Curriculum Overview
At BCS, we teach integrated units in which several topics are presented together, often encompassing several disciplines in one unit. There are logical connections of topics throughout the year. It is such a natural, comprehensive way to learn.
Within each unit, we have planned to integrate technology, to allow student choice and differentiation, to provide for challenge, and to reach the mutiple intelligences of various student learning styles. BCS teachers have provided "ignite-like" pedagogy and technology opportunites for our students for many years. We are excited to work with ignite teachers and coaches to further grow the educational experiences for our students.
Our curriculum operates on a two-year cycle, meaning that we do different things from year to year so that students have a new curricular experience both years on the 3/4 team.
Parents can get daily curriculum updates by reading our blogs to find out what is going on in our classrooms. Many student materials will not go home (ie. language arts books, writing binders, social studies textbooks). If you have any questions, please email your child’s teacher for more information.
TOPICS OF STUDY
3RD GRADE MATH: Addition/Subtraction of multi-digit numbers, Multiplication/Division of numbers 0-12; mulitplication of multi-digit numbers, Money, Time, Linear Measure, Area, Perimeter, Place Value, Decimals (million to thousandth), Geometry (rays, lines, line segments, angles, triangles, polygons, polyhedrons, symmetry, congruence, Fractions, Weight, Volume, Data Collection (mean, median, mode), Probability
4TH GRADE MATH: Problem Solving, Geometry, Graphing, Multiplication, Division, Money and Decimals, Fractions, Percentages and Ratios
School years beginning in ODD number years (2009-2010, 2011-2012 etc.) = SYSTEMS
School years beginning in EVEN number years (2010-2011, 2012-2013 etc.) = PATTERNS
SYSTEMS CURRICULUM
Science: Systems and Analysis, Land and Water, Weather, Ecosystems, Food Webs
Social Studies: Michigan (includes geography, history, economics, government, Core Democratic Values)
Language Arts: Themes 1-3 of Houghton Mifflin series, Fantasy, Fairy Tales, Tall Tales, Legends, Realistic Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Literature Circles, Descriptive Writing, Paragraph Design, Writing Process, 6+1 Traits of Writing
PATTERNS CURRICULUM
Science: Patterns and Design, Magnetism and Electricity, Sound, Simple Machines, Life Cycles, Nutrition and Dental Health
Social Studies: The United States (includeds Geography, Regional Studies, Economics, Government)
Language Arts: Themes 4-6 of Houghton Mifflin series, Realistic Fiction, Informative Text, Historical Fiction, Research and Inquiry, Literature Circles, Expository Writing, Narrative Writing, Biography Writing, Letter Writing, Paragraph Design, Writing Process, 6+1 Traits of Writing
