First Block - Working With Words See spelling link for more information.

Block Two - SSR (Self Selected Reading)
Students read books of their choice at independent levels for 30 minutes each day. During SSR time all students are engaged in their books and uninterrupted.

Third Block - Writer's Workshop
In fourth grade students are required to take the Writing TAKS test. During writer's workshop students are free to write on their own topics and at their independent levels. Author's chair (sharing) is encouraged. Students are asked to respond to prompts occasionally throughout the year to prepare for the TAKS. During writing time, students also practice grammar (revising/editing) in order to refine their pieces and to practice the grammar skills necessary to master the TAKS test.

Fourth Block - Guided Reading
This is where students are guided through practicing reading skills such as main idea, inferential thinking, plot, and summary. Teacher led lessons help students practice reading skills and increase their comprehension level.

In our class we follow a well balanced approach to mathematics. Each day we begin with a number of the day (usually in the hundred millions). We determine values, rearrange the digits, write it in expanded form, and other quick exercises. We also work on daily operation skills (+ - X and /) placing emphasis on creative ways, or more efficient ways of solving aside from the traditional algorithm. We then have our daily skills lesson which is the "new stuff" that we learn in 4th grade. My weekly newsletter (downloadable from this webpage)lets parents know about the skills for the week. The remainder of math is guided math where I typically pull a small group of students who need additional support. Others work on independent centers or math games.

Science in fourth grade is very hands-on. Some topics we cover include matter, energy, earth sciences, and weather. We also spend a lot of our time in the lab.
Our social studies curriculum is all about Texas! From the Native Americans, to the Alamo and the Texas Revolution, we learn about and enjoy it all.