Paper-Based 4th Grade Curriculum & School Options

Not every family wants 4th grade to happen on a screen. Many homeschool programs use printed books, workbooks, teacher guides, manipulatives, literature, crafts, and hands-on activities as the primary method of instruction.

Accredited Paper-Based & Print-Heavy Fourth Grade Programs

Seton Home Study School

Type: Accredited Catholic distance school
Format: Printed textbooks, workbooks, readers, lesson plans, tests, and parent-led instruction

Seton offers a complete fourth-grade program built primarily around traditional printed materials.

The curriculum includes:

Reading • Phonics • English • Vocabulary • Spelling • Handwriting • Mathematics • Science • History • Art • Music • Religion

Full enrollment includes the books needed for the grade level along with lesson plans, grading, academic counseling, and recordkeeping. Seton Home Study School is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

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Kolbe Academy

Type: Accredited Catholic classical academy
Format: Printed books, course plans, study guides, assignments, tests, and parent-led instruction

Kolbe Academy offers a traditional homeschool option for elementary students using physical books and structured course plans.

Families can use curriculum covering areas such as:

Religion • Literature • English • Vocabulary • Mathematics • Science • History • Geography • Classical Studies

Kolbe's K–8 traditional homeschool courses include daily course plans, and parents submit recommended grades and samples of student work through the academy. Kolbe Academy is accredited by Cognia and NAPCIS.

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Mother of Divine Grace School

Type: Accredited Catholic classical distance school
Format: Printed syllabus, traditional books, workbooks, literature, and parent-led instruction

Mother of Divine Grace offers a detailed fourth-grade syllabus containing daily lesson plans.

Subjects include:

Religion • Mathematics • Language Arts • Spelling • Poetry • Science • History • Geography • Latin • Art • Music

The fourth-grade syllabus also contains teaching resources, learning objectives, rubrics, schedules, and teaching suggestions. Paper copies of the syllabus are available. Mother of Divine Grace School is accredited by ACS WASC.

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Oak Meadow School

Type: Accredited secular distance school
Format: Printed coursebooks, literature, writing, projects, art, and hands-on activities

Oak Meadow offers a secular, print-based fourth-grade curriculum designed to encourage greater student independence.

Fourth-grade study includes:

Language Arts • Mathematics • Science • Social Studies • Literature • Art • Music • Hands-On Projects

Students study areas such as poetry, journal writing, short stories, U.S. geography and history, life science, astronomy, multiplication, division, fractions, and long division.

Families may either purchase the curriculum independently or enroll through Oak Meadow School, which is accredited by NEASC.

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Bridgeway Academy

Type: Accredited personalized homeschool academy
Format: Printed textbooks, worktexts, workbooks, instructor guides, or blended learning

Bridgeway Academy allows families to build a customized fourth-grade program using traditional printed curriculum.

Its curriculum options include:

Textbooks • Workbooks • Printed Worktexts • Instructor Guides • Hands-On Activities

Bridgeway specifically offers completely offline textbook options as well as online and blended alternatives. Full academy programs include accreditation, academic advising, grading support, and official records.

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BJU Press Academy of Home Education

Type: Accredited Christian homeschool academy option
Format: BJU Press textbooks, worktexts, teacher editions, assessments, and parent instruction

Families who want to use traditional BJU Press materials while also enrolling in an accredited program can enroll through the Academy of Home Education.

BJU Press offers a complete Grade 4 textbook kit with student and teacher materials covering:

Bible • Reading • English • Mathematics • Science • Heritage Studies • Spelling • Handwriting

The Academy of Home Education offers an accredited enrollment option with additional reporting and student-work requirements.

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Independent / Non-Accredited Paper-Based Fourth Grade Curricula

Abeka Homeschool

Type: Christian traditional curriculum
Format: Textbooks, workbooks, readers, flashcards, teacher guides, and hands-on materials

Abeka's fourth-grade materials can be purchased and taught independently without enrolling in Abeka Academy.

The traditional curriculum typically covers:

Reading • Language • Spelling • Writing • Arithmetic • Science • Health • History • Geography • Bible

Families who purchase and teach Abeka independently remain responsible for homeschool instruction, grading, and recordkeeping.

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BJU Press Homeschool

Type: Christian traditional curriculum
Format: Printed textbooks, worktexts, teacher editions, tests, and hands-on activities

BJU Press offers a Grade 4 Complete Grade Textbook Kit containing the essential student and teacher materials for fourth grade.

Subjects include:

Reading • English • Mathematics • Science • Heritage Studies • Spelling • Handwriting • Bible

Families can use the physical materials without purchasing online video instruction or enrolling in an accredited academy.

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Sonlight

Type: Christian literature-based curriculum
Format: Physical books, Instructor's Guides, readers, workbooks, manipulatives, and hands-on activities

Sonlight offers complete fourth-grade curriculum packages built heavily around literature and read-alouds.

An All-Subjects Package can include:

History • Geography • Bible • Literature • Reading • Language Arts • Spelling • Mathematics • Science

Families can choose among several history sequences and customize subjects according to the child's level. Sonlight's fourth-grade recommendations include both world-history and American-history options.

