WESTLAKE ACADEMY
APPROACHES TO LEARNING
Grade 4: COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Listening
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Speaking
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Reading
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Writing
Non Verbal
Communication
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Listen to and follow complex instructions
Listen with attentiveness and interest to others in a variety of
presentations and situations, both inside and outside of school
Give an opinion and justification for that opinion (with guidance, if
needed)
Present to a range of audiences confidently with appropriate volume
Communicate clearly and logically in complete sentences
Read a variety of sources for information and pleasure
Orally summarize the components of a story, adding increased
attention to detail
Make inferences in a variety of texts across genres
Read appropriate grade level text with fluency, accuracy and
comprehension
Comprehend and apply facts from informational texts
Record information and observations
Utilize the writing process with increased independence
Write summaries of learned information in a variety of situations
Paraphrase information
Keep a journal to record information
Select appropriate writing pieces for a specific audience (narrative,
opinion, and informational)
Understand how logos, icons, and symbols are used responsibly to
influence choices
Begin to derive meaning from unknown signs
Read body language and expressions of others and act accordingly
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
APPROACHES TO LEARNING
Grade 4: RESEARCH SKILLS
Formulating Questions
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Planning
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Collecting Data
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Observing
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Recording Data
Organizing Data
Interpreting Data
Presenting Research
Findings
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Apply prior knowledge when formulating open-ended questions
that will further understanding of the topic to be researched
Formulate open ended questions about research topics from
personal interest or by brainstorming with others
Pose purposeful, open, realistic and investigative questions
Conduct multi-step experiments
Use the five senses to observe for specific purposes
Create ideas to conduct investigative experiments
Use topic webs to identify priorities for research, narrowing the
topic
Begin to plan research and outcomes based on questions formulated
Create a “to-do” list or timeline to outline the research process
Identify key words searches when using a variety of sources (print,
digital, and databases)
Use Destiny Quest
Collect information using student-initiated surveys, interviews and
reference texts
Independently search for credible and relevant sources, both online
and in the library
Apply a range of resources to locate information, including maps,
timelines, and graphs
Skim and scan to collect data using text features, paying attention to
key words
Take simple notes using graphic organizers and journals
Create graphs, diagrams and pie charts to record information
Write a basic bibliography (author, title, publisher, publication year)
Demonstrate effective paraphrasing methods without plagiarizing
Organize information logically in a variety of graphic organizers
Form generalizations and reach conclusions
Select the graphic organizer most appropriate in different situations
Evaluate and synthesize information based on collected data
Narrow or modify research focus as needed to clarify data
Interpret graphic organizers and make statements about them
Identify and appreciate needs of an audience
Present findings clearly, logically and accurately using a variety of
presentation techniques
Choose appropriate medium for presentation
Present a bibliography
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
APPROACHES TO LEARNING
Grade 4: SELF-MANAGEMENT SKILLS
Gross motor skills
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Fine motor skills
Spatial awareness
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Organization
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Time management
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Safety
Healthy lifestyle
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Codes of behavior
Informed choices
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Move body appropriately, keeping in mind personal space and sharing
space with others
Use muscles when physically active, such as playing games, relays and
rhythmic movement
Apply movement skills to complex activities
Manipulate handheld tools with precision and attention to detail
Competently operate and manipulate technology
Without reminders, write legibly using appropriate spacing, direction,
and control
Maintain an awareness of personal space and directional terms in
relation to others and to their environment
Visual information is well-organized and formatted to be aesthetically
pleasing
Retrieve and return materials independently
Select materials appropriate to a given task
Organize and plan own tasks effectively
Take responsibility for all belongings and independently clean personal
space
Set own time frames
Use time effectively
Stay on task for each activity
Understand how personal timeliness affects others
Show personal self-control in dangerous situations
Know how to behave both in and outside the classroom
Avoid putting others at risk
Understand how to avoid potentially dangerous situations
Practice self-hygiene and self-care
Understand and explain that health has many forms (mental, spiritual,
physical, emotional, personal)
Demonstrate an understanding of the balance between rest, exercise and
good nutrition
Develop a fair play attitude
Model the IB learner profile and begin to recognize when attributes are
modeled by others
Apply appropriate rules for varying group situations
Select an appropriate action or behavior based on situational awareness
Reflect on and explain personal decisions
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
APPROACHES TO LEARNING
Grade 4: SOCIAL SKILLS
Accepting responsibility
Respecting others
Cooperating
Resolving conflict
Group decision making
Adopting a variety of
group roles
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Demonstrate appropriate behaviors in all situations and settings
Accept responsibility for personal and group work
Accept others’ opinions and defend their own, respecting
perspectives and feelings
Demonstrate a sense of fairness and equality
Demonstrate a respect for different beliefs, cultures and religions
Take responsibility in sharing materials
Work cooperatively in any group situation by listening, sharing
ideas and taking turns
Be open to compromise with others in the group
Accept responsibility for own actions
Compromise to resolve conflict
Appreciate perspectives and exhibit empathy
Listen to others to gain consensus
Discuss and evaluate ideas to gain consensus
Justify the reason for a group decision
Demonstrate behaviors appropriate to a given situation
Accept roles negotiated by the group
Hold one another accountable and cheer the group to success
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
APPROACHES TO LEARNING
Grade 4: THINKING SKILLS
Acquisition of knowledge
Comprehension
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Application
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Analysis
Synthesis
Evaluation
Dialectical thought
Metacognition
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Acquire specific facts to gain further knowledge
Expand vocabulary across subject areas
Recall and recount new knowledge
Retell central idea in own words
Demonstrate understanding of the central ideas and lines of inquiry
through class work, discussion, and personal inquiries
Explain stories, information and events in detail and in a variety of
ways
Understand the purpose and criteria of a task
Make and use previously acquired knowledge in practical or new
ways
Select appropriate strategies for tasks
Understand and show how concepts, attitudes and skills are
connected
Use the IB PYP essential elements to justify understandings
Classify and categorize according to specific criteria or information
Make inferences
Distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information
Use higher-order thinking to design and create own ideas
Draw conclusions to form new understandings based on facts
learned
Choose the best way to plan and design a presentation
Discuss in detail the learning process
Self-assess work
Reflect on the outcome of personal goals
Give peers effective feedback
Make judgements or decisions based on criteria and standards
Give personal best to inquire, act, and reflect
Listen to, understand and respect that people can have different
points of view
Construct arguments to support points of view
Self-assess own learning and behaviors routinely
Independently, think about where I am, where I am going, and how
I am going to get there
Analyze how and why you know something to be true