4th Grade ELA (Iowa Core)

Reading: Literature (RL)

• RL.4.1 Refer to details and examples when explaining what a text says and when making inferences.
• RL.4.2 Find the theme of a story, play or poem from its details and summarize it.
• RL.4.3 Describe a character, setting or event in depth using details such as thoughts, words or actions.
• RL.4.4 Work out what words and phrases mean, including allusions to significant characters.
• RL.4.5 Explain the main differences between poems, drama and prose, referring to their structural parts.
• RL.4.6 Compare and contrast points of view in different stories, including first- and third-person narration.
• RL.4.7 Link a literary text to a visual or oral version of it, e.g. in mood, characters or setting.
• RL.4.9 Compare how literary texts treat similar themes and topics and follow similar patterns of events.
• RL.4.10 By the end of the year, read stories, drama and poetry of grades 4–5 complexity proficiently, with scaffolding at the top of the range.

Reading: Informational Text (RI)

• RI.4.1 Refer to details and examples when explaining what a text says and when drawing inferences.
• RI.4.2 Identify the main idea, explain how key details support it and summarize the text.
• RI.4.3 Explain events, procedures or ideas in history, science or technical texts, including what happened and why.
• RI.4.4 Work out the meaning of general academic and subject-specific words for a grade 4 topic.
• RI.4.5 Describe a text's overall structure, such as chronology, comparison, cause and effect or problem and solution.
• RI.4.6 Compare a firsthand and a secondhand account of the same event, noting differences in focus and information.
• RI.4.7 Interpret visual, oral or numerical information such as charts, graphs and timelines and explain how it aids understanding.
• RI.4.8 Explain how an author backs up particular points with reasons and evidence.
• RI.4.9 Bring together information from two texts on one topic to write or speak about it with knowledge.
• RI.4.10 By the end of the year, read informational texts of grades 4–5 complexity proficiently, with scaffolding at the top of the range.

Reading: Foundational Skills (RF)

• RF.4.3 Use grade-level phonics and word analysis to decode and spell words.
  • a. Read new multisyllable words accurately in and out of context, using letter-sound and syllable patterns, roots and affixes.
• RF.4.4 Read grade-level poetry and prose aloud accurately, automatically and with expression at a suitable pace, self-correcting as needed.

Writing Foundations (WF)

• WF.4.1 Write legibly for a range of tasks and purposes.
  • a. Use earlier handwriting skills accurately and automatically.

Writing (W)

• W.4.1 Write opinion pieces that support a point of view with reasons and information.
  • a. Introduce the topic, state an opinion and group related ideas.
  • b. Back up reasons with facts and details.
  • c. Link the opinion and reasons with words and phrases.
  • d. End with a concluding statement linked to the opinion.
• W.4.2 Write informative pieces that examine a topic and share information clearly.
  • a. Introduce the topic, group information in paragraphs or sections and use formatting, pictures or multimedia when useful.
  • b. Develop the topic with facts, definitions, quotations and examples.
  • c. Link ideas within categories with words and phrases.
  • d. Use precise language and subject-specific words.
  • e. End with a concluding statement linked to the explanation.
• W.4.3 Write narratives with effective technique, describing details and a clear order of events.
  • a. Orient the reader to the situation and characters and order events naturally.
  • b. Use dialogue and description to develop events and how characters respond.
  • c. Use transition words to manage the order of events.
  • d. Use concrete words and sensory details.
  • e. End with a conclusion that follows from the events.
• W.4.4 Produce clear, coherent writing whose development and organization suit the task, purpose and audience.
• W.4.5 With guidance, develop and strengthen writing by planning, revising and editing, using grade 4 conventions.
• W.4.6 With some guidance, use technology to produce and publish writing and work with others, with adequate keyboarding skills.
• W.4.7 Carry out short research projects that look into different aspects of a topic.
• W.4.8 Recall or gather information from sources, take notes, sort it into categories and list sources.
• W.4.9 Draw evidence from texts to support analysis, reflection and research.
  • a. Apply the grade 4 reading standards to literature.
  • b. Apply the grade 4 reading standards to informational texts.
• W.4.10 Write regularly over short and extended time frames for a range of subject-specific tasks, purposes and audiences.

Speaking and Listening (SL)

• SL.4.1 Join group discussions about grade 4 topics and texts well, adding to what others say.
  • a. Come prepared, drawing on required reading and other knowledge.
  • b. Follow agreed rules for discussion and carry out assigned roles.
  • c. Ask and answer specific questions and link comments to others' remarks.
  • d. Review key ideas and explain their own understanding after the discussion.
• SL.4.2 Paraphrase a read-aloud or information presented in different media.
• SL.4.3 Identify the reasons and evidence a speaker gives for particular points.
• SL.4.4 Report or tell a story or experience in an orderly way with facts and details, at a pace listeners can follow.
• SL.4.5 Include audio and visuals in presentations when they make main ideas stronger.
• SL.4.6 Tell when formal or informal English suits the situation and use formal English with good eye contact, volume and pronunciation when fitting.

Language (L)

• L.4.1 Show control of standard English grammar and usage in speech and writing.
  • a. Use relative pronouns and relative adverbs.
  • b. Form and use progressive verb tenses.
  • c. Use modal verbs such as can and must to express conditions.
  • d. Put adjectives in their usual order in a sentence.
  • e. Form and use prepositional phrases.
  • f. Write complete sentences, spotting and fixing fragments and run-ons.
  • g. Use homophones such as to, too and two correctly.
• L.4.2 Show control of capital letters, punctuation and spelling in writing.
  • a. Capitalize correctly.
  • b. Mark direct speech and quotations with commas and quotation marks.
  • c. Place a comma ahead of the joining word (and, but, or) in a compound sentence.
  • d. Spell correctly, checking references when needed.
• L.4.3 Use knowledge of language and conventions when writing, speaking, reading or listening.
  • a. Choose words and phrases that express ideas precisely.
  • b. Choose punctuation for effect.
  • c. Tell when formal English is needed and when informal talk is fine.
• L.4.4 Figure out new and multiple-meaning words met in grade 4 reading and content, using several strategies.
  • a. Use context such as definitions, examples or restatements as clues.
  • b. Use familiar Greek and Latin word parts as clues to meaning.
  • c. Use dictionaries, glossaries and thesauruses for pronunciation and exact meanings.
• L.4.5 Show understanding of figurative language, word relationships and small differences in meaning.
  • a. Explain simple similes and metaphors in context.
  • b. Recognize and explain common idioms, adages and proverbs.
  • c. Show understanding of synonyms and antonyms.
• L.4.6 Learn and correctly use grade-level academic and subject words, including precise words for actions, feelings and states.