What your child learns in 4th grade in Maine
4th grade raises the pace with multi-digit multiplication and division, equivalent fractions and decimals, and longer writing. Social studies is a year of Maine studies: the map and the geographic grid, Maine's history from the Wabanaki to today, the state's government and economy, and the Wabanaki Nations.
4th grade subjects in the Maine Learning Results
Math
Focus areas
- Quantitative and algebraic reasoning: multi-digit multiplication and division, equivalent fractions, and decimals
- Geometric reasoning: shapes, angles and the space around us
- Statistical reasoning: measuring, collecting data and reading what it shows
15 units, including Numbers to 10,000, Add & Subtract, Multiply & Divide, Fractions.
English Language Arts
Focus areas
- Reading: text structure, theme and evidence
- Writing: opinion, information and story writing
- Speaking and listening: sharing ideas and building on what others say
13 units, including Reading Detectives, Text Features, Figurative Language, Point of View.
Science
Focus areas
- Energy and waves
- How plant and animal structures work
- Rocks, erosion and Earth's processes
8 units, including Sense & Respond, Light, Sound, Adaptations & Habitats.
Social Studies
Focus areas
- Maine's land and its history
- Governing Maine
- Maine's economy and the Wabanaki Nations today
8 units, including World Maps & Globes, History Detective, Maine on the Map, Maine's Story.
Printable 4th grade sheets
One free practice sheet for each subject, with an answer key. Print them, or work through them on screen.
What to look for on the report card
Look for comments on reading for meaning, organized paragraphs, fractions and decimals, and research on Maine history.
Maine has no statewide report-card scale in 4th grade, so Gradelings describes practice in four steps: Beginning, Approaching, Meeting, Exceeding. See what each level means.
4th grade students also take the Maine state tests (MeCAS). Read the state tests guide.
Maine's Guiding Principles apply in every grade and every subject. Read about Guiding Principles.
The four practice steps in 4th grade
- Beginning
- Practice shows a first understanding of the learning standards. Most answers still need a hint or a second try.
- At home: Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Approaching
- Practice shows a partial understanding of the learning standards. Some answers are right on the first try.
- At home: Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practicing the tricky parts.
- Meeting
- Practice shows a solid understanding of the learning standards. Most answers are right on the first try.
- At home: Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exceeding
- Practice shows a deep understanding of the learning standards, including harder, unfamiliar questions.
- At home: Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Ready for 4th grade?
4th grade builds on what your child practiced in 3rd grade. If a skill feels shaky, a few short practice sessions before or early in the year can help:
- Math: Add & Subtract, Multiplication, Division, Fractions, Patterns & Equations
- English Language Arts: Read and Think, Story Elements, Word Jobs, Punctuation Power, Spelling Patterns
- Science: How Plants Grow & Change, Pushes, Pulls & Forces, Basic Needs & Life Cycles, Speed & Motion, Traits & Variation
- Social Studies: Needs Around the World, Communities Around the World, Working Together Fairly, Maine's Land & Regions, Town Meeting to State House
Common questions
4th grade covers math, English language arts, science, social studies in the Maine Learning Results. 4th grade raises the pace with multi-digit multiplication and division, equivalent fractions and decimals, and longer writing. Social studies is a year of Maine studies: the map and the geographic grid, Maine's history from the Wabanaki to today, the state's government and economy, and the Wabanaki Nations.
Maine has no statewide report-card scale in 4th grade, so Gradelings describes practice in four steps: Beginning, Approaching, Meeting, Exceeding. Students in 4th grade also write the Maine state tests (MeCAS), which is separate from the report card.
Practice shows a solid understanding of the learning standards. Most answers are right on the first try. At home: Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
4th grade builds on 3rd grade. In math, that means Add & Subtract, Multiplication, Division. In English language arts, that means Read and Think, Story Elements, Word Jobs.
About 15 minutes a day of short practice works better than long sessions, on the skills your child's teacher flags. Practice math facts in short bursts, such as five minutes while dinner cooks. Take turns reading a page aloud, and chat about what happened and why. Praise effort, and stop on a success.
Practice 4th grade skills with Gradelings
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