Core Curriculum

Fourth Grade

 

Core Curriculum

National Standards

Materials And Resources

The following are materials and resources that can be used to support the core curriculum.

Lesson Ideas

Books

  • Notable Trade Books for Young People
    The books that appear in these annotated book lists were evaluated and selected by a Book Review Committee appointed by National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) and assembled in cooperation with the Children's Book Council (CBC).

  • Against All Odds by Shirley Bahlmann (ISBN 1-55517-590-2)
    These are amazing Utah pioneer stories of courage and survival.

  • Isn't That Odd by Shirley Bahlmann (ISBN 1-55517-663-1)
    This book tells strange and unusual Utah pioneer stories.

  • The Meiji Restoration and the Rise of Modern Japan by Monique Avakian (ISBN 0-382-24139-8, Silver Burdett Press)
    This content book examines Japan's history, details its rise to world power, and discusses the continuing influence of the Meiji Restoration on Japanese society. The book starts with Japanese illustrations of history and move to modern photographs to tell the Japan's story.

  • The Man Who Sold the Shade, a Korean Folk Tale by Vivian Binnamin and illustrated by Yumi Hto (ISBN 0-02-147773-6, McGraw-Hill)
    This is the legend of a farmer who bought the shade of a rich man's tree for 3 gold coins. As the day moved on so did the shade. The shade grew so large that the farmer went into the house of the rich man. Eventually, the rich man bought the shade back for 100 gold coins.

  • Thanksgiving at OBAACHAN'S by Janet Mitsui Brown (ISBN 1-879965-07-0, Polychrome Publishing Corporation)
    A Japanese American girl describes the Thanksgiving celebration at her Grandmother's house and the things that make it her favorite holiday.

  • Ling Cho and His Three Friends by V.J. Pacilio with pictures by Scott Cook (ISBN 0-374-54545-7, Farrar Straus Giroux)
    This is a tale of a wealthy farmer who shares his bumper crop of wheat with his friends asking only that his friends share their earnings with him. Two of the friends make up stories so that they will not have to share with the farmer. One friend tells the truth about using the crop for his family and asks to help the wealthy farmer in return for his help. Each one is about to learn an important truth about friendship from their wise and kind patron. This book not only teaches about China but helps to tell character values.
  • The Man Who Caught Fish by Walter Lyon Krudop (ISBN 0-374-34786-7, Farrar Straus Giroux)
    Walter Lyon Krudop's original tale about a stranger who comes to a village carrying only a fishing pole, is enhanced by exquisite paintings. It is a story that brings to life a long-ago Thailand and a timeless theme, the consequences of pride.

  • Blue Willow by Pam Conrad and S. Saelig Gallagher (ISBN 0-399-22904-3, Philomel Books)
    This is a radiant and unforgettable Blue Willow tale to celebrate the purity and miracle of love that knows no bounds. On the banks of the Wen River, the beautiful Kung Shi Fair looks up to see Chang the Good pulling his fishing nets out of the water. Their eyes meet, and they are forever joined in love. Still, there are threats. In the tiny village by the river, a leopard lurks, and the father of Kung Shi Fair vows not to lose his draughts. In a dramatic protest the two lovers, each in their own way, face the storm that besiege them, confirming forever their own sweet, undying love.

  • Lion Dancer by Kate Waters and Madeline Slovenz-Low (ISBN 0-590-43047-5, Scholastic)
    This pictorial story tells of the most important day in Ernie Wan's life. This Chinese New Year, he will perform his first Lion Dance on the streets of New York City!

  • Tibet, Through the Red Box, by Peter Sis (ISBN 0-439-13257-6, Scholastic Inc.)
    Opening the red box, Peter Sis finds the diary his father kept when he was lost in Tibet in the mid-1950's. As he turns the brittle pages, covered with faded handwriting and fine drawings, and examines the small treasures that were hidden with the diary, Sis becomes the accidental traveler trekking through Tibet.