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BookShark

Type: Secular literature-based curriculum
Format: Physical books, Instructor's Guides, activity sheets, manipulatives, and hands-on learning

BookShark's Level E is designed primarily for fourth-grade students and approximately ages 9–12.

The All-Subject Package includes:

Reading & History • Language Arts • Spelling • Science • Mathematics

BookShark uses literature, discussion, hands-on activities, and structured Instructor's Guides rather than relying primarily on traditional textbooks.

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Memoria Press

Type: Classical Christian curriculum
Format: Printed books, workbooks, teacher guides, literature, flashcards, and curriculum manuals

Memoria Press offers a structured fourth-grade Classical Core Curriculum.

Subjects include areas such as:

Literature • Language Arts • Grammar • Spelling • Writing • Mathematics • Latin • Classical Studies • Science • Geography • Christian Studies

Families entering Memoria Press for the first time can choose the Fourth Grade Curriculum for New Users, while continuing families can use the standard fourth-grade package.

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Master Books

Type: Christian homeschool curriculum
Format: Printed textbooks, workbooks, worksheets, teacher materials, schedules, quizzes, and answer keys

Master Books offers a Grade 4 Basic 4 Subject Set providing 36 weeks of instruction.

The core subjects are:

Language Arts • Mathematics • Science • History

Fourth-grade study includes multi-digit multiplication and division, fractions and decimals, grammar and writing, U.S. history, geography, scientific inquiry, matter, and other science concepts.

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My Father's World

Type: Christian family-style unit-study curriculum
Format: Printed teacher manuals, books, student sheets, notebooks, maps, projects, experiments, and hands-on activities

Fourth-grade students enter My Father's World's Investigate family learning cycle.

Families new to the program with students in Grades 4–8 generally begin with Exploring Countries and Cultures.

The curriculum integrates:

Bible • Geography • History • Literature • Science • Art • Music • Hands-On Activities

Students in multiple grades can study together while completing assignments at developmentally appropriate levels. Mathematics and language arts are selected separately according to the child's level.

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Timberdoodle

Type: Eclectic customizable homeschool curriculum kit
Format: Books, workbooks, manipulatives, games, STEM materials, art supplies, and hands-on resources

Timberdoodle offers a 2026 Fourth-Grade Curriculum Kit designed primarily for ages 9–10.

Depending on the selected package, areas can include:

Language Arts • Mathematics • Thinking Skills • History & Social Studies • Science • STEM • Art

Families can choose different kit levels and customize materials. Both faith-based and nonreligious options are available.

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The Good and the Beautiful

Type: Parent-led homeschool curriculum
Format: Printed course books, literature, handwriting workbooks, manipulatives, and optional digital supplements

The Good and the Beautiful offers a Level 4 Basic Bundle for fourth-grade students.

The basic bundle includes:

Language Arts • Reading • Writing • Grammar • Handwriting • Mathematics

Family-style science and history courses can be added separately. Many core materials are available as physical books, although some courses also include optional or required videos and online components.

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Christian Light

Type: Christian workbook-based curriculum
Format: LightUnit workbooks, textbooks, teacher guides, answer keys, quizzes, and tests

Christian Light offers a structured fourth-grade curriculum with a strong paper-and-pencil approach.

Subjects include:

Reading • Language Arts • Mathematics • Science • Social Studies • Bible

The curriculum uses its LightUnit workbook system, with incremental instruction and continuous review in subjects such as language arts and mathematics. Fourth-grade science combines a textbook with LightUnits, while social studies uses Into All the World with either workbook- or textbook-based study.

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Gather ’Round Homeschool

Type: Christian family-style unit-study curriculum
Format: Printed or digital teacher guides, leveled student notebooks, projects, and hands-on activities

Gather ’Round Homeschool allows children of different ages to study the same central topic while completing assignments at their individual learning levels.

The curriculum typically integrates:

Language Arts • Science • History • Geography • Bible • Writing • Research • Art

For many fourth-grade students, the Early Elementary level may be appropriate, while more advanced writers may use Upper Elementary. Gather ’Round recommends placement based more on reading and writing ability than grade alone.

Most units are available in both printed and digital formats. Mathematics is offered separately from the main unit-study curriculum.

Gather ’Round is not an accredited school. Families remain responsible for homeschool instruction, grading, and recordkeeping.

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Heart of Dakota

Type: Christian Charlotte Mason-inspired, literature-based curriculum
Format: Physical books, teacher guides, notebooks, workbooks, experiments, narration, and hands-on activities

Heart of Dakota organizes its programs according to age and academic readiness rather than strict grade levels.

For many fourth graders, Preparing Hearts for His Glory is an appropriate placement. It is designed primarily for ages 8–10 and integrates:

World History • Bible • Literature • Science • Geography • Poetry • Writing • Spelling • Grammar • Mathematics

The program contains 35 weeks of structured lessons and uses living books, notebooking, narration, projects, and hands-on activities.

