Fourth Grade

Welcome Fourth Graders to Syracuse Academy of Science! Our school provides a safe, healthy, and enjoyable learning experience for all students. Fourth-grade students will be challenged academically in all core subject areas, where they will begin to develop individual organization skills. They will be held accountable for completing all assignments to prepare for their transition to middle school. Students will also be held accountable behaviorally and socially, developing their skills as citizens within their classrooms and communities and focusing on making positive decisions with themselves and their peers.

Language & Literacy: The fourth-grade literacy program focuses closely on reading and listening to primary and secondary sources to gather specific details and determine central ideas. Students will use listening and writing skills to reinforce their reading fluency using paragraph and essay writing. Students will read fiction and nonfiction literature to develop an understanding of setting, characterization, theme, and informational writing. With an emphasis on making inferences, summarizing informational text, and basic research (note-taking and pulling together information from various texts), the literacy program will foster students’ abilities to synthesize information from multiple sources and integrate research into their writing. 

Math: The fourth-grade math program provides in-depth coverage of various topics. Students will begin the year studying number sense (place value, math fluency, and basic computation skills, including word problems). Then, students will explore measurement and multiplying and dividing multi-digit numbers. Students will also explore geometry by classifying shapes, finding geometric shapes' perimeter and area, and identifying angles. Fractions will be a very in-depth unit, as students will focus closely on finding equivalent fractions, adding and subtracting fractions, multiplying fractions, and looking at line plots. Students will end the year looking at decimals as fractions and using multiplication through measurement.

Writing: During our writing block, we will focus on the six plus one traits of writing: ideas, organization, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, voice, and presentation. We will work through the writing process to write pieces from each mode of writing: Narrative, Persuasive, and Explanatory. The student will be assessed according to the leveled New York State Writing Evaluation Rubric. Students will critique their work during the revision process and focus on peer development in their writing within their classrooms.

Science: Fourth-grade science follows the Amplify curriculum to go more in-depth on energy creation and conversion and how vision relates to light, geological features, and sound waves. Using a combination of student discussion, online simulations, and hands-on projects, students can investigate each topic thoroughly to understand it better. In the middle of the year, students also get to create their science experiments independently, which they present at our annual Science Fair in February. This allows students to practice using the scientific method and presenting their findings to their peers and adults. 

Social Studies: This year in Social Studies, students will learn all about New York. They will start the year learning about the geography of the United States and New York. Students will explore the history and culture of the Iroquois Nation and study the encounters between the Europeans and the native people of this area. Next, we will delve into the history of colonial New York and investigate the events of the American Revolution and its effects on New York. Students will also learn about New York State’s capital, Albany, and examine how our state government works. Apart from the fascinating facts the students will study throughout the year, they will also develop skills in reading primary sources and interpreting the information. Students will also participate in a fun learning-centered project where social studies will come to life!


Specials:

Physical Education: Physical education is an essential part of any K-4 curriculum. Our students are exposed to various activities and games that will help promote lifelong physical activity. They are also taught how to display good sportsmanship. In our K-4 physical education program, there is an emphasis placed on effort and attitude rather than winning and losing. K-2 students are exposed to basic motor skills and skills needed to play different activities. 3rd and 4th graders are taught more complex skills emphasizing teamwork, cooperation, and communication. 

Art: The Syracuse Academy of Science Elementary visual arts curriculum helps students understand how media, technique, and process are used to create works of art and how artworks are structured. Each project aims to introduce students to the essential elements of art. Each project discovers: how to identify, analyze, and select subject matter, how symbols are used for personal and cultural expression, and how historical and cultural contexts provide meaning for works of art.

Coding: The Syracuse Academy of Science Elementary School focuses on an ever-evolving complexity of multi-step processes, writing fluency, and pattern recognition, culminating with the transition to line coding. As fluency progresses, so do the problems they have to overcome. Eventually, the students will be independent enough to create and program their simple games and programs.


Support Services:

Special Education: Special Education is not a place. It is a service. The goal is to provide all students with a disability the services necessary for success in the least restrictive classroom environment. Special Education teachers provide accommodations and modifications to the grade-level curriculum to help all students be successful. Special Education Teachers push into classrooms to provide services. They also pull students out for resource groups that target specific skills and behaviors. 

ENL - English as a New Language Program: The goal of the English as a New Language Program is to ensure English Language Learners acquire and develop English proficiency through a rigorous curriculum, research-based teaching strategies, and social/emotional support. The languages and cultures of ELLs are respected and valued while learning about and becoming part of American culture.

Title 1 Reading and Math Intervention: The reading and math intervention team consists of specialized teachers in literacy and mathematics. They provide academic support for all classrooms in the school. This may include both small-group instruction and additional integrated instruction. Syracuse Academy of Science Elementary uses Accelerated Math, Leveled Literacy Intervention Program, and STAR assessments to help fill in student gaps. Our goal is to challenge students to overcome their learning obstacles and help them feel empowered and capable in their education.


Fourth Grade Supply List

➡ Please click here for the supply list

SASCS

Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School is part of Science Academies of New York.

SAS Elementary School

4837 S. Salina St. Syracuse, NY 13205
Phone: 315-469-9404
Fax: 315-469-9408
sasesmainoffice@sany.org

SAS Middle School

200 West High Ter. Syracuse, NY 13219
Phone: 315-487-5986
Fax: 315-487-5824
sasmsmainoffice@sany.org

SAS High School

1001 Park Ave. Syracuse, NY 13204
Phone: 315-428-8997
Fax: 315-428-9109
sashsmainoffice@sany.org

SANY

1409 W Genesee St. Syracuse, NY 13204
Phone: 315-671-5470
Fax: 315-671-5475
info@sany.org

Transportation

For transportation related questions, please call transportation department in the district you live.
SCSD Transportation: 315-435-4260