Avid Readers & Writers

Through read alouds, fourth graders connect their classroom to real-world events. Several of Patricia Polacco’s books such as The Bee Tree, The Butterfly, and Thank You, Mr. Falkner anchor a memorable author study. Of course, your child is learning grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary along the way. By year end, we hope your fourth grader will be equipped and eager to read and discuss books for the rest of her life.

Ernest Hemingway said, “All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence you know.” The fourth-grade year brims with opportunities for students to write true sentences through highly personal prompts like “What does leadership mean to you?” Your child will practice the steps of good writing—brainstorming, pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing—in genres as diverse as memoir, fantasy, and graphic novel. Peer editing will hone her eye, her ear, and her interpersonal skills. In an immersive poetry unit, your child’s understanding and use of literal and figurative language will invigorate his limericks, free verse, and Korean sijo. Students even write poetry in conjunction with Math and Social Studies lessons. It all comes together in the Poetry Café, our friendly version of a poetry slam when fourth graders serve up verses to their parents. Each student recites a favorite poem by memory, followed by a lively roundtable discussion among children and parents. Listen closely for their skillful use of literary devices like simile, metaphor, alliteration, and onomatopoeia. Wow!