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Beyond the Page

Type: Secular literature- and project-based curriculum
Format: Physical books, parent guides, student activity books, manipulatives, experiments, and projects

Beyond the Page's Age 8–10 curriculum is typically used for fourth grade.

It provides full-year instruction in:

Language Arts • Mathematics • Science • Social Studies

Students study literature while completing writing projects, science investigations, geography and social studies activities, and hands-on mathematics.

The program can be purchased with physical literature and materials kits, although optional online scheduling and supplemental resources are also available.

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Build Your Library

Type: Secular literature-based curriculum
Format: Printable curriculum guide used with physical books, notebooks, maps, projects, and hands-on activities

Build Your Library offers Level 4: The Modern World, designed for approximately Grade 4 and ages 9–11.

The curriculum incorporates areas such as:

Literature • History • Geography • Science • Poetry • Art • Writing • Research • Narration • Mapwork

Level 4 explores the modern era while incorporating basic physics and the study of how things work.

The curriculum guide is purchased digitally and printed by the family, while most instruction takes place through books and paper-based activities. Families generally add a separate mathematics program.

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A Note About Accreditation

It is important for families to understand that curriculum itself is not accredited. Accreditation applies to a school or institution.

For example:

Oak Meadow School enrollment = Accredited
Oak Meadow curriculum purchased independently = Non-accredited independent curriculum

BJU Academy of Home Education accredited enrollment = Accredited
BJU Press textbooks purchased independently = Non-accredited independent curriculum

This distinction does not mean independent curriculum is academically inferior. It simply means the parent, rather than an outside school, is responsible for administering the homeschool and maintaining the child's records.

Choosing a Paper-Based Fourth Grade Curriculum

Families may want to compare:

Accredited or Independent • Secular or Faith-Based • Traditional Textbooks • Literature-Based Learning • Unit Studies • Parent Teaching Time • Reading Level • Writing Instruction • Mathematics Approach • Science Experiments • History & Geography • Hands-On Projects • Art & Music • Testing • Recordkeeping • Amount of Screen Use • Cost

Fourth grade is also a good point to consider subject-level placement rather than automatically selecting Grade 4 materials in every subject. A student may be ready for a different level in mathematics, reading, writing, or another area.

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A Note for Parents

This is a guide, not a test.

Children develop at different rates. A child may be advanced in one area while still developing skills in another. Use this resource to guide instruction and observe growth rather than as a pass-or-fail assessment.

Illinois Learning Standards establish expectations for what students should know and be able to do at each grade level, but the standards themselves are not intended to prescribe one particular curriculum or teaching method.

Reading & Language Arts

Reading Foundations

By the end of fourth grade, a child should be developing the ability to:

• Use letter-sound relationships, syllable patterns, roots, and affixes to decode unfamiliar multisyllabic words.

• Read grade-level words accurately in and out of context.

• Use common roots and affixes to help decode unfamiliar words.

• Read fourth-grade text with purpose and understanding.

• Read fourth-grade prose aloud accurately.

• Read fourth-grade poetry aloud accurately.

• Read aloud at an appropriate rate.

• Read aloud with expression that supports meaning.

• Use context to confirm word recognition.

• Self-correct when a word does not make sense.

• Reread when necessary to improve accuracy or understanding.

• Read fluently enough that decoding does not interfere with comprehension.

Reading Literature

A fourth grader should be developing the ability to:

• Refer to details and examples in a literary text when explaining what the text says directly.

• Use details and examples from a text when making an inference.

• Determine the theme of a story.

• Determine the theme of a drama.

• Determine the theme of a poem.

• Use details from the text to explain a theme.

• Summarize a literary text without retelling every detail.

• Describe a character in depth.

• Describe a setting in depth.

• Describe an event in depth.

• Use a character's thoughts, words, and actions as evidence when describing the character.

• Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in literary text.

• Recognize references to well-known characters or events from mythology when appropriate.

• Explain major differences among poetry, drama, and prose.

• Identify structural elements of poetry.

• Identify structural elements of drama.

• Recognize elements such as dialogue and stage directions.

• Compare first-person and third-person narration.

• Compare and contrast the point of view from which different stories are narrated.

• Connect a written story or drama to a visual presentation of the same work.

• Connect a written story or drama to an oral presentation of the same work.

• Identify where a visual or oral presentation reflects details from the original text.

• Compare how similar themes are treated in different stories.

• Compare similar topics in myths or traditional literature from different cultures.

• Compare patterns of events across stories.

• Read fourth-grade stories, dramas, and poetry with increasing independence.

Reading Informational Text

A fourth grader should be developing the ability to:

• Refer to details and examples when explaining informational text.

• Use details and examples when drawing inferences.

• Determine the main idea.

• Explain how key details support the main idea.

• Summarize informational text accurately.

• Explain events in a historical text.

• Explain procedures in a technical text.

• Explain scientific ideas or concepts.

• Explain what happened and why based on information in a text.

• Determine the meaning of general academic words.

• Determine the meaning of subject-specific words.

• Recognize chronological text structure.

• Recognize compare-and-contrast text structure.

• Recognize cause-and-effect text structure.

• Recognize problem-and-solution text structure.

