4th grade English Units, Skills, and Practice

4th grade English Units

Open any unit to see the full lesson path. The summaries below are rendered in static HTML for clear curriculum discovery.

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  1

  Unit 1

  Reading foundations: decoding and fluency

  Students strengthen multisyllabic decoding, morphology, oral reading accuracy, and reading stamina. The unit builds the automaticity needed for strong grade-level comprehension.

  Decode multisyllabic wordsRead words automatically with morphologyRead aloud accurately and expressivelyBuild stamina with grade-level texts

  First steps

  1. 1Spot base words
  2. 2Read common prefixes
  3. 3Read common suffixes
  4. 4Break syllable patterns
  5. 5Blend morpheme parts
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  2

  Unit 2

  Literature: evidence, inference, and summary

  Students read stories and poems closely to answer questions, infer meaning, determine theme, and summarize accurately. Work emphasizes citing details and explaining thinking clearly.

  Use details for explicit answersMake literary inferencesDetermine theme and summarize

  First steps

  1. 1Find the answer in the text
  2. 2Match a question to a detail
  3. 3Quote or paraphrase a detail
  4. 4Use two details to answer
  5. 5Answer with textual evidence
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  3

  Unit 3

  Literature: characters, structure, and point of view

  Students analyze story elements, compare narrative viewpoints, and explain how text structure shapes meaning. The unit develops precise literary analysis with age-appropriate texts.

  Analyze character, setting, and plotDetermine word and phrase meaning in literatureExplain prose, drama, and poetry structureCompare first-person and third-person narration

  First steps

  1. 1Describe a character using actions
  2. 2Describe a character using dialogue
  3. 3Describe setting with details
  4. 4Trace plot events
  5. 5Explain how details shape events
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  4

  Unit 4

  Literature: comparing texts, myths, and media

  Students compare literary texts across cultures and formats, integrating illustrations and multimedia with close reading. The unit deepens interpretation and cross-text thinking.

  Integrate text with illustrations and multimediaCompare myths and traditional talesSustain comprehension in grade-level literature

  First steps

  1. 1Read illustration details
  2. 2Match an image to the text
  3. 3Compare text and drama version
  4. 4Compare text and audio version
  5. 5Explain how media adds understanding
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  5

  Unit 5

  Informational text: main idea, evidence, and summary

  Students read informational passages to identify main ideas, supporting details, explicit information, and inferences. Work emphasizes accurate summaries and text-based responses.

  Use evidence and make inferences in informational textDetermine main idea and summarize informational textExplain procedures, concepts, and technical vocabulary

  First steps

  1. 1Find explicit facts
  2. 2Match a fact to a question
  3. 3Infer from information
  4. 4Support an inference with detail
  5. 5Answer a question with evidence
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  Unit 6

  Informational text: structure, features, and accounts

  Students identify informational text structures, compare accounts, and use visuals and text features to build meaning. The unit helps readers navigate increasingly complex nonfiction.

  Identify informational text structuresCompare firsthand and secondhand accountsInterpret visuals, graphs, timelines, and multimedia

  First steps

  1. 1Identify chronological structure
  2. 2Identify compare and contrast structure
  3. 3Identify cause and effect structure
  4. 4Identify problem and solution structure
  5. 5Choose the best structure clue
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  Unit 7

  Informational text: reasoning, claims, and integration

  Students analyze how authors support points with reasons and evidence, then integrate information from multiple texts on the same topic. The unit prepares students for evidence-based discussion and writing.

  Explain author reasons and evidenceIntegrate information from two textsSustain comprehension in grade-level informational text

  First steps

  1. 1Identify the author's point
  2. 2Identify the reasons
  3. 3Identify the evidence
  4. 4Connect reasons to evidence
  5. 5Evaluate support strength
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  Unit 8

  Grammar: sentence structure and usage

  Students build command of complete sentences, relative pronouns, modal auxiliaries, and adjective order. The unit strengthens grammar choices that support clear writing and speaking.

  Produce complete sentences and fix fragments and run-onsUse relative pronouns and clausesUse modal auxiliariesOrder adjectives correctly

  First steps

  1. 1Identify a complete sentence
  2. 2Identify a fragment
  3. 3Identify a run-on sentence
  4. 4Fix a fragment
  5. 5Fix a run-on sentence
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  9

  Unit 9

  Grammar: punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and conventions

  Students learn grade 4 punctuation and capitalization rules, practice standard written forms, and strengthen spelling. Skills support clean, accurate daily writing.

