Fourth Grade Essential Questions

Late Summer: Building a classroom community

Core: Membership in groups, the use of symbols

Key Questions:

·         Why do people organize in groups?

·         What groups do I belong to?

·         What are my roles and responsibilities in each group?

·         What are my personal responsibilities for my own health?

·         How can I positively impact my community?

Fall:: Introduction to the regions of North Carolina, then an in-depth look at various aspects of coastal culture, geography, and history using units on early settlers, pirates, and lighthouses. Students also perform a play on the Lost Colony of Roanoke. Instruction is guided by author studies on Andrew Clements and Patricia Polacco.

Core: A sense of time and space, response to the aesthetic, living with purpose

Key Questions:

·         How do people impact the place they live?

·         How do performing arts evolve?

·         How can we solve history’s mysteries?

Early Winter: Focus on the culture (past and present) of those living in the mountains of North Carolina, spending time reading, writing, and performing Jack Tales. Author studies include Gloria Houston.

Core: A sense of time and space, response to the aesthetic,

Key Questions:

·         How are peoples’ lives different because of where they live?

·         How can one personalize a performance?

·         How do the mountains impact my life?

 Late Winter/Early Spring: Focus on technological and political aspects of North Carolina, specifically focusing on the piedmont region. Study of artist Cotton Ketchie. Animal adaptations also studied.

Core: Use of symbols, connections to nature

Key Questions

·         How does geography influence culture and trade in the Piedmont?

·         How has the Piedmont changed over time?

·         How has technology affected development in the Piedmont?

·         What is my life like in the Piedmont region?

·         What are the life cycles present in the coastal region?

Late Spring: Study of economics through producing and consuming, exploration will include creating products, promoting the product, and selling the product.

Core: producing and consuming

Key Questions

·         What is economics and why is it important to society?

·         What systems help society function?

·         What is my role as a producer and consumer?

·         How is cause and effect depicted in economics?