Unit IV: Evolution s4

Fourth Grade Language Arts

Course Description and Philosophy

Fourth grade Language Arts curriculum encompasses units on grammar, spelling words and strategies, punctuation, writing skills and mechanics, proofreading, sentence structure and sentence variety. The curriculum includes developing complete paragraph structure beginning with one paragraph leading up to a five-paragraph essay. All these skills lead to the student’s ability to develop an outline and create a research paper. Through learning these basic skills the children will become more proficient in all areas of Language Arts.

Student performance will be evaluated using a variety of assessments including teacher- generated tests and quizzes, homework, independent work, research projects, Collins Writing Focus Correction Areas, which allows for differentiated learning, self-correction and class participation.

Text Reference:

· Sebranek, Pat; Kemper, Dave, Writers Express Skills Book, Editing and Proofreading Practice, 2000, Great Source Education Group, Inc. Wilmington, MA

· Beers, James; Cramer,Ronald; Hammond, W.Dorsey, Everday Spelling, 2000, Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers, Inc., Glenview, Illinois

· Kemper, Dave; Nathan, Ruth; Elsholz, Carol; Sebranek, Patrick, Writer’s Express , A Handbook for Young Writers, Thinkers, and Learners. 2000 Great Source Education Group, Inc. Wilmington, MA

Written 2008

Unit I: Title

Essential Question: How does knowing the correct forms of grammar affect writing skills?

Objectives: Students will be able to:

· Use correct punctuation

· Edit for Mechanics

· Identify Nouns

· Identify Pronouns

· Identify Verbs

· Identify Adjectives

· Identify Adverbs

· Identify Prepositions

· Identify Interjections

· Introduce the use of conjunctions

Topic/Content Skills / Assessment / Resources / Instructional Method / Tech Infusion / NJCCCS
Topic1: Knowledge of proper punctuation.
· End punctuation
· Commas in a series
· Commas in Appositives
· Apostrophes
· Quotation Marks
· Punctuation in Dialogue / · Homework
· Class work
· Independent Work
· Collins Writing 2 & 3
· Quizzes and Test / · Handbook
· Workbook
· Teacher made materials / · Full-Class instruction and discussion
· Individual practice / Kid Pix
Brain Pop / 3.2
C 1-5
Topic 2: Knowledge of Editing Mechanics.
· Capital Letters
· Abbreviations
· Plurals
· Numbers
Topic 3: What is a
Noun?
· Nouns
· Common and Proper Nouns
· Singular and Plural Nouns
· Using Nouns
· Concrete and Abstract Nouns
· Nouns as Objects / · Collins 1, 2 & 3
Topic 4: What is a Pronoun?
· Subject and Object Pronouns
· Possessive Pronouns
· Personal Pronouns
· Definite Pronouns
· Person of a Pronoun
·
· Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Topic 5:
What is a Verb?
· Types of Verbs
· Singular and Plural Verb
· Verb Tenses
· Irregular Verbs
· Subject/Verb Agreement
Topic 6: What is an Adjective?
· Adjectives
· Forms of Adjectives
· Colorful Adjectives
Topic 7: What is an Adverb?
· Adverbs
· Forms of Adverbs
Topic 8: What is a
Preposition?
· Prepositions
Topic 9: What is an Interjection?
· Interjections
Topic 10: What is a Conjunction?
· Coordinating
· Subordinating / · Collins Type 1, 2 & 3
· Collins Type 1, 2, & 3

Differentiated Learning Activities

Implementing the use of the Collins Writing Program by varying Focus Correction Areas to correlate with the individual child’s level of writing skills, and individual and small group instruction.

Ethical Decision Making/Character Education

Heighten awareness of proper grammar in writing and speaking in all subject areas and in daily life.

Unit II: Spelling

Essential Question: How do students become proficient spellers and continually incorporate proper spelling in their daily writing?

Objectives: Students will be able to:

· Identify Spelling patterns

· Spell words correctly with:

Consonant blends and clusters

Long and short vowels

Double Consonants

Silent Consonants

R controlled vowels

Irregular vowel sounds

Homophones

Suffixes

Prefixes

Compound Words

Contractions

Possessives

Confusing Words

Adding s and es

· Recognize commonly misspelled words

· Use of dictionary

o Learn definitions

Topic/Content Skills / Assessment / Resources / Instructional Method / Tech Infusion / NJCCCS
Topic 1: Different spelling patterns
· Consonant blends and clusters
· Long and short vowels
· Double Consonants
· Silent Consonants
· R controlled vowels
· Irregular vowel sounds / · Pretests
· Homework
· Class work
· Independent Work
· Collins Type 2, 3 & 4
· Post test / · Textbooks
· Writer’s Express Workbook
· Teacher made materials / · Full class instruction
· Independent practice
· Small group / · Brain Pop
· That Spelling is Right
· Essential Skills / 3.1
B1,C1
F2,
3.2
C8-10
Topic 2: Word beginnings and endings
· Prefixes
· Suffixes
· Plurals
Topic 3: Word configuration
· Contractions
· Possessives
· Compounds
· Abbreviations

Differentiated Learning Activities

Students will be given pretest at the beginning of each spelling unit. Replacement spelling list, based on same spelling pattern, will be provided for students testing out. This allows for the student to work at a higher skill level. Modified spelling list for students with learning disabilities.