    CHINA

  • Beautiful Warrior by Emily Arnold McCully ( ISBN 0-439-06366-3)
    This is an old Chinese legend celebrates discipline and inner strength while retelling a legend connected with styles of kung fu. This story authentically re-creates a period of Chinese history and gives readers not one but two lively heroines. Whether or not Wu Mei and Wing Chun were actual historical figures remains an open question. It does, however, reflect the important principles of kung fu.ˆ

  • Red Scarf Girl-A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution by Ji Li Jiang
    This is a profound story of Ji Li Jiang and the cultural revolution as seen through the eyes of a twelve year old girl. She tells the story of her family and how they were swept up in the changes brought on by Chairman Mao. At first totally believing and supporting the change, they recognize the wrongs brought on by the Chairman's followers, as they face the challenges that come to her family because of the occupation of an ancestor. It is a tremendous story of courage in the face of adversity, and the realities of life in a Communistic country. It is also an intriguing took at prejudice in a different forum than slavery.
    **This would be a great read-aloud book, with discussions of history in the making.

Teacher Resources

  • The Learning Page
    The Learning Page is designed to help educators use the American Memory Collections to teach history and culture. It offers tips and tricks, definitions and rationale for using primary sources, activities, discussions, lesson plans and suggestions for using the collections in classroom curriculum.

  • Utah State Office of Education Recommended Instructional Materials System (RIMS)
    Find instructional materials that have been adopted by the Utah State Office of Education.

  • National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)
    Founded in 1921, National Council for the Social Studies has grown to be the largest association in the country devoted solely to social studies education. NCSS engages and supports educators in strengthening and advocating social studies. With members in all the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 69 foreign countries, NCSS serves as an umbrella organization for elementary, secondary, and college teachers of history, geography, economics, political science, sociology, psychology, anthropology, and law-related education.

  • JAPAN Culture Kit by Linda Scher & Mary Oates Johnson (ISBN 0-439-18276-X, Scholastic Professional Books)
    Your kit is full of ideas to use in the classroom to make learning about Japan exciting and interesting for students with varied learning styles. Students will share in the life of a Japanese child---playing games, singing songs, cooking, making crafts, and reading wonderful books.

  • Beautiful warrior, The Legend of the Nun's Kung Fu, by Emily Arnold McCully (ISBN 0-439-06366-3, Scholastic)
    This Chinese story carries the Chinese defensive art of Kung Fu. Our story tells us how Mei Wu learned the art and how the art helps her in life.

  • The Usborne Book of Calligraphy Projects, by Fiona Watt and Anna Rowley (ISBN 0-590-63156-X, Scholastic)
    Teaches the ancient art of calligraphy.

  • China, by Diana Granat and Stanlee Brimberg (ISBN 0-590-76987-1, Scholastic Professional Books)
    A complete resource book on China filled with background information, primary sources, hands-on activities, art projects, maps and much, much more.

Teaching Kits

Teaching kits are available for checkout for a two-week period with one renewal for two more weeks (if the kit is not reserved by another instructor). It is best to call (801-533-3517) at least 30 days prior to reserve a kit. The deposit is $50.00 for the Archaeology and Mining kits, and both components of Country School Legacy. A deposit of $25.00 is required for Liquid Treasure and the activities component of the Country School Legacy kits. The deposit is refunded after the kit is inventoried by the Education Department and all items are accounted for in good condition. Fines are levied for late or damaged items.

  • Prehistory/Archaeology Kit
    This kit deals with several different areas of Utah's prehistory. Included in the kit are three teachers' manuals with activities and curriculum development ideas. Three trays of artifacts bring the classroom discussion to an engaging and active level of learning. The kit was modeled to fit into the current curriculum guidelines. Useful for fourth and twelfth grade levels, History and Earth Science classes.

  • Country School Legacy Kit
    This kit has two components. One is a fully mounted photographic display plus an interactive component. It is especially relative to children since it is not about adults in history, but about children in school during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The two components can be checked out separately. Useful for fourth and ninth grade levels, History, English and Art classes.

  • Liquid Treasure Teaching Kit
    This kit explains the complex issues that deal with a rare resource in a desert like ours; water. The kit doesn't have a full curriculum guide but does have a video presentation for the teacher with ideas on how the kit can be used in the classroom or for individual research projects. Useful for fourth and twelfth grades, History, Geography, and Earth Sciences classes.

