4th Grade

The Serviam Shield, a symbol of our commitment to serve, is worn on all student uniforms. Serving others is a component of every class curriculum. More importantly, the active engagement in service, from Pre-Kindergarten through our expanded middle school community service program, not only plants the Serviam seed in all Mount Merici students toward a greater likelihood that they will become leaders and good stewards in the world as adults but also instills in young children a belief in their own abilities to influence positive change and compassionate improvements in the world around them.

Whether our youngest students are collecting food to benefit the local ‘Weekend Backpack Program’ or contributing their own precious dimes and dollars to the ‘Rice Bowl Program’, they recognize that they are capable of helping to feed children less fortunate than they are and that with some compassion and effort, they can make a difference.

Our 6th and 7th-grade students work diligently every week at the area soup kitchen, food bank, the Muskie Center for elders and disabled adults, here at school, and on a multitude of fulfilling service projects.

Our 8th-grade students draw from the wealth of their previous years of service work to create a year-long senior service project based on their own individual interests. so that they leave Mount Merici Academy with a clear understanding of their abilities to extend their hearts and hands by contributing their own individual gifts in their communities and in the world-at-large. At Mount Merici Academy, every child learns what it feels like to make a difference.

Meet the Teacher

Morgan LaPlante

4TH GRADE TEACHER

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Learn About the 4th Grade Curriculum

I believe learning is a lifelong endeavor. It is my responsibility to encourage and prepare my students with the tools they will need to be successful in school and in life. I believe every child is a special and unique gift from God. As an educator, I must try to recognize the individuality of my students and to promote their emotional, academic and social growth. Teaching in the Ursuline tradition will allow the students to grow spiritually and emotionally while learning in a safe and supportive environment.

Children are naturally curious and full of wonder. They seek answers from the most pressing serious and intellectual questions to the silliest of trivia. My role in the classroom is to guide their learning through a variety of teaching activities that not only present curriculum, but also teach academic discipline, creativity, and life skills.

Classroom Management and Expectations

Students are expected to give their best efforts at all times and ask questions to ensure their understanding. They are to respect the learning environment of others and act accordingly. Students are to understand that they share the responsibility for their learning and need to be prepared each day with completed assignments, classroom materials, and to use their independent time constructively. Most importantly, students are to treat others with respect, kindness, and dignity in both actions and words.

Should unacceptable behaviors occur, students will be spoken to directly preserving dignity. My goal is to help them acquire the appropriate behaviors and make positive decisions. Students will be guided through problem solving strategies that will lead to helpful solutions to the issues. If inappropriate choices continue, the parents will be asked to assist their child with making appropriate choices. Any physical aggression or intolerable language will be dealt with by the principal/vice principal, immediately.

Positive behaviors and choices are recognized with verbal praise, notes home, and fun projects or games in class.

Class Work and Homework

Students are expected to focus on class work by actively listening and participating. Time given for application and practice of concepts should be used wisely. Homework varies in content and style so as to help students acquire independent study skill habits and review & practice subject matter content. The amount of time a student puts into homework is individual based on their habits during school, the study atmosphere and support at home, and time management.

Students may receive approximately 30 minutes of homework with 15 minutes personal reading per night on weeknights. This work, unless otherwise noted, will always be due the next day in class. Students are expected to complete their work neatly, completely, and by following directions. Their grades will reflect this effort, and not always necessarily correct answers only. This is, in an effort, to teach responsibility for, and pride in simply doing their best work.

Any students' work not turned in on the day it is due will be considered late, and thus will receive less than full credit. A notice for parents to sign will be sent home the night an assignment is overdue whenever possible. The schoolwork must be turned in to receive any credit. Any special needs or circumstances simply need to be explained in a note in order for that student to get full-credit or a grace period regarding homework.

Homework Grades:

Check plus = A or 95
Check = B or 85
Check minus = C or 75 (or below)

Curriculum

Religion Curriculum:

Grades K-3 religion curriculum will include the use of the book Christ Our Life by Loyola Press. The Christ Our Life Workbook, includes 5 units with a total of 24 weekly lessons. Grades 3-8 will use the Pflaum Gospel Weekly series. Students will receive a “pamphlet” type packet that focuses on Catholic faith through the Gospels. Students participate in daily prayer, school wide Liturgies, service projects and daily experiences in living Christian values. Special Liturgical seasonal activities include Christmas programing, Advent activities, St. Angela study, Lenten projects and Easter season activities. Teaching in the Ursuline tradition will allow the students to grow spiritually and emotionally while learning about God in a safe and supportive environment.

Reading:

The reading program is based on structured skill development with the emphasis on comprehension. Small group novels and whole class novels are used. Class discussions, activity sheets, and projects guide the practice and learning of the skills. Reading is a skill that is learned only through active practice; therefore, reading at home is expected.

Language Arts:

Our vocabulary program is based on Sadlier’s Vocabulary Workshop. Our Grammar will focus on Sadlier-Oxford Grammar. Lastly, our spelling program is based on Harcourt Spelling Skills.

Math:

We use the Saxon series to understand and learn concepts including adding and subtracting multi-digit numbers, multiplying and dividing numbers, adding and subtracting fractions and simplifying terms, geometry concept of 2 and 3D shapes, area and perimeter, graphing, and word problem solving. We also focus on basic facts through 9s in all operations.

Daily Activities & Lessons on:

Addition & Subtraction
Basic Facts Reinforcement
Multi-digit Multiplication
Division with Remainder
Place value to hundred millions
Fractions (renaming, reducing, addition, subtraction)
Decimal (addition, subtraction)
Geometry (area, perimeter)
Percent
Time (elapsed time)
Money
Problem Solving Skills

Social Studies:

The focus in forth grade is based on the United States, its regions and geography. Maine state studies will also be a focus this year.

Science:

Our science curriculum is based on the Macmillan/McGraw-Hill series. We will cover topics including the animal kingdom and classification, biomes, ecosystems, body systems, erosion, weathering and matter. We do a variety of learning and hands on activities to study the concepts presented.