Welcome To Fourth Grade
What Every 4th Grade Student Should Know and Be Able To Do!
This curriculum brochure is an overview of the Mesa School District expectations of what 4th grade students are expected to know and be able to do in the major subject areas of reading, writing/language, mathematics, science, and social studies in order to be prepared for the fifth grade.
The expectations listed are summarized from the Mesa Public Schools curriculum, which is aligned with the Arizona Academic Standards. These performance standards reflect the goals of the educational community to ensure all students an education essential to success in our local and global communities.
| Reading |
| Writing |
| Math |
| Science |
| Social Studies |
The goal of MPS is for every child to be a successful and independent reader. Recognizing the importance of reading practice, it is necessary to read with your child, read to your child, or allows your child to read independently every day.
Students should know and be able to …
Vocabulary/Word Analysis
• use a wide variety of vocabulary strategies such as prefixes, suffixes, multiple-meaning words, context clues, and figurative language to figure out unfamiliar words
Fluency
• read grade-level material with fluency and appropriate expression
Comprehension – Literary Text (fiction: stories, fables, folktales)
• identify main problems and resolution
• describe a character’s traits
• compare and contrast characters, events, and settings
Comprehension – Informational Text (nonfiction)
Students are required to understand and use the wide variety of informational materials that are a part of our daily life: directories, forms, letters, and reports.
• identify the main idea and supporting details
• determine author’s purpose
• identify persuasive vocabulary
• distinguish fact from opinion
• locate specific information (ex: using an index, heading, captions, table of contents)
Writing Process
Through use of the writing process, students will continually develop and improve their writing.
Students should know and be able to …
• Prewriting use strategies to generate, plan and organize ideas for specific purposes
• Drafting incorporate prewriting activities to create a first draft
• Revising evaluate and refine the rough draft for clarity and effectiveness
• Editing proofread and corrects the draft for conventions
• Publishing format and present a final product for the intended audience
Writing Elements
Through daily writing activities, students will develop the elements/traits of effective writing.
Students should know and be able to …
• Ideas express ideas that are clear and directly related to the topic; use relevant details to support ideas
• Organization use a structure that fits the type of writing; create a strong beginning and ending; use a variety of transition words or phrases to connect ideas; group sentences to construct paragraphs
• Voice use language appropriate for the topic and purpose; express a sense of originality and personality in writing
• Word Choice use a variety of specific and descriptive words that effectively convey the intended message
• Sentence Fluency use a variety of sentence beginnings, lengths, and patterns; use effective and natural dialogue
• Conventions follow rules of capitalization and punctuation including some commas, quotation marks, and apostrophes; spell homonyms correctly; use grammar (parts of speech) correctly
Writing Applications
Through a variety of writing applications, students will improve their written communication skills.
Students should know and be able to …
• write narratives/stories and poetry
• record information using logs, notes, or lists
• write an expository paragraph that contains a topic sentence, supporting details, relevant information, and a conclusion
• write letters, thank-you notes, messages, and directions
• address an envelope for correspondence
• write persuasive text that attempts to influence the reader
• write personal reflections and responses to literature selections that demonstrate an understanding of the texts
• write an informational report that includes a main idea and supporting details using information from a variety of sources
The goal of MPS is for every child to be successful in developing the concepts and understanding of mathematics and to recognize the connections between mathematics and everyday life.
