Grades 4–5

Number Sense 

• read, compare, order, classify, and explain whole numbers through billions, 
• demonstrate knowledge of the meaning of fractions and 
• decimals and understand how they may be used, and 
• understand the relationships among the basic arithmetic operations.

Computation 

• solve multistep problems using the four operations 
• (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) with whole numbers, 
• solve problems involving addition and subtraction of 
• simple fractions and decimals, 
• demonstrate and explain the computation process and 
• support the reasonableness of answers, and 
• know basic facts and algorithms of the four operations with whole numbers.

Data Analysis 

• gather data, 
• create and interpret graphs, tables, and charts, and 
• predict and draw conclusions from graphs, tables, and charts.

Geometry 

• describe, draw, and classify shapes and figures, 
• compare, classify, and draw two- and three-dimensional figures, 
• understand congruency, symmetry, and similarity, 
• read and plot ordered pairs on a grid, and 
• use tools and measurements to construct two-dimensional figures.

Measurement 

• solve and explain solutions to problems involving money and time, 
• solve and explain solutions to problems involving length, area, and perimeter, and 
• select and use appropriate measuring tools and units of measurement.

Patterns and Relationships 

• recognize, describe, extend, and create various patterns, and 
• describe and represent relationships with tables, graphs, 
• and equations.

Math Communications 

• create and use organized lists and diagrams when solving problems, 
• identify patterns useful as rules when solving problems, 
• demonstrate that multiple paths to a solution may exist, and 
• use math vocabulary to demonstrate understanding of concepts.

• develop rights and responsibilities of effective citizenship both in school and in the larger community, 
• begin to understand geographic, economic, historical, sociological, and political factors in the immigration of various ethnic groups to the U.S., 
• begin to understand the nature and roots of prejudice and 
• discrimination, and develop an appreciation of individual and cultural differences, 
• explore historical use of the salt marsh and mountain ranges to understand how human actions affect the environment, 
• develop an appreciation of the rights and responsibilities 
• given to citizens by the U.S. Constitution, 
• learn research techniques, investigate and organize information, and report effectively on a self-selected topic through Independent Projects, 
• construct, compare, and interpret information from maps to build knowledge of U.S. and world geography, 
• study the movement of peoples across the U.S. and the resulting impact of U.S. expansion on indigenous communities, and 
• explore the impact of the Industrial Revolution and the 
• expansion of mills in New England.

Life Science 

• study anatomical structures and their functions in various plants and animals, 
• observe how living things develop in and adapt to several specific ecosystems, 
• examine the salt marsh habitat as it changes, 
• develop observational and record-keeping skills, and 
• begin to understand the effects of experimental bias in 
• data collection and interpretation.

Physical Science 

• explore the characteristics of static and dynamic electricity and learn to build basic circuits, 
• understand the principles of physical properties through 
• experimentation using all the components of the scientific method, 
• invent ways to solve problems in everyday life by researching, planning, designing, and testing prototypes, 
• learn about the varying layers and composition of the Earth, 
• build levers, wheels and axles, and gears and pulleys in order to understand the mechanics of simple machines, and 
• explore characteristics and properties of the elements and periodic table.

Creative Expression 

• compose art to express emotions through the use of color, texture, and shape, 
• depict realistic facial proportions, 
• use overlapping and diminishing size to indicate space in 2-D art, 
• mix tertiary and complementary colors, 
• create sculpture using additive and subtractive methods, 
• create an edition of relief prints, 
• understand how to number an edition of prints, and 
• create art that represents narratives, art concepts, and universal themes.

Aesthetics 

• analyze the more- and less-effective parts of their own artwork, 
• discuss the basis for their own preferences in artwork, 
• compare and contrast different works of art in terms of style, design, concepts, mood, and theme, 
• determine the light source in a work of art and explain 
• how that light affects the mood of the piece, 
• understand the difference between relief and freestanding sculpture, 
• understand the distinction between decorative and utilitarian artwork, and 
• engage in analytical discussion of the art of their peers as well as contemporary and historical art.

