Elementary
Curriculum
Overview
EMSISD
Elementary Scheduling Requirement
Grade 3 through Grade 5
Subject
ELAR
Minutes
Description
90
A comprehensive ELAR curriculum includes written expression, spelling,
vocabulary, handwriting, and reading instruction.
A 90 minute daily ELAR block with 45 minutes of Writing Workshop
minimum 3 days per week.
Social Studies
50
50 minutes is the minimum per day of social studies instruction. In 3-5,
effective social studies instruction should continue to implement
effective literacy instructional strategies and materials. A strong
foundational understanding of the social studies TEKS must be included.
Mathematics
90
The focus of math instruction is based upon conceptual understanding
prior to the implementation of mathematical procedures (teaching of
algorithms).
A skills time within the 90 minute mathematics block, will allow time for
differentiated instruction to meet student needs.
Science
50
50 minutes is the minimum per day for science instruction. Students
should be exposed to non-fiction literature as well as having multiple
hands-on lab opportunities.
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ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS AND READING
K-5 Curriculum Overview
LITERACY INSTRUCTION
Strategic and developmentally appropriate focus on:
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FLUENCY
VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT
READING COMPREHENSION
CRITICAL WRITING
ELAR CLASSROOMS
Our classrooms are designed to be collaborative, creative, and
literacy rich. In our classrooms, you will find:
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A large/small group meeting areas
A classroom library filled with a variety of leveled texts
Individual book boxes or bags
Ample writing supplies and mentor texts
Areas to practice both independent and collaborative
reading and writing
◦ Teacher and student-created anchor charts
◦ Resources to support a gradual release of
responsibility (sound linking charts, word walls, writing
folders, etc.)
◦ A display of student products that reflect recent work
in the classroom
READING AND WRITING WORKSHOP
During the English Language Arts (ELA) block, students will:
• Receive explicit instruction through mini lessons
• Engage in purposeful student talk
• Explore a variety of genres and participate in shared and
modeled demonstrations of effective reading and
writing strategies
• Read and write independently for sustained periods of
time
• Explore how words work and apply what they learn in the
context of reading and writing through small-group,
peer, and individual conferences
• Receive timely feedback and set future reading and
writing goals
• Share their work with others
GRADE LEVEL FOCUS
During the English Language Arts (ELA) block, fourth grade
students will focus on:
• Reading increasingly challenging texts in a variety of genres
with fluency and comprehension
• Deepening understanding of text structure within a variety of
genres
• Building understanding of relationships between words and
nuance in word meanings- synonyms, antonyms, idiomsand using this knowledge to convey ideas precisely.
• Comparing and contrasting themes, topics, and character
traits within and across texts
• Using underlying text structures to support understanding of
challenging topics and difficult vocabulary in informational
text
GRADE LEVEL FOCUS Continued
During the English Language Arts (ELA) block, fourth grade
students will focus on:
• Producing a variety of genres though composing and writing.
• Writing opinions that offer reasoned arguments and provide
facts and examples that are logically grouped to support the
writer’s point of view
• Writing stories, real or imaginary, that unfold naturally and
developing the plot with dialogue, description, and effective
pacing of the action
• Increasing command of writing craft, conventions, and
presentation of ideas.
STATE ASSESSMENT
Fourth grade students will take the state-mandated
STAAR Reading and Writing exams at the end of this
year.
What Should Your Child Be Bringing Home?
Self-selected library books
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MATHEMATICS INSTRUCTION
The “Why” Behind What We Do
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4TH GRADE MATH
Process Standards
The student uses mathematical processes to acquire and demonstrate mathematical
understanding. The student is expected to:
• (A) apply mathematics to problems arising in everyday life, society, and the workplace;
• (B) use a problem-solving model that incorporates analyzing given information, formulating a
plan or strategy, determining a solution, justifying the solution, and evaluating the problemsolving process and the reasonableness of the solution;
• (C) select tools, including real objects, manipulatives, paper and pencil, and technology as
appropriate, and techniques, including mental math, estimation, and number sense as
appropriate, to solve problems;
• (D) communicate mathematical ideas, reasoning, and their implications using multiple
representations, including symbols, diagrams, graphs, and language as appropriate;
• (E) create and use representations to organize, record, and communicate mathematical ideas;
• (F) analyze mathematical relationships to connect and communicate mathematical ideas; and
• (G) display, explain, and justify mathematical ideas and arguments using precise mathematical
language in written or oral communication.