• Explain how text structure helps organize information.

• Compare a firsthand account with a secondhand account of the same event.

• Explain differences in focus between firsthand and secondhand accounts.

• Explain differences in information provided by firsthand and secondhand accounts.

• Interpret information in charts.

• Interpret information in graphs.

• Interpret information in diagrams.

• Interpret information in timelines.

• Interpret information presented visually.

• Interpret information presented orally.

• Interpret quantitative information.

• Explain how visual or quantitative information contributes to understanding.

• Explain how an author uses reasons to support a point.

• Explain how an author uses evidence to support a point.

• Combine information from two texts about the same topic.

• Use multiple texts to write or speak knowledgeably about a topic.

• Read grade-level history, science, and technical texts with increasing independence.

Writing

By the end of fourth grade, a child should be developing the ability to:

Opinion Writing

• Write an opinion piece that clearly states a point of view.

• Introduce the topic or text clearly.

• Organize related ideas.

• Provide reasons that support the opinion.

• Support reasons with facts and details.

• Use linking words and phrases.

• Use phrases such as for instance, in addition, and in order to appropriately.

• Provide a conclusion related to the opinion.

Informative & Explanatory Writing

• Write informative or explanatory text about a topic.

• Introduce the topic clearly.

• Group related information into paragraphs or sections.

• Use headings when appropriate.

• Use illustrations or multimedia when they improve understanding.

• Develop a topic with facts.

• Use definitions.

• Include concrete details.

• Include appropriate examples.

• Use quotations when they support the topic.

• Connect related ideas.

• Use precise language.

• Use subject-specific vocabulary.

• Provide an appropriate conclusion.

Narrative Writing

• Write narratives about real or imagined experiences.

• Establish a situation.

• Introduce a narrator and/or characters.

• Organize events in a natural sequence.

• Use dialogue.

• Use description.

• Describe actions and events.

• Use transitions to manage the sequence of events.

• Use concrete words.

• Use sensory details.

• Provide a conclusion that follows from the events.

Writing Process & Research

• Produce clear writing appropriate to the task.

• Write for a specific purpose.

• Consider the intended audience.

• Plan writing.

• Revise writing.

• Improve organization during revision.

• Edit writing.

• Correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.

• Use technology to produce writing when appropriate.

• Publish writing using digital tools when appropriate.

• Collaborate with others on writing projects.

• Develop keyboarding skills.

• Type at least one page in a single sitting.

• Conduct short research projects.

• Research different aspects of a topic.

• Gather relevant information from print sources.

• Gather relevant information from digital sources.

• Take notes.

• Categorize information gathered during research.

• Create a list of sources.

• Use evidence from literature when analyzing or reflecting on a text.

• Use evidence from informational text when analyzing or researching a topic.

• Write for both shorter and longer periods of time.

Speaking & Listening

A fourth grader should be developing the ability to:

• Participate effectively in one-on-one discussions.

• Participate effectively in small-group discussions.

• Participate effectively in larger discussions.

• Build on the ideas of others.

• Express personal ideas clearly.

• Come to discussions prepared.

• Read or study required material before a discussion.

• Use prior knowledge during discussions.

• Follow agreed-upon discussion rules.

• Carry out an assigned role during group work.

• Ask specific questions to clarify information.

• Ask follow-up questions.

• Respond appropriately to questions.

• Make comments that contribute to the discussion.

• Connect comments to the remarks of others.

• Review key ideas expressed during a discussion.

• Explain how personal understanding changed or developed during a discussion.

• Paraphrase portions of a text read aloud.

• Paraphrase information presented visually.

• Paraphrase quantitative information.

• Paraphrase information presented orally.

• Identify reasons a speaker gives to support a point.

• Identify evidence a speaker gives to support a point.

• Report on a topic in an organized way.

• Report on a text in an organized way.

• Recount an experience using relevant facts.

• Use descriptive details when speaking.

• Speak clearly.

• Speak at an understandable pace.

• Use audio recordings when they improve a presentation.

• Use visual displays when they improve a presentation.

• Recognize situations that require formal English.

• Recognize situations where informal language is appropriate.

• Use formal English when appropriate.

Language, Grammar & Vocabulary

A fourth grader should be developing the ability to:

• Use relative pronouns such as who, whose, whom, which, and that.

• Use relative adverbs such as where, when, and why.

• Form progressive verb tenses.

• Use progressive verb tenses correctly.

• Use modal auxiliaries such as can, may, and must.

• Order adjectives according to conventional patterns.

• Form prepositional phrases.

• Use prepositional phrases.

• Produce complete sentences.

• Recognize sentence fragments.

• Correct sentence fragments.

• Recognize run-on sentences.

• Correct run-on sentences.

• Use frequently confused words correctly.

• Distinguish words such as to, too, and two.

• Distinguish words such as there, their, and they're.

• Use correct capitalization.

• Use commas and quotation marks in direct speech.

• Use commas and quotation marks when quoting a text.

• Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence.

• Spell grade-appropriate words correctly.

• Use reference materials to check spelling.

