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elementary home > teachers & students > 4th grade student expectations
A Family Guide for Student Success
The Florida State University School Student Expectations outline what your student should learn at this grade level. You can encourage your student's learning by becoming familiar with the Florida State University School's Student Expectations and by reinforcing classroom activities at home.
The Florida State University School defines student expectations as the essential content knowledge, reasoning, performance, or skill that all students should know and be able to do at the end of each grade level. FSUS teachers and administrators developed these expectations based on Florida's Sunshine State Standards, national standards, and current research. Achievement of these expectations will help your student score well on the new Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT).
We would like to thank the teachers and administrators who have created, reviewed, and revised this family guide. We welcome your suggestions and ideas for improving the education of all our students.
If you have specific questions regarding curriculum or school programs, please call your student's teacher. Additional information on these expectations is available by calling the Elementary Principal.
Help for Using This Guide
The nine core subject areas for which expectations have been developed appear in a rectangle at the top of each page.
The words underlined are strands, which begin in kindergarten and grow more complex as your student progresses through school.
Beneath the strands are the standards, which are the content knowledge, reasoning proficiency, performance, or skill that students should know and be able to do at the end of each grade.
At the end of each subject area is a description of activities you can do with your student at home to reinforce what your student is learning at school.
Language Arts
In Reading, your fourth grade student:
understands narrative and informational text at fourth-grade level.
retells a story, including characters, setting, problem, sequence of events, and resolution,.
retells informational text.
summarizes a story, poem, or article.
responds accurately to literal questions and inferential questions (requiring thought beyond stated information).
uses the reading process before, during, and after reading.
recognizes author's purpose..
recognizes cause and effect relationships and differences between fact and opinion.
chooses to read a wide variety of reading material for pleasure.
uses technology (e.g., CD-ROM software, telecommunications) and print resources (e.g., books, maps, charts, photos) for reports and personal use.
uses simple strategies to determine meaning and increase vocabulary.
In Writing, your student:
writes narrative text, including stories and poems.
writes informational text, including reports, notes, and comments.
communicates content.
demonstrates organization (e.g., effective beginnings, middles, and endings with good transitions).
demonstrates correct conventions (e.g., capitalizations, punctuation, grammar, varied sentence structure, and spelling).
uses the writing process: prewrites, composes, revises, edits, publishes.
chooses to write.
produces edited writing.
uses technology to communicate.
writes legibly.
In Listening, Viewing, and Speaking, your student:
uses responsive listening, viewing, and speaking for a variety of purposes (e.g., giving interpretations of stories and poems, making oral reports, using presentation skills, using critical thinking skills).
In Language, your student:
uses vocabulary appropriate to a situation.
understands and uses correct capitalization, punctuation, grammar, and usage.
spells correctly at fourth grade level or above.
In Literature, your student:
listens and responds to a wide variety of literature.
reads and responds to a wide variety of literature (e.g., stories, poems, informational materials, plays, song lyrics, recipes, articles, letters and advertisements).
Helpful Hints to Use At Home
Provide a time and place for your student to read at least 20-30 minutes a day.
Make sure your student has ample fiction and nonfiction materials to read.
Discuss materials your student is reading.
Use the library on a regular basis.
Enjoy reading together as a family.
Help your student write letters.
Encourage your student to keep personal and trip journals.
Make grocery and job lists with your student.
Read and enjoy your student's stories.
Keep a folder of stories written by the family.
Mathematics
In Number Sense, Concepts, and Operations, your student:
associates oral names, written word names, and standard numerals with numbers and commonly used fractions and decimals.
demonstrates an understanding of the relative size of whole numbers and commonly used fractions, decimals, and percents.
demonstrates and uses place value concepts within the decimal number system.
demonstrates an understanding and explains the effects of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division on whole numbers.
demonstrates an understanding of the effects of addition and subtraction on fractions and decimals.
selects the appropriate operation and solves specific problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers using appropriate methods of computing (e.g., mental mathematics, paper and pencil, calculator, and/or technology).
uses and justifies different estimation strategies in real-world problem situations and determines the reasonableness of results of calculations in a given problem situation (e.g., leading digits/front end numbers, and rounding).
demonstrates an understanding of primes, composites, factors, and multiples.
