Georgia Performance Standards for 4th graders

4^th grade Learning Expectations

Language Arts

Fourth grade students will receive instruction in reading, writing, and listening, speaking, and viewing. By the end of the 4^th grade, students will be able to:

Read and comprehend texts form a variety of genres
Understand and learn form texts without having a teacher preview the material for them
Read and understand informational texts from other content areas as well as from language arts
Use, independently, a variety of meta-cognitive strategies, such as self-questioning techniques when reading materials seem contradictory or hard to understand, to deepen and expand their understanding of texts
Use writing as a tool for learning
Articulate how authors use a variety of techniques and craft in their writing, and show evidence of the author's craft in their own writing
Communicate effectively with different audiences
Participate in cooperative learning environments

Mathematics

All students will be actively engaged in developing mathematical understandings in real and relevant contexts. By the end of the 4^th grade, students will be able to:

Use properties of the 4 arithmetic operations to solve and check problems
Determine when and how to use rounding
Solve problems involving multiplication and division of whole numbers (2-3 digits by 1-2 digits)
Add and subtract simple decimals and common fractions with common denominators
Measure weight and use appropriate units and tools to measure angles
Understand characteristics of and model geometric plane and solid figures, and use the first quadrant of the coordinate system
Understand and apply patterns and rules to describe relationships and solve problems, including using the strategy of working backwards
Write mathematical expressions using symbols and evaluate using different values
Gather, organize, and display data in bar, line, and picture graphs, and compare features of graphs and identify missing or duplicate data

Science

Fourth grade students will gather and interpret data and make models to focus on "doing" science related to earth science, physical science, and life science. By the end of the 4^th grade, students will be able to:

Differentiate between observations and ideas
use records, tables, or graphs to identify patterns of change
Write instructions and make sketches that allow others to carry out a scientific procedure
Compare and contrast attributes of stars and planets
Model position and motion of the earth, moon, and sun
Investigate heating and cooling and use of thermometers and insulation
Investigate magnets
Differentiate between habitats in Georgia and the organisms that live in our state
Recognize effects of pollution and humans on the environments

Social Studies

Fourth grade students will begin the formal study of United States history, from the development of Native American cultures to the year 1860. Concepts in geography, government, and economics will interface with the study of history. By the end of the 4^th grade, students will be able to:

Explain the development of early Native American cultures in North America
Describe the European exploration of North America and explain the factors that shaped British colonial America, as well as the causes, events, and results of the American Revolution
Analyze the challenges faced in governing the new American nation, westward expansion, and the abolitionist and suffrage movements
Locate the important geographical features of the United States, both natural and man-made, and describe how these physical systems affect the growth of the U. S.
Describe and explain the significance of selected historical documents and of governmental functions as they relate to democratic beliefs and freedoms
Use economic concepts of trade, opportunity cost, specialization, voluntary exchange, productivity, and price incentives to illustrate historical events

Assessment

Throughout the year, classroom teachers will assess each student's growth and progress toward achievement of the learning goals specified in the state curriculum (GPS or QCC if GPS has not been implemented).
These classroom assessments will be used to guide instruction in order to provide every child with the opportunity to learn and to succeed.
Students will be made aware of the performance expectations for 4^th grade and will acquire self-monitoring and self-assessing skills to help them maximize their achievement.
In the spring, Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) in Reading, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies will be administered to 4^th graders in order to provide a standardized measure of student learning.
Beginning in the year the Georgia Performance Standards are implemented for a content area, the CRCT will directly align with those GPS.
In addition, NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) is required by federal and state law in grade 4. Not all schools and students are administered these assessments. The selection of schools and students is determined by a random sample.