4th Grade ELA (New Jersey NJSLS)

Language (L)

• L.RF.4.3 Use grade 4 phonics and word analysis to read and spell words of several syllables, in and out of context.
• L.RF.4.4 Read grade 4 texts accurately and fluently enough to understand them.
  • 1. Read with a purpose and with understanding.
  • 2. Read aloud accurately, at a suitable rate and with expression.
  • 3. Use context to check or correct word reading, rereading if needed.
• L.WF.4.2 Use grade 4 spelling and encoding conventions.
  • 1. Break down and spell longer words using common Latin roots, prefixes and suffixes.
  • 2. Spell words where adding an affix changes the base word's sound or spelling.
  • 3. Spell grade 4 words correctly, checking references when needed.
  • 4. Use print or online references to find pronunciations and pin down meanings.
• L.WF.4.3 Use grade 4 writing conventions, building on grade 3 skills.
  • 1. Use paragraphs with indents, including new paragraphs in dialogue.
  • 2. Place adjectives and adverbs correctly and form comparatives and superlatives.
  • 3. Use independent clauses joined with coordinating conjunctions.
  • 4. Form irregular verbs and use progressive tenses.
  • 5. Form and use possessive nouns and pronouns.
  • 6. Capitalize the first word of a quotation where right and other key words.
  • 7. Mark titles with underlining, italics or quotation marks, punctuate speech, and use a comma before a joining word.
  • 8. Use apostrophes to show possession.
• L.KL.4.1 Apply knowledge of language and conventions when writing, speaking, reading and listening.
  • 1. Learn and use grade 4 academic and subject words correctly.
  • 2. Choose words and phrases that say exactly what is meant.
  • 3. Choose punctuation for effect.
  • 4. Tell when formal English is needed and when informal talk is fine.
• L.VL.4.2 Work out what unknown words and words with several meanings mean, using a range of strategies.
  • 1. Use context clues such as definitions, examples or restatements.
  • 2. Use common Greek and Latin affixes and roots to help with meaning.
  • 3. Check print and digital references for pronunciation and exact meanings.
• L.VI.4.3 Understand figurative language, word relationships and shades of meaning.
  • 1. Explain simple similes and metaphors in context.
  • 2. Work out words and phrases that refer to well-known characters from literature.
  • 3. Recognize and explain common idioms, adages and proverbs.
  • 4. Link words to their opposites and to words with similar meanings.

Reading Literature (RL)

• RL.CR.4.1 Use details from a literary text as evidence for what it says directly and for inferences.
• RL.CI.4.2 Sum up a literary text and work out its theme from key details.
• RL.IT.4.3 Analyze closely how characters, setting or events shape a story, using evidence.
• RL.TS.4.4 Explain how poems, plays and prose differ, referring to features such as verse, meter and stage directions.
• RL.PP.4.5 Compare points of view in stories, including first- and third-person narration.
• RL.MF.4.6 Link descriptions and directions in a text to a visual or spoken version of it.
• RL.CT.4.8 Compare similar themes and patterns of events in stories from authors of different cultures.

Reading Informational Text (RI)

• RI.CR.4.1 Use details from an informational text as evidence for what it says directly and for inferences.
• RI.CI.4.2 Sum up an informational text and work out its main idea or the author's purpose from key details.
• RI.IT.4.3 Explain how people and events affect an informational text, including what happened and why.
• RI.TS.4.4 Describe how a text is organized overall, e.g. by time order, comparison, cause/effect or problem/solution.
• RI.PP.4.5 Compare several accounts of the same event or topic and note how their viewpoints differ.
• RI.MF.4.6 Show with evidence how charts, graphics and other visuals support the central ideas.
• RI.AA.4.7 Analyze how an author uses facts, details and explanations to build ideas or support reasons.
• RI.CT.4.8 Compare similar themes and topics in informational texts by authors of different cultures.

Writing (W)

• W.AW.4.1 Write opinion pieces that back a viewpoint with reasons and information.
  • 1. Introduce the topic or text, give the opinion and group related ideas logically.
  • 2. Give reasons backed by facts from texts or other sources.
  • 3. Join opinion and reasons with phrases such as for instance and in addition.
  • 4. End with a conclusion tied to the opinion.
• W.IW.4.2 Write informative/explanatory texts that examine a topic and explain ideas clearly.
  • 1. Introduce the topic, group information in sections and use headings or visuals.
  • 2. Build the topic with facts, definitions, details, quotations or examples.
  • 3. Link ideas within and across sections with transition words.
  • 4. Use exact language and subject vocabulary.
  • 5. End with a conclusion about the information.
• W.NW.4.3 Write narratives using story techniques, descriptive detail and a clear order of events.
  • 1. Set the scene and introduce a narrator or characters with events that unfold naturally.
  • 2. Use dialogue and description to show events and how characters react.
  • 3. Use a variety of time and transition words to order events.
  • 4. Use concrete words, sensory detail and figurative language to show experiences exactly.
  • 5. End in a way that follows from the events.
• W.WP.4.4 With support, plan, revise and edit to strengthen writing.
  • 1. Decide audience, purpose and length before writing.
  • 2. Use subject-specific language suited to audience and purpose.
  • 3. Treat writing as a process of self-checking, revising and editing.
  • 4. Use feedback and tools such as dictionaries or spell checkers to improve drafts.
  • 5. After drafting, expand, combine and shorten sentences for meaning, reader and style.
• W.WR.4.5 Carry out short research projects using several print and digital sources to learn about a topic.
• W.SE.4.6 Collect relevant information from several sources, take and sort notes and list the sources.
• W.RW.4.7 Write regularly, over short and long time frames, for different tasks, purposes and readers.

Speaking and Listening (SL)

• SL.PE.4.1 Take part well in group discussions with different partners on grade 4 topics and texts.
  • 1. Come prepared, drawing on texts read and what you know.
  • 2. Follow agreed rules for discussion and carry out given roles.
  • 3. Ask and answer questions and make comments that link to what others said.
  • 4. Review key ideas and explain your own view in light of the discussion.
• SL.II.4.2 Put parts of a read-aloud text or of information in different media into your own words.
• SL.ES.4.3 Identify the reasons and evidence a speaker gives for particular points.
• SL.PI.4.4 Report, tell a story or recount an experience in an organized way with facts and detail.
• SL.UM.4.5 Add audio or visuals to presentations when they strengthen main ideas or themes.
• SL.AS.4.6 Tell formal from informal situations and use formal English when the task needs it.