  Use commas in compound sentencesPunctuate dialogue and quotationsUse grade 4 punctuation and capitalization conventionsSpell grade-appropriate words and fix confusing wordsApply standard formats and choose precise language

  First steps

  1. 1Identify a compound sentence
  2. 2Choose a coordinating conjunction
  3. 3Use a comma before the conjunction
  4. 4Fix a missing comma in a compound sentence
  5. 5Write clear compound sentences
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  Unit 10

  Vocabulary: word study and reference skills

  Students build strategies for figuring out word meanings, studying relationships among words, and using print and digital reference tools effectively. The unit supports strong reading and independent learning.

  Use context clues, roots, and affixesDetermine meanings of Greek and Latin roots and affixesExplain word relationships and shades of meaningInterpret figurative language and use reference tools

  First steps

  1. 1Use sentence clues
  2. 2Use prefix clues
  3. 3Use suffix clues
  4. 4Use root clues
  5. 5Choose the best strategy for an unknown word
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  Unit 11

  Writing: narrative craft and writing process

  Students plan, draft, revise, and edit narratives with strong sequence, descriptive detail, pacing, and dialogue. The unit develops narrative control and writing stamina.

  Organize narratives with sequence and pacingUse dialogue, sensory language, and descriptive detailPlan, revise, edit, and type multi-paragraph drafts

  First steps

  1. 1Plan beginning, middle, and end
  2. 2Sequence events logically
  3. 3Slow down an important moment
  4. 4Speed up less important parts
  5. 5End a narrative effectively
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  Unit 12

  Writing: informational and opinion pieces

  Students write well-organized informational and opinion pieces with clear structure, evidence, and audience awareness. The unit also builds routine writing stamina across purposes.

  Write organized informational textsWrite opinion pieces with reasons and evidenceUse evidence in responses and write routinely

  First steps

  1. 1Choose a clear topic and focus
  2. 2Organize with headings
  3. 3Add definitions and facts
  4. 4Add multimedia when helpful
  5. 5Write a clear informational conclusion
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  13

  Unit 13

  Research, discussion, and presentation

  Students conduct short research, take notes, discuss ideas using evidence, and present information clearly with appropriate language and media. This unit integrates reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

  Conduct short research and take categorized notesDiscuss with evidence and summarize mediaPresent information with organization, media, and formal English

  First steps

  1. 1Ask a research question
  2. 2Gather information from sources
  3. 3Take categorized notes
  4. 4Create a simple source list
  5. 5Turn notes into information for writing
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  14

  Unit 14

  Extension: analytical reading and comparative writing

  Students deepen literary and informational analysis by comparing texts, tracing ideas across sources, and writing more developed evidence-based responses. The unit raises rigor while remaining grounded in grade-appropriate content.

  Compare characters, themes, and claims across textsWrite a multi-paragraph evidence response

  First steps

  1. 1Identify comparable elements
  2. 2Find evidence in the first text
  3. 3Find evidence in the second text
  4. 4Write a comparative statement
  5. 5Develop a comparative response
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  Unit 15

  Stretch: language, style, and sentence variety

  Students extend grammar and writing skills by varying sentence patterns, refining diction, and shaping tone for audience and purpose. Work raises sophistication while staying developmentally appropriate.

  Use sentence variety and style deliberatelyAdjust tone and word choice for audience

  First steps

  1. 1Notice repeated sentence patterns
  2. 2Vary sentence openings
  3. 3Combine short sentences for flow
  4. 4Choose sentence length for effect
  5. 5Revise for style and flow
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  Unit 16

  Year-end synthesis: reading, writing, speaking, and reflection

  Students synthesize grade-level learning through integrated projects, extended reading and writing, and reflective revision. The unit prepares students to carry strong habits into future ELA work.

  Complete an integrated literacy project

  First steps

  1. 1Set a project goal
  2. 2Select and organize evidence
  3. 3Draft and revise the integrated piece
  4. 4Present key findings
  5. 5Reflect on growth