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| Home > Parents > Curriculum > Elementary > Fourth Grade |
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| Fourth Grade Curriculum |
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Fourth grade instructional programs
in Palo Alto schools are committed to helping each child meet the
academic and intellectual competencies expected at this grade level
and become active, engaged learners in a classroom setting. The
following summary of the instructional program provides an overview
of the fourth grade year. The fourth grade program builds on the
skills and knowledge children have learned in preceding years. It
encourages critical thinking, creativity and respect for self and
others. The manner of instruction – motivation, grouping,
pacing, reinforcing and reteaching – is determined by each
teacher as he or she works to meet individual student needs. Expectations
are, of course, modified or expanded to meet a child’s needs
and abilities.
Curriculum standards are what all grade-level students are expected
to know and be able to do by the end of a school year. Key standards
of fourth grade education are highlighted below. If you would like
a complete description of PAUSD standards, you may download Curriculum
Standards for Fourth Grade ( 
1MB).
If you have questions about curriculum, please contact your child's classroom teacher.
Jump to:
Reading-Language Arts | Mathematics | Science | Social Studies
Visual & Perfoming Arts | Physical Education
| Library Media Program
In Fourth Grade, each student will . . .
Language Arts
Speaking and Listening Skills
- follow complex oral directions and instructions
- demonstrate comprehension of information presented orally
- plan, organize, and deliver oral presentations in small groups
and individually
- read aloud expressively with a natural rhythm and flow
- participate effectively in large and small group discussions;
express thoughts and ideas with clarity
Reading and Writing Skills
- demonstrate interest in reading for enjoyment and to gather
information
- choose literature and informational material appropriate to
own reading skill
- read appropriate material with understanding from a variety
of genres
- use reference materials to extend knowledge
- recall main ideas and important details from reading materials
- choose from a repertoire of decoding and comprehension strategies
to unlock meaning of unknown words
- engage in all steps of the writing process; use a variety
of organizational strategies to compose (e.g., word webs, outlines)
- write for a variety of purposes and audiences; compose in
narrative, descriptive, and expository styles
- persevere through the writing process; edit own work for punctuation,
spelling, basic grammar, and paragraphing
- incorporate feedback from others into written compositions;
provide others with feedback
- spell grade-level words accurately
- use legible cursive handwriting
- use a computer as a writing tool
Mathematics
Number Sense and Operations
- knows addition and subtraction facts to 20
- rounds whole numbers through the millions
- adds and subtracts 4-digit numbers with and without regrouping
- knows multiplication facts to 12 x 12
- knows division facts up to 144 ÷ 12
- multiplies a multi-digit number by a two-digit number
- divides a multi-digit number by a one-digit number
- factors whole numbers up to 100
- recognizes and generates equivalent forms of commonly used
fractions and decimals
- identifies on a number line the relative position of fractions,
mixed numbers and decimals to two decimal places
- explains different interpretations of fractions (i.e., parts
of a whole or set, division, equivalents)
- adds and subtracts decimals to two places including dollars
and cents
Algebra and Functions
- uses letters, boxes, or other symbols to stand for any number
in simple expressions or equations
Measurement and Geometry
- measures and computes area and perimeter labeling appropriate
units (e.g., cm or cm2 )
- identifies and compares attributes of 2D shapes according
to their properties and develops definitions of triangles and
quadrilaterals
- plots points on a graph to describe a pattern and make predictions
Data Analysis and Probability
- collects, organizes, displays and interprets data
- represents all possible outcomes for a simple probability
situation
Problem Solving and Mathematical Reasoning
- justifies the reasonableness of the solution by using various
strategies
- expresses solutions clearly and logically using the appropriate
terms, pictures and numbers
- explains and justifies solutions and strategies using mathematical
vocabulary
Science
Scientific Process Skills
- work individually and as a team to collect, and share information
- conduct simple investigations to test a hypothesis and record results
- predict probable outcomes; use facts to support conclusions
- communicate scientific information in various ways through written materials, pictures, graphs, charts, or models
Encounter the "big ideas" of Life, Physical, and Earth Sciences through participation in units of study: Animal Studies, Electricity and Magnetism, and Water
- recognize that living and non-living things that surround an animal affect that animal
- discover that one way to learn about animals is through close observation over time
- explain that each animal has specific requirements
- understand that humans are animals that can significantly change their behaviors to live in a variety of habitats
- investigate the flow of electrical current
- determine that magnets attract and repel one another and attract certain materials
- observe some properties of water; know that water can be changed from one to another form of liquid, gas, or solid
- observe the effect of temperature change on water
- describe the water cycle on Earth; recognize that water percolates through Earth
Social Studies
Participate in classroom activities around the year-long theme: California: Our Changing State
- describe the early explores, the newcomers who settled here, and the people who continue to come to the region, identifying land and sea routes they traveled
- discuss the period of Mexican rule in California including land grants and the rise of the rancho economy
- analyze the effects of the Gold Rush on settlements, daily life, politics, economy, and the physical environment
- use maps to locate California, its regions, areas within the United States and countries with historical importance to California
- uses map coordinates, latitude and longitude, to locate places on world maps and globes
- describe rapid American Immigration, settlement and growth of towns and cities
Visual & Performing Arts
Visual Arts
- describe how negative shapes/forms and positive space/forms
are used in a chosen work of art
- use shading (value) to transform a two-D shape into what appears
to be a three-D form
- use accurate proportions to create an expressive portrait
or figure drawing or painting
- identify and discuss the content of works of art in the past
and present, focusing on the different cultures that have contributed
to California’s history and art heritage
- identify and describe how various cultures define and value
art differently
Music and the Performing Arts
- read, notate, listen to and describe music
- sing songs with accuracy and use instruments to play rhythmic
and melodic ostinatos
- sing and play songs from diverse cultures
- make judgments about the quality of a musical performance
- describe how music communicates ideas and moods
- identify the elements of form, pattern and rhythm in other
art forms
- identify how music is created
Physical Education
- demonstrate skill in games leading to team activities
- participate in rhythm activities: folk dances, jump rope
- participate in group games, relays
- demonstrate good health practices (e.g., nutrition, exercise, rest, health care)
Library Media Program
- Information Literacy: Students learn to find, evaluate and use information in meaningful and responsible ways
- Library and Information Usage: Students learn to practice ethical and responsible behavior
- Literature Appreciation: Students learn to choose, enjoy and respond to a wide variety of literature
Revised August 2006 |
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