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Mastery Learning Standards
The required skills a student should display by the end of Grade 4.
Reading Standards for Literature
  • Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.1

    Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

  • Determine a theme of a story, drama

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.2

    Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.

  • Describe in depth a character, setting

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.3

    Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions).

  • Develop an understanding of people, cultures

    NM.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.4

    Develop an understanding of people, cultures, and societies and explore self identity through literature, media, and oral tradition;

  • Understand that oral tribal history is not a myth, fable

    NM.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.5

    Understand that oral tribal history is not a myth, fable, or folktale, but a historical perspective.

  • Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.4

    Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean).

  • Explain major differences between poems, drama

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.5

    Explain major differences between poems, drama, and prose, and refer to the structural elements of poems (e.g., verse, rhythm, meter) and drama (e.g., casts of characters, settings, descriptions, dialogue, stage directions) when writing or speaking about a text.

  • Compare and contrast the point of view from which different stories are…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.6

    Compare and contrast the point of view from which different stories are narrated, including the difference between first- and third-person narrations.

  • Make connections between the text of a story or drama and a visual or oral…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.7

    Make connections between the text of a story or drama and a visual or oral presentation of the text, identifying where each version reflects specific descriptions and directions in the text.

  • Compare and contrast the treatment of similar themes and topics

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.9

    Compare and contrast the treatment of similar themes and topics (e.g., opposition of good and evil) and patterns of events (e.g., the quest) in stories, myths, and traditional literature from different cultures.

  • By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.10

    By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, in the grades 4—5 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.

Reading Standards for Informational Text
  • Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.1

    Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

  • Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.2

    Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text.

  • Explain events, procedures, ideas

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.3

    Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.

  • Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.4

    Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases in a text relevant to a grade 4 topic or subject area.

  • Describe the overall structure

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.5

    Describe the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in a text or part of a text.

  • Compare and contrast a firsthand and secondhand account of the same event or…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.6

    Compare and contrast a firsthand and secondhand account of the same event or topic; describe the differences in focus and the information provided.

  • Interpret information presented visually, orally

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.7

    Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.

  • Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.8

    Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text.

  • Integrate information from two texts on the same topic in order to write or…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.9

    Integrate information from two texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.

  • By the end of year, read and comprehend informational texts, including…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.10

    By the end of year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, in the grades 4—5 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.

Reading Standards: Foundational Skills
  • Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.4.3

    Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

  • Use combined knowledge of all letter-sound correspondences, syllabication…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.4.3a

    Use combined knowledge of all letter-sound correspondences, syllabication patterns, and morphology (e.g., roots and affixes) to read accurately unfamiliar multisyllabic words in context and out of context.

  • Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.4.4

    Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

  • Read on-level text with purpose and understanding

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.4.4a

    Read on-level text with purpose and understanding.

  • Read on-level prose and poetry orally with accuracy, appropriate rate

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.4.4b

    Read on-level prose and poetry orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression on successive readings

  • Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.4.4c

    Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary.

Writing Standards
  • Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1

    Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information

  • Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1a

    Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which related ideas are grouped to support the writer's purpose.

  • Provide reasons that are supported by facts and details

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1b

    Provide reasons that are supported by facts and details.

  • Link opinion and reasons using words and phrases

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1c

    Link opinion and reasons using words and phrases (e.g., for instance, in order to, in addition).

  • Provide a concluding statement or section related to the opinion presented

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1d

    Provide a concluding statement or section related to the opinion presented.

  • Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2

    Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

  • Introduce a topic clearly and group related information in paragraphs and…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2a

    Introduce a topic clearly and group related information in paragraphs and sections; include formatting (e.g., headings), illustrations, and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.

  • Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2b

    Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic.

  • Link ideas within categories of information using words and phrases

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2c

    Link ideas within categories of information using words and phrases (e.g., another, for example, also, because).

  • Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2d

    Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.

  • Provide a concluding statement or section related to the information or…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2e

    Provide a concluding statement or section related to the information or explanation presented

  • Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.3

    Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

  • Orient the reader by establishing a situationand introducing a narrator and/or…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.3a

    Orient the reader by establishing a situationand introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally.

  • Use dialogue and description to develop experiences and events or show the…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.3b

    Use dialogue and description to develop experiences and events or show the responses of characters to situations.

  • Use a variety of transitional words and phrases to manage the sequence of…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.3c

    Use a variety of transitional words and phrases to manage the sequence of events.

  • Use concrete words and phrases and sensory details to convey experiences and…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.3d

    Use concrete words and phrases and sensory details to convey experiences and events precisely.

  • Provide a conclusion that follows from the narrated experiences or events

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.3e

    Provide a conclusion that follows from the narrated experiences or events.

  • Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.4

    Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

  • With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.5

    With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing.

  • With some guidance and support from adults, use technology, including the…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.6

    With some guidance and support from adults, use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of one page in a single sitting.

  • Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.7

    Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.

  • Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.8

    Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; take notes and categorize information, and provide a list of sources.

  • Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.9

    Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

  • Apply grade 4 Reading standards to literature

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.9a

    Apply grade 4 Reading standards to literature (e.g., "Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text [e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions].").

  • Apply grade 4 Reading standards to informational texts

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.9b

    Apply grade 4 Reading standards to informational texts (e.g., "Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text").

  • Gather relevant information from multiple sources, including oral knowledge

    NM.ELA-Literacy.W.4.10

    Gather relevant information from multiple sources, including oral knowledge;

  • Apply digital tools to gather, evaluate

    NM.ELA-Literacy.W.4.11

    Apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information;

  • Demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge

    NM.ELA-Literacy.W.4.12

    Demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.

  • Write routinely over extended time frames

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.10

    Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.

Speaking and Listening Standards
  • Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.4.1

    Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.

  • Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.4.1a

    Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation and other information known about the topic to explore ideas under discussion.

  • Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions and carry out assigned roles

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.4.1b

    Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions and carry out assigned roles.

  • Pose and respond to specific questions to clarify or follow up on information

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.4.1c

    Pose and respond to specific questions to clarify or follow up on information, and make comments that contribute to the discussion and link to the remarks of others.

  • Review the key ideas expressed and explain their own ideas and understanding in…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.4.1d

    Review the key ideas expressed and explain their own ideas and understanding in light of the discussion.

  • Paraphrase portions of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.4.2

    Paraphrase portions of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

  • Identify the reasons and evidence a speaker provides to support particular…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.4.3

    Identify the reasons and evidence a speaker provides to support particular points.

  • Report on a topic or text, tell a story

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.4.4

    Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience in an organized manner, using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an understandable pace.

  • Add audio recordings and visual displays to presentations when appropriate to…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.4.5

    Add audio recordings and visual displays to presentations when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or themes.

  • Differentiate between contexts that call for formal English

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.4.6

    Differentiate between contexts that call for formal English (e.g., presenting ideas) and situations where informal discourse is appropriate (e.g., small-group discussion); use formal English when appropriate to task and situation.

Language Standards
  • Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.1

    Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

  • Use relative pronouns

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.1a

    Use relative pronouns (who, whose, whom, which, that) and relative adverbs (where, when, why).

  • Form and use the progressive

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.1b

    Form and use the progressive (e.g., I was walking; I am walking; I will be walking) verb tenses.

  • Use modal auxiliaries

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.1c

    Use modal auxiliaries (e.g., can, may, must) to convey various conditions.

  • Order adjectives within sentences according to conventional patterns

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.1d

    Order adjectives within sentences according to conventional patterns (e.g., a small red bag rather than a red small bag).

  • Form and use prepositional phrases

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.1e

    Form and use prepositional phrases.

  • Produce complete sentences, recognizing and correcting inappropriate fragments…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.1f

    Produce complete sentences, recognizing and correcting inappropriate fragments and run-ons.

  • Correctly use frequently confused words

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.1g

    Correctly use frequently confused words (e.g., to, too, two; there, their).

  • Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.2

    Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

  • Use correct capitalization

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.2a

    Use correct capitalization.

  • Use commas and quotation marks to mark direct speech and quotations from a text

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.2b

    Use commas and quotation marks to mark direct speech and quotations from a text.

  • Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.2c

    Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence.

  • Spell grade-appropriate words correctly, consulting references as needed

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.2d

    Spell grade-appropriate words correctly, consulting references as needed.

  • Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.3

    Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.

  • Choose words and phrases to convey ideas precisely

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.3a

    Choose words and phrases to convey ideas precisely.

  • Choose punctuation for effect

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.3b

    Choose punctuation for effect.

  • Differentiate between contexts that call for formal English

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.3c

    Differentiate between contexts that call for formal English (e.g., presenting ideas) and situations where informal discourse is appropriate (e.g., small-group discussion).

  • Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.4

    Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 4 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

  • Use context (e.g., definitions, examples

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.4a

    Use context (e.g., definitions, examples, or restatements in text) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.

  • Use common, grade-appropriate Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.4b

    Use common, grade-appropriate Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., telegraph, photograph, autograph).

  • Consult reference materials

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.4c

    Consult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation and determine or clarify the precise meaning of key words and phrases.

  • Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.5

    Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

  • Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.5a

    Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors (e.g., as pretty as a picture) in context.

  • Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.5b

    Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.

  • Demonstrate understanding of words by relating them to their opposites

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.5c

    Demonstrate understanding of words by relating them to their opposites (antonyms) and to words with similar but not identical meanings (synonyms).

  • Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and…

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.6

    Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal precise actions, emotions, or states of being (e.g., quizzed, whined, stammered) and that are basic to a particular topic (e.g., wildlife, conservation, and endangered when discussing animal preservation).