About 4th Graders

Attributes of Fourth Graders

 

Nine is a time of general confusion for kids. Nine-year-olds:

  • Want to put some distance between themselves and adults, and may rebel against authority.
  • Need to be part of a group.
  • Seek independence.
  • Possess a high activity level.
  • Can express a wide range of emotions and verbalize easily.
  • Can empathize.
  • Can think independently and critically, but are tied to peer standards.
  • Begin to increase their sense of truthfulness.
  • Are typically not self-confident.

 

Fourth Grade Basic Skills

 

School changes quite dramatically for students in fourth grade. Students will be applying reading skills in content area subjects such as social studies, science, and health. Study skills will become very important as kids will now be asked to write reports and handle long-term assignments. In fourth grade, most students will learn to:

  • Divide by one-and two-digit numbers.
  • Use calculators and computers.
  • Add and subtract fractions.
  • Use contextual clues to discover the meaning of words.
  • Understand and use the steps of the writing process from pre-writing to the final draft.
  • Write research reports.
  • Locate information in the library.
  • Use encyclopedias, newspapers, atlases, and magazines as resources.

 

 

 

How Parents Can Help Their Fourth Graders

 

At nine years old, fourth graders are learning how to make decisions and set standards. Parents can help by encouraging their child as she:

  • Begins making decisions.
  • Gains a greater sense of responsibility.
  • Sets personal standards.
  • Develops personal interests and abilities.
  • Develops social skills.
  • Learns to engage in group decision-making.

Activities and Games

  • Bicycling, roller and ice skating, and swimming are some of the physical activities they enjoy.
  • More advanced board games are still popular.
  • Nine year olds like working with a variety of information and materials.