• Choose words that communicate ideas precisely.

• Choose phrases that communicate ideas precisely.

• Use punctuation for effect when appropriate.

• Use formal and informal English appropriately.

• Use context clues to determine an unknown word's meaning.

• Use context clues with multiple-meaning words.

• Use common Greek prefixes and suffixes as clues to meaning.

• Use common Latin prefixes and suffixes as clues to meaning.

• Use Greek roots as clues to word meaning.

• Use Latin roots as clues to word meaning.

• Use dictionaries.

• Use glossaries.

• Use thesauruses.

• Use print reference materials.

• Use digital reference materials.

• Explain simple similes.

• Explain simple metaphors.

• Recognize common idioms.

• Explain common idioms.

• Recognize common adages.

• Recognize common proverbs.

• Identify antonyms.

• Identify synonyms.

• Understand differences in meaning among related words.

• Use grade-appropriate conversational vocabulary.

• Use academic vocabulary.

• Use subject-specific vocabulary.

Mathematics

Operations & Algebraic Thinking

A fourth grader should be developing the ability to:

• Interpret multiplication as a comparison.

• Understand statements such as one quantity being several times as large as another.

• Represent multiplicative comparisons with multiplication equations.

• Distinguish multiplicative comparison from additive comparison.

• Solve multiplicative comparison word problems using multiplication.

• Solve multiplicative comparison word problems using division.

• Represent comparison problems with drawings.

• Represent comparison problems with equations.

• Solve multi-step whole-number word problems.

• Use addition in multi-step problems.

• Use subtraction in multi-step problems.

• Use multiplication in multi-step problems.

• Use division in multi-step problems.

• Represent multi-step problems with equations.

• Use a letter or symbol for an unknown quantity.

• Interpret remainders appropriately in context.

• Use mental math to determine whether an answer is reasonable.

• Use estimation.

• Use rounding to check reasonableness.

• Find factor pairs for numbers from 1 through 100.

• Understand that a number is a multiple of each of its factors.

• Determine whether a number is a multiple of a given one-digit number.

• Identify prime numbers.

• Identify composite numbers.

• Generate number patterns using a rule.

• Generate shape patterns using a rule.

• Identify features of a pattern that are not stated directly in the rule.

• Explain mathematical patterns.

Place Value & Multi-Digit Arithmetic

A fourth grader should be developing the ability to:

• Read whole numbers through 1,000,000.

• Write whole numbers through 1,000,000 in standard form.

• Write whole numbers through 1,000,000 in word form.

• Write whole numbers through 1,000,000 in expanded form.

• Understand that a digit represents ten times as much as the same digit one place to its right.

• Compare multi-digit whole numbers.

• Use >, <, and =.

• Round multi-digit whole numbers to a specified place.

• Fluently add multi-digit whole numbers.

• Fluently subtract multi-digit whole numbers.

• Use an efficient algorithm for addition.

• Use an efficient algorithm for subtraction.

• Multiply a number of up to four digits by a one-digit number.

• Multiply two two-digit numbers.

• Use place-value strategies for multiplication.

• Use properties of operations when multiplying.

• Use equations to explain multiplication.

• Use arrays to explain multiplication.

• Use area models to explain multiplication.

• Divide numbers with dividends of up to four digits by one-digit divisors.

• Find whole-number quotients.

• Identify remainders.

• Interpret remainders appropriately.

• Use place value to support division.

• Use multiplication to help solve division problems.

• Explain division with equations.

• Explain division with arrays or area models.

Fractions & Decimals

A fourth grader should be developing the ability to:

• Explain equivalent fractions using models.

• Generate equivalent fractions.

• Recognize equivalent fractions.

• Understand why multiplying the numerator and denominator by the same number creates an equivalent fraction.

• Compare fractions with different numerators.

• Compare fractions with different denominators.

• Use common numerators when comparing fractions.

• Use common denominators when comparing fractions.

• Use benchmark fractions such as 1/2.

• Use >, <, and = to compare fractions.

• Explain fraction comparisons.

• Understand that compared fractions must refer to the same-sized whole.

• Understand fractions greater than one.

• Decompose fractions into sums of smaller fractions.

• Show multiple ways to decompose the same fraction.

• Add fractions with like denominators.

• Subtract fractions with like denominators.

• Add mixed numbers with like denominators.

• Subtract mixed numbers with like denominators.

• Use equivalent fractions when working with mixed numbers.

• Solve word problems involving fraction addition.

• Solve word problems involving fraction subtraction.

• Understand a fraction as a multiple of a unit fraction.

• Multiply a fraction by a whole number.

• Use models to explain multiplication of a fraction by a whole number.

• Solve word problems involving multiplication of fractions by whole numbers.

• Recognize equivalent fractions with denominators of 10 and 100.

• Add fractions with denominators of 10 and 100 using equivalent fractions when appropriate.

• Write fractions with denominators of 10 or 100 as decimals.

• Connect tenths to decimal notation.

• Connect hundredths to decimal notation.

• Locate decimals on a number line.

• Compare decimals through the hundredths place.

• Use >, <, and = with decimals.

