Welcome to 4th Grade!

Fourth grade is an exciting year of growing independence, new challenges, and plenty of fun along the way! Students are encouraged to take more responsibility for their learning while continuing to build confidence, friendships, and the skills they will need as they move toward middle school.

Our fourth graders learn in many different ways through whole group and small group instruction, hands on activities, technology, projects, discussions, and experiences that bring learning to life.

What We're Learning

Math

Fourth graders take their math skills to the next level! Students work with larger numbers, multiplication and division, fractions, decimals, measurement, data, angles, and geometry. They also strengthen their problem solving skills and learn how to explain their mathematical thinking.

Science

There is plenty to explore in fourth grade science! Students learn about Earth and space, Earth's processes and resources, life cycles, ecosystems, matter, energy, and motion. They also use science and design processes to ask questions, investigate, and make discoveries.

ELA

Fourth grade readers dig deeper into what they read. Students participate in chapter book studies in both whole and small groups while strengthening vocabulary and word study skills. Throughout the year, they explore theme, perspective, text structure, central ideas, author's purpose, figurative language, poetry, plays, and more.

Writing

Fourth graders continue developing their own voices as writers while learning how to organize and support their ideas. Students practice sentence and peer editing, citing sources, and writing expository and argumentative essays.

Celebrating Great Citizens

At MACS, we believe being a great student is about more than academics. Each month, our fourth grade teachers select a Citizen of the Month to recognize a student who stands out as a positive member of our school community.

Teachers consider qualities such as kindness, responsibility, respect, honesty, helpfulness, good decision making, a positive attitude, and being a good role model for others.

At the end of the school year, one fourth grader is selected as our Citizen of the Year. This student receives the special honor of representing MACS at the district level.

We love celebrating students who make our classrooms and school community a better place!

A Day in Fourth Grade

Our day gets started right away! Morning work begins at 8:00 a.m., followed by announcements at 8:15 a.m. and a full day of learning.

Students have Math and Science and ELA and Social Studies blocks each day. They also have PE daily and Art and Music on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Morning Work: 8:00 to 8:15 a.m.
Attendance and Announcements: 8:15 a.m.
Art and Music: 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays
Lunch and Recess: 11:10 to 11:45 a.m.
PE: 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Dismissal: 2:15 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
Wednesday Dismissal: 1:00 p.m.

Ready for the Day

A little preparation goes a long way in fourth grade! Students should bring the following items each day:

Backpack
Binder
Refillable water bottle
Healthy snack
Sneakers
Lightweight jacket for indoors as needed

Homework and Responsibility

Fourth grade is a year when students begin taking greater ownership of their schoolwork and responsibilities. Students typically have homework Monday through Thursday and are encouraged to read for 20 minutes each day. Reading at home also gives students more opportunities to work toward their Accelerated Reader goals.

Binders are an important part of staying organized. Families are encouraged to check their child's binder each evening and monitor grades regularly in Skyward.

Grades and Progress

We want families to know how their child is doing throughout the year. Grades are updated weekly in Skyward, making it easy for families to keep up with student progress.

Our fourth grade grading scale is:

A: 90 to 100% Excellent
B: 80 to 89% Good
C: 70 to 79% Average
D: 60 to 69% Below Average
F: 0 to 59% Failing

Assignments with grades below average may be sent home with a note requiring a guardian's signature. Teachers may also reach out through ParentSquare if a student's overall class grade falls below average.

Making Good Choices

Fourth grade is also about learning responsibility, making good choices, and becoming a positive member of our school community.

Our classroom behavior system gives students the opportunity to make positive choices throughout the day and recognizes students who demonstrate our school expectations. Students can even earn House Coins for positive behavior that can be spent at the MACS School Store!

We believe students should have opportunities to learn from their choices, make improvements, and have a great day.

Staying Connected

ParentSquare is our main form of communication with fourth grade families. Teachers use ParentSquare to share classroom updates, important information, and individual messages.

If your child will be absent, please let us know as soon as possible. Families are always welcome to reach out with questions or concerns. Please allow teachers up to 24 business hours to respond.

We Love Fourth Grade!

Fourth grade is full of learning, growing, new responsibilities, and memorable experiences. We look forward to partnering with our families and making this a fantastic year for every fourth grader at MACS!

Check out our 4th Grade Supply List