4th Grade English Language Arts Checklist

4th Grade English Language Arts Checklist

Download the Fourth Grade English Language Arts checklist

Reading: Foundational Skills

  • RF.4.3 I can show what I have learned about letters, sounds and words in my reading.
  • RF.4.3.A I can read unfamiliar words that have more than one syllable.
  • RF.4.4 I can fluently read and understand books at my level well.
  • RF.4.4.A I can read and understand fourth-grade texts.
  • RF.4.4.B I can read fourth-grade books and poems aloud accurately, at the right speed and with expression.
  • RF.4.4.C I can use what I understand from my reading to help me figure out or correct words I am having trouble with.

Reading: Literature

  • RL.4.1 I can explain a story by referring to details and examples in the text.
  • RL.4.2 I can figure out the theme of a fiction text by thinking about the details in the text.
  • RL.4.2 I can summarize a fiction text in my own words.
  • RL.4.3 I can use specific details in fiction text to help me describe a character, setting or event in the story.
  • RL.4.4 I can figure out the meanings of words and phrases an author uses.
  • RL.4.4 I can understand words that have been created from characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean.)
  • RL.4.5 I can write or talk about the differences between poems, plays and fictional stories.
  • RL.4.5 I can refer to specific elements of poems (verse, rhythm, meter) and plays (characters, settings, descriptions, dialogue, stage directions) when I write or talk about a piece of fiction.
  • RL.4.6 I can compare and contrast different stories by thinking about the points of view from which they are told.
  • RL.4.6 I can tell the difference between first- and third-person narrators.
  • RL.4.7 I can make connections between a written text and a visual or oral presentation of the same text.
  • RL.4.9 I can compare and contrast how authors from different cultures write about similar themes (e.g., good vs. evil) in stories, myths and traditional literature.
  • RL.4.9 I can compare and contrast how authors from different cultures write about patterns of events (e.g., the quest) in stories, myths and traditional literature.
  • RL.4.10 I can read and understand fourth-grade stories, plays and poems independently.
    Reading: Informational Text
  • RI.4.1 I can explain what informational text teaches me by referring to details and examples from the text.
  • RI.4.1 I can draw inferences from informational texts by referring to details and examples from the text.
  • RI.4.2 I can figure out the main idea in informational texts.
  • RI.4.2 I can explain how the main idea in informational texts is supported by the details in the text.
  • RI.4.2 I can use my own words to summarize informational texts I have read.
  • RI.4.3 I can read about and explain historical events and tell why they happened using information that was given in the text.
  • RI.4.3 I can read about a scientific procedure, idea or concept and explain what and why it happened using information that was given in the text.
  • RI.4.3 I can read about a technical procedure, idea or concept and explain what and why it happened using information that was given in the text.
  • RI.4.4 I can figure out the meanings of words and phrases in science and social studies texts.
  • RI.4.5 I can describe the organization (e.g., time order, comparison, cause & effect or problem & solution) of events, ideas, concepts or information in informational texts.
  • RI.4.6 I can compare and contrast the information given in a firsthand account (a person who was present) and secondhand account (a person who was not present, but was told) of the same event or topic.
  • RI.4.7 I can figure out, understand and use information from charts, graphs,diagrams, time lines, animations or other internet presentations to help me explain my understanding of informational texts.
  • RI.4.8 I can explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in informational texts.
  • RI.4.9 I can use information from two different informational texts on the same topic to help me write or speak with knowledge about the topic.
  • RI.4.10 I can read and understand 4th-grade informational texts independently.

Writing

  • W.4.1 I can write to share my opinion on topics or texts and provide reasons and information to support that opinion.
  • W.4.1.A I can write my opinion in an organized way that introduces my topic clearly, states my opinion, and groups related ideas together.
  • W.4.1.B I can give reasons that are supported by facts and details when writing my opinion.
  • W.4.1.C I can connect my opinion and reasons using words and phrases (e.g., for instance, in order to, in addition.)
  • W.4.1.D I can write a conclusion (ending) that is related to the opinion I present.
  • W.4.2 I can write to inform/explain topics or ideas to others clearly.
  • W.4.2.A I can write an informative text that introduces my topic and then groups related information together in paragraphs or sections.
  • W.4.2.A I can include special formatting (e.g., headings), illustrations and multimedia in my writing to help others understand my topic better.
  • W.4.2.B I can develop a topic using facts, definitions, details, quotations or other information and examples.
  • W.4.2.C I can connect related ideas using words and phrases (e.g., another, for example, also, because.)
  • W.4.2.D I can use precise wording and specific vocabulary to teach others about a topic.
  • W.4.2.E I can write a conclusion (ending) that is related to the information or explanation I present.
  • W.4.3 I can write stories with good technique, detailed descriptions and a clear sequence.
  • W.4.3.A I can provide an introduction in my stories that creates a situation, introduces a narrator & characters and organizes a plot that unfolds naturally.
  • W.4.3.B I can use dialog and description to develop experiences and events or to show how the characters respond to different situations in the story.
  • W.4.3.C I can use different types of transitional words and phrases to help with the sequence of my story.
  • W.4.3.D I can use very specific words and phrases, as well as sensory details, to express experiences and events.
  • W.4.3.E I can write a conclusion (ending) that makes sense with the experiences and events I shared in my story.
  • W.4.4 I can produce clear and organized writing.
  • W.4.4 I can produce writing that is appropriate for my purpose, audience and task.
  • W.4.5 I can plan, revise and edit my writing with the help of peers and adults.
  • W.4.6 I can use technology to create and publish my writing.
  • W.4.6 I can use technology to communicate and collaborate with others.
  • W.4.6 I can use appropriate keyboarding skills to type at least one page of my writing in a single sitting.
  • W.4.7 I can conduct short research projects to help me learn about topics through investigation.
  • W.4.8 I can recall what I have learned or find new information from books or technology to help me with my research.
  • W.4.8 I can take notes to help me organize the research in my writing.
  • W.4.8 I can provide a list of sources that I used for gathering information for my writing.
  • W.4.9 I can gather evidence from fiction or informational text to support my investigation, thinking and research.
  • W.4.9.A I can apply all that I have learned in 4th grade reading to writing literature texts.
  • W.4.9.B I can apply all that I have learned in 4th grade reading to writing informational texts.
  • W.4.10 I can write with stamina for short time frames or over a longer period of time depending on my purpose, audience and topic.

