Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Fourth Grade Grade by Grade Learning Guide
Fourth Grade Grade by Grade Learning Guide
Home
Birthday Parties
Curious George
Daniel Tiger
Super Why!
Thomas & Friends
Wild Kratts
All Parties
Tips
Video
Child Development
Education
Adventures in Learning
Reading & Language
Math
Science
Music & Arts
Going to School
Homeschooling
Learning Disabilities
Fun & Games
Crafts for Kids
PBS KIDS Activity Search
Activities & Crafts
Online Games
Printables & Coloring Pages
Food & Fitness
Eat Smart
Recipe Roundup
Sports & Fitness
Parenting
PBS KIDS Programs
All Shows
Arthur
The Cat in the Hat
Curious George
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood
Dinosaur Train
Nature Cat
Odd Squad
Peg + Cat
Ready Jet Go!
Splash and Bubbles
Super Why!
Wild Kratts
TV Schedules
PBS KIDS Shop
PBS KIDS Mobile Apps
PBS Parents Ebooks
Education
946
Going to School
Home
Grade-by-Grade Learning Guide
Preschool
Kindergarten
First Grade
Second Grade
Third Grade
Fourth Grade
Fifth Grade
How to Choose a School
Starting School
Talking with Kids About School
Back to School
Your Childs Social Life
Parent Involvement
Supporting Your Learner
The Basics
In fourth grade children take on new types of work and social experiences, and for some, these can be tough. Fourth graders may struggle to
follow the many directions and long-range planning that their school assignments require. They have to collaborate with their peers on
group projects, which can be stressful in the charged social dynamics that emerge in fourth grade. Students will probably have a textbook for
each subject, as well as multiple folders, all of which can present organizational challenges (plus heavy backpacks). The work gets harder
and they need to manage it more independently that includes homework assignments in multiple subjects, as well as keeping track of
those assignments and tasks.
Fourth graders begin to use research tools, such as a dictionary, encyclopedia, library and the Internet, to gather information independently
on a topic. Most importantly, they start to learn to organize this information into paragraphs, essays, projects, and presentations that help
students synthesize their learning although their work is appropriately far from perfect. They develop a writing style where their
personality comes through as well as skills to help them edit their work.
Math
Fourth graders read, write, compare, add, subtract, multiply, and divide with very large whole numbers. They do more equations with
fractions and decimals and learn about prime numbers (numbers that can only be divided by themselves and 1). They solve problems about
factors (one of two or more numbers that can be multiplied) and multiples (a number that can be divided exactly by a smaller number) and
explore geometry formulas for determining perimeter and area, and for measuring angles. Fourth graders figure out conversion problems,
such as determining the number of minutes in an hour, or ounces in a pound. They not only read graphs, tables, and charts but should be able
to create them from data theyve collected.
Science
Fourth graders begin to compare complex systems in a complex manner. This can mean looking at changes in the Earth over long periods of
time, observing the water cycle, or understanding the interactions between organisms and their environment. Students work on projects that
ask them to build hypotheses and make predictions. Science topics may include matter and its different states, forms of energy, and the solar
system.
Social Studies
Fourth grade social studies typically moves from learning about the local community to the history of the students home state. Students will
learn about the first people to live in the area, explore changes in state populations over time, and how different people and cultures have
adapted to and influenced the state. Theyll learn to place major events in the states history in chronological order. Local and state
government structure will be introduced, and students will learn about the government offices responsible for making, enforcing, and
interpreting state laws.
Finding a Niche
Fourth graders straddle two worlds. In one world, they may be advanced and independent learners who can use their new abilities to express
themselves in exciting ways. In the other, they may be dramatic worriers who have a hard time managing all the work that is expected of
them.
Fortunately, fourth graders begin to find their academic niche. They prefer to spend time doing things that interest them where they have the
most confidence in their abilities. Strong readers will be extremely interested in reading books in genres or subject areas that excite them.
They often devour book series like bags of chips.
Teachers who work well with fourth graders take them seriously and work to keep their interests alive.
Fourth graders are also finding their social niche, but competitive feelings may interfere with the learning process. Cultural and
socioeconomic differences become more apparent to children, who may begin to group accordingly. Students who have trouble
understanding a difficult topic may be afraid to ask for help for fear of looking less smart than their peers, others may not participate for fear
of looking too smart. This is a very typical response for children of this age, says Linda Lendman, M.S.W, family coordinator at the Rand
School in Montclair, New Jersey. Fourth graders are overly concerned about peer responses and need to be encouraged to continue to ask
questions. They need to be reminded that smart people ask questions, and that it is the best way to learn.
Fourth grade can be a year packed with social dilemmas. Every day, I work with groups of girls who are angry with other groups of girls,
says Lendman. Theres a lot of drama, theyre hormonally charged, and living in a more sophisticated culture. But they are only nine and
things can still feel overwhelming to them. The good news is that many kids want to work issues out. They can learn to improve their
communication skills with the support of adults and structured social emotional learning programs.
Paid Distribution Paid Distribution
Brad Pitt Confirms Rumors, School Avoidance: How to Busy Moms Are Scooping Math Tips for Parents Questions that Work
Builds Relationship With Get Your Reluctant Child to Up These Free Mrs. Meyers PBS Parents PBS Parents
Sort by Best
Recommend 20 Share
LOG IN WITH
OR SIGN UP WITH DISQUS ?
Name
Magic Holiday Card for Kids Its Elementary! Books for Junior Detectives
2 comments 2 years ago 2 comments 2 years ago
Divya Sharma Very useful article. I like the way you have Divya Sharma Thanks for sharing this useful post. I am sure
researched and worked on this topic. Thanks for sharing this this will help many people.Check more at
post with us. You can check more at www.livehappystudio.com www.adjustproduction.com
What's this?
Connect with Us
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1.
Wild Kratts App Teaches Young Children How to Care for Animals
In this app, kids are charge of feeding, washing, and playing with baby animals.
2.
"...when people are curious about something, they learn more, and better."
3.
Dont let the idea overwhelm you. A few containers and soil in a sunny spot will do.
About PBS Parents | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Contact PBS Parents | Habla Espaol? | PBS.org