For the Parents of Fourth Graders

You will find below, the things that a fourth grader is expected to learn. In addition you will find ways to help your child learn. The links below will jump you to the appropriate section, or just scroll down the page.

• Fourth Grade Mathematics
• Fourth Grade Reading and Language Arts Skill Expectations
• Fourth Grade Science
• Fourth Grade Social Studies
• Things I can do to Help my Fourth Grader

Fourth Grade Mathematics

Working toward the goals of the Essential Learnings in mathematics, each fourth grader will understand concepts and apply procedures in the following areas:

Number Sense:

• Understands whole numbers and fractions and place value.
• Understands and applies concepts of comparing, sequencing and ordering.
• Understands addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division operations at the concrete level.
• Adds, subtracts, multiplies and divides whole numbers.
• Selects and uses tools appropriately.
• Understands estimation can sometimes be helpful.
• Uses estimations to predict computation.
• Uses estimates to determine reasonableness of answers.

Measurement:

• Uses measurable traits to describe and compare objects.
• Understands that measurement is approximate.
• Uses estimates to predict and determine reasonableness of measurements.
• Understands the benefits of using standard units of measurement.
• Understands the appropriate units and uses appropriate tools for measuring time, money, length, area, volume, mass, and temperature.

Spatial Sense:

• Identifies, names and sorts geometric shapes by characteristics.
• Understands how geometric shapes and objects in the real world are related.
• Describes the relative location of objects to each other.
• Understands concepts of parallel, perpendicular, symmetry, congruence, and similarity.
• Understands and builds simple geometric shapes using slides, flips, turns and other appropriate tools.

Probability and Statistics:

• Recognizes difference between certain and uncertain events.
• Lists all possible outcomes of simple experiments.
• Understands and uses experiments to investigate uncertain events.
• Understands how to systematically collect data.
• Organizes and displays data in numerical and graphical forms.
• Understands and uses different measures of central tendency in describing a set of data.
• Understands and makes simple inferences based results of experiments.
• Predicts outcomes of simple activities and compares the predictions to results of experiments.

Functions & Relationships:

• Recognizes, creates and extends patterns of objects and numbers.
• Uses guess and check in the search for patterns.
• Represents number patterns symbolically.
• Uses standard notation to read and write number sentences.
• Solves simple equations at the concrete level

Fourth Grade Reading and Language Arts Skill Expectations

Working toward the goals of reading with comprehension, writing with skill, and communicating effectively and responsibly, each fourth grader will learn to:

Reading:

• Read to learn vs. learning to read (as done in previous grades).
• Build vocabulary through listening to a variety of readings.
• See reading as a source of information and as a leisure-time activity.
• Develop and apply vocabulary (prefixes, suffixes, syllabication, antonyms, synonyms and homonyms).
• Summarize reading material for main idea, and supporting details.
• Compare and contrast different types of literature and the media.
• Analyze literature elements (characters, setting, etc.).
• Read and use non-fiction sources (encyclopedias, biographies, software).
• Build vocabulary by using context clues, dictionaries, glossaries, and the thesaurus.

Reading Quick Check: Does your child:

• Reread in order to find other views or levels of meaning?
• Apply skills and strategies with increasing confidence?
• Apply strategies with equal competence when reading fiction or non-fiction?
• Choose appropriate ways of responding to text, either to share reading interests or to perform tasks?
• Maintains confidence and effort when meeting a challenge in the content, the act of reading, or the application of information and ideas?

Writing:

• Use a variety of forms for different audiences & purposes (lists stories, journals, informational).
• Use the writing process (plan, draft, revise, edit and publish) with increasing skill.
• Write clearly and effectively: (Use ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions).
• Consistently spell frequently used words correctly.
• Demonstrate increasing mastery of writing mechanics : grammar, punctuation, capitalization, spelling.
• Assess writing for strengths and weaknesses.
• Identify and use nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and pronouns.
• Use editing marks to revise written work.
• Use a variety of technologies as appropriate.

Communication:

• Continue developing listing and communication skills.
• Give informal oral presentations (current events).
• Integrate reading, writing, and communication skills to produce projects and/or oral presentations on topics covered in math, science and social studies.

Fourth Grade Science

Your child will learn to:

Life Process - How Living Things Stay Alive: Systems and Interactions, Energy, Patterns of Change.

