Each class, students learn five new vocabulary words.  The vocabulary words are based on academic words found frequently in classic literature often read by students in 4th grade.  Students learn to use the definitions, spellings, how to use these words in their own writing, and how to discern the difference between the words’ synonyms.  

Students complete various writing activities including “how-to” writing, narrative writing, descriptive writing, persuasive writing, and more.  

Each class, students complete a reading comprehension activity.  Students spend about half of the year working on informational texts and half of the year working on fiction texts. Students also develop skills in reading fluency by reading aloud during these activities.  Because students need an NWEA MAP Reading Score of at least 195 to join this class, these reading comprehension activities are at about a 3rd to 4th grade level. 

During math class, students participate in a variety of hands-on puzzles, games, crafts, and activities to learn and practice new math concepts.  Students are constantly re-evaluated throughout the year to determine which standards they’ve mastered and which they require more instruction on.  Students may complete some or all of the 3rd Grade Math curriculum during this class; class placement for the following year is determined for each individual student.