Exploration Station

Teacher: William Poore

Description

Fourth grade is an exciting year at Linscott. We spend the entire year learning about California's fascinating history, including geography, Native Americans, the Gold Rush, Immigration, and much more. Much of our Language Arts Curriculum is intertwined with our state's history. We read many historical novels including The Island of the Blue Dolphins, Patty Reed's Doll, and By the Great Horn Spoon. Students also research a Native American tribe in a region of California and then create village models in a cooperative group and present to the class. Fourth graders research a famous Californian and create a Powerpoint presentation on him/her.

Math and science is a big part of our curriculum as well. Math concepts include double and triple multiplication, long division, logic and probability, adding and subtraction unlike fractions, and lots more. Students use standards-aligned textbooks as well as math centers and games to learn math concepts. Math is also infused into the Science curriculum themes like Ecosystems, Geology, and Electricity and Magnetism.

To help connect our learning in class to the real world we take many interesting trips. Some trips include San Juan Bautista Mission, Voyages of Discovery, New Almaden Quicksilver Mine, Science/History Camp, and Sacramento.

Besides all of our academic areas, students also participate in an extensive art and physical education program. Art, Music, P.E. and Dance is a part of our schedule every week.

Fourth Grade is a lot of hard work, and is also full of a lot of exploration!

Class Website

Enriching Activities

• Field trips to Pinto Lake, Chitactac Park, Voyages of Discovery/Tall Ships, Mission San Juan Bautista, Sierra Summit Mountain Resort, Sierra Outdoor School, Local Mountains, Beaches, and Sloughs, and Sacramento
• Create a brochure highlighting a region of California
• Study the geography of California by making salt dough relief maps
• Make village models and reports about the California Native Americans
• Research and present biographies of famous Californians using Power Point computer program
• Formal musical training
• Guided PE lessons
• Art lessons/projects that are tied to unit themes
• Literature Circles
• A 2nd PowerPoint about modern-day California
• Content related webquests
• A Mission Project
• Pioneer Days Diarama
• Science includes numerous model building opportunities and a trip to the Drop-in-Science center

Exploration Station relaxing on a fieldtrip

Linscott Charter School 220 Elm Street Watsonville, California 95076 (831) 728-6301