In fourth grade, reading and writing skills support an increased emphasis on content-area learning and utilization of the resources of the media center, especially to locate and read primary sources of information. A significant percentage of reading material will relate to the study of mathematics, science, and history and social science. The student will use text organizers, summarize information, formulate questions, and draw conclusions to demonstrate reading comprehension. The student will also read classic and contemporary literature selections by a variety of authors. The student will continue to increase communication skills in large- and small-group settings. In addition, the student will plan, draft, revise, and edit narratives and explanations. The student will also routinely use information resources and word references while writing.
4.1 The
student will use effective oral communication skills in a variety of settings.
a) Present
accurate directions to individuals and small groups.
b) Contribute
to group discussions.
c) Seek
ideas and opinions of others.
d) Use
evidence to support opinions.
e) Use
grammatically correct language and specific vocabulary to communicate ideas.
4.2 The
student will make and listen to oral presentations and reports.
a) Use
subject-related information and vocabulary.
b) Listen
to and record information.
c) Organize information for clarity.
4.3 The student will read fiction and nonfiction with fluency and accuracy.
a) Use context to clarify meanings of
unfamiliar words.
b) Explain words with multiple meanings.
c) Use knowledge of word origins; synonyms, antonyms, and homonyms; and multiple meanings of words.
d) Use
word-reference materials, including the glossary, dictionary, and thesaurus.
4.4 The
student will read and demonstrate comprehension of fiction.
a) Explain
the author’s purpose.
b) Describe
how the choice of language, setting, and information contributes to the
author’s purpose.
c) Compare
the use of fact and fantasy in historical fiction with other forms of
literature.
d) Identify major events and supporting
details.
e) Describe the relationship between text and previously read materials.
f) Identify sensory words.
4.5 The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of nonfiction.
a) Use
text organizers, such as type, headings, and graphics, to predict and
categorize information.
b) Formulate
questions that might be answered in the selection.
c) Explain
the author’s purpose.
d) Make
simple inferences, using information from texts.
e) Draw
conclusions, using information from texts.
f) Summarize
content of selection, identifying important ideas and providing details for
each important idea.
g) Describe
relationship between content and previously learned concepts or skills.
h) Distinguish between cause and effect and
between fact and opinion.
i) Identify new information gained from reading.
4.6 The student will demonstrate comprehension of information resources to research a topic.
a) Construct
questions about a topic.
b) Collect information, using the resources of the media center, including online, print, and media resources.
c) Evaluate
and synthesize information.
4.7 The student will write effective narratives, poems, and explanations.
a) Focus
on one aspect of a topic.
b) Develop
a plan for writing.
c) Organize
writing to convey a central idea.
d) Write
several related paragraphs on the same topic.
e) Utilize
elements of style, including word choice and sentence variation.
f) Write rhymed, unrhymed, and patterned
poetry.
g) Use
available technology.
4.8 The student will edit writing for
correct grammar, capitalization, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure.
a) Use subject-verb agreement.
b) Include prepositional phrases.
c) Eliminate double negatives.
d) Use noun-pronoun agreement.
e) Use commas in series, dates, and
addresses.
f) Incorporate adjectives and adverbs.
g) Use the articles a, an, and the correctly.
h) Use correct spelling for frequently used
words, including common homophones.