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4TH GRADE MATH
The Last 4 Statements…
(D) communicate mathematical ideas, reasoning, and their implications
using multiple representations, including symbols, diagrams, graphs,
and language as appropriate;
(E)use mathematical relationships to generate solution and make
connections and predictions.
(F) analyze mathematical relationships to connect and communicate
mathematical ideas.
(G) display, explain, or justify mathematical ideas and arguments using
precise mathematical language in written or oral communications.
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4TH GRADE MATH
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STAAR Math Reporting
Categories
Category 1: Numerical Representations and Relationships
Category 2: Computations and Algebraic Relationships
Category 3: Geometry and Measurement
Category 4: Data Analysis and Personal Financial Literacy
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4TH GRADE MATH
Focal Points for Fourth Grade
• Develop fluency with efficient use of the four
arithmetic operations on whole numbers and use this
knowledge to solve problems.
• Measure angles.
• Understand decimals and addition and subtraction of
decimals.
• Build foundation for addition and subtraction of
fractions.
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Making Connections
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4TH GRADE MATH
Guiding Principles
Support students to make sense of mathematics and learn that they can be
mathematical thinkers.
Focus on computational fluency with whole numbers.
Emphasize reasoning about mathematical ideas.
Engage all learners in understanding mathematics.
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SOCIAL STUDIES
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4th GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES
Throughout social studies in Kindergarten-Grade 12,
students build a foundation in history; geography;
economics; government; citizenship; culture; science,
technology, and society; and social studies skills. The
content, as appropriate for the grade level, enables students
to understand the importance of patriotism, function in a free
enterprise society, and appreciate the basic democratic
values of our state and nation.
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4th GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES
In Grade 4, students examine the history of Texas from the
early beginnings to the present within the context of
influences of the Western Hemisphere. Historical content
focuses on Texas history including the Texas revolution,
establishment of the Republic of Texas, and subsequent
annexation to the United States, and important issues,
events, and individuals of the 19th and 20th centuries.
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4th GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES
Fourth graders receive instruction through units that continue to build a
foundation in history; geography; economics; government; citizenship;
culture; science, technology, and society; and social studies skills:
Unit 1: Map Skills/The Geography of Texas
Unit 2: Celebrating Freedom
Unit 3: The Early History of Texas
Unit 4: Exploration and Colonization of Texas
Unit 5: Revolution and the Republic of Texas
Unit 6: The Road to Statehood
Unit 7: New Challenges for Texas
Unit 8: A Growing State
Unit 9: Hard Times at Home and Abroad
Unit 10: Texas Today
Unit 11: Texas Government
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ELEMENTARY SCIENCE:
INQUIRY AND NOTEBOOKS
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4TH GRADE SCIENCE
What is scientific inquiry?
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Science inquiry allows students to take an active role
in understanding their science learning.
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Science inquiry transforms learning from watching
and listening to doing.
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Science inquiry involves activities and skills
in an active search for understanding.
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Science inquiry engages students in the
investigative nature of science.
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Science inquiry is the active construction of
ideas and the forming of connections.
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4TH GRADE SCIENCE
What are the essential features of
a science classroom?
Learners are engaged by scientifically oriented questions.
Learners give priority to evidence, which allows them to develop
and evaluate explanations that address scientifically oriented
questions.
Learners formulate and evaluate explanations from evidence to
address scientifically oriented questions.
Learners communicate and justify their proposed explanations.
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4TH GRADE SCIENCE
What is the student’s role?
Ask a question about objects, organisms and events in
the world around them.
Plan and conduct a simple investigation.
Employ simple equipment and tools to gather data and
extend the senses.
Use data to construct a reasonable explanation.
Communicate investigations and explanations.
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4TH GRADE SCIENCE
Science Notebooks
in every classroom
Integrates science and language arts skills
Helps students develop cognitive knowledge of
science content and processes
Enhances writing skills
Serves as an assessment tool to gather information
on students’ thinking
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PACE
EMS-ISD K-5 Gifted and Talented Program
What is PACE?
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Educational program which serves identified gifted/talented students in
grades K-5
2 hour pull-out program for 2nd – 5th graders
Kindergarten and 1st grade students served in classroom with differentiated instructional strategies
Learning Opportunities for GT Students
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Students work on a differentiated curriculum with extended activities
Instructional goals focus on helping students to develop critical thinking skills,
communicate effectively, reason and solve problems, and value diversity.
Lessons span across all curriculum areas and incorporate a research component
in the spring semester
The depth of projects builds as the students progress to the upper grades
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Parent Resources
• Istation K-5
• K-2 Computer Activities
• 3-5 Computer Activities
• Math Resources
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