Wai`alae Public Charter School

4th Grade
Curriculum Overview
 SS/Science Integrated Units
Survival & Adaptation
Trimester 1 Trimester 2 Trimester 3

Hawaii: Then and Now Earth Today Food Self Sufficiency

What is needed to survive
and how do communities
meet those needs?
Why did adaptations occur in
Hawaii?
What was gained and lost
when Hawaii adapted?
Essential Questions:
How is the natural earth
changing?
In order to survive, do
humans need to do anything
differently?
Where does food come from?
Why is food self-sufficiency
important? (Health impacts,
climate change impacts,
future food availability)
How can individuals or
communities adapt to
become more self-sufficient?
 STEM Lab/Makerspace
Scientific process experiments
Engineering design challenges
Inquiry based explorations
Technology integration
Integrated math exploration
 Balanced Literacy Program
The components of our balanced
literacy program includes:
reading and writing workshop
read alouds
word study (Words Their
Way)
guided reading
shared reading and writing
interactive writing
 Reading Workshop
Wai`alae School has adopted the Reading Units of Study from Teachers College,
Columbia University, and Reading and Writing Project. The units of study this year
include:

Unit 1: Interpreting Characters: The Heart of the Story

Unit 2: Reading the Weather, Reading the World
Unit 3: Reading History
Unit 4: Historical Fiction Clubs
 Writing Workshop
Wai`alae School has adopted Writing Units of Study from Teachers College, Columbia
University, and Reading and Writing Project. The 6+1 writing traits are also used as a
guide and integrated in the units of study. The units of study this year include:

Unit 1: The Arc of the Story: Writing Realistic Fiction

Unit 2: Boxes and Bullets: Personal and Persuasive Essays
Unit 3: Bringing History to Life
Unit 4: The Literary Essay: Writing about Fiction
 Mathematics
Wai`alae School has adopted the Bridges in Mathematics program from the Math Learning Center
in Portland Oregon. The following are some of the focuses in the units of study:
Unit 1: Multiplicative Thinking
Multiplication and Division Models
Primes and Composites
Measurement
Unit 2: Multi-Digit Multiplication and Early Division
Arrays and Ratio Tables
Story Problems
Division with remainders
Unit 3: Fraction and Decimals
Equivalent Fractions
Comparing and Mixed Numbers
Decimals
Unit 4: Addition, Subtraction and Measurement
Place Value and Standard Addition Algorithm
Standard Subtraction Algorithm
Measurement and Data Displays
Unit 5: Geometry and Measurement
Measuring Angles
Polygons and Symmetry
Area and Perimeter
Unit 6: Multiplication & Division, and Data & Fractions
Multiplication & Division Strategies
Revisiting Area and Perimeter
Line Plots, Fractions and Division
More Division
Unit 7: Patterns & Problems
Number & Shape Patterns
Expressions & Equations
Introducing the Standard Multiplication Algorithm
Extending the Standard Multiplication Algorithm
 Learning Trips & Residencies
The 4th grade will be engaging in many field trips this year! Some field trips that are
already scheduled include but are not limited to:
HTY Artists in Schools: Drama Teacher- Mr. Dan Kellin
Camping (November 20-22)
Aina in Schools
Malama Maunalua Service
Papahana Kualoa-Lelekamanu Service Learning Program
Pearl Harbor
 Student Led Conferences:
Student Exhibition & Goal Setting
October - Students will share their
Hawaii Then and Now project and
personal goals.
February - Students will share their
Earth Today project and personal goals.
May (specific day TBD)- Students will
share their final Food Self Sufficiency
project at our Hoike.
 4th Grade Team
hchapple@waialae.edu
B2 Ms. Heather Chapple

aavery@waialae.edu
B3 Ms. Alisa Avery

malvarez@waialae.edu
B4 Ms. Juna Alvarez (Grade Level Chair)

syee@waialae.edu
B5 Ms. Sarah Yee

bshimabukuro@waialae.edu
PTT Mr. Brian Shimabukuro

schida@waialae.edu
SST Mr. Scott Chida
mhervey@waialae.edu
Mr. Michael Hervey

syean@waialae.edu
ELL Ms. Stephanie Yean
Coordinator