It is vital that teachers, parents and students be clearly focused on the essential learning objectives during each successive grade in school. Like all schools in Oklahoma, Bartlesville Public Schools base our curriculum and instruction on the Oklahoma Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS) objectives.

The PASS objectives are used to develop the state testing documents. Currently 3rd grade students are tested by the state using the Standard Achievement Test in language arts, reading, and mathematics. The Stanford Achievement Test is nationally normed and may include objectives which are not a part of the state PASS objectives. The progress of fifth grade students is evaluated by state criterion reference tests in writing, reading, mathematics, science, geography, history, and the arts.

Beginning in 2005-2006, the progress in the 3rd and 4th grades will be evaluated by state criterion reference test in reading and mathematics. Also, in the year 2005-2006, the fifth grade will focus on writing, reading, science, social studies, and mathematics.

In response to national and state evaluation standards, the Bartlesville elementary staff has worked to identify core curriculum objectives. The following pages summarize the essential skills and objectives to be taught in each core subject areas for the 4th grade. While all of the PASS objectives are important, those marked with an * are identified as essential end-of-year objectives. Objectives so marked will consume the major part of the instructional program in our classrooms. The content of other PASS objectives will be utilized to enhance and enrich the learning experiences of our students.

It is important to note that essential objectives mastered in any given year will continue to be used and refined in all succeeding years. It is our expectation that students will exhibit continual improvement in rate, fluency, and accuracy with a broad spectrum of essential skills throughout their elementary school years.

Mathematics

Number Sense
*Be able to solve simple open sentences
*Be able to know place value though 6 digits
*Be able to read, write, and use decimals to the hundredths place
*Be able to compare whole numbers and decimals
*Be able to place fractions and decimals on a a number line
*Be able to draw models representing and comparing fractions

Number Operations and Computation
*Be able to apply the associative property of multiplication
e.g. 6 x (2 x 3) = (6 x 2) x 3
*Be able to know division facts and fact families
*Be able to estimate the product (answer) of 2 and 3 digit numbers
*Be able to follow the steps of long division with a single divisor
*Be able to estimate and find the quotient (answer) with a 1 digit divisor and 2 or 3 digit dividend

Geometry and Measurement
Identify, draw, and construct models of intersecting, parallel, and perpendicular lines
Identify and compare angles equal to, less than, or greater than 90 degrees
Solve application problems involving money, time, and temperature

Data Analysis and Probability
Collect, organize, and record data in tables and graphs
Investigate and record probabilities


Process Skills
*Use research tools. Ex. encyclopedias, atlases, almanacs, and computers.

Spatial Perspective:
*Become familiar with the regions of the US and their major geographical features
*Use and understand different types of maps and globes

Environment and People
*Understand how populations of areas changed as the country grew from east to west

State of Oklahoma
*Study Oklahoma's history, government, and natural resources
*Understand cultural differences in others


Fourth Grade Science

Inquiry Process
*Measure with the metric system
*Compare, classify, and arrange objects using color, shape, size, etc.
*Experiment to discover information using safety practices
*Read and create graphs
*Find different ways to solve problems and share results

Physical Science
*Effects of manipulating object (pushing, pulling)
*Discover the flow of electricity

Life Science
*Study plants and animals and how they live

Earth Science
*Learn how rocks and fossils form


Language Arts

Vocabulary
*Determine the meaning of a word by using the text around the word
*Understand new words by using the meanings of prefixes, suffixes, and root words
*Use knowledge of synonyms (words with similar meanings), antonyms (words with different meanings), and idioms (words or phrases that mean something different: e.g. homework is a piece of cake = homework is easy) and multiple meaning words
Use appropriate resources (dictionary, thesaurus, etc.) to determine the meanings and pronunciations of unknown words

Fluency
*Read regularly with fluency, accuracy, appropriate rate, change in voice, and expression. (A typical 4th grader reads approx. 95 words per minute.)

Comprehension/Critical Literacy
*Use independent pre-reading strategies
*Read and comprehend a variety of texts
*Explain the differences in fiction and nonfiction
*Use prior knowledge to make inferences (or predictions) and draw conclusions
*Summarize information (retell in sequence) and make generalizations
*Test hypotheses (educated guesses); compare and contrast information; identify fact/opinion and cause/effect; analyze and explain causes, motivations, sequences, and results
*Predict, monitor, and cross-check one's own reading. If confused, reread.

Literature
*Understand and appreciate various forms of literature
*Identify main events, purpose of text, and themes
*Use knowledge of the situation, setting, character's traits, motivations and feeling to determine causes for that character's actions.
*Identify figurative language and sound devices in writing:
Simile: a comparison that uses like or as
Metaphor: an implied comparison
Hyperbole: an exaggeration
Personification: a description that represents a thing as a person

Research and Information
*Locate, organize, and select the best source for a given purpose from a variety of sources
*Document information properly
*Identify a research question; locate, organize, and correlate information
*Report findings of research in a variety of formats

Writing Process
*Express ideas effectively through a variety of ways and for different purposes. Examples: sentences, paragraphs, stories, poems, and letters

Grammar/Usage and Mechanics
*Demonstrate appropriate practices in writing by applying standard English rules. Examples: nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, conjunctions, capitalization, indention, margins, parenthesis, quotation marks, commas, colons, sentence structure, and spelling rules)

Listening
*Listen carefully and respond appropriately

Speaking
*Speak clearly and in a tone loud enough to be understood by the class when making oral presentations. e.g. book reports, stories, etc.

Group Interaction
*Show respect for others in communication

Visual Literacy
*Gather information, evaluate, and compose visual messages. e.g. maps, chars, movies, posters, written stories, etc.

A complete listing of the Oklahoma Priority Academic Skills (PASS) is available on the State Department of Education web site at http://sde.state.ok.us



Home

Copyright 2003, Shelly White. All rights reserved.