4th Grade Math: What Happens
Fourth grade math is characterized by skill building and growth. Your child has learned many new mathematic concepts during the elementary years. This year your child will be refining his or her abilities. Fourth graders will build on those concepts learned in third grade and focus on four broad categories:
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Operations and computation
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Number sense and patterns
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Geometry and measurement
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Data analysis and probability
Curriculum varies from state-to-state, but there are some constants. Students working at the standard level at the beginning of fourth grade:
- Comfortably add and subtract large numbers
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Know the basic multiplication and division facts
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Understand how place value works in our number system
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Can round numbers in order to make a reasonable estimate
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Use tools, such as rulers and thermometers, to measure
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Can differentiate solids from shapes
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Can find factions of a whole and fractions of a set
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Understand basic probability and statistics
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Understand how bar graphs, line graphs, and tables communicate information
By the end of fourth grade, students working at the standard level:
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Discover, describe, and extend geometric and number patterns
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Solve simple math sentences that contain a variable
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Read, write and rename whole numbers through the millions
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Read, write and rename decimals to the hundreds
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Compare and order whole numbers and decimals
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Explore equivalent and nonequivalent fractions and begin to compare, add, and subtract them
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Multiply larger numbers
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Are comfortable with long division
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Begin developing mental math ability and estimation skills
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Know the basic characteristics of lines and angles
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Have established measurement benchmarks
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Can collect, record, and analyze data to investigate probability
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Comments from readers
Our daughter has been promoted to fifth grade! Hurray! They do work so hard during the school year!
In the past, her school has offered us the opportunity to purchase a summer workbook in order to keep up on her skills. Unfortunately, we were not given that opportunity for this summer.
Do you know of any free websites offering math worksheets? I do not want her to forget all that she has learned this year. They even started to do geometry and algebra!
If not, I can always look for something at our local teacher supply store.
Thank you for any suggestions you are able to give me.
Have a nice summer.
Sincerely,
Jeaneen
P.S. Any suggestions for my 10-year-old who is not excited about reading? She did very well at her Catholic school this year (i.e., mostly A's). Her teacher praised her reading comprehension as being at a sixth grade level.
She has only been out of school for a week. Hopefully, she will enjoy a good book soon. I would like her to read every day. Her class visited primarygames.com. I hope that she will have fun while learning.
I am a concerned parent of 3rd and 4th grade daughters. My main concern is helping them with Math. I would like some advice as to how to teach 3rd and 4th grade Math to them at home because they are not understanding it at school. Should I start over with the basic skills or hire a tutor. I really need your advice.
ana