Fourth+Grade+Plus

= Welcome to PLUS, 4th Grade ELO Students! =

== = ~SYSTEMS AND PERSPECTIVES~ = == The PLUS portion of ELO provides an interdisciplinary approach to study, as viewed through a yearlong theme and underlying construct. Each semester, one discipline will be the central organizing discipline, with identified learning goals guiding the explorations. In 4th grade, the overarching theme is "Systems and Perspectives." This lens shall be a ==

Spring Semester: Science ~ "Space Weather Systems"
4th Grade PLUS meets two times a week for an hour. Generally, no homework is assigned is class, however, some students may choose to engage in additional research or projects related to the topics. Higher order thinking problems and questions are also provided during class as warm-ups and challenges, as the kids frequently request these activities.

This page shall be developed over the course of the year in collaboration with the students. Videos, pictures and prompts shall be posted as the goals are explored.

= Fall Semester: Social Studies ~ "Cultures and Perspectives" =

Fall Semester~ Cultures and Perspectives Learning Goals~ The students will:
 * 1) demonstrate an understanding of the critical components that define a culture.
 * 2) display how the components of a culture work together and are interdependent with the environment.
 * 3) recognize how perspective varies from culture to culture.
 * 4) understand and have the ability to follow themes across events, time periods, and cultures.
 * 5) 'create a culture' and develop a project centering around their culture, depicting select components of a culture and the learning goals of the class.

= Winter Semester: Language Arts~ "The Power of Words" =



These "Enduring Understandings" shall guide this exploration of "The Power of Words" and a new skill set to strengthen students' processes and products.
 * 1) Recognizing and understanding that figurative language leads to better reading comprehension.
 * 2) A rich vocabulary can help improve one’s writing ability.
 * 3) Using strong verbs, specific modifiers and expressive phrases makes one’s writing (and speech) more effective.

These "Guiding Questions" shall be answered by the students through the process of this study:

= OnLine Resources~ =
 * # What is meant by figurative language ? How is it different from literal language ?
 * 1) How can connotation of words affect the meeting of a statement?
 * 2) How can figurative language make my written and spoken communications more powerful and effective?
 * 3) How can figurative language help create a mood and a scene in my reader’s mind? ||

[|Word Play Sites!]

[|Comic Strip Creator]

[|Visual Dictionary] Word Connections! Online graphical dictionary worked great with the analogy study. Watch the words 'burst' into connections...just click on the bubbles.....really great for connotations, too.

[|RhymeZone]

[|Diamante Poem Form]

= Spring Semester: Science ~ "Space Weather Systems" =