Literacy

Reading 

Our Grade 4 Reading Program builds strong, independent readers by combining explicit instruction in foundational reading skills with critical thinking, comprehension strategies, and rich content knowledge. Rooted in the Science of Reading, our approach integrates word recognition (phonics, morphology, and decoding) with language comprehension (vocabulary, background knowledge, sentence structure, and text analysis) to ensure that all students can access and understand complex texts across genres.

Throughout the year, students will strengthen their ability to decode multisyllabic words, use morphology (prefixes, suffixes, and roots) to determine meaning, and apply vocabulary strategies like using context clues and understanding figurative language. They’ll learn to monitor their comprehension, ask questions, and make inferences to deepen their understanding.

The Grade 4 Reading Units include:

Unit 1: Interpreting Characters

In this fiction reading unit, students develop empathy and critical thinking by “walking in the shoes” of characters. They learn how to make inferences, build theories, and draw conclusions about character traits, motivations, and life lessons. Students practice visualizing, retelling, and analyzing dialogue and actions to deepen comprehension. They also work on comparing characters across texts and connecting stories to universal themes.

Unit 2: Reading the Weather, Reading the World

In this nonfiction unit, students learn how to tackle complex expository texts by studying text structures (cause and effect, compare and contrast, problem and solution) and using summarizing strategies. They engage in collaborative research on extreme weather, using multiple sources (articles, charts, diagrams) to synthesize information and build background knowledge. They also learn how to navigate domain-specific vocabulary and analyze the author’s purpose. This unit supports students in developing the disciplinary literacy skills needed to read science texts effectively.

Unit 3: Reading History

In this historical reading unit, students explore primary and secondary sources to gain insights into different time periods, cultures, and events. They learn to ask critical questions, identify main ideas, and analyze perspectives to build a nuanced understanding of history. Students practice sourcing, contextualizing, and corroborating information, developing the critical thinking and comprehension skills essential for reading historical texts. They also gain a deeper appreciation for how history shapes the present.

Unit 4: Thinking Across Fiction and Nonfiction

This synthesis unit challenges students to make connections across genres, blending skills from both fiction and nonfiction reading. They practice analyzing themes, comparing characters, and drawing connections between historical events and literary stories. Students also learn how to interpret author’s craft and use nonfiction research to deepen understanding of fictional characters’ experiences. This unit emphasizes background knowledge as a key component of comprehension and helps students apply reading skills to real-world topics.

Throughout the year, students are supported in building fluency, reading with expression, and monitoring for meaning. They learn to think critically, question texts, and collaborate with peers, developing strong habits of mind that will serve them as lifelong readers.

Writing

In Grade 4 Writing, students learn to craft purposeful and engaging writing across multiple genres, while also developing a deep understanding of the structure of language, text organization, and the connection between reading and writing. Rooted in the Science of Reading, our writing instruction helps students build background knowledge, academic vocabulary, and sentence-level fluency while also learning to apply phonics and morphology for accurate spelling and edit for grammar and punctuation.

Throughout the year, students are taught explicit strategies for planning, drafting, revising, and editing their writing. They learn to reread their own work for meaning, expand ideas with elaboration strategies, and use text evidence to support their claims. Mentor texts are woven throughout every unit, providing models for structure, style, and craft.

The Grade 4 Writing Units include:

Unit 1: The Arc of Story – Realistic Fiction Writing

This unit helps students learn to write narrative stories that develop a character, problem, and resolution with precise word choice, dialogue, and sequenced events. Students practice generating ideas by drawing on their own experiences, and rehearsing orally to plan their stories. They learn to visualize scenes, develop internal and external character traits, and revise their writing for clarity and impact. Phonics knowledge is reinforced as students spell multisyllabic and complex words in their writing, and they apply grammar skills such as using dialogue punctuation and paragraphing for new ideas.

Unit 2: Boxes and Bullets – Personal and Persuasive Essays

In this unit, students learn how to write structured essays that state a thesis and support it with clear reasons and examples. They practice organizing ideas into paragraphs, using transition words like for instance and specifically, and elaborating with specific evidence and domain-specific vocabulary. Students are taught how to generate ideas by reflecting on personal experiences or topics they care about, and how to plan logically grouped reasons. They also learn to edit for grammar and conventions, reinforcing sentence structure knowledge and the importance of clear communication.

Unit 3: Bringing Information to Life – Informational Writing

In this research-based writing unit, students learn to write informational texts that teach others about a topic, such as a country. They practice note-taking, summarizing, and organizing ideas into subtopics using headings, captions, and text features. They synthesize information from multiple sources, incorporating historical details, quotes, and citations to support their ideas. Students also apply narrative craft strategies to make their writing engaging, such as using anecdotes, figurative language, and descriptive details. This unit reinforces vocabulary development, sentence structure variety, and clarity in writing.

Unit 4: Literary Essay – Analyzing Texts Through Writing

This unit helps students develop literary analysis skills by writing essays about characters, themes, and author’s craft. Students learn to formulate a thesis, test ideas against text evidence, and revise to strengthen arguments. They practice analyzing multiple texts, comparing characters or themes, and using direct quotes to support their thinking. This unit also builds students’ ability to synthesize information, infer meaning, and explain ideas clearly in writing—all essential components of comprehension and communication.

Throughout all units, students develop as independent writers, capable of applying their knowledge of syntax, sentence structure, and word choice to express ideas clearly. They learn to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish, building the stamina and confidence of a writer ready for upper-grade challenges.

Inquiry

Inquiry units are designed to offer students authentic experiences where they generate questions and tackle complex issues, as individuals and teams.  Social Studies based units are aligned to the American Education Reaches Out (AERO) standards, and they build understanding of concepts across the domains of the discipline - civics, economics, geography, and history.  Science phenomena-based units are aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), integrating the core disciplinary ideas, cross-cutting concepts, and practices of the discipline.

In Grade 4 Inquiry, students dig deeply into the concept of perspective.  They consider the impact of geography, and how the characteristics of a place influence culture and identity.  Students will further investigate how circumstances can influence an individual’s perceptions and reactions to the world.  From a scientific perspective, students will observe processes that shape the Earth and generate solutions for reducing the impact of Earth’s natural processes on humans.  Finally, students will examine conflict, inquiring into why people in different times and places view the world differently.  Through scientific inquiry, students will apply knowledge and understanding to develop models and construct explanations regarding the transfer of energy and the impact of waves.   

In all units, active questioning drives learning and concepts help us to organize our ideas.  Through concept-based inquiry, students develop transferable understanding around core ideas and practice the skills of the disciplines, including:

AERO Social Studies Practices

1. Develop Questions and Plan Inquiries

2. Evaluate the Credibility of the Sources and Relevance of the Information to the Inquiry

3. Construct Coherent, Reasoned Arguments and Explanations

4. Communicate Conclusions From an Inquiry

5. Take Informed Action for the Common Good

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices

1. Asking Questions and Defining Problems

2. Developing and Using Models

3. Planning and Carrying out Investigations

4. Analyzing and Interpreting Data

5. Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking

6. Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

7. Engaging in Argument from Evidence

8. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information