Experience Our Academic Program

Grade 4

Welcome to Grade 4

Grade 4 is a year of growth, increased academic challenge, and emerging leadership. As the oldest students in the Lower School, fourth graders take on meaningful roles as leaders and role models within the community. They set the tone for younger peers — demonstrating responsibility, kindness, and collaboration in both academic and social settings.

At Country School, our fourth-grade curriculum is designed to deepen students’ understanding of key concepts and encourage independent thinking. Students engage in a variety of learning experiences — from in-depth projects to interactive lessons — that enhance their skills in literacy, math, science, and social studies. Our dedicated teachers provide a supportive and stimulating environment where students are encouraged to take initiative, ask questions, and think critically. We continue to focus on social-emotional development, nurturing confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of community-mindedness.

Grade 4 Highlights

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  • Study of Ancient Civilizations

    In Grade 4, students journey back to ancient Greece through a hands-on, cross-curricular study that weaves together reading, writing, art, and performance. As they explore myths, poetry, and historical texts, they also create original essays and visual projects inspired by Greek culture. The experience culminates in the beloved Greek Play — a lively tradition where students bring ancient stories to life on stage through costumes, public speaking, and plenty of dramatic flair.

  • Assembly Speakers & Confident Community Leaders

    Throughout the year, fourth graders are asked to script, facilitate and lead each Lower School assembly. This opportunity provides them with a space to develop leadership skills and confidence in public speaking. As a result, students become poised and well-prepared to take on the next phase of their academic journey.

  • Marine Science in Action

    Fourth graders take their science studies to the shores of Long Island Sound in a hands-on exploration of marine life. On a Marine Life Study Cruise, students collect plankton, measure wind speed, and observe ospreys in their natural habitat — putting their scientific skills to work in the real world. A behind-the-scenes visit to the Aquarium brings them up close to sharks, otters, and puffer fish, adding excitement and depth to their learning. This immersive experience inspires curiosity and invites students to dive deeper into the wonders of the ocean.

4th Grade Sample Schedule

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  • 7:30 a.m.

    Early Birds: Before School Programming Available
    Learn More

  • 8:00 a.m.

    Arrival

  • 8:30 a.m.

    Morning Meeting

  • 9:00 a.m.

    Math or Science/Spanish/Library

  • 9:45 a.m.

    Recess/Snack

  • 10:00 a.m.

    Literacy

  • 11:05 a.m.

    Lunch

  • 11:30 a.m.

    Recess

  • 12:15 p.m.

    PE or Literacy

  • 1:00 p.m.

    Art or Coding

  • 1:30 p.m.

    Writer’s Workshop or Social Studies

  • 2:00 p.m.

    Math or Music & Movement

  • 2:45 p.m.

    Closing Meeting

  • 3:00 p.m.

    Dismissal

  • 3–5:30 p.m.

    After School Programming Available
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Our Grade 4 Curriculum

Language Arts

Direct and explicit instruction for the purpose of lifting the quality of student writing continues to be the focus in fourth grade. Goals include encouraging students to be observers of their world, live like writers, carry a writing notebook, express opinions, question and wonder. Goals conveyed in daily mini-lessons and practiced during the writing workshop are intended to address specific objectives. Children write every day and begin to develop a clear and strong writer’s voice in order to summarize, persuade, determine importance, compare and contrast, and show cause and effect. In addition, writing extends to all content areas as students learn they have important things to say about the books they read, stories they tell, math problems they solve and issues they care about. Books and the conversations they ignite are an integral part of the fourth grade language arts program. Students are eager and ready to think critically, go beyond text, and respond thoughtfully in both oral and written form. Discussions and written responses may focus on character motives, elements of setting, plot, author’s purpose and themes. In addition, the intentional use of mentor texts prompts each writer to begin to develop an awareness of the artful use of language, the inclusion of sensory details, the power of strong verbs, the appeal of repetition and the importance of dialogue in narrative. Vocabulary, word work, spelling and punctuation are explicitly taught.

