John C. Diehl Elementary School
2327 Fairmont Parkway   Erie, PA 16510 (814) 874-6585

Overview of Core Knowledge Topics
Taught in 4th Grade at John C. Diehl Elementary School

(For further content details see Core Knowledge Sequence book available in the school office or bookstores)




Language Arts
I. Writing, Grammar, and Usage
  A. Writing and Research
  B. Grammar and Usage
II. Poetry
  A. Poems
  B. Terms
III. Fiction
  A. Stories
  B. Myths and Mythical Characters
  C. Literary Terms
IV. Speeches
V. Sayings and Phrases

History and Geography
World
I. World Geography
  A. Spatial Sense
  B. Mountains and Mountain Ranges
II. Europe in the Middle Ages
  A. Background
  B. Geography Related to the Development of Western Europe
  C. Developments in History of the Christian Church
  D. Feudalism
  E. The Norman Conquest
  F. Growth of Towns
  G. England in the Middle Ages
III. The Spread of Islam and the "Holy Wars"
  A. Islam
  B. Development of Islamic Civilizations
  C. Wars Between Muslims and Christians
IV. Early and Medieval African Kingdoms
  A. Early African Kingdoms
  B. Medieval Kingdoms of the Sudan
  C. Geography of Africa
V. China: Dynasties and Conquerors

American
I. The American Revolution
  A. Background: The French and Indian War
  B. Causes and Provocation
  C. The Revolution
II. Making a Constitutional Government
  A. Main Ideas Behind the Declaration of Independence
  B. Making a New Government: From the Declaration to the Constitution
  C. The Constitution of the United States
  D. Levels and Functions of Government (National, State, Local)
III. Early Presidents and politics
IV. Reformers
V. Symbols and Figures

Science
I. The Human Body
  A. The Circulatory System
  B. The Respiratory System
II. Chemistry: Basic Terms and Concept
  A. Atoms
  B. Properties of Matter
  C. Elements
  D. Solutions
III. Electricity
IV. Geology: The earth and its Changes
  A. The Earth's Layers
  B. How Mountains Are Formed
  C. Rocks
  D. Weathering and Erosion
V. History of the Earth
  A. Paleontology
  B. Geologic Time
VI. Meteorology
VII. Science Biographies

Mathematics
I. Numbers and Number Sense
II. Fractions and Decimals
  A. Fractions
  B. Decimals
III. Money
IV. Computation
  A. Multiplication
  B. Division
  C. Solving Problems and Equations
V. Measurement
VI. Geometry

Visual Arts
I. Art of the Middle Ages in Europe
II. Islamic Art and Architecture
III. The Art of Africa
IV. The Art of China
V. The Art of a New Nation: The United States

Music
I. Elements of Music
II. Listening and Understanding
  A. The Orchestra
  B. Vocal Ranges
  C. Composers and Their Music
  D. Musical Connections
III. Songs