What your child learns in 4th grade in Minnesota
4th grade raises the pace with multi-digit multiplication and division, equivalent fractions, decimals, area and perimeter, and longer writing. Science covers weathering and erosion, Earth's systems and water, energy resources, magnets and inherited traits. Social studies is “The Contemporary World”: world regions and states, resources and trade, migration and global issues.
4th grade subjects in the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards
Math
Focus areas
- Patterns and relationships: multi-digit multiplication and division, equivalent fractions, and decimals
- Spatial reasoning, data and probability: area and perimeter, angles, classifying shapes, and line plots
- Mathematical practices: making sense of problems and explaining reasoning
12 units, including Numbers to 10,000, Add & Subtract, Multiply & Divide, Fractions.
English Language Arts
Focus areas
- Reading: theme, inference and comparing texts
- Writing, speaking and listening: writing with reasons and evidence, and research
- Language: building vocabulary and using grammar, spelling and punctuation
13 units, including Reading Detectives, Text Features, Figurative Language, Point of View.
Science
Focus areas
- Weathering and erosion, Earth's systems and water, energy resources, magnets and inherited traits
- Science and engineering practices: making models and comparing solutions
- How science connects to people and communities in Minnesota and beyond
7 units, including Wind, Water & Ice, Pushes, Pulls & Forces, Magnet Inventions, Traits & Variation.
Social Studies
Focus areas
- Theme: The Contemporary World
- World regions, countries and states
- Resources, farming, energy and trade
6 units, including States & Capitals, World Regions, World Maps & Globes, Resources & Regions.
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 skills.
Minnesota 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 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA). Read the state tests guide.
Minnesota's social and emotional learning competencies apply in every grade. Read about Social emotional learning.
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, Basic Needs & Life Cycles, Adaptations & Habitats, Surviving in a Habitat, Sky & Seasons
- Social Studies: Needs Around the World, Communities Around the World, First Farmers, Where Civilizations Grew, Mesopotamia & Egypt
Common questions
4th grade covers math, English language arts, science, social studies in the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards. 4th grade raises the pace with multi-digit multiplication and division, equivalent fractions, decimals, area and perimeter, and longer writing. Science covers weathering and erosion, Earth's systems and water, energy resources, magnets and inherited traits. Social studies is “The Contemporary World”: world regions and states, resources and trade, migration and global issues.
Minnesota 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 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA), 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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