Social Studies

Grade 4 embarks on two major units of study in social studies, both of which are highly interdisciplinary and immersive and natural. During the first half of the year, students study Indigenous Peoples. This multifaceted study taps into skills of literacy, social studies, creativity and collaboration. Grade 4 also has a meaningful partnership with the Institute of American Indian Studies, including a field trip to their museum and visits from IAIS staff to campus. Students also learn the local history of Indigenous Peoples on our campus and local land. Fourth graders also explore ancient Greece during an interdisciplinary unit of study involving literacy, poetry, essay writing, art and public speaking. It culminates in the performance of the Greek Play, a longstanding Grade 4 tradition.

Mathematics

Fourth graders continue to build upon their knowledge of multiplication, division and fractions. They multiply two- and three-digit numbers, and develop division strategies. They learn to compare, combine and find equivalent fractions, and learn more efficient models for adding and subtracting them. Students continue to develop efficient and varied problem-solving strategies including showing work to justify their approaches.

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  • More Info

    • Problems & Investigations: Each day, the children are presented with a novel, complex problem and are encouraged to find their own strategy to solve it. Strategies and solutions are shared in a whole or small group setting, encouraging all students to develop flexible and efficient ways of solving problems.
    • Work Places: Several times a week, students visit math stations that offer engaging, hands-on, developmentally appropriate and differentiated games that reinforce key math skills.
    • Number Corner: Each day, students participate in a rich, mathematically advanced discussion through a variety of quick-paced activities. Activities involving calendar prediction, patterning, number lines and monthly collections are a spring-board for advanced mathematical concepts and higher-level thinking.
    • Math Forums: Math forums are introduced in third grade and are a formal time for students to share and discuss their work. A variety of strategies are presented by students to their classmates in a structured manner that deepens mathematical flexibility and efficiency in problem-solving.
    • Problem Strings: Problem strings are introduced in third grade and are another way that students develop efficiency in solving problems. Teachers present a carefully structured sequence of problems that become increasingly complex so that students use what they know to solve novel problems while noticing patterns in mathematical operations.

Science

The fourth grade science curriculum focuses on the Earth through studies of Ecology, Geology, and Biomes. We use our campus forest to learn about the interconnectedness of plants, animals and the physical environment. Fourth graders explore geological cycles and tectonics, focusing on how the Earth changes over vast periods of time. Students apply what they learned about geology and ecology in a deep study of a biome. Scientific reading, research and writing skills are developed during this integrative project. Students also have had opportunities to take part in engineering challenges where they design and build creative solutions to challenging problems related to the topics they are learning.

World Languages

Fourth grade students, using a spiraling model, explore many of the same topics learned in the previous years, but with different challenges to expand their Spanish language skills. The relationship between aural/oral and writing skills takes on new weight in fourth grade Spanish. Utilizing their iPads, students use the Reading A-Z app for reading and listening practice, and interactive activities and videos from VideoEle.com. These programs allow differentiated instruction among varied learning styles.

Visual Art

Children are introduced to many fine arts and a wide variety of media. Lessons emphasize basic design elements and are planned so that all children experience success with materials, concepts and creative problem solving. Cultural traditions and works by major artists are presented; many interdisciplinary projects are implemented. Children develop the skills and techniques to communicate their own ideas visually. The emphasis is on concepts and process.

Woodshop

In fourth grade, students dive deeper into the world of woodworking, building on the foundations introduced the year before. Using real tools and techniques, they design and construct three-dimensional projects such as a weathervane, duck decoy, or sundial. Along the way, they strengthen their problem-solving skills, practice precision and creativity, and take pride in bringing their ideas to life—one piece of wood at a time.

Performing Arts

Fourth graders dive deeper into both vocal and instrumental music with more focused instruction. They continue to sing weekly as a full grade-level chorus and gain hands-on experience playing recorders, Orff instruments, and — for the first time — traditional band instruments. Performance opportunities grow too, from informal assemblies to larger seasonal concerts and productions, giving students the chance to build confidence and share their musical progress with the community.

Physical Education

Lower School students follow a thoughtfully sequenced curriculum that emphasizes fitness, participation, sportsmanship, and fundamental athletic skills. The program helps students develop gross and fine motor skills, coordination, spatial awareness, cardiovascular fitness, collaboration, and self-confidence. In Grade 4, students are introduced to sports such as soccer, basketball, and lacrosse — laying the groundwork for continued participation in Middle and Upper School athletics.

Where Learning is Fun and Friends are Plenty.

New Canaan Country School

635 Frogtown Road, New Canaan, CT 06840
Phone: (203) 972-0771

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New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.