• Explain decimal comparisons using models or place-value reasoning.

Measurement & Data

A fourth grader should be developing the ability to:

• Understand relative sizes of measurement units.

• Relate kilometers, meters, and centimeters.

• Relate kilograms and grams.

• Relate pounds and ounces.

• Relate liters and milliliters.

• Relate hours, minutes, and seconds.

• Convert larger units into smaller units within the same measurement system.

• Record measurement equivalents in tables.

• Solve measurement problems using the four operations.

• Solve problems involving distance.

• Solve problems involving elapsed time.

• Solve problems involving liquid volume.

• Solve problems involving mass.

• Solve problems involving money.

• Solve measurement problems involving simple fractions.

• Solve measurement problems involving decimals.

• Use number-line diagrams to represent measurement quantities.

• Apply the area formula for rectangles.

• Apply the perimeter formula for rectangles.

• Find an unknown side length using area information.

• Find an unknown side length using perimeter information.

• Create line plots using fractional measurements.

• Use measurements involving halves, fourths, and eighths.

• Solve addition and subtraction problems using line-plot data.

Angles & Geometry

A fourth grader should be developing the ability to:

• Recognize an angle as two rays sharing a common endpoint.

• Understand a degree as a unit used to measure angles.

• Understand that a full turn contains 360 degrees.

• Measure angles with a protractor.

• Measure angles in whole-number degrees.

• Draw an angle of a specified measure.

• Understand that angle measures can be added.

• Find unknown angles using addition.

• Find unknown angles using subtraction.

• Solve real-world problems involving angles.

• Identify points.

• Identify lines.

• Identify line segments.

• Identify rays.

• Identify right angles.

• Identify acute angles.

• Identify obtuse angles.

• Identify parallel lines.

• Identify perpendicular lines.

• Draw points, lines, segments, and rays.

• Identify lines and angles within shapes.

• Classify shapes using parallel lines.

• Classify shapes using perpendicular lines.

• Classify shapes using angle measurements.

• Recognize right triangles.

• Recognize line symmetry.

• Identify figures with line symmetry.

• Draw lines of symmetry.

Science

Fourth-grade science develops deeper understanding of energy, waves, plant and animal structures, Earth's surface, natural resources, hazards, and engineering design.

Scientific Investigation & Engineering

A fourth grader should be developing the ability to:

• Ask questions that can be investigated scientifically.

• Make careful observations.

• Take measurements.

• Record data.

• Use models.

• Use scientific texts and other information sources.

• Plan fair investigations.

• Control variables when appropriate.

• Conduct repeated trials when appropriate.

• Use evidence to construct explanations.

• Use evidence to support scientific arguments.

• Compare engineering solutions.

• Identify criteria for a successful design.

• Identify constraints such as time, cost, or available materials.

• Research a problem before creating a solution.

• Generate multiple possible solutions.

• Build or develop models and prototypes.

• Test a design.

• Identify areas where a design fails.

• Improve a design based on test results.

• Communicate design ideas.

Energy

• Understand that moving objects have energy.

• Investigate how an object's speed relates to its energy.

• Explain that energy can move from one place to another.

• Recognize energy transfer through moving objects.

• Recognize energy transfer through sound.

• Recognize energy transfer through light.

• Recognize energy transfer through heat.

• Investigate changes in energy when objects collide.

• Design or test a device that converts energy from one form into another.

Waves, Light & Information

• Develop models of waves.

• Recognize regular wave patterns.

• Understand amplitude.

• Understand wavelength.

• Compare waves with different amplitudes.

• Compare waves with different wavelengths.

• Explain that objects can be seen when reflected light enters the eyes.

• Recognize that patterns can be used to transfer information.

• Compare different ways patterns can communicate information.

Plant & Animal Structures

• Identify internal structures of plants.

• Identify external structures of plants.

• Explain how plant structures support survival and growth.

• Identify internal structures of animals.

• Identify external structures of animals.

• Explain how animal structures support survival.

• Explain how structures can support growth.

• Explain how structures can support behavior.

• Explain how structures can support reproduction.

• Explain how animals receive information through their senses.

• Explain how sensory information is processed by the brain.

• Recognize that sensory information can lead to different responses.

Earth's Changing Surface

• Use rock formations as evidence of changes in Earth's surface.

• Use fossils as evidence of Earth's changes over time.

• Explain how water changes Earth's surface.

• Explain how ice changes Earth's surface.

• Explain how wind changes Earth's surface.

• Explain how living things can change Earth's surface.

• Explain how gravity can move Earth materials.

• Understand weathering.

• Understand erosion.

• Explain how erosion changes land.

• Recognize that living things can affect their physical environment.

• Analyze maps showing mountains.

• Analyze maps showing earthquakes.

• Analyze maps showing volcanoes.

• Analyze maps showing major land and water features.

Natural Resources & Hazards

• Explain that people obtain energy and fuels from natural resources.

• Identify renewable resources.

• Identify nonrenewable resources.

• Explain how using natural resources can affect the environment.

• Identify natural hazards caused by Earth processes.

