Fourth Grade ELA Critical Concepts

Decoding

• I can decode unfamiliar words using context clues, roots and affixes, and syllabication patterns.
• I can read aloud accurately and fluently.

Analyzing Text Organization and Structure

• I can describe the organizational structure of a text.
• I can explain how text features and visual or multimedia presentations of information help organize a text.

Text Features

• I can use headings, formatting, and other text features to help the audience understand a text's ideas.

Text Types

• I can compare poems, fictional prose, nonfiction prose, and dramas.
• I can write an informational text.

Analyzing Ideas and Themes

• I can summarize a text by describing its main idea and related details.
• I can identify a theme in a text.

Analyzing Claims, Evidence, and Reasoning

• I can explain how reasons and evidence support an author's opinion.

Analyzing Narratives

• I can describe a character, event, or setting using specific details from a narrative text.

Analyzing Point of View

• I can describe a character, event, or setting using specific details from a narrative text.

Comparing Texts

• I can compare a firsthand and secondhand account of the same event or topic.
• I can compare a visual or oral representation of a text to the source text.
• I can compare two myths from different cultures.

Analyzing Words

• I can use context clues and text resources to determine the meaning of domain-specific and academic vocabulary.
• I can explain the relationships between synonyms, antonyms, and homophones.

Analyzing Language

• I can describe the purpose of similes and metaphors.

Generating Text Organization and Structure

• I can introduce a topic by providing relevant background information.
• I can group related information into paragraphs or sections.
• I can use words and phrases to link details to a topic or claim.
• I can conclude a topic by explaining why it is important.

Generating Claims, Evidence and Reasoning

• I can state an opinion and clear reasons for that opinion.
• I can give evidence to support an opinion, answer, or inference.

Sources and Research

• I can gather information about a particular topic from two texts.
• I can explain specific concepts, procedures, or events in nonfiction texts.

Generating Narratives

• I can organize the events in a narrative chronologically or logically, using transitions to indicate order.
• I can use descriptive language to convey events and character experiences in a narrative.
• I can use dialogue to convey a narrative's conflict or problem.

Revision

• I can combine sentences to add complexity to a draft.
• I can clarify a draft's main ideas and focus.

Parts of Speech

• I can use modal auxiliary verbs correctly.
• I can use progressive verb tenses correctly.
• I can use relative adverbs and pronouns correctly.
• I can order adjectives in a sentence correctly.

Editing

• I can edit for subject/verb agreement and the use of double negatives.
• I can edit for capitalization.
• I can edit punctuation so that it accurately expresses meaning and follows standard punctuation rules.
• I can edit for spelling.