4th grade · Writing

What a 4th grade student learns in Writing

Fourth-grade writing centers on producing clear, coherent multi-paragraph compositions across opinion, informative/explanatory, and narrative genres, with emphasis on structured organization, evidence-based reasons and details, precise language, purposeful transitions, research integration, and technology-supported revision and publishing.

The skills for the year

  • 1Plan multi-paragraph writing by grouping related ideas to support purpose and audience
  • 2Write opinion pieces that clearly introduce a topic, state an opinion, and group supporting ideas
  • 3Support opinions with reasons backed by facts and details from sources or experience
  • 4Link opinions and reasons using transitional words and phrases (e.g., for instance, in addition)
  • 5Craft concluding statements or sections that reinforce the stated opinion
  • 6Write informative/explanatory texts that introduce a topic and organize related information into paragraphs or sections with headings
  • 7Develop informative topics with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, and examples
  • 8Connect ideas within informative categories using linking words and phrases (e.g., another, for example, because)
  • 9Employ precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to explain topics clearly
  • 10Write narratives that orient the reader by establishing a situation, narrator, and/or characters with a naturally unfolding event sequence
  • 11Develop narrative experiences using dialogue and description to show character responses
  • 12Manage narrative event sequences with a variety of transitional words and phrases
  • 13Convey experiences precisely through concrete words, phrases, and sensory details
  • 14Strengthen writing through planning, revising, and editing with peer and adult guidance
  • 15Use technology (including the Internet) to produce, publish, and collaborate on writing while keyboarding at least one page
  • 16Conduct short research projects that investigate different aspects of a topic
  • 17Gather and categorize relevant information from print/digital sources and experiences; take notes and list sources
  • 18Draw textual evidence from literary and informational sources to support analysis, reflection, and research writing
  • 19Write routinely over extended (research/revision) and shorter time frames for varied tasks, purposes, and audiences
  • 20Apply grade-4 conventions in writing, including relative pronouns/adverbs, progressive verb tenses, ordered adjectives, prepositional phrases, commas in compound sentences and quotations, and correction of fragments/run-ons

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