GRADE FOUR
Social Studies
In Social Studies we started our year enhancing our map skills. That will be followed by the history of New Jersey as well as NJ’s government and economy. From there we will learn about the development of the United States and the US Regions. We will end the year making global connections.
Science
In Science, we imagined ourselves as engineers to use the Engineering Design Process to create catapults, air planes, towers, and much more. We explored rocks, fossils, and the Earth’s surface. Using Foss curriculum, students are engaging in hands-on activities to explore electricity, magnets, and energy. We shall wrap up the year focusing on plant and animal structures and functions
Math
Our fourth grade math program covers a number of topics that build upon the concepts learned in third grade. The interactive component of ThinkCentral is used to promote critical thinking and independence among our math learners as we start the year building our foundation of place value. From there, the students apply their knowledge of basic facts to complete more complex addition and subtraction problems. We then move on to multiplying and dividing multi-digit numbers. Next the students will find themselves adding, subtracting, and multiplying fractions as well as relating fractions to decimals. We end the year with concepts related to geometry and measurement. Throughout the entire year, multi-step problem solving is woven into math instruction.
Language Arts
The main focus this year is for our students to become proficient in applying higher-level comprehension strategies to both fiction (literary) and nonfiction (expository) texts. Students will also be writing daily across all genres as well as communicating ideas through specific types of writing that include narrative, opinion, persuasive, and informational.
Meet Our Fourth Grade Teachers:
Meet the 4th Grade Team:
Hi, my name is Mrs. Piccirillo! I’ve been a Troy Hills Tiger for 17 years and even did my student teaching here! I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development Family Relations from the University of Connecticut and a graduate degree in Elementary Education from Montclair State University. My goal as a 4th grade teacher is for each of my students to become confident, responsible, and independent learners, while realizing and reaching their full potential. When I am not teaching, I enjoy exploring the outdoors. Skiing, swimming, hiking...anything that involves outside adventure!
Hello! I am Ms. O’Toole, a 4th grade teacher at Troy Hills School. After a 12-year telecommunications career, where I lived in California and New York City, I went back to William Paterson University and obtained my teaching certification and Master of Arts in Teaching. I have since gone on to acquire certification as a Reading Specialist. In my free time I love to spend time with my family, read, play tennis and knit. I also love to travel and share my experiences with my students.
My name is Renee Menadier and this is my first year as a Resource Teacher at Troy Hills School. I have been teaching in Parsippany for 12 years. I graduated from Montclair State University with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, and proceeded to earn my teaching certification from William Paterson University. As an educator, my goal is to make learning fun for my students because I know that when they are relaxed and confident, they will be more successful. I use my experience and expertise to reach all learners, build relationships, and support them in whatever way they need. I enjoy spending my free time with my family, supporting the New York Red Bulls, and watching my children play soccer. I love to read, exercise, and garden.
Hello! My name is Jolaine Longa and this is my third year as a Resource teacher at Troy Hills Elementary School. I have been an educator in Parsippany for 25 years and I am certified to teach both Special Education and Elementary Education. I graduated from MSU with my degree in Elementary/Early Childhood Education. Then went on to further my education at Jersey City State University and earned my certification in Special Education.
As a child, growing up in a family of educators, I knew at a young age that teaching was my passion. In addition to having this calling, I always possessed a true love for dancing. I taught dance for many years prior to pursuing my career as an educator. I frequently share my enthusiasm for dancing with students. Occasionally, they may even come home and share with you that they were dancing at school.
In addition to my rewarding career as an educator, I have an amazing family. I have been married for 21 years to my husband, Don, and I am a proud mother of two teenage children, AJ and Alexa. I also have a dog who is a 6 year old Beagle mix who loves to spend most of his days chasing the chipmunks, squirrels and rabbits in the yard.
As a teacher, my goal is to instill a passion for learning within my students while providing them with an educational environment that is encouraging and positive.
Looking forward to an amazing school year filled with learning opportunities, smiles, and fun.