas. To support the grade group's language arts program listening skills, vocabulary, and writing skills are reinforced in the reading program. To increase enthusiasm in reading, we alternate between trade books and our textbook. Skills are taught using both books. Chapter books we will complete during the school year include  The Legend of Sleepy Hollow  by Washington Irving, Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis, Maniac Magee  by Jerry Spinelli, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle and Inkheart by Cornelia Funke.

Independent Reading:

In addition to our teacher directed reading program we also take time each day for our independent reading program. Children select a book from a specific genre and sign contacts that encourage them to complete their assignments independently and purposefully. This program fosters a love of reading while building important reading and writing skills. 

 Vocabulary:

Each day we devote time to enhance our vocabulary. The workbook series titled Vocabulary Workshop level orange is from Sadlier Oxford. You can find fun and exciting ways to study at the website  @http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/vocabulary/index.cfm.

 Social Studies:

In social studies, the class follows the New York State curriculum which stresses New York state. We work on geography skills, the history of New York state, the Native Americans, the American Revolution, the French and Indian War, and New York State government. The current focus is on landforms and the exploration of New York state. The class is working on a presentation celebrating New York and all its natural resources and places of interest. We use Scott Foresman's New York textbook as well as other primary and secondary sources.

Try visiting the Scott Foresman web site as well @ http://www.sfsocialstudies.com/index2.html for some fun social studies activities.

Science:

In science, we cover a broad spectrum of areas which include earth science, life science,  physical science, space and technology with hands on activities and experiments. Students have the ability to access their textbook on-line @ http://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com.   

Religion:  

The religion curriculum is Walking by Faith which concentrates on the law of love. Bishop Dunn encourages the children to follow different virtues such as compassion, caring, respect, cooperation, patience, courtesy, courage, understanding, wisdom, and generosity.

Field Trips:

The fourth grade class participates in field trips to enhance their curriculum throughout the school year. Some of our past adventures include Howe Caverns, The Walkway over the Hudson, Radio City Music Hall, The Little Red School house at Meadow Hill School, The Desmond Estate, Sunnyside at Sleepy Hollow and The Hudson Highlands Museum.