In Measurement, your student:
demonstrates and uses concrete and graphic models to develop procedures for solving real-world problems related to measurement.
selects and uses appropriate standard and nonstandard units of measurement.
solves real-world problems involving estimates of measurements.
selects and uses appropriate instruments and technology (e.g., scales/balances, rulers, thermometers, measuring cups, protractors, and gauges) to measure in real-world situations.
In Geometry and Spatial Sense, your student:
given a verbal description, draws and/or models two- and three-dimensional shapes and uses appropriate geometric vocabulary to write a description of a figure or a picture-composed of geometric figures.
demonstrates and uses the concepts of spatial relationships, symmetry, reflections, congruency, and similarity.
predicts, illustrates, and verifies which figures could result from a flip, slide, or turn of a given figure.
shows and applies a variety of strategies and geometric properties for two- and three-dimensional shapes to solve real-world and mathematical problems.
identifies and plots ordered pairs of numbers on a graph.
In Algebraic Thinking, your student:
recognizes and describes numeric patterns to generate a rule that fits the pattern.
generalizes a pattern, relation, or function to explain how a change in one quantity results in a change in another.
represents a given simple problem situation using diagrams, models, and symbolic expressions.
uses physical models and graphs to solve real-world problems involving equations and inequalities.
In Data Analysis and Probability, your student:
solves problems by generating, collecting, organizing, displaying, and analyzing data, using histograms, bar graphs, line graphs, circle graphs, pictographs, spreadsheets, and charts.
determines range, mean, median, and mode from sets of given data.
analyzes real-world data to recognize patterns, and trends.
devises and conducts experiments to determine the probability of events.
uses statistical data about life situations to make predictions and justify reasoning.
Helpful Hints to Use At Home
Talk with, or include, your student as you cook, make a craft, build, or garden.
As you drive, discuss spatial relations on signs, and buildings, discuss numbers and patterns on billboards and signs, figure elapsed time. Use license plates to find sums and differences, recognize place value, and patterns.
Talk your way through the grocery story, hardware store, fabric store, and drug store, comparing and contrasting size, quantity, pricing, design.
Play Battleship, Monopoly, Yahtzee, or other games that require keeping a score, tracking time, and money.
Make predictions and have your student keep a running record (data sheet) of change in your pocket nightly for a week or a month; find a total at the end of desired time.
Look for patterns and data using the newspaper and magazines.
Use mathematical vocabulary when appropriate (e.g., chance, probability, more likely, equally likely, less likely).
Gather data from family regarding "favorites" (e.g., food, TV shows, games).
Give your student a variety of opportunities to do mental math and consider reasonableness of answer.
Science
In The Nature of Matter, your student:
measures physical properties of matter using the metric system.
recognizes the differences among element, mixture, and compound.
In Energy, your student:
demonstrates that energy changes into various forms (e.g., heat, light, chemical, electrical, and magnetic).
identifies different methods of heat transfer.
In Force and Motion, your student:
demonstrates that people use the forces of gravity, electricity, and magnetism to operate simple machines.
understands that motion is describable, measurable, and predictable.
In Processes that Shape the Earth, your student:
recognizes the processes that interact to shape the earth (e.g., water cycle, weather, and geologic).
identifies various ways to preserve and protect our environment.
In Earth and Space, your student:
recognizes interaction and organization in the solar system and the universe, and how this affects life on earth.
In Processes of Life, your student:
knows that many characteristics of an organism are inherited from the parents of the organism, but that other characteristics are learned from an individual's interaction with the environment.
In Environmental Interactions, your student:
identifies the interrelationships between living and non-living elements within an ecosystem.
recognizes that light, water, temperature and soil affect the different kinds of ecosystems.
understands the consequences of using limited natural resources.
In The Nature of Science, your student:
demonstrates the ability to use laboratory tools (e.g., thermometer, scales, rulers, magnifiers, computers).
understands the importance of keeping accurate data.
recognizes that most natural events are often predictable and logical.
Helpful Hints to Use At Home
Practice measurement using a ruler, scale, and thermometer.
