Fourth Grade Curriculum Resources
Standard of Learning
4.7 The student will understand the importance of communicating with family about personal and community health issues. Key concepts/skills include:
- identification of obstacles and solutions to communication;
- the importance of seeking assistance from a trusted adult when in unsafe or uncomfortable situations.
Understanding the Standard
The student will identify obstacles to good communication and solutions to ineffective communication.
Essential Knowledge and Skills
The student will:
- define communication. (exchanging or sharing feelings, thoughts, or information)
- describe an obstacle. (not being polite, not being constructive, being negative, etc.)
- identify potential obstacles to good communication.
- describe good communication skills for healthy relationships with peers and family:
- listening without interrupting;
- taking turns talking;
- accepting constructive criticism; (the ability to give as well as accept constructive criticism) and
- using I-messages.
Sample Lessons
Education World> Communication Comparisons
Students work in teams to research and learn about methods of communication. They use graphic organizers to compare the methods and share findings with others. Students navigate the Internet and use print sources to find and record information on several types of communication, work in teams of three or four to choose three methods of communication to compare, work in teams to choose some type of graphic organizer to represent their findings and share them with peers.
Sponsor: Education World
http://www.education-world.com/a_tsl/archives/01-1/lesson0018.shtml
Free
The Educator’s Reference Desk> Mystery Pictures: Following Oral Directions
Many children have difficulty accurately giving or following verbal instructions. The purpose of this lesson plan is to encourage students to focus on the importance of clear, oral communication. Students will distinguish between words/phrases that help clarify communication and those that impede it. Students will practice giving clear oral directions and will see the results produced by students who follow their instructions.
Sponsor: The Educator’s Reference Desk & Information Institute of Syracuse
http://www.eduref.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Language_Arts.html
Free
LifeSkills Training
Grades: K-5
Model substance abuse prevention and competency enhancement program focusing on the major social and psychological factors causing substance use and abuse. Teaches drug resistance skills, personal management skills, and general social skills. Focuses on self-esteem, decision-making, influence of media, stress, communication, and assertiveness issues.
Contact: http://www.lifeskillstraining.com
Cost
Promoting Alternative THinking Strategies (PATHS)
Grades K-6
Model program to promote emotional & social competencies and reduce aggression and acting out. Includes emotional literacy, self-control, social competence, positive peer relations, and interpersonal problem-solving skills.
Sponsor: Pennsylvania State University and Channing Bete Company
Contact: http://www.preventionscience.com
Cost
Additional Instructional Resources
- Blue Web'n - http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/bluewebn
- CyberBee - http://www.infotoday.com/MMSchools/MMStocs/MMScybertoc.html
- FunBrain.com - http://www.funbrain.com/teachers/index.html
- Internet Detectives - http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/tnl/detectives
- McGraw-Hill School Division Teaching Resources - http://www.mmhschool.com
- Penn State - http://betterkidcare.psu.edu/ParentsCount/pc11Dec03.pdf
- Talking Skills; Listening Skills; The Skill of Communication - Health Teacher.com - http://www.healthteacher.com
- Yahooligans! The Web Guide for Kids - http://www.yahooligans.com
Assessment Ideas
The student will:
- describe obstacles to good communication.
- identify solutions to ineffective communication.