Speaking and Listening

  • 4.1 I can effectively participate in different types of discussions and with different people.
  • 4.1 I can build on others’ ideas and express my own ideas clearly.
  • 4.1.A I can come to discussions prepared to share my ideas because I have read or studied the required material.
  • 4.1.A I can use what I know and what I have read to explore new ideas about a topic during a discussion.
  • 4.1.B I can follow agreed-upon rules for discussion and carry out my assigned role.
  • 4.1.C I can ask and answer questions to help me understand discussions, stay on topic and that contribute to others’ ideas and remarks.
  • 4.1.D I can think about what is discussed and explain any new thinking that I have.
  • 4.2 I can paraphrase text that is read aloud or information that is presented to me.
  • 4.3 I can identify the reasons or evidence that a speaker gives to support his/her points.
  • 4.4 I can report on a topic or tell a story with correct and appropriate facts and details to support my main idea.
  • 4.4 I can speak clearly and at an appropriate pace when I give a report or share a story or experience.
  • 4.5 I can create engaging audio recordings or visual displays to help me better explain a main idea or theme when necessary.
  • 4.6 I can figure out when to use formal English and when it is appropriate to use informal English.

Language

  • 4.1 I can show that I know how to use words correctly when I write and speak.
  • 4.1.A I can use relative pronouns (who, whose, whom, which, that) and relative adverbs (where, when, why) correctly when I write or speak.
  • 4.1.B I can correctly write and use progressive verb tenses (e.g., I was talking, I am talking, I will be talking.)
  • 4.1.C I can use auxiliary words to show different conditions (e.g., can, may, must.)
  • 4.1.D I can use the common patterns I have learned about adjectives to order them correctly in sentences.
  • 4.1.E I can correctly write and use prepositional phrases.
  • 4.1.F I can write complete sentences.
  • 4.1.F I can recognize inappropriate sentence fragments and run-on sentences.
  • 4.1.G I can correctly use commonly confused words (e.g., to, too, two; their & there.)
  • 4.2 I can show that I know how to write sentences correctly.
  • 4.2.A I can correctly use capitalization in all of my writing.
  • 4.2.B I can use commas and quotation marks to show direct speech and quotations from a text.
  • 4.2.C I can correctly use a comma before a conjunction when connecting two simple sentences.
  • .4.2.D I can use appropriate references to help me spell fourth-grade words.
  • 4.3 I can write, speak, read and listen by using my knowledge of the English language.
  • 4.3.A I can choose interesting words and phrases to help others understand my ideas better.
  • 4.3.B I can choose various punctuation to help me show different moods in writing.
  • 4.3.C I can figure out when I need to use formal speech and when I can use informal speech.
  • 4.4 I can determine the meanings of words by using the strategies I have learned and by thinking about what I have read.
  • 4.4.A I can use context clues to figure out the meanings of words or phrases.
  • 4.4.B I can determine the meanings of unknown words by using what I know about common Greek and Latin prefixes, suffixes and roots.
  • 4.4.C I can use print and computer reference sources to help me find the pronunciations and clarify meanings of new words or phrases.
  • 4.5 I can show that I understand figurative language.
  • 4.5 I can figure out how words are related and how their meanings might be similar.
  • 4.5.A I can explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors in context.
  • 4.5.B I can recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages and proverbs.
  • 4.5.C I can understand words by relating them to their antonyms and synonyms.
  • 4.6 I can figure out and use fourth-grade words that show specific actions, emotions or states of being.
  • 4.6 I can figure out and use fourth-grade words that are centered around a specific topic.