What your child learns in Grade 4

Age typically 9 to 10 years old

Fourth grade builds on strong multiplication facts to tackle multi-digit calculation, factors and multiples, and fractions with different denominators. In English, children read to analyse texts and write for a clear purpose and audience.

US grade: Grade 4. This year is usually called Year 4 in Australia and Year 5 in the UK. Curriculum expectations vary by country, state and school, so use the milestones below as a typical guide rather than a fixed standard.

Maths through the year

Start of the year

Read, write and compare numbers to at least 100,000.
Multiply two-digit and three-digit numbers by a one-digit number.
Recall multiplication facts to 10 by 10 fluently.
Round numbers to any place value.

Mid-year

Find factors and multiples, and identify prime and composite numbers.
Add and subtract fractions with the same denominator.
Understand decimals to hundredths and link them to fractions.
Divide with remainders using formal methods.

End of the year

Solve multi-step word problems with the four operations.
Measure and calculate area and perimeter of rectangles.
Plot and read points on a coordinate grid (first quadrant).
Begin order of operations with brackets.

English and literacy through the year

Start of the year

Read a wide range of texts fluently and independently.
Summarise a text and identify its main ideas.
Write structured paragraphs linked into a longer piece.
Spell most words, including common homophones.

Mid-year

Explain how authors use language and text features.
Use a range of punctuation, including speech marks.
Write narratives, reports and persuasive pieces.
Take notes and organise information from research.

End of the year

Compare themes and viewpoints across texts.
Edit their own writing for clarity, spelling and grammar.
Support arguments with evidence and reasoning.
Present ideas clearly in speaking and writing.

Signs your child is ahead

Handles multi-digit multiplication and division with confidence.
Reads and analyses challenging texts and infers meaning.
Writes well-structured pieces for different purposes.

Signs your child may need support

Still shaky on times tables, which slows all new work.
Struggles to compare or add fractions.
Finds it hard to write more than a few sentences on a topic.

Every child develops at their own pace. A single sign is rarely a worry on its own. If several apply and persist, a quick chat with your child's teacher is the best next step.