Fourth Grade Learning Goals

These goals are suggestions based on state standards. As always, each child learns differently and at a different pace, this is to act as a guide for subjects and also help with the order of presenting info to your learner. If your child needs a refresh or is missing some concepts, please refer to our Third Grade Learning Goals post to review.

Let’s look at some of the concepts 4th graders will acquire this year:

They will solve multi-step word problems using all four operations, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
They will learn how to find the perimeter and area of a shape by counting units.
They will learn how to write chronological pieces, pieces focusing on cause and effect and pieces that draw from personal experience while spelling frequent words correctly.
They will learn about changes in matter and energy, as well as expand their knowledge about the solar system and the universe.
They will learn about the Mesopotamian, Egyptian and other ancient civilizations.

4th Grade Math Curriculum Objectives

In 4th grade, math instruction should focus on number theory and systems, algebraic thinking, geometrical figures and objects, measurement of length, weight, capacity, time, and temperature, and data analysis and probability.

Some of the specific 4th grade math learning targets include:

Estimating sums and differences using rounding and compatible numbers.
Defining multiples, and list multiples of a given number.
Identify factors of a given number and common factors of two given numbers.
Solving addition and subtraction problems involving money.
Exploring the idea of a variable by solving for an unknown quantity in an equation (early algebraic thinking).
Plotting a point given an ordered pair or writing the ordered pair of a point shown on a coordinate grid.
Finding perimeter, area, and volume.

Fourth graders are expected to have gained the following skills before they start the year:

Addition and subtraction with regrouping
Understanding place value
Solving problems with decimal points
Memorizing math facts with the help of fact families
Creating a number sentence or equation from a word problem
Finding perimeter and area of a shape by counting units
Familiarity with both the traditional and metric systems

Reading Goals/Objectives for 4th grade

Foundational skills for fourth grade readers involve making sure they are reading a wide variety of books and other written materials. They will be sharing what they are reading with others, both verbally and in writing. Your child should be reading fluently enough to read aloud comfortably as well.

Specifically, some of the objectives for this year’s reading instruction include:

Paying close attention to the key features of what is read, and being able to share details afterward
Comparing ideas, characters, events, and settings in stories
Recognizing figurative language when reading (similes, metaphors, etc.)
Learning the difference between first and third person narration
Gaining additional skills in reading comprehension including summarizing, predicting, visualizing, questioning, and clarifying details

Writing Goals/Objectives for 4th grade

Your fourth grader will become actively involved in the steps of the writing process this year. From prewriting to drafting to editing and revision, fourth graders will learn how to plan out their compositions and refine them.

Some of the specific writing goals our 4th grade language arts curriculum aims for this year include:

Using research tools to investigate and write about a specific topic.
Writing summaries or opinions of topics, using supporting details.
Analyzing and interpreting a story they have read by writing about it.
Writing an example news article.

Grammar Goals/Objectives for 4th Grade

In fourth grade, students learn to apply what they have learned about grammar and mechanics as they write original compositions. Our 4th grade language arts curriculum lessons focus on parts of speech, similes and metaphors, punctuation, double negatives, and spelling.

Fourth graders will continue to review the grammar rules they have learned to this point, and will add new concepts such as:

Rules of spelling
Proper and common nouns
Regular and irregular verbs
Correctly using commas in series, dates, addresses, and compound sentences

4th Grade Science Objectives

By the end of their fourth grade year, your student should be much more than an observer of science–he/she should be an active participant. An effective 4th grade science curriculum builds on the knowledge your student has gained in the previous school years to focus on deeper understanding of scientific concepts. It also connects those concepts to other areas of the curriculum such as math and literacy.

Some of the specific goals to reach for in fourth grade science include:

Representing data in tables and graphical displays.
Participate in scientific activities and learning practices, using scientific language and tools.
Exploring the components of various systems and explaining the relationships between them.
Comparing and contrasting attributes of things with a focus on communicating the similarities and differences.
Formulate predictions in the realm of science based on observed cause and effect relationships.

Social Studies Objectives for 4th Grade

By the time they reach fourth grade, students are usually strong readers who have developed the skills for seeing patterns in history and current events. This growth prepares them for reading longer and more in-depth historical narratives and for recognizing how ancient, past, and current events are often tied together.

A standards-based program will target goals like:

Becoming an active citizen
Thinking critically
Use of technology to research and report
Map reading
Use of Timelines
Interpretation of Charts, Graphs, and Tables

Your fourth grader will continue to build a foundation of geography, economics, civics and history knowledge this year. In addition to focusing in on the history of your home state, your curriculum may cover: