4th Grade ELA (Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks)

Reading: Literature (RL)

• RL.4.1 Use details and examples from a text to explain what it says directly and to support inferences.
• RL.4.2 Work out a theme of a story, play or poem from its details and summarize the text.
• RL.4.3 Describe a character, setting or event in depth using specific details such as thoughts, words or actions.
• RL.4.4 Work out word meanings, including allusions to myths (Herculean), and explain how similes and metaphors enrich a text.
• RL.4.5 Explain how prose, poetry and drama differ, using their structural parts (chapters, stanzas, scenes, stage directions).
• RL.4.6 Compare the points of view stories are told from, including first and third person.
• RL.4.7 Link a written story or play to a visual or spoken version, noting where it follows the text's descriptions and directions.
• RL.4.9 Compare how stories, myths and traditional tales from different cultures treat similar themes and patterns of events.
• RL.4.10 Read and understand grade 4 literary texts of many genres, cultures and perspectives on your own.

Reading: Informational Text (RI)

• RI.4.1 Use details and examples from a text to explain what it says directly and to support inferences.
• RI.4.2 Find the main idea, explain how key details support it and summarize the text.
• RI.4.3 Explain events, procedures or ideas in history, science, math or technical texts, including what happened and why.
• RI.4.4 Work out the meaning of academic and subject words in a text about a grade 4 topic.
• RI.4.5 Describe how a text or part of it is organized (time order, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution).
• RI.4.6 Compare a firsthand and a secondhand account of the same event and how their focus and information differ.
• RI.4.7 Interpret charts, graphs, diagrams, timelines or interactive web features and explain what they add to the text.
• RI.4.8 Explain how an author backs up particular points with reasons and evidence.
• RI.4.9 Combine information from two texts on one topic to write or speak knowledgeably about it.
• RI.4.10 Read and understand grade 4 informational texts, including history, science, math and technical texts, on your own.

Reading: Foundational Skills (RF)

• RF.4.3 Know and use grade 4 phonics and word analysis to read words.
  • a. Use letter-sound knowledge, syllable patterns and word parts to read unfamiliar long words accurately, in and out of context.
• RF.4.4 Read accurately and fluently enough to understand the text.
  • a. Read grade 4 texts with a purpose and with understanding.
  • b. Read grade 4 prose and poetry aloud accurately, at a suitable pace and with expression over repeated readings.
  • c. Use context to check or self-correct word reading, rereading if needed.

Writing (W)

• W.4.1 Write opinion pieces about topics or texts that back a viewpoint with reasons and information.
  • a. Introduce the topic or text, state the opinion and group related ideas into paragraphs and sections.
  • b. Give reasons backed by facts and details.
  • c. Link opinion and reasons with phrases such as for instance and in addition.
  • d. End with a conclusion tied to the opinion.
• W.4.2 Write informative/explanatory texts that examine a topic and share ideas clearly.
  • a. Introduce the topic, group information in paragraphs and sections, and use headings, pictures or multimedia if helpful.
  • b. Build the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotes and examples.
  • c. Link ideas within categories with words such as another, for example and because.
  • d. Use exact language and subject vocabulary.
  • e. End with a conclusion about the information.
• W.4.3 Write narratives in prose or poems using literary techniques, description and a clear order of events.
  • a. Set the scene, introduce speaker, narrator or characters and order events sensibly.
  • b. Use dialogue and description to develop events and show reactions.
  • c. Use a variety of transition words to manage the order.
  • d. Use concrete words, similes, metaphors and sensory details to show events exactly.
  • e. End in a way that suits the events.
  • f. In poems, use sound patterns (rhyme, rhythm, alliteration) and visual patterns (line length, stanzas) to set them apart from prose.
• W.4.4 Produce clear, coherent writing whose development and organization fit the task, purpose and reader.
• W.4.5 Plan, revise and edit to strengthen writing as needed.
  • a. Use standard English conventions up to grade 4 Language Standards 1–3.
  • b. Use academic and subject vocabulary well, up to grade 4 Language Standards 4–6.
• W.4.6 Use technology, including web-based platforms, to produce, publish and collaborate; type at least one page in one sitting.
• W.4.7 Carry out short research projects that explore different sides of a topic.
• W.4.8 Recall or gather relevant information from experience and from print and digital sources; take and sort notes and list sources.
• W.4.9 Draw on evidence from literary or informational texts in analysis, reflection and research, using grade 4 reading standards.
• W.4.10 Write regularly over long and short time frames for many subject tasks, purposes and readers.

Speaking and Listening (SL)

• SL.4.1 Discuss grade 4 topics and texts well in pairs, groups and class, building on others' ideas and stating your own clearly.
  • a. Come prepared and draw on what you read and know to explore ideas.
  • b. Follow agreed discussion rules and carry out given roles.
  • c. Ask and answer specific questions to clarify or follow up, and make comments that link to others'.
  • d. Review key ideas and explain your own understanding in light of the discussion.
• SL.4.2 Put parts of a text read aloud or information in different media into your own words.
• SL.4.3 Identify the reasons and evidence a speaker gives for particular points.
• SL.4.4 Report on a topic, text, procedure or math solution, or narrate a story or experience, in a logical order with relevant facts and details, speaking clearly at a suitable pace.
• SL.4.5 Add audio and visuals to presentations when they strengthen main ideas or themes.
• SL.4.6 Tell when formal English is needed (presenting research) and when informal talk is fine (group work), and use formal English when suitable.

Language (L)

• L.4.1 Use standard English grammar and usage in writing and speaking, keeping earlier skills.
  • a. Write complete sentences, using subject and predicate to fix fragments and run-ons.
  • b. Use commonly confused words correctly (their/there).
  • c. Use helping verbs (can, may, might, should) to show possibility, likelihood, obligation or permission.
  • d. Use relative pronouns and adverbs to add information about a noun or verb.
  • e. Use prepositional phrases to add information about place, time, agency and direction.
  • f. Form and use progressive verb tenses.
• L.4.2 Use standard English capitals, punctuation and spelling when writing.
  • a. Write clearly and fluently by hand in print or cursive, and sign your given name in cursive.
  • b. Use capital letters correctly.
  • c. Use commas and quotation marks for direct speech and quotations.
  • d. Place a comma before and, but or or when joining two complete sentences.
  • e. Spell grade 4 words correctly, checking references as needed.
• L.4.3 Apply what you know about how language works when you write, speak, read and listen.
  • a. Choose words and phrases that say exactly what is meant.
  • b. Choose punctuation for effect.
  • c. Tell when formal English is needed and when informal talk is fine.
• L.4.4 Figure out what unfamiliar words and words with several meanings mean, choosing from a range of strategies.
  • a. Use context such as definitions, examples or restatements as clues.
  • b. Treat Greek and Latin word parts (prefixes, suffixes, roots) as clues to meaning (telegraph, photograph).
  • c. Check dictionaries, glossaries and thesauruses, print or digital, for pronunciation and exact meaning.
  • d. Recognize and use common abbreviations such as hr., min. and sec.
  • e. Recognize and use common symbols such as &, # and *.
• L.4.5 Understand figurative language, word relationships and shades of meaning.
  • a. Explain simple similes and metaphors in context.
  • b. Recognize and explain common idioms, adages and proverbs.
  • c. Link words to their opposites and to words with similar meanings.
• L.4.6 Learn and use grade 4 academic and subject words, including exact words for actions, feelings and states (whined, stammered).