What your child learns in 4th grade in New York
4th grade raises the pace with multi-digit multiplication and division, equivalent fractions, decimals and angles, and longer writing. Science covers energy, waves, Earth's changing surface and how animals' bodies work. Social studies is “Local History and Local Government”: New York State's geography, the Native American nations who live here, such as the Haudenosaunee nations, colonial and Revolutionary New York, government, and immigration.
4th grade subjects in the New York State Learning Standards
Math
Focus areas
- Number and operations: multi-digit multiplication and division, equivalent fractions, and decimals to hundredths
- Measurement, data and geometry: converting units, measuring angles, classifying shapes, and line plots
- Mathematical practices: making sense of problems and explaining reasoning
17 units, including Numbers to 10,000, Add & Subtract, Multiply & Divide, Fractions.
English Language Arts
Focus areas
- Reading: theme and main idea, point of view, primary and secondary sources
- Poems and plays: stanzas, rhythm, meter, dialogue and stage directions
- Writing: organized paragraphs, research and listing sources
20 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, natural hazards and energy resources
11 units, including Sense & Respond, Light, Sound, Adaptations & Habitats.
Social Studies
Focus areas
- New York State: its land, maps and the Haudenosaunee and Algonquian-speaking peoples
- Colonial and revolutionary New York, and how the state and local governments work
- The fight for freedom and rights, the Erie Canal and New York's industries
10 units, including New York's Land & Maps, Haudenosaunee & Algonquian Peoples, Explorers & New Netherland, Wars for New York.
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 New York history.
New York 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 New York State tests (grades 3–8). Read the state tests guide.
New York's social emotional learning benchmarks 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, Pushes, Pulls & Forces, Basic Needs & Life Cycles, Speed & Motion, Traits & Variation
- Social Studies: Needs Around the World, Communities Around the World, Globes & World Maps, Communities Around the World, Governments & Human Rights
Common questions
4th grade covers math, English language arts, science, social studies in the New York State Learning Standards. 4th grade raises the pace with multi-digit multiplication and division, equivalent fractions, decimals and angles, and longer writing. Science covers energy, waves, Earth's changing surface and how animals' bodies work. Social studies is “Local History and Local Government”: New York State's geography, the Native American nations who live here, such as the Haudenosaunee nations, colonial and Revolutionary New York, government, and immigration.
New York 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 New York State tests (grades 3–8), 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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