• Recognize that natural hazards cannot always be prevented.

• Explain ways people can reduce the effects of natural hazards.

• Compare designs intended to reduce the effects of natural hazards.

Social Studies

Illinois' fourth-grade social studies theme is:

Our State, Our Nation

Fourth graders begin developing a deeper understanding of Illinois, government, democracy, geography, economics, financial literacy, history, evidence, and multiple perspectives.

Inquiry Skills

A fourth grader should be developing the ability to:

• Develop essential questions.

• Explain why an essential question matters.

• Generate supporting questions.

• Use supporting questions to guide investigation.

• Identify different types of resources.

• Find sources representing multiple viewpoints.

• Gather relevant information from multiple sources.

• Distinguish fact from opinion.

• Consider whether a source is credible.

• Develop claims.

• Support claims with evidence.

• Use multiple sources.

• Construct arguments.

• Construct explanations.

• Use logical reasoning.

• Sequence information correctly.

• Include examples and details.

• Use relevant data.

• Present findings orally.

• Present findings in writing.

• Use technology to communicate findings when appropriate.

• Reflect on inquiry findings.

• Identify possible actions related to a problem.

• Consider multiple viewpoints before recommending an action.

Civics & Government

A fourth grader should be developing the ability to:

• Explain responsibilities of local government officials.

• Explain responsibilities of state government officials.

• Explain responsibilities of national government officials.

• Compare responsibilities at different levels of government.

• Investigate how government roles have changed over time.

• Define democracy in age-appropriate terms.

• Explain why participation is important in a democracy.

• Recognize that limited participation can affect political representation.

• Recognize that different groups have historically experienced different access to political participation.

• Understand civic virtues such as honesty.

• Understand mutual respect.

• Understand cooperation.

• Consider multiple perspectives.

• Understand democratic principles such as equality.

• Understand freedom and liberty.

• Understand respect for individual rights.

• Explain how civic virtues can guide communities.

• Explain how rules can affect society.

• Explain how regulations can affect society.

• Explain how laws can affect society.

• Explain how people can influence laws and rules.

• Recognize that changes in laws or policies may affect groups differently.

Geography

A fourth grader should be developing the ability to:

• Construct print maps.

• Construct digital maps when appropriate.

• Show important details on maps.

• Use topographic representations.

• Use map titles.

• Use legends and keys.

• Use map scales.

• Use symbols.

• Use cardinal and intermediate directions.

• Compare places and regions using maps.

• Explain how cultural characteristics of places can change over time.

• Explain how environmental characteristics can change over time.

• Use evidence to describe changes in Illinois places or regions.

• Investigate ways people affect the physical environment.

• Explain how human activity can change land.

• Explain how human activity can change water.

• Recognize that environmental changes may affect communities differently.

Economics & Financial Literacy

A fourth grader should be developing the ability to:

• Explain that profits can reward sellers.

• Explain how possible profits influence what businesses produce or sell.

• Recognize human resources.

• Recognize natural resources.

• Recognize capital resources.

• Explain how human resources contribute to production.

• Explain how natural resources contribute to production.

• Explain how tools and machines contribute to production.

• Explain how prices influence spending choices.

• Explain how advertising can influence spending choices.

• Explain how peer pressure can influence spending choices.

• Explain how available choices influence spending.

• Explain that income can be saved.

• Explain that income can be spent.

• Explain that income can be used to pay taxes.

• Recognize that financial decisions involve trade-offs.

History

A fourth grader should be developing the ability to:

• Study important individuals in Illinois history.

• Study important individuals in United States history.

• Examine historical events from multiple cultural perspectives.

• Recognize that people may interpret the same event differently.

• Explain why people may hold different historical perspectives.

• Generate questions about historical sources.

• Use multiple historical sources.

• Compare historical sources.

• Identify artifacts.

• Identify historical documents.

• Use photographs and images as historical sources.

• Use oral accounts as historical evidence.

• Use primary sources.

• Use secondary sources.

• Explain likely causes of historical events.

• Explain likely effects of historical events.

• Identify cause-and-effect relationships in Illinois history.

• Connect historical events to broader changes in Illinois.

• Support historical explanations with evidence.

Fine Arts

A fourth grader should be developing the ability to:

• Generate multiple creative ideas.

• Use observation as a source of artistic ideas.

• Use imagination.

• Use personal experiences.

• Use research as inspiration.

• Experiment with different artistic materials.

• Experiment with techniques.

• Plan artistic work.

• Develop artistic work over time.

• Revise creative work.

• Improve creative work after feedback.

• Use line intentionally.

• Use shape intentionally.

• Use color intentionally.

• Use texture intentionally.

• Use form intentionally.

• Use value intentionally.

• Use space intentionally.

• Use art materials safely.

• Use art tools responsibly.

• Explain artistic choices.

• Select artwork for presentation.

• Consider the intended audience.

• Explain how presentation choices influence how art is experienced.

• Interpret artwork using observations.

• Support interpretations with evidence.

• Compare different interpretations of art.

• Create rhythmic ideas.

• Create melodic ideas.

• Perform music using voice or instruments.