Ethical Decision Making/Character Education

Students develop spelling patterns in order to facilitate their spelling and writing to better communicate their ideas.

Unit III: Sentence Structure and Variety

Essential Question: How do we recognize a well-written sentence?

Objectives: Students will be able to:

· To identify basic parts of a sentence

· To identify simple and complete subjects and predicates

· To identify prepositional phrases

· To identify clauses

· To identify different types of sentences

· To combine sentences

· To identify compound subjects and verbs

· To write compound sentences

· To incorporate sentence variety

o To change sentence beginning

Topic/Content Skills / Assessment / Resources / Instructional Method / Tech Infusion / NJCCCS
Topic 1: Sentence
Basics
· Simple and complete Subjects
· Simple and Complete Predicates
· Prepositional Phrases
· Clauses
· Simple, compound and complex sentences
· Kinds of sentences / · Class work
· Homework
· Collins Type 2, 3 &4
· Test / · Writer’s Express Workbook and Handbook
· Teacher created materials
· Thesaurus / · Full class instruction
· Small group instruction
· Independent work / · Kid Pix
· Brain Pop
· Essential Skills / 3.2
B6, 7, 8
C 1-5
Topic 2: Sentence
Combining
· Compound Subjects and Verbs
· Compound Sentences
Topic 3: Sentence
Variety
· Changing Sentence Beginnings
· Use of Synonyms and antonyms

Differentiated Learning Activities

During these units the implementation of Collins Writing Focus Correction Areas will be adjusted according to child’s ability along with the modification of independent assignments. Small group instruction will be given as needed.

Ethical Decision Making/Character Education

Throughout these lessons students will be able to enhance their ability to write in a more fluent manner, which will allow them to communicate and express their thoughts and ideas.

Unit IV: Collins Writing

Essential Question: How can we become better writers?

Objectives: Students will be able to:

· Identify and understand the 5 different types of Collins writing

· Recognize Focus Correction Area

· Incorporate 3-4 FCAs in each writing assignment

· Write from experiences, thoughts and feelings

· Write to extend reading comprehension in all literature

· Write with appropriate grammar, syntax and mechanics

· Participate in peer editing partners following FCAs

· Writing compositions, letters and stories

· Write stories from pictures

· Employ vocabulary words in writing

· Write independently

· Use figurative language to enhance writing

· Self-correction using FCAs

· Writing with sentence variety

Topic/Content Skills / Assessment / Resources / Instructional Method / Tech Infusion / NJCCCS
Topic 1: What is Collins Writing Type 1?
· Brainstorm ideas
· Assessing knowledge of a specific topic / · Type 1 & 2 notebooks
· Type 3 notebook
· Edit papers
· FCA checklist
· Rubrics / · Trade books
· Day Book of Critical Reading
· Theme Topics
· Teacher created materials / · Full class instruction
· Small group instruction
· Comprehension questions
· Picture prompts
· Individual practice / · Kid Pix
· Apple Works / 3.2
A 1-8,10,11
B 1-11
C 1-11
D 1-15
Topic 2: What is Collins Writing Type 2?
· Writing a response for a specific question
· Checking for student comprehension
Topic 3: What is Collins Writing Type 3?
· Writing with substantive content
· Meets 3 FCAs
· Draft with revising and editing / · Pair peer group editing
Topic 4: What is Collins Writing Type 4?
· Two drafts
· Peer editing
Topic 5: What is Collins Writing Type 5?
· Publish quality
· Teacher edit
· Multiple drafts
· No written FCA on final copy / · Pair peer group editing

Differentiated Learning Activities

Students will be given specific FCAs relating to their individual needs and goals in all areas of the curriculum.

Ethical Decision Making/Character Education

Through the use of the Collins Program, students will be able express themselves in a clear and concise manner in all types of writing.

Unit V: Speaking and Listening

Essential Question: Why is it important to have clear communication and listening skills?

Objectives: Students will be able to:

· Use clear, concise, organized language in speaking situations

· Make relevant responses to questions to oral discussions

· Give critical thinking responses

· Acknowledge other’s ideas

· Follow oral directions accurately

· Use correct grammatical English in oral expression

· Present Oral reports using inflection and eye contact

Topic/Content Skills / Assessment / Resources / Instructional Method / Tech Infusion / NJCCCS
Topic 1: Discussion,
Questions and Responses
· Pose questions to demonstrate knowledge in a specific area
· Have speakers express feelings and thoughts
· Critical thinking responses / · Informal class discussions
· Oral presentations / · Videos / · Read stories aloud / Imovie / 3.3
A1-3
B1-6
C2-4
D1-7
Topic 2: Word Choice
· Use appropriate vocabulary, and grammar
· Use of figurative language
Topic 3: Oral Presentation
· Prepare and rehearse presentations
· Speaking with inflection
· Speaking with fluency
· Speaking in sequential order
Topic 4: Active Listening and Comprehension
· Listening attentively to a variety of speakers

Differentiated Learning Activities

Students will be given listening and speaking assignments based on individual ability.

Ethical Decision Making/Character Education

Listening skills are needed to comprehend what messages people are conveying. Speaking skills are required to express ideas and thoughts clearly and fluently. Both skills are necessary to reach ones potential.