  • Mining History Teaching Kit
    Mining plays a pivotal role in Utah, as much today as it did yesterday. Explore that role with a wide variety of artifacts, experiments, and activities. This kit has a fully developed curriculum guide for instructors. The guide is tied to district guidelines and goals. Useful for fourth through ninth grade levels, History, English, Math, Geography and Earth Science classes.

  • Outreach Programs
    Bring the museum to your classrooms. Schedule a speaker to address history issues in your classroom. Our docents and curator can speak on several historical issues with or without a teaching kit. Most speakers fit a 40 to 50 minute time frams and deal with such topics as Utah history, military history, archaeology, cultural diversity, mining history, and settlement/frontier history. The speaker can introduce a teaching kit to the class, then leave the kit for continued exploration by the students. The speaker can address two classes at the same time. This leaves instructors with a free class period to network with other instructors or continue with ongoing projects. Speakers must be scheduled 60 days in advance. Speakers are available Tuesday - Thursday, 9:15 to 3:15, no fee is required.

  • Photographic Exhibits
    A brief list of the Photographic Exhibits follows: ˆ
    Dead People Deal Places Ghost Towns of Utah
    Preservation Investigation
    Farming in Utah
    Mining in Utah
    Saltair: The Great Resort

    All of these exhibits are labeled and can be used in the classroom and libraries, to create a visual Learning environment without reliance on English language skills. The photographic exhibits are Available for 30 days with a $50.00 deposit (refundable). Technical support for the hanging and Interpreting the different exhibits is available from the Education Department.

Internet Resources

The following links open in a new browser window.

  • Vote Utah
    This Non-Partisan Web site combines resources from its partners to bring you moments from Utah's political history, fun and educational things to do for teachers and students, a record of candidate and initiative information and news coverage for the elections, and more

  • SURWEB
    The State of Utah Resource Web (SURWEB) allows people to create multimedia presentations in minutes using images, sounds & movies provided by SURWEB or other digital sources. There are numerous pictures from around the State of Utah.

  • Utah History For Kids
    A site created by the Utah State Historical Society to help teach Utah history to kids.

  • Bank Jr
    Zions Bank and KidsOnline.com have created the Bank Jr web site as the biggest and most comprehensive kid-friendly resource on the web for learning about finances.

  • MarcoPolo
    MarcoPolo: Internet Content for the Classroom is a consortium of premier national education organizations, state education agencies and the MarcoPolo Education Foundation dedicated to providing the highest quality Internet content and professional development to teachers and students throughout the United States.

  • OtterGeography
    Ottergeography believes that learning geography is fun! Not only can geography be enjoyable, but a greater appreciation of people, places, and cultures can enrich our minds and help us better understand our place on this earth.

  • Pioneer - Utah's Online Library
    Pioneer is Utah’s Online Library of electronic resources. It provides statewide access to newspaper articles, magazines, professional journals, encyclopedias, video, photographs, maps, charts, and graphics.

  • Utah Education Network
    The Utah Education Network web site provides education tools, activities, lesson plans, curriculum guides and professional development for teachers and educators in the state of Utah. You can also find other UEN resources like KULC channel 9, EDNET, and distance learning resources here.

  • Education Site for the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Games
    This site is designed with the expertise of many Utah teachers, curriculum designers, and Olympic and Paralympic organizers.

  • Journey Through Topaz
    During World War II when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, the United States government initiated a policy which took thousands of Japanese Americans citizens out of their homes and put them in internment camps. One of these camps was located just outside Delta, Utah and was called "Topaz: The Jewel of the Desert". This virtual tour will help you explore this relocation situation and show you what it might have been like to be a part of Topaz.

  • Japan Information Network
    You and your students are just a click away from viewing some of Japan's national art treasures at The Virtual Museum of Traditional Japanese Arts. They can also take virtual tours of Japanese cities by clicking on Regions and Cities.

  • Ask Asia
    At this site, kids can e-mail any questions they have about Japan and have them answered by a member of the site's Asia Studies Team. Also includes a bulletin board for finding schools in Japan looking for e-mail pen pals in the United States.

 

For further information, contact Robert Austin, State Social Studies Specialist - 801.538.7708; FAX 801.538.7769
This page last updated June 20, 2008