Use the "weather page" for comparing and contrasting weather patterns.
Use the Internet to view weather imagery, NASA.
Visit the Odyssey Science Center, Tallahassee Museum of History and Natural Science, and other "science" sites in and around Tallahassee.
Practice recycling, visit a recycling center, and check containers for recycling ability or history.
Investigate beach erosion and replenishment.
Discuss safety issues related to hurricanes, tornadoes, lightning, and severe wind.
Have fun with science.
Social Studies
In Interdependence, your student:
distinguishes between barter and the exchange of money for goods and services.
discusses the relationships in our environment and how people change them.
lists alternatives and their consequences for various situations.
recognizes that geography, historical events, and individuals influenced the social, cultural, economic, and political development of America and Florida.
recognizes that geography influences the history of Florida.
recognizes that colonial America was settled in regions.
In Scarcity, your student:
describes the effects of scarcity of money, time, land, and natural resources.
discusses various budgets and creates examples of his or her own.
lists examples of specialization and exchange.
understands that opportunity, cost, scarcity, and prices affect economic decisions.
In Culture, your student:
studies Florida's early exploration, settlements, and cultural development.
understands that native American tribes contributed to the social, cultural, economic, and political features of United States history.
describes how Tallahassee became the center of Florida government.
discusses changes that have occurred in Florida life.
describes how values and beliefs influence choice.
states the rights of the people of the United States.
In Responsibility, your student:
explains why citizens must actively participate in our democracy.
describes what might happen if there were no laws protecting people's safety, property, or rights.
recognizes that people, ideas, and events have influenced the development of local, state, and federal governments.
In Change, your student:
describes reasons immigrants came to Florida.
discusses changes that resulted in amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
discusses that the exchange of ideas, values, and beliefs may lead to change.
In Conflict, your student:
describes and explains laws protecting the environment, safety, and property.
lists alternatives and related consequences in making daily decisions.
discusses that compromise is necessary in resolving conflicts.
recognizes that significant social and political events led to and characterized the American revolution.
recognizes that economic and philosophical differences in our country led to the civil war.
In Perspective, your student:
discusses how beliefs and values influence choices.
describes changes in Florida life since the 1900s.
explains that perceptions affect the way in which people understand the past, present, and future.
understands that early explorers of the Americas were driven by various factors in their quests.
recognizes that history is conveyed through a variety of sources.
identifies different perspectives that led to major conflicts (e.g., the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and the Vietnam War).
Helpful Hints to Use At Home
Visit local and regional historical sites, museums.
Visit state and national parks.
Participate in a community environmental project.
Visit government buildings at state and local levels.
Health
In Health Literacy, your student:
explains the functions of the human body systems (e.g., muscular, skeletal, circulatory, digestive, and nervous).
identifies factors that influence personal health.
identifies the common health problems of children (e.g., injuries, chicken pox).
recognizes the importance of prevention, early detection, and treatment of health problems.
states reasons not to use illegal drugs.
recognizes the nutritional value of different foods.
defines stress and identifies some of its sources.
In Responsible Health Behavior, your student:
practices accident prevention individually and as a group member.
identifies strategies to avoid threatening or abusive situations.
demonstrates skills to manage stress.
compares differences in personal health practices.
demonstrates ways to communicate care, consideration, acceptance of self and others.
practices appropriate refusal and negotiation skills in conflict situations.
In Health Advocacy and Promotion, your student:
applies a decision-making process to health issues.
develops an action plan to make progress toward a personal goal.
expresses knowledge, feelings, and opinions related to health issues.
demonstrates how family, school, and community health agencies work together to achieve health goals.
Helpful Hints to Use At Home
Reinforce the wearing of a bike helmet and seat belts.
Practice emergency drills and procedures for your home.
Include your student in meal planning and preparation to promote healthy eating.
Discuss some safety behaviors that are expected in your family.
Help your student identify common childhood illnesses and possible preventions.
Practice appropriate ways to interact with family and nonfamily members.
