Fourth Grade

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Grade Level Expectations

Reading/Language Arts

  • Uses index, heading, captions and illustrations to predict and identify author's purpose.
  • Uses phonics, word structure and context clues to construct meaning from a passage.
  • Understands and uses synonyms, antonyms and root words to determine the meaning of a passage.
  • Identifies the main idea and author's purpose of a passage.
  • Prepares reports, conducts interviews, and differentiates fact from opinion.
  • Selects and uses a variety of reference materials such as maps, charts, and photos.
  • Identifies the plot and how conflicts are resolved in a story.
  • Constructs and effectively uses an organizational strategy for writing.
  • Constructs a document that is focused on the topic and follows a logical sequence.
  • Identifies and uses proper mechanics such as punctuation, capital letters, spelling and paragraph indentation.
  • Takes notes from a variety of media and uses them in writing.
  • Writes for a variety of purposes and audiences.
  • Uses technology to create and revise writing.
  • Constructs a written piece or a speech in a logical pattern with a beginning, middle and ending.
  • Writes a multi-paragraph essay.
  • Listens and responds to oral presentations such as poems, skits, songs and personal accounts.
  • Listens to and responds to a speaker by asking questions and making contributions.
  • Interprets messages conveyed through the media.

Math

  • Uses and describes various models for multiplication in problem solving situations.
  • Develops quick recall of multiplication facts and related division facts.
  • Multiplies four-digit number fluently.
  • Develops an understanding of decimals including the connection between fractions and decimals through the thousandths place.
  • Relates equivalent fractions and decimals with and without models, including locations, on a number line.
  • Compares and orders decimal through the thou-sands place.
  • Develops an understanding of area and deter-mine the area of two-dimensional shapes.
  • Justifies the formula for the area of the rectangle “area=base x height.”
  • Selects and uses appropriate units and tools for measurements.
  • Estimates and solves real world area problems.
  • Describes mathematical relationships using expressions, equations, and visual representations.
  • Recognizes and writes algebraic expressions for functions with two operations.
  • Classifies angles of two-dimensional shapes using benchmark angles (i.e., 45°, 90°, 180°, and 360°).
  • Understands the relationships of symmetry, congruency, reflections, and rotations.
  • Identifies and builds a three-dimensional object from a two dimensional representation of that object and vice versa.
  • Uses and represents numbers through the mil-lions in various contexts.
  • Uses models to represent division as the inverse of multiplication, partitioning, and successive subtraction.
  • Generates equivalent fractions and simplifies fractions.
  • Determines factors and multiples for specified whole numbers.
  • Relates halves, fourths, tenths, and hundredths to decimal and percents.

Science

  • Observes that the patterns of stars in the sky stay the same although they appear to shift across the night sky.
  • Describes the changes in the observable shape of the moon over the course of a month.
  • Recognizes that Earth revolves around the Sun in a year and rotates on its axis in a 24-hour day.
  • Investigates the effects of space research on the economy of Florida.
  • Identifies the three categories of rocks.
  • Identifies the physical properties of common earth-forming minerals.
  • Describes the difference in physical weathering and erosion.
  • Identifies resources available in Florida.
  • Measures and compares objects based on physical properties.
  • Identifies properties and common uses of water in each of its states.
  • Investigates and describes magnets.
  • Identifies how chemical changes result in other materials.
  • Observes and describes some basic forms of energy, including heat, light, sound, electrical and the energy of motion.
  • Investigates that sound is produced by vibrating objects and that pitch depends on how fast or slow the object vibrates.
  • Identifies common materials that conduct heat well or poorly.
  • Recognizes that an object in motion always changes it position and may change its direction.
  • Investigates and describes the speed of an object.
  • Identifies processes of pollination, fertilization, seed dispersal, and germination.
  • Explains that characteristics of plants and animals are inherited.
  • Recognizes that animal behaviors may be shaped by heredity and learning.
  • Compares the major stages in the life cycles of Florida plants and animals.
  • Traces the flow of energy along the food chain.
  • Plans experiments with a hypothesis, observations, predictions, and conclusions.
  • Keeps accurate records and shares their knowledge.

Social Studies

  • Identifies Florida’s role in World War II.
  • Synthesizes information related to Florida history through print and electronic media.
  • Compares Native American tribes in Florida.
  • Identifies explorers who came to Florida and the motivations for their expeditions.
  • Describes causes and the effects of European Colonization on the Native American tribes of Florida.
  • Identifies the significance of St. Augustine as the oldest permanent European settlement in the United States.
  • Identifies the effects of Spanish rule in Florida.
  • Identifies the causes and effects of the Seminole Wars.
  • Describes pioneer life in Florida.
  • Summarizes challenges Floridians faced during Reconstruction.
  • Summarizes contributions immigrant groups made in Florida.
  • Describes the causes and effects of the 1920’s Florida land boom and bust.
  • Identifies Florida’s role in the Civil Rights Movement.
  • Describes how and why immigration impacts Florida today.
  • Utilizes timelines to sequence key events in Florida history.
  • Explains how weather impacts Florida.
  • Explains Florida’s role in the national and international economy and conditions that attract businesses to the state.
  • Describes how Florida’s constitution protects the rights of citizens and provides for the structure, function, and purposes of state government.
  • Explains the importance of public service, voting, and volunteerism.
  • Identifies the three branches (Legislative, Judicial, and Executive) of government in Florida and the powers of each.
  • Analyzes primary and secondary resources to identify significant individuals and events throughout Florida history.
  • Describes the effect of the U.S Space Program on Florida’s economy and growth.