• Read age-appropriate musical notation.

• Use musical symbols.

• Practice musical performances.

• Evaluate and refine a performance.

• Demonstrate appropriate performer behavior.

• Demonstrate appropriate audience behavior.

• Understand musical elements such as rhythm.

• Understand melody.

• Understand tempo.

• Understand dynamics.

• Understand form.

• Understand timbre.

• Create movement sequences.

• Use space intentionally in movement.

• Use time intentionally in movement.

• Use energy intentionally in movement.

• Use pathways.

• Use different levels.

• Use direction and focus.

• Experiment with choreographic patterns.

• Revise movement after feedback.

• Create characters in dramatic activities.

• Use voice to communicate character.

• Use movement and facial expression.

• Use dialogue.

• Collaborate on dramatic scenes.

• Explain how art can reflect culture.

• Explain how art can reflect community.

• Explain how art connects with history.

• Explain how art can express personal experiences.

• Respond respectfully to others' creative work.

Physical Development & Health

A fourth grader should be developing the ability to:

Movement & Fitness

• Demonstrate increasingly mature locomotor skills.

• Combine locomotor and non-locomotor movements.

• Combine movement and manipulative skills.

• Throw with increasing accuracy.

• Use appropriate force when throwing.

• Catch objects with increasing control.

• Kick with increasing control.

• Strike with increasing control.

• Dribble or pass appropriately when participating in relevant activities.

• Apply direction during movement.

• Adjust speed.

• Use different movement levels.

• Adjust force.

• Use pathways.

• Maintain appropriate space.

• Follow safety practices during individual activities.

• Follow safety practices during partner activities.

• Follow safety practices during group activities.

• Participate in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.

• Recognize changes in heart rate during activity.

• Recognize changes in breathing during activity.

• Explain how physical activity supports health.

• Identify activities that build cardiovascular endurance.

• Identify activities that build strength.

• Identify activities that build muscular endurance.

• Identify activities that build flexibility.

• Set a realistic personal activity or fitness goal.

• Use feedback to improve physical skills.

• Use self-assessment to improve physical skills.

Cooperation & Responsibility

• Work cooperatively with others.

• Accept responsibility for assigned roles.

• Follow activity rules.

• Use equipment safely.

• Demonstrate respect for differences in ability.

• Demonstrate respect for differences in background.

• Demonstrate respect for different skill levels.

Personal Health

• Practice personal hygiene habits.

• Explain how hygiene helps reduce the spread of illness.

• Explain why sleep supports health.

• Explain why nutrition supports health.

• Explain why hydration supports health.

• Explain why physical activity supports health.

• Identify reliable adults who can provide health information.

• Identify age-appropriate reliable health resources.

• Recognize common symptoms of illness.

• Report illness to a trusted adult.

• Recognize when illness or injury may require professional medical attention.

Safety

• Identify common accident risks at home.

• Identify injury risks during activities.

• Identify safety risks in the community.

• Follow pedestrian safety practices.

• Follow bicycle safety practices.

• Follow traffic safety practices.

• Follow recreational safety practices.

• Use equipment safely.

• Understand why medicines must be used safely.

• Understand why household chemicals must be stored safely.

• Recognize that misusing medicine can cause serious harm.

• Recognize that dangerous substances can cause serious harm.

• Know how and when to call 911.

• Know how to obtain emergency help.

• Practice age-appropriate emergency procedures.

Decision-Making & Relationships

• Understand that health decisions can have short-term consequences.

• Understand that decisions can have long-term consequences.

• Use a simple decision-making process.

• Consider health and safety when making choices.

• Identify influences on personal health decisions.

• Use respectful verbal communication.

• Use respectful nonverbal communication.

• Practice active listening.

• Use cooperation during disagreements.

• Use compromise appropriately.

• Use problem-solving to resolve conflicts.

• Recognize different emotions.

• Express emotions appropriately.

• Use healthy strategies for managing strong emotions.

• Identify behaviors that support healthy friendships.

• Recognize bullying.

• Recognize harassment or threatening behavior.

• Recognize unsafe conduct.

• Tell a trusted adult when safety is a concern.

• Seek help when another person's well-being may be in danger.

• Communicate personal boundaries appropriately.

• Communicate personal needs.

• Communicate safety concerns.

• Demonstrate growing responsibility for personal health and well-being.

Remember: Fourth Grade Builds Greater Independence

Fourth grade is a major transition from learning foundational skills to using those skills independently across subjects.

Children are increasingly learning to:

Read Closely • Use Evidence • Summarize • Research • Write Clearly • Multiply • Divide • Work With Fractions • Use Decimals • Measure Angles • Analyze Data • Investigate • Compare Sources • Understand Government • Study Illinois • Make Decisions • Create • Communicate • Solve Problems • Work Independently

The goal is not simply for a child to remember information. Fourth graders should increasingly be able to explain their thinking, support their answers, use information from multiple sources, and apply what they have learned to new situations.

The Illinois Learning Center does not endorse or guarantee any individual program listed. The directory is provided for educational and informational purposes to help families compare available options.