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Fairfax County Public Schools is pleased
to provide you information about the curriculum your child will
be studying. Your child’s school has the complete Program of Studies (POS) for every discipline and grade level. You may review the complete elementary POS at the school upon request. Arrangements may be made through your child’s
teacher or school principal.
The POS content covers the same curriculum as the Standards of Learning (SOL) set by the Commonwealth of Virginia, and in many cases it goes beyond state standards. As you review the SOL, you may note that there is not an exact match with the Fairfax County POS by grade level. However, all the Virginia Standards are included and will be taught by the end of third, fourth (social studies only), and fifth grades so that your child will be fully prepared to take the SOL tests.
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| Language Arts |
Program Overview
Virginia SOL
Strands
Language Arts Program Overview
The language arts curriculum includes objectives
that support students’ development in the skills of reading,
writing, and oral language. These skills are developed through
direct instruction, modeling by teachers, and guided practice.
Teachers plan a balance of learning experiences, which build upon
oral language and include fiction, informational text, and use
of language arts skills in other content areas.
Virginia Standards
of Learning (SOL).
In fourth grade Language Arts, students learn concepts based on the following Strands:
- Reading
- Writing
- Oral Language
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| Mathematics |
Mathematics Program Overview
Fourth grade students use a sense of number to read, write, order, and compare numbers to millions; recognize and use commutative and associative properties of addition and multiplication; estimate, add, and subtract four-digit whole numbers, fractions with like denominators, and decimals to hundredths; and multiply and divide two- and three-digit numbers. They estimate and measure length, volume and capacity; find area and perimeter of regular and irregular polygons; classify geometric shapes and angles; model three-dimensional shapes; investigate transformational geometry; and locate points on a grid using ordered pairs. Fourth graders collect, display, and compare survey data; recognize terms to express central tendency; determine probability; and record ratios.
Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL)
In fourth grade Mathematics, students learn concepts based on the following Strands:
- Number Concepts, Theory, Sense
- Operations
- Measurement
- Geometry
- Data Analysis/Statistics/Probability
- Patterns/Functions/Algebra
- Problem Solving/Application
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| Science |
Science Program Overview
The Fairfax County Public Schools Elementary Science Program consists of grade level units that are composed of inquiry-based, hands-on science lessons. Science Process Skills, embedded in the lessons, develop student’s ability to think and perform like a scientist. In addition to science trade books and these hands-on kits, FCPS offers the Windows on Science visual textbook videodisk program, the Fresh Science DVD supplemental visuals, and United Streaming video library. Interactive technologies used by students in the elementary science program include Weatherbug Achieve, and Easy Sense Q5 Probeware. The Elementary Science Program follows the Virginia State Science Standards of Learning which include the following science strands:
Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL)
In fourth grade Science, students learn concepts based on the following Strands:
- Scientific Investigation, Reasoning, and Logic
- Force, Motion, and Energy
- Earth and Space Science
- Life Processes
- Living Systems
- Interrelationships in Earth/Space Systems
- Earth Patterns, Cycles, and Changes
- Resources
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| Social Studies |
Social Studies Program Overview
Social studies instruction incorporates the four strands of history, geography, civics, and economics. Students study individuals who have made significant contributions to the United States and its history. They learn about the state of Virginia from 1607 to the present. The grade 4 program includes a study of Fairfax County. Students acquire an understanding of how different cultures, politics, geography, and economics influenced and contributed to the development and growth of Virginia. Students also review for the Virginia Studies Standards of Learning test.
Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL)
In fourth grade Social Studies, tudents learn concepts based on the following Strands:
- History
- Geography
- Civics
- Economics
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| Beyond the Core |
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Beyond the Core programs include subjects that are not included in the traditional core education curriculum (Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies). Beyond the Core courses are the classes that enhance the quality of life and are important in developing our students into well-rounded, productive citizens. Below are links to information about the different Beyond the Core programs at the elementary level.
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| Tailored Instruction |
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Because not all students learn the same way, some instruction must be tailored so that individual students can have the opportunities to live up to their potential. Tailored Instruction programs are designed to give students what they need to succeed in the 21th century.
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Last
Updated
Instructional
Services Department
