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Grade 4: Language Arts

Literacy Overview

Fourth grade is a time of consolidating growth as students continue to develop in the fullest sense into lifelong readers and writers. To grow into deeper understanding of texts, students engage in discussion, read shared texts together, and read independently across many genres. They use strategies for sustaining reading, as well as strategies for expanding meaning. Students extend their understanding through a variety of writing genres, and compose and write their own examples of various genres for varying purposes and audiences. Grade four students develop language and word study knowledge and continue to focus on spelling, phonic principles and vocabulary in their oral and written communication. Legible handwriting, cursive, and keyboarding skills allow students to present and showcase their work. Whole class and small group forums for discussion and conversation help develop oral language and communication. Grade four students continue interacting with each other in positive ways, developing into caring and responsible learners.

Literacy Goals

Grade four is a time for each child to take a personal, active role in their own learning. Literacy is integral to all content areas as students broaden their world through reading and develop interests, strengths and confidence. Students explore the richness of language and how reading can fill their lives as they expand their knowledge, and reflect on their learning. Fluency and reading with expression are important goals, as well as reading independently. With a strong focus on comprehension and delving deeper into text structures, they draw on these textual resources as writers, take into consideration the ways different authors and illustrators construct meaning. Students connect the reading and writing processes and develop the craft of the writing by using specific skills in organization, idea development, language use, sentence fluency, word choice, voice and conventions. Grade four students create habits and attitudes in literacy learning during the year that support their development in all content areas.

English Language Goals

Extending and refining the use of language is the primary goal of the upper elementary grades. Fourth graders become proficient speakers, readers and writers, who use language to communicate effectively and represent the world to themselves and other audiences. Reading and writing are language processes that support oral language development; just as oral language development supports reading comprehension and writing fluency. Through rich language learning students engage in oral, visual and technological communication. Discussion, performance, reader’s theater, and shared reading and writing are some ways oral language is integrated into all subject areas. It is through varied literacy activities and engaging content that our students develop their English language skills.

Resources:

• Continuum of Learning: Fountas and Pinnell
• Guiding Readers and Writers Grades 3-6: Fountas and Pinnell
• Making Meaning Program: Developmental Studies Center
• Individualized Spelling Program: based on Word Journeys by Kathy Ganske
• Phonics Grade 4: Fountas and Pinnell
• Developmental Continuums: Bonnie Campbell Hill
• Guided Reading leveled books: Scholastic and Rigby
• Leveled classroom libraries
• Classroom novel sets
• Units of Study for Teaching Writing (Grades 3 - 5): Lucy Calkins
• Write Traits Grade 4: Write Source:
• Developmental Reading Assessment Grades 4-8: Pearson

Students who successfully complete the grade four language arts program will be able to:

• Read aloud with fluency and expression
• Use word structure clues and reading strategies appropriately
• Expand knowledge of different genres
• Choose books at an independent reading level
• Use resources to locate information
• Respond to reading orally and in writing
• Increase vocabulary orally and in writing
• Respond to issues and ideas in literature, as well as facts and story events
• Discuss literary elements with more depth
• Participate in literature group discussions
• Use reasons and examples to support ideas and opinions
• Identify personal reading strategies and begin to set goals
• Engage in the writing process (pre-write, draft, revise, proofread, edit and publish)
• Write in a variety of genres
• Use graphic organizers and brainstorming to organize writing
• Use conventional spelling
• Apply grammar, capitalization, and punctuation skills
• Use criteria for effective writing and set goals
• Write legibly
• Present orally