Music
In Skills and Techniques, your student:
sings songs having more than one part accurately and expressively.
plays instruments accurately and expressively (e.g., correlates breathing with musical phrases, matches style of music).
plays instruments accurately (e.g., holds mallets correctly; matches music styles).
performs in a group, following the cues of a conductor.
reads and writes simple rhythmic and melodic patterns using notation.
interprets musical symbols and terms (e.g., "cresc." indicates to get louder).
In Creation and Communication, your student:
creates new endings in the same style to given rhythmic and melodic phrases.
creates new rhythmic and melodic patterns to vary a familiar song.
creates repeating rhythmic & melodic patterns to accompany a familiar song.
composes short songs and instrumental pieces.
composes music that expresses words, ideas, and feelings.
In Cultural and Historical Connections, your student:
listens to and identifies music from various cultures, composers, and historical eras.
describes how basic elements of music appear in music around the world.
understands the general cultural/historical settings of various types of music.
identifies composers and musicians who have influenced American music.
In Critical Thinking, your student:
describes how simple songs are put together.
identifies & categorizes familiar instruments and performance groups.
understands how music communicates words, ideas, and feelings.
uses appropriate music vocabulary to express characteristics of diverse music.
In Applications to Life, your student:
understands connections among music, visual/performing arts, culture/history.
understands similarities/differences in vocabulary between music/other arts.
understands many ways the media use music (e.g., sound effects in movies).
demonstrates appropriate audience behavior in various musical settings.
expresses own music preferences based on life experiences.
Helpful Hints to Use At Home
Encourage your student to attend local summer music camps.
Listen to/attend a variety of musical performances (e.g., concerts).
Provide instrumental music lessons for your student.
Encourage participation in music activities in and out of school.
Obtain videos of musicals suitable for children (e.g., Sound of Music).
Physical Education
In Movement, your student:
participates successfully in physical activity.
refines the use of personal and general space while playing games, gymnastics, or dance.
knows that use of body shapes can improve the look of a movement or change in action.
demonstrates the concept of support and transfer of body weight.
In Motor Skills, your student:
refines the skills of throwing, catching, kicking, striking (uses a bat, or tennis racket), and dribbling.
In Physical Activity, Personal Fitness, and Wellness, your student:
identifies the importance of a physically active lifestyle.
participates in activities that develop muscular strength and endurance (e.g., bike riding, rope jumping, and climbing).
demonstrates appropriate stretching exercises.
follows rules and works cooperatively with a partner or small group.
Helpful Hints to Use At Home
Encourage participation in out-of-school activities with others of similar skill levels.
Encourage healthy heart habits (e.g., exercise, healthy snacks, diet).
Participate in vigorous physical activity daily.
Discuss good sportsmanship and fair play when watching or playing sports and other physical activities.
Visual Arts
In Skills and Techniques, your student:
creates two- and three-dimensional art work from personal experiences, observation or imagination using a variety of materials, tools and techniques.
handles tools and materials safely and takes care to minimize waste.
uses elements of art and principles of design to organize works of art (e.g., line, shape, color, balance, repetition).
exhibits good craftsmanship when creating a work of art.
In Creation and Communication, your student:
communicates how he or she developed the idea for the artwork, why arranged the materials in a certain way, and how it worked together to create a successful work of art.
looks at the parts of artwork in order to understand the whole artwork.
In Cultural and Historical Connections, your student:
examines other cultures' art, understands its value to that culture, and creates artwork with similar meaning (e.g., Kachina dolls, rain sticks, tribal shields).
looks at works of art from a variety of cultures and periods of time.
In Aesthetic and Critical Analysis, your student:
uses appropriate art vocabulary when talking about art.
examines different types of artwork presented in a variety of ways (e.g., museum visits, books, videos).
In Applications to Life, your student:
understands where art ideas are used in everyday life.
recognizes various art skills and describes how they are used in a career (fashion designer, photographer, computer artist).
sees artwork in a variety of settings (e.g., museums, studios, galleries).
Helpful Hints to Use At Home
Talk about art.
Do an art project with your student.
Provide a variety of art materials for your student.
Display your student's artwork around your home and workplace.
Monitor use of materials and clean-up practices.
Sign, date, and save some of your student's artwork in a portfolio.
Have a piece of your student's artwork printed as a card or stationery.
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