Fourth graders continue to expand their ability to use the whole-number operations
of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with increasing levels
of difficulty. Students are introduced to double-digit multiplication and division
using a variety of strategies, all of which are preceded by a visual representation
of the number sentence. These include area models using base ten blocks and partial
products. Equivalent fractions, comparison of fractions, and addition and subtraction
of fractions are explored using concrete materials. Decimals as fractions of a
whole are introduced. Measurement and geometry are taught with students using
standard and metric units of measure to solve problems involving linear measurement,
volume/capacity, area, and weight. Students learn to draw basic polygons with
more precision, understanding concepts of points, lines, line segments, rays,
and angles. Students collect, record, and analyze data and explore functions,
ordered pairs, graphing, and probability. Problem-solving strategies are specifically
taught and incorporated throughout the strands of mathematics. Fourth graders
continue to visit the math lab.
Goals and Objectives
Number and Operations
Addition and subtraction
Knows basic addition facts and subtraction facts
Adds large numbers with sums up to 1,000,000
Subtracts 3-, 4-, and 5-digit numbers with regrouping across zero
Multiplication and division
Understands the concepts of multiplication and division
Knows basic multiplication facts and division facts
Understands the relation between multiplication and division
Builds rectangular arrays using base 10 blocks to represent multiplication
Multiplies double-digit numbers by building, partial products, and
lattice multiplication
Knows the meaning of the words "product" and "quotient"
Represents and understands division as a rectangular array
Builds and records division of a 2-, 3-, or 4-digit number by a 2-digit
number (can have remainders, or regrouping in the dividend and zeros in the
quotient)
Understands that subtraction is the inverse of addition, and multiplication
is the inverse of division
Understands that multiplication is repeated addition, and division
is repeated subtraction
Experiences and becomes familiar with the terminology of multiples
Fractions
Uses concrete materials to represent fractions and their equivalents
Writes the fraction for the shaded parts of a whole figure, with a
numerator and denominator less than or equal to 20
Compares fractions less than half to fractions more than half by finding
equivalent fractions of half or one
Numeration
Decimals
Understands the concept of decimals as fractions of a whole
Uses base blocks to represent decimals as geometric areas
Measurement
Uses and selects non-standard, standard, and metric units of measure
to estimate and measure length and weight
Measures objects to the nearest 1/2 inch or .5 centimeter
Finds the area and perimeter of a polygon
Continues to develop skills in using measurement instruments to measure
length, weight, and volume
Understands how measurements are approximations and understands how
differences in units affect precision
Geometry and Spatial Sense
Practices and use points and lines, including intersecting, parallel,
and perpendicular
Practices and uses angles informally, including acute, obtuse, and
right angles
Recognizes geometric ideas and relationships and applies them to other
disciplines and to problems that arise in the classroom or in everyday life
Applies basic terminology (such as point, line, plane, angle, parallel,
perpendicular, and diameter) to geometric figures
Patterns and Functions
Finds a pattern in a sequence of whole numbers and extends the sequence
Begins to extend patterns represented in tables or as ordered pairs
and proposes a function rule to describe the relationship
Graphs functions using ordered pairs
Data Analysis and Probability
Determines whether two or more geometric figures are similar or congruent
and explains the reasoning used
Collects, organizes, represents, interprets, and compares data using
lists, tables, and graphs (bar and line) and categories
Begins to use averages and the terms mean, median, and mode
Predicts, performs, and records the results of simple probability experiments
Develops an intuitive use of probability concepts through the use of
games, activities, and stories
Assessment and Evaluation
The fourth-grade teachers assess students throughout the year using pre- and
post-assessments, ongoing individual evaluation of classwork and homework, and
teacher-created end-of-unit assessments.
Materials
Base ten blocks
Color cubes
Color tiles
Cuisenaire rods
Geoboards
Pattern blocks
Multi link cubes
Pattern blocks
Tangrams
Unifix cubes
References and Resources
Curriculum and Evaluations Standards for School Mathematics. NCTM 2000.
Trailblazers. (Textbook)
Get it Together. Equals Publications.
Lane County Math Project: Problem Solving in Mathematics.
