Grade 4 Math: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 4 math in the Alberta Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Place value: whole numbers within 10 000 can be read, written, compared and ordered, and prime and composite numbers are described by their factors.
- Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers use strategies that work with place value, and the order of operations gives expressions one value.
- Fractions, decimals and percent are different ways to describe parts of a whole.
- Patterns follow rules, and equations show that two expressions are equal.
- Triangles, quadrilaterals and angles can be classified by their properties.
- Perimeter, area and time are measured and compared.
Easy ways to practise math at home
- Practise math facts in short bursts, such as five minutes while dinner cooks.
- Let your child handle small cash purchases, working out the change in multiples of 5¢.
- Cook together and double or halve a recipe.
- Ask “How do you know?” after an answer, even when it is right.
What each unit covers
Numbers to 10 000
Reading, writing and comparing numbers up to 10 000: place value, expanded form, number lines, ordering and rounding.
Add & Subtract
Adding and subtracting numbers to 10 000 with regrouping, counting up to subtract, estimating by rounding, and solving word problems.
Prime & Composite
A prime number has exactly two factors, 1 and itself (like 7). A composite number has more than two (like 12). 1 is neither. Children find factors with multiplication and division facts.
Times Tables
Multiplication and division facts to 100 with arrays, fact families and strategies like doubling, using 10s, and thinking multiplication to divide.
Multiply & Divide
Multiplying and dividing 2- and 3-digit numbers by 1-digit numbers by splitting them by place value, plus remainders, estimating and word problems.
Multiply & Divide
Multiplying and dividing by 10, 100 and 1000, multiplying two- and three-digit numbers by one digit, writing remainders as fractions, and solving rate problems.
Order of Operations
Multiplication and division are done before addition and subtraction, and equal steps go left to right. For example, 3 + 4 × 2 is 11, not 14. Brackets come in Grade 5.
Fractions
Naming fractions from pictures and number lines, comparing fractions with the same top or bottom number, using 1/2 as a benchmark, and finding equal fractions.
Decimals
Tenths and hundredths as decimals, linking them to fractions, placing and comparing them on number lines, and adding and subtracting decimals by lining up the decimal points.
Fractions, Decimals & Percent
The same part of a whole can be written as a fraction (35/100), a decimal (0.35) or a percent (35%). Children learn that percent means out of 100 and link tenths and hundredths to decimals.
Patterns & Tables
Extending increasing and decreasing number patterns, naming pattern rules, finding rules in input/output tables, and describing how two quantities are related.
Equations
Solving one-step equations with a box or letter for the unknown, using all four operations, and matching equations to word problems.
Triangles, Quadrilaterals & Angles
Triangles are named by their sides (equilateral, isosceles, scalene) and by their angles (acute, right, obtuse). Quadrilaterals include squares, rectangles, rhombuses, parallelograms and trapezoids. Complementary angles add to 90° and supplementary angles add to 180°.
Polygons & Perimeter
Telling regular polygons (all sides and angles equal) from irregular ones, finding lines of symmetry, and measuring perimeter around regular and irregular shapes.
Metric Measures
Changing between grams and kilograms and between litres and millilitres, understanding kilo, centi and milli, and choosing a sensible unit and tool.
Telling Time
Reading analog clocks to the minute, switching between 12-hour (a.m./p.m.) and 24-hour time, and working out how long events last.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Beginning
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Approaching
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Meeting
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exceeding
- Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the Alberta report card guide.
Common questions
How can I help my Grade 4 child with math?
Practise math facts in short bursts, such as five minutes while dinner cooks. Let your child handle small cash purchases, working out the change in multiples of 5¢. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
What does my child learn in Grade 4 math in Alberta?
The Alberta Curriculum Grade 4 math units include numbers to 10 000, add & subtract, prime & composite, times tables, multiply & divide, multiply & divide.
Free printable Grade 4 math practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.