Students should know and be able to …
Number and Operations
• read, write, identify, compare, and order whole numbers, fractions, decimals to hundredths and percents
• use ratios to describe problems
• use estimation strategies to verify reasonableness of a calculation in a variety of situations
• find and apply factors and multiples of a given whole number to solve problems
• maintain memorization of addition and subtraction facts
• memorize multiplication and division facts 0 – 12
• add and subtract decimals through hundredths, including money to $1000.00
• multiply whole numbers with and without regrouping
• two-digit by two-digit numbers
• multi-digit by one-digit numbers
• divide by a single-digit number with and without remainders
• add and subtract fractions with like denominators
• simplify numerical expressions using the order of operations
• select and use appropriate metric units and tools to measure length, capacity, and mass
• calculate elapsed time to the minute
• make conversions within the same measurement system
• calculate perimeter and area
Problem-Solving
• use the problem-solving process and strategies to solve mathematical problems
• explain mathematical thinking and evaluate the reasonableness of solutions
Data Analysis and Discrete Mathematics
• collect, record, organize, compare, and interpret data from a variety of tables, charts and graphs
• determine probability using objects/visuals and predict the outcome using words and numbers
• find the median, mode, and range of data
• understand and demonstrate the systematic listing and counting of possible outcomes using tree diagrams
• demonstrate the connection between map coloring and vertex-edge graphing, identifying paths and circuits
Pattern, Algebra and Functions
• solve one-step equations using +, -, x, ÷
• recognize, describe, create, extend, and find missing terms in number patterns
• explain the rule for a given number pattern
• identify and predict the change in a quantity over time
• use a symbol to represent an unknown quantity
Geometry and Measurement
• compare and contrast properties of 2- and 3-dimensional figures
• design or draw a model that demonstrates basic geometric properties of 2- and 3 dimensional figures, including parallelism and perpendicularity
• graph ordered pairs in the first quadrant of a coordinate plane
• describe and classify triangles by angles and sides
Students should know and be able to …
Inquiry Process
• differentiate inferences from observations
• formulate relevant questions and predictions based on observed cause and effect relationships
• plan a simple investigation that identifies the variables to be controlled
• analyze data and draw conclusions
• communicate data
History and Nature of Science
• describe history of science as a human endeavor including diversity of people and science-related careers
• explain the role of experimentation in scientific inquiry
• describe components in a system
• explain ways that scientists generate ideas
Personal and Social Perspectives
• describe the beneficial and harmful impart of natural events and human activities on the environment
• explain how science and technology have improved the lives of many people
• describe benefits and risks related to the use of technology
• design and construct a technological solution to a common problem or need
Life Science
• compare structures of plants and animals
• classify animals
• describe resources and how they meet the needs of a population
• differentiate between renewable and non-renewable resources
• describe conservation methods of reduce, reuse, and recycle
• recognize adaptations that allow plants and animals to survive
Physical Science
• demonstrate that electricity flowing in circuits can produce light, sound, heat, and magnetic effects
• construct series and parallel circuits
Earth and Space Science
• identify earth processes that cause erosion
• compare rapid and slow processes that change the Earth’s surface
• analyze evidence that indicates life and environmental conditions have changed.
Students should know and be able to …
American History
• locate information using primary and secondary sources
• use timelines, graphs, tables, charts, and maps to interpret historical data
• describe the legacy, cultures, and influences of prehistoric people in Arizona
• recognize the features and achievements of the Maya, Aztec, and Inca people
• describe Spanish, Mexican explorers, colonization, and interactions with the first inhabitants of Arizona
• describe events in the Mexican-American and Civil Wars that led to Arizona becoming a territory
• describe events in the Great Depression and World War II that impacted Arizona
• discuss the connections between American current events and historical events
• describe the influence of key individuals and diverse populations in Arizona
World History
• locate information using primary and secondary sources
• use timelines, graphs, tables, charts, and maps to interpret historical data
• discuss life in Europe: castles, knights, and the Crusades
• describe encounters, trade with European explorers
• discuss connections between world current events and historical events
Civics/Government
• describe the state and national symbols, monuments that represent American democracy and values
• discuss the three branches of state government and how laws are made
• identify rights and freedoms supported by American documents
• describe the levels and roles of government, including local, tribal, and state
Geography
• use different types of maps and geography skills to solve problems
• demonstrate understanding of the physical and human features that define Arizona
• describe impact of people on natural environment
• describe how Mexico and Arizona are connected by the movement of people, goods, and ideas
Economics
• explain the decision for personal spending choice
• identify that specialization improves standards of living
• give examples of how voluntary exchanges of goods and services can be mutually beneficial
• describe economics as it pertains to price incentives, taxes, career choices and income, and the role of financial institutions
Mrs. Goffman (4/5 combo) , Mrs. Kretkowski, Miss Snyder