(Environmental Science)

• Understand that living things are diverse, interdependent, and evolving.
• The Ocean: Systems and Interactions, Patterns of Change, Energy

(Earth Science)

• Understand that the Ocean is one global body of water with unique characteristics and resources.
• How People Use Electricity - How Electricity Works: Systems and Interactions, Patterns of Change, Energy

(Physical Science)

• Understand that people have invented systems that generate, transmit, and use electricity.
• Control Systems - How the Nervous System Works: Systems and Interactions, Patterns of Change, Energy

(Health and Wellness)

• Understand that the human body is made up of complex systems which interact to keep an individual alive and healthy.

Fourth Grade Social Studies

Your child will learn:

Knowledge and Skill:

• Locate: capitals, states, borders, rivers, gulf, oceans, lakes, hemispheres, continents, major countries, mountain ranges, equator, coasts, poles, major cities, islands, and the United States.
• Define: Key/legend, lakes, map island, elevation, relief map, plain, mountain, plateau, and compass rose.
• Identify: Number of states, continents, cardinal directions, borders, Great Lakes, symbols (cities, rivers, elevations, water, land, national capitols, state capitals, and countries).
• Apply: directions, elevation key, scale, longitude/latitude,and legend.

Heritage:

• Study formation of government.
• Study and discuss history of Washington.
• Identify individuals and contributions.
• Identify past events in Washington.

Citizenship:

• Examine State Government.
• Identify current careers and educational opportunities.

Diversity:

• Show awareness of ethnic differences and multicultural influences

Interdependence:

• Discuss and study current events.

Change:

• Examine the cause and effect of change in Washington on communities.

Things I Can Do to Help My Fourth Grade Child

• Show your child that learning is important. Provide a quiet place in your home for reading, writing, study. Make sure that place is always available to your child.
• Help your child continue to develop as a reader and a writer. Provide a variety of books, magazines and writing materials, for your child to use. Your child should read or do some homework five nights per week.
• Read to your child and have him/her read to you. Ask questions about what was read. "Tell me what happened in the story." Discuss the material. "Why do whales live in groups?" "Do you think whales should be kept in captivity?" "Why or why not?" "What part of the story did you like best?" "What could Charlie have done differently?" "If you could write the ending to the book, how would you change it?" In the intermediate grades, critical thinking is a focus throughout the curriculum. You can help your child strengthen these skills by asking questions, similar to those above, listening to your child’s responses and discussing their viewpoints.
• Read and discuss non-fiction materials as well as fiction. Reading non-fiction teaches children that books are a source of information and will help them become skilled technical readers.
• Have your child read to locate information. Have your child follow the directions in the TV or VCR operating manual. Let your child read you the recipe while you cook, etc. This is technical reading.
• Let your child catch YOU reading regularly! Research tells us that children read more and read a variety of materials when they see their parents and older siblings reading. Make sure you read for information and pleasure!
• Continue to use family outings as learning opportunities. Trips to the grocery store, mall, parks, vacations, excursions on buses, planes, trains, all provide material for discussion. Continue to ask your child questions about what they see, feel, hear, etc. What did they enjoy most about their experiences, and what did they find less enjoyable? Listen to their responses and let them know their opinions are important. Knowing you value their thoughts keeps them thinking and wondering about the world around them. Discussing their thoughts with you lets your child practice oral communication skills.
• Encourage hobbies such as crafts and model-building. These require following directions - another technical reading skill.
• Help with math skills by: playing games which involve counting, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing: Uno, Yahtzee, etc. Cooking is a great way to teach measurement, proportions, fractions, more/less, and many other math concepts we all use in our daily lives.
• Continue to give your child choices of activities, chores, ways to spend time, or foods. "Would you rather have spaghetti or tacos for dinner?" "Would you like to read to me or do flash cards right now?" "Would you rather set the table or fold the clothes?" These are decisions 9-10 year olds can and should make. In these situations, the adult is clearly in charge, yet the child is able to have some control. The chores described give children feelings of independence and teach them responsibility.
• Provide opportunities for your child to play with others, to share, and cooperate. Remind him/her to treat others with respect, understanding and acceptance.
• Volunteer at school!
• Limit and monitor TV watching!
• Remember that YOU are your child’s first teacher. The impact of your words and actions are the most important!