Fourth Grade
Me and the World
Capable and increasingly independent, Fourth Graders are ready to take on more challenges and complexity in language arts, history, math, music, theater, art, and movement. During the Fourth Grade year, students explore their local environment through the study of California geography and history, get to know the animal kingdom through zoology, work with fractions in math class, and consider the complexities of the world and human relationships through stories of heroes and tricksters from Norse mythology.
Fourth Graders begin to play an instrument as part of the class orchestra: this is an opportunity to build cognitive and physical capacities, an aesthetic sense, and an ability to work together with classmates as part of an ensemble. As the socially minded Fourth Grader becomes increasingly aware of the power of their peers, there is a continuing emphasis on social-emotional skills and class cooperation throughout subject areas, supporting students to put themselves in another’s shoes, collaborate effectively, and work well as part of a group.
Fourth Graders at San Francisco Waldorf School learn:
- Math: Higher multiplication tables; four-digit multiplication; long division; fractions
- Literature & Grammar: Elements of grammar; continuing cursive; punctuation; book and research reports, and creative writing; Native Peoples and Norse mythology
- Science: Study of animals in comparison to human beings
- Music: Singing; recorder, and introduction to orchestral music
- Physical Education: Cooperative games and movement activities
- Eurythmy: Movement to music and poetry, introduction to sound
- Art: Advanced form drawing; painting; beeswax modeling
- World Languages: Spanish and Mandarin immersion (basic grammar; masculine and feminine nouns; verb conjugation)
- Handwork: Cross-stitch; embroidery; braiding (creating patterns from front to back)
- History & Social Studies: California and local history
- Geography: California and local geography; map-making
- Theater: Annual class play based on main lesson curriculum
Daily Schedule (Grades 4-8)
8:30am-3:10pm, Monday-Wednesday, Friday
8:30am-2:15pm, Thursday
The Grades After School program begins immediately following dismissal and runs until 5:30pm daily.