Curriculum Overview

Kathy Yonts	Joy Hagens	Therese La Moure
Todd Frazier	Michelle Schuler	ChristopherTaylor

Kathy Yonts Kathy Yonts is 4th grade team leader and PACE team teacher. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin and has over 20 years teaching experience most of which was in the fourth grade. She has been teaching in Plano since 1989 returning to teaching after raising her family. She has taught at Brinker, Robinson, and now Gulledge Elementary. Her earlier teaching experience was in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. .E-mail her at kathy.yonts@pisd.edu

Joy Hagens Joy Hagens is the PACE team teacher for fourth grade.  She received a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1976 and a M.Ed. in Elementary Education with a specialization in Spanish from Texas A&M at Commerce in 1989.  She taught third, fourth, and sixth grades in Mesquite for 9 years.  Joy taught ESL for the DISD Amnesty Program and science for the Science Place in Dallas.  She has been with Plano ISD since 1998 and is now a member of the fourth grade team at Gulledge. E-mail her at carol.hagens@pisd.edu

Michelle Schuler Michelle Schuler has been teaching since 2001. She received her degree from Texas Tech University. Prior to coming to Gulledge in 2006, she taught 6th grade English at middle school. E-mail her at michelle.schuler@pisd.edu

Todd Frazier Todd Frazier graduated from UT Dallas in 1999 with a B.S. in Computer Science. He began teaching 8th grade math at Armstrong Middle School in Plano. He joined the 4th grade team at Gulledge in 2004. He is a PACE team teacher. E-mail him at todd.frazier@pisd.edu

Therese La Moure Therese La Mourea received Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Maryland. She obtained her teaching certificate through the Region 10 certification program. She has been teaching at Gulledge since 2003. E-mail her at therese.lamoure@pisd.edu

Christopher Taylor Christopher Taylor graduated in 1996 from Columbia College, Il. with a B.A. in Art and Design. He received his Master of Arts in Teaching from Texas Woman’s University in 2007. He joined the Gulledge family in 2006. E-Mail him at christopher.taylor@pisd.edu

Fourth Grade Curriculum

1. Clues that Communicate—Students will be looking for clues as they investigate mysteries, master map skills, practice safety procedures, and learn about the sun, moon, and earth.  The unit culminates at the end of the first six weeks with each  student creating his/her own island, and solving very complicated logic problems!
2. Many Faces, Many Places—During the second six weeks students will be researching the Native Americans and the explorers, as well as the regions of Texas.  In science, the students will also be learning about rocks, minerals, and the scientific method, in addition to the states of matter.
3. State of Diversity—The study of Texas history from the first Spanish missions to the Republic is the focus of the unit for the third six weeks.  The diverse cultures from the many countries that have influenced Texas will also be discussed.  In science, the students will explore the diversity of plants—the roots, stems, and leaves—and nutrition.  Students will also be completing a Texas Mini-Biographies project researching famous Texans!
4. Changes Over Time—During the fourth six weeks, the students will continue to study the history of Texas from the republic to the present.  The students will also learn about the weather, as well as the scientific method.  Each student will be responsible for creating a Science Project or Science Fair entry.  They will have the option of completing the project individually or in a small group.  This unit culminates with each child writing his/her autobiography!

5. Mankind and Nature in Harmony—During the fifth six weeks, the students will be investigating our world and our responsibilities.  Renewable and nonrenewable resources and ecosystems are explored.  This unit culminates with the creation of a slide show on a computer database called “Our Environment.”

6. One Affecting the Other—This last six week unit teaches fourth graders about our economics system!  The students thoroughly enjoy the process of forming companies, creating a product, advertising, making, and finally selling their product to the rest  of the  school.  The student learn the effects of their company’s good and/or bad business choices.  The digestive, circulatory, and respiratory systems are also included in this study of systems.

District Home Page

Gulledge Home

Top of Page