The Texas Language Arts and Reading standards include the strands of Reading, Oral and Written Conventions, Listening, Speaking, Writing and Research. Fourth-grade students are expected to read many types of texts, to write for many purposes, to conduct research and present it, to listen and respond appropriately and to use proper English conventions in speaking and writing. The standards state that students should read and write daily in order to improve on English Language Arts Skills learned in previous grades.
In math, fourth-graders focus on new standards in the areas of multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, symmetry and congruency. Students build on prior standard learning in the areas of number sense, operations, measurement, geometry, patterns, probability and statistics. Students are expected to improve fact fluency in all operations during fourth grade. Problem-solving is a focus in all math curriculum standard areas both new and old.
The scientific process, safety and themes such as cycles, patterns and systems are an expectation throughout the science standards. The fourth-grade standards state that student science learning should contain active learning experiments and investigations at least 50 percent of the time. Fourth-graders focus on the natural environment to include natural resources and the solar system, as well as the living environment to include ecosystems, food webs, life cycles and adaptations.
Fourth-graders in Texas study the history of their state. State standards require fourth graders to learn Texas geography to include natural regions and major cities. Standards also require students to learn about the state government, local government and economics. Native American history, immigration patterns and the timeline of historical events that brought Texas to be a part of the United States are part of the standards. Students learn the meaning of the six flags that have flown over Texas.
Health standards include learning about positive and healthy choices that lead to a longer life. Standards require that students learn about healthy eating and exercise choices. Students learn that unhealthy and unsafe choices affect body systems. Peer pressure, healthy relationships, safety and communication are also required topics in the fourth-grade standards.
Physical education standards focus on teaching fourth-graders about the connection between physical activity and a healthy body. Students continue to build their body control and safety skills. Movement activities include exercises, formal games and dance.
Fourth-grade curriculum standards for these three subject areas require that broad strands be covered: historical/cultural heritage, perception, evaluation and self-expression. Students participate in artistic, musical and theatrical experiences designed to teach them to creatively express self and the world. Regular classroom teachers may cover all three areas or specialty teachers in each area may teach the standards.
Standards require that students learn the basic foundations of computer operations and terminology. Fourth-graders work to improve data input skills and advance their use of technology-based presentations such as slide shows. Teachers are required to cover standards involving technology legal issues and proper information acquisition without plagiarism.