The Arts and Cultural Heritage 

• recognize common subjects, styles, and techniques of the arts from different cultures or ethnic groups, 
• create original works that integrate characteristics from different cultures, including the students’ own communities, and 
• explore why artists make art in different ways.

• perform choreographed movement to music, 
• perform expressively with appropriate dynamics, phrasing, and interpretation, 
• perform canons, rounds, descants, ostinati, and countermelodies, 
• sing in groups, matching dynamic levels and following 
• conductor cues, 
• perform multipart music, 
• read, write, and perform simple notation using solfège 
• (singing by syllables), 
• demonstrate proper technique on various instruments 
• and participate in ensemble playing, 
• create and arrange music to accompany readings or dramatizations, 
• create and arrange short songs and instrumental pieces, 
• use a variety of sound sources when composing, 
• use standard symbols to identify and notate meter, rhythm, pitch, and dynamics, 
• identify and label sections of music, 
• discuss musical form, 
• perform standard music notation, 
• improvise melodically in changing harmony, 
• explore musical styles from different cultures, 
• use appropriate music terminology in describing musical performances, 
• discuss applications of music in contemporary society, 
• identify composers, their periods of music, and important facts about their lives, 
• learn characteristics and components of standard musical instruments, 
• further analyze and play music from other cultures, and 
• identify differences between Western and other world music.

• communicate concepts and ideas through movement, 
• develop freedom of movement and expression with and 
• without limitations, 
• relate movement explorations in the dance space to 
• classroom themes of study, 
• develop a sense of physical well-being and flexibility, 
• strengthen muscular coordination and motor skills, and 
• develop basic locomotor and axial movements in isolation and combination.

Students may take Creative Dance classes in the afterschool Enrichment program (for an additional fee).

• perform appropriate warm-up activities, 
• engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity, 
• move with an awareness of space and others’ safety, 
• distinguish between warm-up movements, strength-building, and aerobic exercises, 
• demonstrate specific exercises and understand how each 
• supports specific fitness goals, 
• identify the positive effects of regular exercise, 
• develop mature form in locomotor skills (e.g., running, jumping, sliding) and non-locomotor skills (e.g., bending, stretching, dodging, climbing), 
• demonstrate increasingly mature form with sports equipment (e.g., balls, bats, racquets), 
• demonstrate increasingly complex combinations of 
• motor patterns, 
• combine movement skills in applied settings, 
• adapt skills to the demands of a game or environment, 
• demonstrate the ability to cooperate with peers, 
• use appropriate communication skills in activities to 
• enhance group cooperation and effort, 
• use equipment responsibly, and 
• assess their own performance.

• recognize and employ positive approaches to conflict resolution, 
• understand the nature and causes of peer pressure and teasing, and develop strategies for building a safe and caring community, 
• demonstrate effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills to build and maintain healthy relationships,
• demonstrate personal hygiene skills, 
• understand how media techniques, culture, peers, and family members influence decision-making about health, 
• analyze the effects of positive, healthy habits, 
• understand the importance of assuming responsibility for personal health, 
• learn the basic structures and functions of the humanreproductive system, 
• describe physical, social, and emotional changes that occur during adolescence, and 
• develop increasing awareness of human sexuality, an increased ability to discuss it openly, and an understanding of the responsibilities that go along with healthy human development.

Spanish in fourth and fifth grades marks a shift to more reading and writing and the development of grammar skills. Students are encouraged to use as much Spanish as possible in class. Children are exposed to instruction through Comprehensible Input, a method that uses strong imagery and storytelling to improve vocabulary and grammar. Repetition of high-frequency words helps with language acquisition. Students are asked to retell stories on their own and in small groups, and to reenact scenes from stories and books. Short novels are discussed in a mixture of Spanish and English. Students leave the Lower School with a solid foundation for continued language studies in the Middle School.