Grade 4
The child enters fourth grade with new certainty, new capacities, and a willingness to test adults and peers as they investigate human dynamics.
Children are interested in fairness and contrasts and their new energy is met and channelled by their core curriculum.
Language
Early world literature like the Norse Myths and Ramayana imparts a rich understanding of the cultures.
The children learn to recognise different parts of speech and understand the quality that each part brings to form the whole - concepts of past, present, future (verb tense), and space (prepositions).
Children move from learning to read to reading to learn, and read both in groups and individually. Writing is further strengthened through original, coherent compositions.
History & Geography
Exploring the local geography & history entwined together, through field visits to places such as Qutub Minar, Red Fort etc.
The study of local geography addresses the child’s newly arising inner questions: Who am I? Where am I? They move out into the environment with growing confidence.
The lessons ground the children, making them feel at home in time and space.
Mathematics
Basic arithmetic continues and expands to the study of proper and improper fractions, mixed numbers, and decimal fractions in all four operations, with an emphasis placed on multisensory, hands-on activities
Sciences
There is a comparative study of the human being in relation to the animal world and the natural world.
Zoology lessons are supported by practical animal care on the farm. Animal studies include modelling, drawing, and written work.
Physical Development
Nature walk; rhythmic movement games using bean bags; running.
Art
Wet on wet watercolour painting
Music
Introduction to Tabla playing
Practical Work
Farming, gardening, visiting cow shed/gaushala to feed animals, helping in chopping of cow grass/chara
Form Drawing
Weaving patterns, ornament
Handwork
Embroidery folder, crocheted coasters, knitted woollen socks, bookmarks & jute bags with cross stitch patterns, felt ball with six petals etc
With their powerful will, their contentious nature and their love of adventure, the Norse gods serve as a remarkably accurate reflection of the Grade 4 children, as they offer the enduring hope of the human spirit.
The lessons in local geography and history, cartography, study of the animal kingdom, introduction to fractions, independent composition and letter writing & stories from early literature such as Norse Mythology ground the children, making them feel at home in time and space.
The study of local geography addresses the child’s newly arising inner questions: Who am I? Where am I? They move out into the environment with growing confidence.
Understanding 9-10yr Olds
Now in fourth grade, they feel a separateness, and as they come to meet the world, they want to know it intellectually. A new awareness has developed of the challenges before them. To develop the capacities to meet these challenges, we wish to give the children opportunities to face situations in the classroom that seem insurmountable and have the experience of overcoming them. They will have the experience, "I had no idea how I was going to solve that problem. But I was able to rely on my own resourcefulness which was more than I knew. I can overcome even the most seemingly impossible difficulties. Therefore, every possible opportunity is given to meet these oppositions in quite unexpected ways, ways in which the child can have the experience of traversing though conflict, and at the same time be led towards a wholesome resolution.
A Day in Grade 4
Each morning begins with exercises in recitation, singing, and rhythmic activities.
Then tecaher formally welcomes chidlren to the classroom for the 'Main Lesson'. This would be an hour & a half long time where in teachers & chidlren have a short interaction & sharing from their daily life. This is followed by a morning prayer and then class proceeds for the main lesson/subject related work.
Every month the focus is on studying one subject such as English, Hindi, Maths etc. For the one full month they study various topics under that subject using arts & movenets integrated deeply in every main lesson.
The class then takes a washroom & fruit break, after which they go for an hour long outdoor play. Children play structured social games initiated by teachers as well as freeplay which is child-led.
After returning from the play, class has their lunch together, followed by another subject related class or arts based work such as handwork or music class. The day at Aarambh for grades end at 2pm.