MATHEMATICS

Cornerstone uses the University Of Chicago’s Everyday Mathematics program, a progressive curriculum that presents concepts in a spiral manner. This means that concepts are presented over multiple years so that students are given several exposures to skills before they are expected to master them.

Fourth graders…

• Work with numbers up to 1,000,000.

• Learn to add and subtract numbers in the thousands, ten thousands and hundred thousands.

• Continue to use regrouping.

• Continue to multiply and divide. 

• Learn to multiply numbers (up to 999) by the numbers 1-10.

• Are expected to memorize division facts up to 100 (from their multiplication tables).

• Study geometry. 

• Study polygons and polyhedral. 

• Learn that lines can be parallel, perpendicular or intersecting. 

• Solve problems that contain several steps.

• Are given better tools and skills to handle more complicated problems.

• Work with fractions and decimals.

• Add and subtract fractions that have the same denominator.

• Learn to work with decimals that have up to two places.

• Work with numbers in a variety of ways.

• Use fractions to show the probability of a chance event occurring. 

• Work on other basic math skills.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Fourth graders spend most of this year studying the history, geography, culture, economy and government of Florida. Using an 8′ x 8′ wall map of Florida, students investigate how Natives, Europeans, and Africans have shaped and continue to shape the Sunshine State.

Students investigate a specific area of study and then apply their knowledge graphically on the map. 

This year-long format allows students to build skills in research and application, both individually and cooperatively. The result is that by the end of the year students grasp Florida contextually in terms of climate, ecology, history, industry, population, and issues in government. 

Student skills are sharpened through discussions, debates, and philosophical ponderings.

SCIENCE

Science in the fourth grade builds on the concepts of patterns in nature and Earth’s systems. 

4^th graders study geology and rock classification in order to understand the processes that shape the earth and how our landscape changes over time.

They layer their understanding of Florida’s Karst topography with water systems, while they tackle the water cycle. Stories in Stone is supplemented with a trip to Florida Caverns State park in Marianna and soil percolation studies at Longview Farms.

As we travel up through the atmosphere, the students study weather and climate through maps, experiments, text, and data. The final unit inspires the students to look towards the sky to track and understand patterns and movement of our solar system. They work together to construct parachutes to showcase their understanding of the effects of gravity and atmosphere, as well as develop a scale distance model stretched out the length of the school. This unit culminates in an overnight trip to NASA!

ART

Fourth graders attend formal art classes with an art teacher each week. They will create visual arts projects using a variety of materials and techniques and will be exposed to works of professional artists. At times their projects will be centered on specific themes related to classroom work. At CLC, students are taught that art is a form of communication and a means of expressing themselves. Through this communication and self-expression, art becomes a source of discovery and joy.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Every student in kindergarten through eighth grade attends a minimum of two 50 minute classes in physical education per week. To reflect the National Association of Sport and Physical Education standards by providing meaningful, appropriate games and activities, the elementary physical education program explores and promotes the development of skill-and health-related physical activity components.

Students also have at least 30 minutes of recess everyday.

MUSIC

Fourth graders attend weekly music classes taught by a professional music teacher. The classes strengthen and integrate basic music skills such as singing and harmonizing, rhythm, reading, writing, theoretical analysis and creating of music and instrument playing. Instruction is hands-on and energetic so that children develop enthusiasm for music as a means of artistic expression. They also learn active listening techniques as they listen to examples of traditional music from a variety of cultures.

SPANISH

The Spanish Program in grades four and five continues the conversational approach to language acquisition using thematic units, games, poems, movement and literature. Listening to the Spanish language, developing good pronunciation and building vocabulary will continue to be the focus of each lesson. Within each lesson there will be the opportunity to learn and practice the mechanics of the language. Reading and writing Spanish will be introduces and practiced through worksheets and “libritos.”