Fourth Grade Goals

Reading:

Read appropriate leveled books independently with accuracy, fluency, and comprehension

Pick appropriate (just right) books using the five finger rule
Read with expression and pay attention to punctuation when reading

Use context clues to understand meaning in text

Respond to literature by using examples from the text
Add depth and reasoning to elaborate or extend ideas/responses to literature

Respond to literature by using evidence from the text

Increase reading independence and stamina

Read from a variety of reading genres

Determine the theme of a story/text

Draw inferences

Sequence the events in a text

Summarize a text

Use strategies such as a glossary or dictionary to determine the meaning of unknown words

Compare and contrast texts

Make connections (text to self, text to text, text to world)

Determine main idea and supporting detail

Apply phonics skills when decoding unknown words

Writing:

Edit writing to check for accurate capitalization, punctuation, and spelling

Look carefully and revise writing using a variety of purposes/lenses

Practice writing a solid paragraph that includes a topic sentence, details with supporting details,
and a concluding sentence

Include a clear beginning, middle, and end in narrative writing

Write narratives in logical sequence, which includes: character and/or narrator, setting,
transitional words or phrases, and has a sense of closure

Use concrete words and phrases and sensory details to convey experiences and events
precisely
Develop and expand the depth of writing by adding descriptive words and supporting details
Use classroom resources, like a thesaurus, for choosing descriptive words

Produce neat and careful work on each writing assignment

Practice typing/keyboarding skills
Increase writing stamina
Stay on task during Writers Workshop time
Be a self-starter and use planning materials to help you
Write more effective hooks/endings
Organize and plan writing effectively
Use proper grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling

Speaking and Listening:

Participate effectively in different discussion settings (i.e. pairs, small/whole group, teacher-led,
student-led)

Ask and answer questions about information after listening to a speaker

Stay on topic when presenting ideas

Use public speaking skills/techniques effectively (i.e. eye contact, volume, expression, body
language)

Math:

Work on unpacking CGI problems

Understand place value

Use base ten patterns to solve word problems

Reason abstractly and quantitatively

Read and understand problems

Communicate thinking and justify reasoning with mathematical language

Solve multi-step word problems that use the four operations

Solve multi-step word problems using more than one strategy (decompose numbers, hundreds
chart, etc.)
Check reasonableness of answers by using rounding/estimating

Check that numbers match the original problem

Make sense of strategies and try various strategies out

Practice math facts to increase speed and accuracy
Use known strategies when solving word problems (manipulatives, diagrams, number lines, etc.)

Behavior/Work Habits:

Complete neat and careful work

Listen attentively and follow directions
Use time wisely and productively

Be self-motivated and a self-starter

Stay on task
Work appropriately and productively in partners and groups
Use homework agenda and/or check off lists
Pay close attention during instruction
Follow oral and written directions the first time they are given
Maintain a positive attitude when facing new challenges

Be respectful of yourself and others by using kind words and actions

Be respectful of everyones bubble of space
Raise your hand and wait to be called on before sharing
Be a good listener by focusing on the speaker with your eyes and body
Put forth your best effort on each assignment
Turn in homework neatly and on time
Ask for clarification when needed from peers and/or adults

Keep your desk clean and organized

Do your part to help maintain a clean classroom and school environment