JMJ
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Welcome to our 4th grade classroom!
4th grade is our California studies year. We study California history, with a special focus on the mission period. Our goal is to help the children understand the selflessness of the missionaries and the real good they brought to the native Indians living here. We begin with a study of the explorers who set the stage, so to speak, for California history. We also use the text California Stepping Stones, which tells California history from the point of view of children living in the different periods. I used this when homeschooling my children, and they really enjoyed it. Your children will also do a mission project, which is always a highlight of the year.
In science we undertake California nature studies. California has such a rich diversity of plant and animal life! Of the approximately 8000 native species of plants and animals, about ⅓ of them are found nowhere else. Our goal is to become familiar with some of the common species the children are likely to encounter, as well as the great variety of habitats they live in. We will spend time outside with our nature journals, developing our habits of observation and learning to quietly enjoy nature. We will take a variety of field trips as well.
Our California studies are enriched with literature selections set in our beautiful state, such as Island of the Blue Dolphins, Blue Willow, and The Queen’s Own Grove, or stories that highlight the consequences of good and bad choices, such as The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. We are also learning a number of poems, including “Afternoon on a Hill,” “Columbus,” “Mojave,” and “Trees.”
In Religion, we are studying the moral life. What is conscience? What does it mean to be free? How does choosing to obey God’s commandments help us to become more free? What is the role of our feelings and our habits in our moral life? Is it enough to avoid evil, or should we follow Christ’s example of self-giving love and works of mercy? What are the beatitudes? We will memorize a variety of scripture passages that help us to understand these concepts. We begin each morning with prayer and a hymn, and continue praying throughout the day, ending with an examination of conscience. The best way to learn prayers is to say them often!
One of our main goals this year is to help develop in our children the skills necessary to become independent learners: organizing their thoughts, keeping track of their homework, learning to study, learning how and where to find information or help they need. Instead of a set of classroom rules, we follow the honor code used at the upper campus. This is a code to live up to, rather than a list of things to avoid. I am trying to encourage them to choose to be the kind of person the younger children can look up to, an example of virtue and honor, and to be responsible for their own learning.
Thank you for entrusting your children to me! I am looking forward to a great year. Please feel free to contact me by email, phone, or text at any time.
Karen Collins
805-231-5881
[email protected]
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Welcome to our 4th grade classroom!
4th grade is our California studies year. We study California history, with a special focus on the mission period. Our goal is to help the children understand the selflessness of the missionaries and the real good they brought to the native Indians living here. We begin with a study of the explorers who set the stage, so to speak, for California history. We also use the text California Stepping Stones, which tells California history from the point of view of children living in the different periods. I used this when homeschooling my children, and they really enjoyed it. Your children will also do a mission project, which is always a highlight of the year.
In science we undertake California nature studies. California has such a rich diversity of plant and animal life! Of the approximately 8000 native species of plants and animals, about ⅓ of them are found nowhere else. Our goal is to become familiar with some of the common species the children are likely to encounter, as well as the great variety of habitats they live in. We will spend time outside with our nature journals, developing our habits of observation and learning to quietly enjoy nature. We will take a variety of field trips as well.
Our California studies are enriched with literature selections set in our beautiful state, such as Island of the Blue Dolphins, Blue Willow, and The Queen’s Own Grove, or stories that highlight the consequences of good and bad choices, such as The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. We are also learning a number of poems, including “Afternoon on a Hill,” “Columbus,” “Mojave,” and “Trees.”
In Religion, we are studying the moral life. What is conscience? What does it mean to be free? How does choosing to obey God’s commandments help us to become more free? What is the role of our feelings and our habits in our moral life? Is it enough to avoid evil, or should we follow Christ’s example of self-giving love and works of mercy? What are the beatitudes? We will memorize a variety of scripture passages that help us to understand these concepts. We begin each morning with prayer and a hymn, and continue praying throughout the day, ending with an examination of conscience. The best way to learn prayers is to say them often!
One of our main goals this year is to help develop in our children the skills necessary to become independent learners: organizing their thoughts, keeping track of their homework, learning to study, learning how and where to find information or help they need. Instead of a set of classroom rules, we follow the honor code used at the upper campus. This is a code to live up to, rather than a list of things to avoid. I am trying to encourage them to choose to be the kind of person the younger children can look up to, an example of virtue and honor, and to be responsible for their own learning.
Thank you for entrusting your children to me! I am looking forward to a great year. Please feel free to contact me by email, phone, or text at any time.
Karen Collins
805-231-5881
[email protected]