Language Arts
Scholars in fourth-grade language arts strengthen their foundational and critical reading and writing skills to proficiently read grade-appropriate complex literature, informational text, and mixed media. Instruction focuses on asking and answering explicit and inferential questions, using text evidence, summarizing, and engaging in collaborative conversation. Scholars analyze texts for literary elements focusing on figurative language, the author's purpose, and structure. Scholars continue to practice writing by writing narratives, informative (grade level focus mode), and opinion pieces incorporating grade-level grammar concepts such as subject/verb agreement. Scholars expand the personal and academic vocabulary they can use in their writing and speaking by studying Greek and Latin roots and distinguishing among multiple-meaning words. Scholars develop stamina for longer periods of independent reading and writing and create products in all modes of media.
In fourth grade, scholars read more challenging books and various materials, including newspapers, magazines, books, plays, biographies, and other informational and technology-based content. Scholars answer questions using information from a book and their background knowledge to retell stories, and their writing will start to include more details and words. They will begin to make connections between words, recognizing those with the same or opposite meaning (angry, etc.), words with the same base (cookout, cookbook, etc.), words that sound or are spelled alike (there and their, etc.) and words that follow the same spelling patterns (receive and deceive, etc.).
("English Language Arts." Oklahoma State Department of Education, 2020, sde.ok.gov/).
Mathematics
As scholars gain formal educational experience, the emphasis on mathematics in fourth grade continues to develop and target Numbers and Operations, Algebraic Reasoning and Algebra, Geometry and Measurement, and Data and Probability. Many essential components addressed in fourth grade will encompass real-world experiences that naturally pique the scholar's problem solving skills, engage reasoning and communication with others, provide a powerful and positive peace of mind during lesson inquiry, solve problem-based tasks and develop fluency. These skills are critical in establishing a firm foundation as scholars enter fifth grade.
("Mathematics." Oklahoma State Department of Education, 2020, sde.ok.gov/.)
Social Studies
In fourth-grade social studies, scholar learning is focused on an in-depth study of the geography of the United States. Scholars develop an understanding of the physical regions of our nation and the natural resources used to develop a growing economy. Scholars explore the cultures and contributions of indigenous peoples of the Americas and the lasting impact of European exploration and colonization of the territory which would become the United States. An extensive study of each region explores the human characteristics and economic activities which make each region unique.
("Social Studies." Oklahoma State Department of Education, 2020, sde.ok.gov/).
Science
The performance expectations in fourth-grade science help scholars formulate answers to questions such as: "What are waves, and what are some things they can do? How can water, ice, wind, and vegetation change the land? What patterns of Earth's features can be determined using maps? How do internal and external structures support the survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction of plants and animals? What is energy, and how is it related to motion? How is energy transferred? How can energy be used to solve a problem?" In fourth-grade performance expectations, scholars are expected to demonstrate grade-appropriate proficiency in asking questions, developing and using models, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, constructing explanations and designing solutions, engaging in arguments from evidence, and obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information. Scholars are expected to use these practices to demonstrate an understanding of the core ideas.
("Science." Oklahoma State Department of Education, 2020, sde.ok.gov/.)
